Aerial view of a group of kayaks traveling down a river.

Trails and landings

The Great Pinery Heritage Waterway™ is an overarching water trail that consists of three rivers located in Northcentral Wisconsin.

The Wisconsin River Trail is 108 miles in length starting at the Hat Rapids Dam in Oneida County and ending in Portage County at the Lake DuBay Dam. Portions of the trail hold scenic wonders as it flows over rapids and rock outcropping, through primeval pine and hardwood forest, and along the Ice Age Trail.

The Lower Big Rib River Water Trail starts its 16-mile journey in Marathon City at Riverside Park as it flows fast to join the Wisconsin River at Bluegill Bay Park on Lake Wausau.

The Lower Eau Claire River Water Trail starts its journey at the Yellow Banks Park Landing in Weston and ends its scenic journey at the historic Brooks and Ross Dam (Drott Street Landing) in Schofield.

Download the full trail map!

Click to scroll to…

Landings in Lincoln County Wisconsin state icon.
Landings in Marathon County Wisconsin state icon.

Landings in Lincoln County

Lincoln County has a long logging history with large areas owned by the logging industry that have now become recreational areas for everyone to enjoy. Camp out and hike at Council Grounds State Park and then hit Lake Alexandria or the Wisconsin River from their landings.

Camp New Wood County Park is another great place to camp or hike at, but this park also has playgrounds and accessible landings on the Wisconsin River.

If you are looking for a place to just spend your day at, Riverside Park has many things you can do to entertain all of your friends and family. There is a volleyball court, disc golf course, horseshoe pit, and a playground on the 22 acres of neighborhood park along the Wisconsin River.

Hat Rapids Dam to Kings Dam

View trail map icon.

Segment difficulty: Moderate
Segment length: 16 miles
Trail Type: Scenic

Landings Include:

  • Link Image Here

    Coordinates: 45.571304 N, -89.479812 W

    Parking: Yes

  • Link Image Here

    Coordinates: 45.495805 N, -89.627170 W

    Parking: Yes

  • Link Image Here

    Coordinates: 45.482935 N, -89.679529 W

    Parking: Yes

Kings Dam to Tomahawk Dam

View trail map icon.

Segment difficulty: Easy
Segment length: 7.5 miles
Trail Type: Urban

Landings Include:

  • Link Image Here

    Coordinates: 45.482935 N, -89.679529 W

    Parking: Yes

  • Link Image Here

    Coordinates: 45.476641 N, -89.726883 W

    Parking: Yes

  • Link Image Here

    Coordinates: 45.468887 N, -89.741612 W

    Parking: Yes

  • Link Image Here

    Coordinates: 45.474702, -89.743595

    Parking: Yes

  • Link Image Here

    Coordinates: 45.443570 N, -89.728225 W

    Parking: Yes

Tomahawk Dam to Camp New Wood County Park

View trail map icon.

Segment difficulty: Moderate
Segment length: 15 miles
Trail Type: Scenic

Landings Include:

  • Link Image Here

    Coordinates: 45.443570 N, -89.728225 W

    Parking: Yes

  • Link Image Here

    Coordinates: 45.367344 N, -89.730563 W

    Parking: Yes

  • Link Image Here

    Coordinates: 45.321976 N, -89.782381 W

    Parking: Yes

  • Link Image Here

    Coordinates: 45.303868 N, -89.786752 W

    Parking: Yes

Camp New Wood County Park to Alexander Dam

View trail map icon.

Segment difficulty: Moderate
Segment length: 9.6 miles
Trail Type: Scenic

Landings Include:

  • Link Image Here

    Coordinates: 45.287797 N, -89.792781 W

    Parking: Yes

  • Link Image Here

    Coordinates: 45.221254 N, -89.790056 W

    Parking: Yes

  • Link Image Here

    Coordinates: 45.188514 N, -89.754247 W

    Parking: Yes

Alexander Dam to Riverside Park Landing

View trail map icon.

Segment difficulty: Easy
Segment length: 5.9 miles
Trail Type: Urban

Landings Include:

  • Link Image Here

    Coordinates: 45.188514 N, -89.754247 W

    Parking: Yes

  • Link Image Here

    Coordinates: 45.190983 N, -89.749783 W

    Parking: Yes

  • Link Image Here

    Coordinates: 45.183041 N, -89.717344 W

    Parking: Yes

  • Link Image Here

    Coordinates: 45.179198 N, -89.686283 W

    Parking: Yes

  • Link Image Here

    Coordinates: 45.175744 N, -89.675105 W

    Parking: Yes

Riverside Park Landing to Brokaw Mill Landing

View trail map icon.

Segment difficulty: Easy
Segment length: 15 miles
Trail Type: Scenic

Landings Include:

  • Link Image Here

    Coordinates: 45.175744 N, -89.675105 W

    Parking: Yes

  • Link Image Here

    Coordinates: 45.089660 N, -89.637823 W

    Parking: Yes

  • Link Image Here

    Coordinates: 45.033575 N, -89.660277 W

    Parking: Yes

Landings in Marathon County

Founded in 1850 Marathon County has a rich history with the wilderness that surrounds it. There are 16 county parks and many more local parks to visit with friends and family. Not every park has all the amenities you may be looking for but there are plenty that have what you want.

