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From its headwaters in Taylor County just west of Rib Lake, the river begins as little more than a small brook trickling its way through national forest. Paddling the Black River North of Lake Arbutus: Nearby Campground: Pigeon Creek Campground | Reserve a Site Nearby Campground: Castle Mound Campground | Reserve a Siteįacilities: Flush toilets, vault toilets, shower building, water and firewood.
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Nearby Campground: East Fork Campground | Reserve a Siteįacilities: Vault toilets, water and firewood. Nearby Campground: Greenwood County Park | First Come, First Served Nearby options are excellent as well, including a riverside option on the upper Black River at Greenwood County Park. The camping is free and they are first-come, first-served but are limited to a one-night stay. They each have a picnic table, fire ring and portable toilet. And of course, since they’re as primitive as they get, one must be prepared to deal with their own waste and practice pack-in, pack-out, Leave-No-Trace ethics.Īside from the BLM islands, there are two rustic campsites on the Lower Black, just south of Hawk Island (also a BLM island).
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We suggest taking a look at the BLM map, because there are some islands that are marked day-use only (we do not include these on our own map). Since the camping is free and available on a first-come, first-served basis, and can be closed for various reasons by the BLM, one should be prepared for a Plan B island or sandbar. A few of the islands in Clark County have bedrock outcroppings, and most of the islands in Jackson County are low and sandy, perfect for a picnic.” There’s no guarantee that these islands will be totally accommodating to your needs (or wants), but we maintain that all public land is welcome and wonderful. According to the BLM site, “Most of the Black River islands are small.
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Some may be too rocky or brushy or near bridges or houses, too. While these islands are public, that doesn’t mean they’re necessarily easy to access, have enough room for your group, or free from the reality of poison ivy, etc. Dispersed camping is allowed on the Black River’s public land for no longer than three days in most cases, so as to prevent damage to the property. Which means, they are located away from “developed recreational facilities”, as long as they aren’t in conflict with other authorized uses, or posted, which also includes negatively affecting wildlife species/habitat or natural resources. Bureau of Land Management lands are public lands, in this case, islands on the Black that the public can use for what is called “dispersed camping”. Paddling Style: Quietwater Paddling + River Paddling + Whitewater Paddlingīest Suited For: Canoes + Kayaks + Whitewater BoatsĪvailability: First-Come, First-Served Designated Sites + Undesignated Public Land CampingĪside from the numerous sandbars found (mostly) on the lower Black, the majority of camping options reside on public land managed by the Bureau of Land Management (aka BLM). It’s rugged at times, undulating at others, part north-country, part Driftless, part bottomlands, but altogether pretty amazing. The Black River State Forest also manages two campsites on the lower Black, which offer yet another option to the time-honored tradition of rustic camping along a river, though most will opt for sandbar camping.Īny way you slice it (and we’ve sliced it north and south of Lake Arbutus), this is literally one of the most beautiful places in the state and one of our favorites. Whether you’re on the upper or lower Black River, you’ll find small public islands managed by the Bureau of Land Management which span from Longwood, Wisconsin, all the way to Council Bay. The same can be said for the variety of camping because the river abounds with sandbars and islands, perfect for canoe or kayak camping. There is literally something to appease every style of paddler. From thrilling whitewater surrounded by rugged granite rock outcrops for expert paddlers, to Class I and II rapids over rowdy boulder gardens alongside tall sand bluffs for the intermediate paddler, to easy stretches of wooded islands, channels and relaxed water where one can explore backwaters or even the box canyons and waterfalls by foot for the beginner, the Black River itself offers paddling styles as diverse as its geography. With an unparalleled amount of amazing river and creek opportunities, we consider the entire Black River Falls area a paddling playground for canoeing and kayaking.