WISCONSIN RIVER CENTENNIAL TRAIL MAP #16

Upper Dells to Pine Island State Wildlife Area
  • Scroll down past the map for details about this section of the trail.
  • Click here for the full size version of the map below.
  • Click here for a PDF file of the details.
  • Click any dam symbol Portage Symbol on the map below for a aerial photographic detail of portage.
  • Click any campsite symbol Campsites on the map below for a campgrounds information.


Mile marker signs on maps correspond with actual signs placed on the river. Mile markers are typically located on the right side of the bridges and at portage take out sites.

 

No signs were placed in the field at these locations but they were placed on the map for reference.
Map 1 Mile 0289

- General Description
o Miles 282 - 289 (Upper Dells to Kilbourn dam) The river widens into a 3-mile long lake with abundant fishing boats and is then constricted by high sandstone walls into a narrow channel with heavy traffic from tour boats, powerboats, and personal watercraft creating hazardous conditions for canoeists. Channel splits around Blackhawk Island, the recommended longer route being slower, more scenic and safer.
o Miles 289 - 302 (Kilbourn dam to Pine Island State Wildlife Area) Enter a swift tailwater area with strong currents and eddies for the first few miles bordered by sandstone cliffs with sandy beaches. Tour boats are also common in the Lower Dells down to the Rocky Islands. The river then straightens out and offers wooded islands, sandbars, and small secondary channels as it flows easterly through a wider floodplain.

- Portages (see portage maps by clicking on the dam symbol)
o Mile 289 Kilbourn dam - Take-out goes up a gravel path to the powerhouse entrance road for a ¼ mile portage to a parking area with a steep path leading down to the tail water area (left)

- Landings suitable for take-out or put-in
o Mile 284 Private landing at River Bay Camping Resort & Marina (right)
o Mile 287 Unimproved access on west side of Blackhawk Island (right)
o Mile 288 Crandals Bay municipal boat landing (left from river, right side of bay)
o Mile 295 Fox Run Rd boat landing (left)

- Camping
o Mile 284 - Private campground - "River Bay (608-254-7193)" (right)
" Private campground - "Holiday Shores (608-254-2717)" (left)
o Camping is prohibited in state wildlife areas which includes the islands in the river that are part of Pine Island Wildlife Area.

- Other amenities
o Mile 288 through Mile 290 - Many businesses in Wisconsin Dells, the Wisconsin Dells Area Surrounding Areas
o Mile 291 - River's Edge Resort with canoe/kayak rentals and shuttles

- Flow Information - For flow information on river flow below Wisconsin Dells (Kilbourn) go to http://waterdata.usgs.gov/wi/nwis/uv/?site_no=05404000&PARAmeter_cd=00065,00060 or on this website go to Flow Forecasts under Wisconsin River /content.cfm?PageID=84&Cat=0