A nice thing about the Baraboo is that you usually have the river to yourself. It’s like your own little world, pretty calm. But if you keep your eyes and ears open you’ll see and hear interesting things. The main noises you’ll hear are wood duck calls, cranes that make sounds that I imagine flying dinosaurs would.

When you see this rusty, old deckless iron bridge, you are about a mile from the Granite Avenue canoe landing in Reedsburg, the Lazy Beaver finish line. The bridge was originally built in the 1800s and was part of the bridge that spanned the Baraboo River in downtown Reedsburg.

 You never know what to expect on your first paddle down the Baraboo River in the spring. Oh, you can expect to see a good deal of wildlife, especially in the early spring before the grass gets tall along the banks. But the main issue is always, how did the river rearrange itself over the winter and early spring.

In March and April 2025, the two companies based in North Carolina and Indiana, respectively, were each convicted of 20 citations with penalties related to the shipment of illegal invasive species to customers in eight Wisconsin counties. 

Through the centuries, the Baraboo River has shifted from a natural waterway to an industrial powerhouse and back to a thriving ecosystem. It remains a beautiful and vital part of Wisconsin’s landscape, a reminder of both the possibilities of progress and the importance of stewardship.

The Lazy Beaver Canoe and Kayak Race may not be so lazy this year when it is held on Sept. 28. While for the past several years, the Baraboo River from LaValle to Reedsburg has been fairly open without the need for paddlers to portage or lift over logs, that probably won’t be the case this year. Weather has not been kind to the Baraboo and other southern Wisconsin rivers this year.

When buying a new kayak, it’s important to consider several factors to ensure you get the right one for your needs. Here’s what to look for in type, purpose, weight, stability, price, and other factors.

The Friends of the Baraboo River is excited to share our new mobile app, hosted by Tour Buddy Guide, available on the Apple App Store and on the Google Play Store. The app is free. Once you install and open Tour Buddy Guide, tap Nearby Tours to find the Baraboo River app. Then explore all of the features.

Birds were the stars of the trip. I saw dozens and dozens of wood ducks, including several brightly colored drakes. Wood ducks like the Baraboo River but I’ve never seen so many on a trip before. They are skittish and usually fly ahead before you get real close to them.

It is mid-morning; The air is still, and the sun is radiating a hint of summery heat. Regardless, the cool water feels refreshing on the feet as I stand at the boat landing in Reedsburg. While the sounds of vehicle traffic nearby make modern society evident, I hone into the orchestral tunes led by the intrinsic sound of chirping birds.

The millpond had been part of Reedsburg’s community character right up until the dam’s removal in 1973. The Reedsburg Woolen Mill was one of the city’s largest employers and industries up until the time it closed in 1967 after the business went bankrupt.

More and more kayakers and canoeists have been paddling the Baraboo River in the past two years. In an effort to make using the river safer and more user friendly in Sauk County, bridge identification signs were placed along the river in Sauk County late in 2022.

The weather was near perfect but the river was very low last Saturday when the Lazy Beaver Canoe and Kayak Race was held on the Baraboo River.