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For the last three summers, the August highlight for me has been a weekend camping and canoeing trip with Wisconsin River Outings on the Wisconsin River. We enjoyed another beautiful weekend on this awesome river last weekend.

Enjoying a Wisconsin River Outings

The trip began on Friday with the road trip up and then a night camping in the river park in Muscoda. This is not the best campground, but it is one of the few in the area near where we begin in Boscobel. We gathered around the campfire in anticipation of another great camping trip.

Related: Paddle the Wisconsin River for the best canoe camping

Wisconsin River Outings

The next morning we headed out to Boscobel after bagels, coffee, and orange juice. The great thing about using an outfitter is no car shift in the morning. We got our canoes, and Wisconsin River Outings would pick us up at the end. I highly recommend using them. Their cost is reasonable and they are efficient since they have been running trips up here for decades.

Excitement builds as we pack our overloaded canoes at Boscobel

We somehow managed to get all our coolers, gear, firewood in eight canoes. I think half of our weight was in ice. No beer left warm was our moto. The day was misty as we got in the canoes and left the Boscobel backwater and merged onto the mighty Wisconsin. The sun spent all day breaking through the clouds, which was nice because we had intermittent shade and sunshine all day. The best part about the clouds though is they make for more interesting photos and GoPro video.

Lovely to have hardly a hint of wind on this trip

All smiles when paddling the Wisconsin River

Lunch stop

It did not take us long to spot our first bald eagle. Jay pointed across the river and sure enough a black body with a white head and white tail was visible at the top of a tree. You are almost guaranteed to see at least one eagle on the trip. We usually see more than five.

A staple for any Wisconsin River trip is enjoying a bald eagle sighting

Our first stop was for lunch on a sandbar right in front of a barn that was tucked into a valley. It was definitely a quintessential Wisconsin scene. We had a few beers and sat around in a circle for an hour and enjoyed the beautiful day. Marvin soon had us back in the canoes. We needed to secure a camping spot, which is not always easy on a busy summer August weekend. Check out our bad etiquette experience last year.

This photo just screams Wisconsin

Related: Bad etiquette camping on the Wisconsin River

The water level was just about perfect. The U.S. Geologic Survey water data page for Muscoda indicated a water level of 1.73. Anything under 2.5 is good although sandbars can be a little harder as you head towards the confluence with the Mississippi. You do need to be mindful of the channel when the water level is this low or you could be in for a walk. Or maybe these folks were just wanting to stretch their legs.

Taking a break on the Wisconsin River

Enjoying the scenery on a sandbar in the middle of the Wisconsin River

Taking a break on the Wisconsin River

Camping on Etiquette Island

We pushed forward, and for the third straight year, Etiquette Island was our home. It is amazing how the island transforms from year to year. The first year it was several football fields long when one lone fool tried to secure the whole island from one corner. Last year it was a narrow spit compared to the year before. It was a little tight camping there last year. This year the island was somewhere in the middle. It was not as long and narrow, but much more wide.

Etiquette Island was ours

At first I was worried it was going to be a repeat as there was one canoe on the island unloading. A half hour earlier we passed on a sandbar where one tent occupied the middle of a huge sandbar. It turned out the one canoe was our group. We sent Dave and Dan ahead to scout and secure, and they succeeded.

Wisconsin River Outings canoes while bathers swim in the distance

Another key moment on a Wisconsin River trip is sunset

Friends of the Chicago River unwind on Etiquette Island

This group of friends are volunteer guides for the Friends of the Chicago River canoe program. We work hard all year bringing out guests on to the Chicago River waterways, and this trip is our time for ourselves. We enjoy each others company, paddle, swim, drink beer, enjoy a campfire, and play guitars all night. This year the guitar playing stopped quite early for some reason.

Campfire, friends, guitars, and beer make for a great combo

Despite the early to bed guitars, we sat around the campfire late. I managed to be one of the last survivors although I was falling asleep in my chair at the end.

Moon rise over a Wisconsin River sandbar and campfire

Next morning we awoke to some mist that soon dissipated as the sun gained in intensity. We had a wonderful breakfast and broke camp on Etiquette Island. Thanks again to Marv and Deb for organizing such a great trip.

Etiquette Island camping

Taking out in Millville

After a land GoPro group selfie and one in the canoe, we paddled for another hour plus into Millville. It ended far too soon as it always does. We were picked up by Wisconsin River Outings and brought back to Boscobel. We then got in our cars and made the return back to Chicago.

Wisconsin River GoPro group selfie

Until next year – The Wisconsin River Friends of the Chicago River group

Adventure on!

The goal of Traveling Ted is to inspire people to outdoor adventure travel and then provide tips on where and how to go. If you liked this post then sign up for the email newsletter. Notifications are sent out once or twice a month with what is new with Traveling Ted’s adventures. There is no spam and email information will not be shared. Other e-follow options include Facebook (click on the like box to the right) or twitter (click on the pretty bird on the rainbow above).