Peshtigo River Whitewater Rafting – Summer
Peshtigo River Whitewater Rafting – Summer
Peshtigo River Outpost
N12080 Allison Lane
Silver Cliff, WI 54104
The Peshtigo River is a Class II-IV river that is known as the longest continuous stretches of whitewater in the Midwest. Our shuttle bus will take you upstream to the put-in, where you will experience all of the whitewater action of the famous “Roaring Rapids” section of the Peshtigo River. Granite rock formations and spectacular scenery are encountered along the tree-lined shores of the river. Wildman Adventure Resort has private access to the river along the rapids, which means that you can hike and scout the rapids before you conquer them. Our private landing by the rapids allows you to rerun the most exciting rapids! Changing water levels provides guests with various types of boats to accompany them down the river- from single person inflatables to 16 foot, 8 person rafts, water-dependent.
- Standard Rate: $99 (Fri-Sun)
- Weekday Rate: $89 (Mon-Thurs)
- Youth Rate: $93 (Fri-Sun) / $83 (Mon-Thurs)
- Dates: May – October
- Trip Duration: 2-3 hours
- Minimum Age: 9 years old
- Trip Times: 8:30 am & 2:30 pm
- Trip Includes: PFD, helmet
- Things to Bring: Trip: Closed toe water shoes (no flip flops), swimsuit, sunscreen. Post trip: towel, change of clothes, plastic bag for wet clothes.
Description
High summer levels (June): Typically the month of June will bring fluctuating water levels. Generally, water levels in June are lower than those in April and May but are still great for rafting in a bit warmer weather. Boat sizes can range from a 4 person raft down to individual rafts. Since water levels can change drastically from day to day you’ll need to be prepared for anything. June rafting on the Peshtigo is exciting and you’ll experience warmer weather and have a good chance of great water levels.
Low summer levels (July – October): During summer periods of lower water, you’ll have the opportunity to spend more “playtime” in the rapids. Everyone will be in individual rafts that will allow you to maneuver through the rocks. Your guides can show you how to surf the small waves, swim rapids, and play in the waterfalls. The first part of the trip will take you through the “boulder gardens”. You’ll learn to read the water and find easier channels through the river. This portion of the river will require a significant amount of effort but once you make it through you will be rewarded with an opportunity to raft some of the best whitewater in the Midwest and explore the river in ways not possible at high water. Many guests prefer exploring the Peshtigo with our guides during these lower summer levels.
An individual’s weight will factor in their level of enjoyment. The heavier you are the lower you will ride in the water and therefore the more rocks you will encounter.
The Rapids
We thought you might like a real-world view of what you’ll be encountering on the Peshtigo River. This map shows the first two rapids. The trip ends at the Wildman Adventure Resort property.
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FAQs About Peshtigo River Whitewater Rafting
From June onward, the majority of our Peshtigo River trips use individual inflatable rafts, called duckies or Thrill Kats. Each guest paddles their own boat while a guide leads the group down the river and another guide brings up the rear.
Instead of sitting in a large raft while a guide does most of the steering like you would on the Menominee River, you’ll navigate the rapids yourself while your guide coaches you through each section. These smaller rafts allow you to avoid rocks and continue rafting late into the summer, even as water levels drop.
Doing all your own steering and paddling can be physically intense, but also incredibly rewarding!
To be in a group raft on the Peshtigo, consider visiting in mid-April to May for our Peshtigo Spring Rafting season! Water levels are typically higher due to snowmelt and runoff, and this is when you’re most likely to be in a larger raft on the Peshtigo River.
If you’d like to be in a group raft during summer, check out our Menominee River whitewater rafting trip!
The Peshtigo River features Class I–III rapids, which makes it a great balance of excitement and accessibility.
Most guests find it challenging in the best possible way — enough action to feel adventurous without being overwhelming.
Because you’re paddling your own raft, you’ll be actively involved in navigating the river. Your guide will be nearby the entire time, offering tips and helping everyone stay on track, but you are in control of your own raft! This means you’ll occasionally get stuck on a rock or fall out of your raft during a rapid. That’s alright, and it’s part of the experience of rafting!
Whitewater rafting on the Peshtigo River in late summer (July-August) can be very physically challenging due to summer water levels. Sections of the river become rocky and take some effort to navigate. The class 2 and 3 rapids during the second half of the trip make for an incredible reward for your effort!
Peshtigo River rafting trips cover 3 miles of river and typically last around 3 hours from gear up to gear down. These trips can run as quickly as 2 hours at higher water or 4 hours with larger groups at lower water.
This makes whitewater rafting on the Peshtigo River an easy half-day excursion from Green Bay, Marinette, or Crivitz!
Absolutely. The minimum age to raft the Peshtigo River in summer is 9 years old.
Whitewater rafting on the Peshtigo River makes for an incredible Wisconsin family vacation. Learning to paddle and navigate a single-person raft helps kids overcome fears and build confidence! Your guides are with you every step of the way to help kids feel confident and comfortable on the water.
If your child prefers to be in a group raft, check out our Menominee River trips.
On any whitewater rafting trip, there’s a chance you’ll go for a swim. That’s okay! It’s just part of the whitewater rafting experience. You’ll have an experienced guide with you to coach you through rapids and help you back into your raft if you go for a swim. We provide all the safety gear you’ll need for your trip, including a lifejacket and helmet. Long story short: you’re in good hands, and it’s all part of the experience!
You can read more about what to expect if you fall out while rafting in our blog.
We offer 8 guided outdoor adventures here at Wildman. All our adventures are half-day trips that last 3-4 hours, so most of our guests participate in two adventures for a full day of fun!
The Alpine Climbing Tower, flatwater kayaking, and stand-up paddleboarding are all located at the Peshtigo River Outpost.
Just an hour’s drive north at the Menominee River Outpost, you can go whitewater rafting in group rafts, take a zipline canopy tour, battle it out on the paintball field, or go rock climbing!
The guided trips here at Wildman are a great way to be introduced to the many adventure opportunities available here in the Midwest. We are here to help you plan a great trip that will suit your interests and experience level. Let us know how we can help!
Call us at: 715-757-2938