4 Wisconsin Whitewater Rafting Trips for Beginners

If you're looking to have a whitewater rafting adventure, Wisconsin offers plenty of exciting opportunities. Summer is a great time for first-time rafters, as the water levels this time of year are still high enough for thrills, but not so high that you need experience. Some outfitters also offer guided trips into the fall season for an exciting tour of colorful foliage.  

Here are four whitewater rafting trips for you and your crew to experience on the Wolf, Menominee and Peshtigo Rivers in Northeast Wisconsin.

Wildman Adventure Resort – Athelstane & Niagara

The Peshtigo River is known as one of the longest continuous stretches of whitewater in the Midwest. Wildman Adventure Resort has private access to the river along the rapids so you can hike around and scout out the surroundings before hopping in your raft.

During the summer, everyone will be in individual rafts that allow you to more easily maneuver around rocks, and your guide will demonstrate how to surf the small waves, swim rapids and play in the waterfalls. The trips generally take between one and two hours and are an amazing way to explore the Peshtigo with your favorite people.

At Wildman's one-stop adventure shop, you can also try your hand at ziplining, rock climbing and paintball if you want to keep your adventures going once you're out of the water.

For a little more adrenaline with no experience needed, Wildman also offers guided trips on the Menominee River, home to some of the largest volume rapids in the Midwest. Late in the summer, when other rivers are low, the dam-released Menominee River will continue to produce large whitewater and incredible rafting experiences, along with more relaxed flatwater sections.

Herb's Wolf River Raft Rides – White Lake

The Wolf River has undeveloped shorelines, which enable rafters to enjoy a true wilderness experience in just a day. Herb's Wolf River Raft Rides offers longer five- to six-hour or shorter two- to three-hour trips. They even provide free transportation to the starting point. 

Lunches are available by advance request for the trips. Each raft holds two to three people, so bring your family and friends and make this trip an annual vacation.

Shotgun Eddy's – White Lake

Shotgun Eddy's offers a variety of whitewater rafting trips based on experience and water conditions. For beginners, the M-Bridge Trip is recommended. Paddlers of all ages and abilities will enjoy the ride. The entire trip is two and a half hours, and you and your fellow rafters will travel six miles down the Wolf River. Shotgun Eddy's provides drop-off and pick-up.

As you start to get more comfortable rafting on the river, you can keep coming back to Shotgun Eddy's year after year to try trips that require more experience and go farther down the river.

Kosir's Whitewater Rafting and Campground – Silver Cliff

Located in Silver Cliff, Kosir's is a family-owned outfitter and campground set on the picturesque Peshtigo and Menominee Rivers. Catering to both thrill-seekers and novice rafters, Kosir's has taken families on unforgettable adventures through northern Wisconsin's most stunning wilderness for over 45 years. Whether you're tackling the rapids or enjoying a serene float on a tube or kayak, there's an experience for everyone in your crew.

When hunger strikes, make your way to Todd and Barb's Rapids Resort to savor homemade pizza and Italian specialties in a welcoming atmosphere.

Note: Water levels change dramatically depending on snowmelt and rainfall. Check with your rental company to get a better idea of the difficulty of the rapids when planning your trip.

Prefer to float down the river on an inner tube instead? We have eight great rivers for that.