Dodge County’s River System is a hidden gem that awaits for adventurers!

The Beaver Dam, Crawfish, and Rock Rivers are an extensive waterway system that provide miles of paddling opportunities throughout the County. The natural and scenic rivers create endless exploring, fishing, photography, and wildlife viewing opportunities. 

River Information - Find Your Adventure!

Map of River Locations in Dodge County

Paddling Guide - Launch Access Points

Beaver Dam -  5.8 miles - River Details

The first mile is an urban paddle through downtown Beaver Dam that kind of feels like paddling through a canyon because of the tall buildings, large retaining walls, and huge boulder-piled embankments. Shortly after will be the Center Street bridge which has a larger back roller and some Class 2 rapids.  After the bridge the rapids By Hwy 151, the river loses most of the city, relaxes and slows down.  But only for a short period, as the river again picks up speed at it enters a heavily wooded section.  Typically this is super scenic with overarching branches, boulder gardens, pools, and riffles. One of the highlights is a gorgeous 1910 railroad bridge supported by massive stone arches.  The river later starts to open up somewhat with farmland replacing trees.  There are some longer stretches of rapids that have an up-north vibe to them and not what you expect from a Southern Wisconsin river, which was neat. Past the Canary Road bridge, the river slows and opens up.  At one point the river makes a tight turn over a chute of rapids and flows closely by a historic red barn which was a nice experience.  After Hwy J, the rapids pretty much die off and you have a peaceful wetland paddle.

Crawfish River -  9.5 miles [Dodge County] - River Details

The Crawfish River is approximately 81 miles long and meanders through Columbia, Dodge, and Jefferson Counties. The portion of the river that lies in Dodge County is a mile south of Ninabuck Road, the current slowed and the river widened as the effects from the Danville Dam started to kick in.  By the Ninabark bridge the current is slow and the final two miles of the trip were for all intents and purposes a lake paddle.  County Road TT marked the start of Astico Park.  This is an attractive area shaped like a bowling pin that forces the river to flow around it along a huge hairpin turn.  In the middle is a large wooded hill separating the two legs of the river.  This was a scenic part of the trip with the highlight being a rustic trestle on the east leg. Close to the dam, the channel became surprisingly shallow (at times only a foot deep).  This is remarkable as the dam itself is about 10 feet which means the Danville Millpond is heavily silted in. The portage is well marked and easy to use, but it is surprisingly close to the main spillway.  From the east bank is a fantastic view of the mill and dam…both of which are super photogenic. In summary, this is a bit of a tricky trip to judge. The section by Columbus, the middle section through the big woods, and the river by Astico Park were fantastic.  The highlight was the Danville dam, mill which while in considerable disrepair,  which is an incredible sight to behold.  I think this is definitely a water trail locals should put on their to-do list.

Rock River - 320 miles - Canoe/Kayak Brochure
The Rock River in Dodge County drains toward the south, eventually emptying into the Mississippi River.  It is located in the eastern half of Dodge County and is generally oriented north-south.  Additional information may also be found at Rock River Trail.

Rock River [Waupun] - 7.3 miles - River Details

First half of the trip is an urban paddle, but the river is mostly flanked by a nice buffer of trees. There are a number of Class 1 rapids (well riffles) on the trip and the first will be by an obscure park on Pine Street.  Fun to run, there is a low pedestrian bridge you’ll need to duck under.  Relatively clean banks, nice tree canopies and occasional light rapids.  Following the Hwy MM bridge, the river slows down and gets big.  The dam itself is easy to portage with readily visible portage signs. There is a park at the dam which is kind of scenic.  Below the dam the rocks have been washed clean, leaving a very attractive boulder garden.  The park is famous for the “End of the Trail” sculpture.  From State Road 151, the trip leaves Waupun behind and starts first as an open farm field paddle and then continues from there as mostly a hardwood paddle. A nice peaceful woodland paddle, with attractive tree canopies and the occasional riffle. At the end of the woods, the West Branch of the Rock River joins the South Branch and significantly changes the character of the river.  Soon after the confluence, you’ll shoot over some light rapids and come to Roadside Park, which would be a great take-out location.

Rock River [Horicon Marsh] - 10 miles - River Details

Exploring the Horicon Marsh by canoe or kayak is one of the best ways to experience the Horicon Marsh and its wildlife.

Rock River [Mayville] - 8.1 miles - River Details

This trip starts out on a great note below the dam, with light rapids and attractive rocks in the stream.  This was a wooded section. Terrific current (14′ per mile is fast), fun safe riffles, attractive wooded corridors and many cool little boulder gardens.  This might be the best section on the entire Rock River.  County Road Y, the river stays intimate and fast for maybe a half more mile…then the river changes dramatically as the Kekoskee flowage kicks in. The flowage isn’t too bad as far as flowages go, with an interesting embankment to your left and a nice marsh to your east.  There is a boat landing by the flowage dam and ending the trip here would make for a satisfying four mile trip. You can take out right by Cooper Shop Saloon.  The Kekoskee dam is also nice to look at.

Rock River [Hustisford] - 7.3 miles - River Details

Upon exiting the Horicon Marsh, the Rock River flows through the City of Horicon and then into Lake Sinissippi created by a dam in the Village of Hustisford. As it leaves the Village of Hustisford, the Rock River begins a long meandering journey through miles of the flat rural countryside of the Towns of Hustisford and Lebanon and portions of northeast Jefferson County before it flows north back into Dodge County at the City of Watertown.  Harnischfeger Park is a 132 acre park which offers a nice break or stop over before continuing your adventure onto Jefferson County.

WI Department of Natural Resources - Boat Launch Access and Shorefishing