BLOG & HOW-TO's

This is a beautiful section of the Milwaukee River, very serene for being this close to the city. The mini dells just south of Lime Kiln Park remind you of the Wisconsin Dells, albeit a smaller version. There are small riffles and rapids, but paddlers must pay attention to water levels, as certain sections can be dangerous at higher levels.

There’s nothing like putting in the river right below a dam, and floating away as the sound of rushing water fades in the distance. This is how the experience starts at Thiensville Village Park when running from there down to Badger Meter River Park in Brown Deer. The put-in is just below the dam, down a few steps from the parking lot. It’s another section of the river that is mostly wooded, quiet and serene, with some backyards here and there, and occasionally some traffic from a nearby road, but other than that it’s a nice paddle for being so close to the city. 

Trip Date: July 18, 2024Run Time: 1 hr 15 min (faster than usual, did a lot of paddling, had...