Scholfield Park is just a 10-minute drive from downtown Wausau. This is another picnic-friendly park with a great playground for kids to play on and landings to launch you into your next adventure.

Riverlife Park was recently built in downtown Wausau and is a picnic-friendly area where your kids can play on the playground after you eat. They also have a ADA accessible landing so anyone can pull up their kayaks. From Riverlife Park, you can walk to the bustling 400 Block where you can find interesting shops, many restaurants & bars - and a few popular selfie spots.

Oak Island Park is another picnic-friendly park with a playground that is close to downtown.

Bluegill Bay Park has everything you need for a great day outdoors on the waters from areas that are perfect for a cook out to landings to get out on the water to kayak or fish. And if you happen to forget something you can run to the nearby strip of stores for anything you’ll need from food to outdoor gear.

Downstream from Oak Island is the Memorial Park and D.C. Everest Park where you can picnic, swim, and enjoy the playground.

Lake Wausau abounds in parks that have something for every family member from just plain fun to bird watching - Rookery Park, Sunnyvale Park, Picnic Island, Kort Street Park, Radtke Park, River Street Park, and Jojo’s Jungle (an awesome park designed for children of all abilities in mind). If you're looking to camp out you can do so at the Wisconsin River Forest Park or Marathon County Park in the heart of Wausau.

Brokaw Landing Mill to Gilbert Park Landing

View trail map icon.

Segment difficulty: Easy
Segment length: 5 miles
Trail Type: Scenic

Landings Include:

  • Link Image Here

    Coordinates: 45.033575 N, -89.660277 W

    Parking: Yes

  • Link Image Here

    Coordinates: 45.022788 N, -89.655692 W

    Parking: No

  • Link Image Here

    Coordinates: 44.984179 N, -89.622004 W

    Parking: Yes

Gilbert Park Landing to Oak Island Park Landing

View trail map icon.

Segment difficulty: Easy
Segment length: 2.7 miles
Trail Type: Urban

Landings Include:

  • Link Image Here

    Coordinates: 44.984179 N, -89.622004 W

    Parking: Yes

  • Link Image Here

    Coordinates: 44.979449 N, -89.630055 W

    Parking: Yes

  • Link Image Here

    Coordinates: 44.970130 N, -89.630887 W

    Parking: Yes

    This landing is ADA Friendly!

  • Link Image Here

    Coordinates: 44.966764 N, -89.631336 W

    Parking: Yes

  • Link Image Here

    Coordinates: 44.959101 N, -89.633632 W

    Parking: No

  • Link Image Here

    Coordinates: 44.953182 N, -89.629095 W

    Parking: Yes

Oak Island Park Landing to Rothschild Dam

View trail map icon.

Segment difficulty: Easy
Segment length: 8.3 miles
Trail Type: Semi-urban

Landings Include:

  • Link Image Here

    Coordinates: 44.953182 N, -89.629095 W

    Parking: Yes

  • Link Image Here

    Coordinates: 44.939845 N, -89.631902 W

    Parking: Yes

  • Link Image Here

    Coordinates: 44.937718 N, -89.638879 W

    Parking: Yes

  • Link Image Here

    Coordinates: 44.926437 N, -89.639969 W

    Parking: Yes

  • Link Image Here

    Coordinates: 44.919428 N, -89.621347 W

    Parking: Yes

  • Link Image Here

    Coordinates: 44.894410 N, -89.626397 W

    Parking: Yes

  • Link Image Here

    Coordinates: 44.901340 N, -89.618179 W

    Parking: Yes

Rothschild Dam to Chuck’s Landing

View trail map icon.

Segment difficulty: Moderate
Segment length: 10.6 miles
Trail Type: Scenic

Landings Include:

  • Link Image Here

    Coordinates: 44.894410 N, -89.626397 W

    Parking: Yes

  • Link Image Here

    Coordinates: 44.798841 N, -89.707260 W

    Parking: Yes

  • Link Image Here

    Coordinates: 44.793435 N, -89.692686 W

    Parking: Yes

  • Link Image Here

    Coordinates: 44.787115 N, -89.704946 W

    Parking: Yes

  • Link Image Here

    Coordinates: 44.793442 N, -89.692740 W

    Parking: Yes

Chuck’s Landing to Lake DuBay Dam

View trail map icon.

Segment difficulty: Easy
Segment length: 14.5 miles
Trail Type: Scenic

Landings Include:

  • Link Image Here

    Coordinates: 44.759304 N, -89.731251 W

    Parking: Yes

  • Link Image Here

    Coordinates: 44.715466 N , -89.679127 W

    Parking: Yes

  • Link Image Here

    Coordinates: 44.672325 N, -89.647484 W

    Parking: Yes

  • Link Image Here

    Coordinates: 44.664520 N, -89.648304 W

    Parking: Yes