Paddling

Get out on the water!

Restoring Lands works to protect vital water resources within the Milwaukee River Basin and beyond. Our preserves offer many different ways to connect with the water! While there are no motorized boats allowed on any of our preserves, you can enjoy many different paddling adventures.

Paddling at Preserves

Many county parks offer great places to put in a canoe, kayak or paddleboard. While most of our preserves lack true infrastructure like canoe or kayak launches, some have pull-outs that can be used to rest and relax on your journey.

Preserves with docks or easy put-ins:

Turtle Park: offers stone steps and a low, open area with gravel for easy put-ins. Park on the street and carry or pull your non-motorized boat about 100 yards to the river.
Huiras Lake: portage about a mile from the parking lot and follow the boardwalk to the lake.
Spirit Lake: walk 1/4 mile from the parking area to the small lake.
Biehl Nature Preserve: walk about 300 feet from the parking area to Lake Twelve

Preserves with pull-outs to stop and rest on the river:

Treasures of Oz hosts a great website with lots of specific information on paddling in Ozaukee County. Click here to find out more, including water trail lengths, put-in and take-out locations, see maps and photos, and more!