Canoe the Fox River District
“Canoe the Fox River District” was created to give Troops in the Fox River district and
the Potawatomi Area Council multiple local canoe outings to fit into their outdoor
program. There are three segments of the combined Pewaukee and Fox River system that
cover a large portion of the Fox River District. These rivers can be canoed during the
majority of the year but as with most rivers in Wisconsin have better water depth in the
spring. It is recommended that all paddling participants have completed Second and First
Class swimming requirements. A main patch with a single canoe paddle for the river
segment canoed can be earned the first time a scout or Scouter canoes a river segment
and shows proficient canoeing skills. Additional canoe paddles for the other river
segments can be earned when those river segments are canoed. The main patch and the
canoe paddle segment patches can be purchased at the Harkrider Service center. The
main patch is $3.50 and the canoe paddle segment patches are $1.50 each.
The segments of the river that make up “Canoe the Fox River District” are as follows:
Segment I: Pewaukee River from downtown Pewaukee to the Fox River and Frame
Park in Waukesha (approximately 9.0 miles)
Segment II: Fox River from Bethesda Park in Waukesha to Highway I south of
Waukesha (approximately 10.5 miles)
Segment III: From Highway I south of Waukesha through the Vernon Marsh to the Big
Bend Village Park in Big Bend (approximately 12.5 miles)
Directions to access and take out locations will be described in the following
information.
There is also an optional segment (approximately 2 miles), from Frame Park to Bethesda
Park that can be run separately or added to Segment II or I. This section of the river is
optional because it requires a take out (portage) to get around the Fox River dam in
downtown Waukesha and because of the fast water and narrow river portion of the Fox
River below the dam. This segment should be reserved for scouts and scouters with
advanced canoe skills especially in the spring or during high water after heavy rains.
Segment I:
Distance 9.0 miles
Time (approximate) 3 hours of paddling
Hazards Some deadfalls blocking or restricting the river plus sharp turns in the
portion of the Pewaukee River paralleling highway 164. This requires some skill
in steering, spotting obstacles (bow mans job) and overall canoe maneuverability.
Put in Take Highway 16 to the Capital Drive exit. Follow Capital Drive west into
Pewaukee. Capital Drive turns into Oakton Street in Pewaukee. Turn right into the
WCTC Construction Technology parking lot before you cross over the Pewaukee
River. A second access point is behind Duncan’s Variety on Wisconsin Avenue.
Take out Frame Park in Waukesha. From the put in return to Highway 16 south to
1-94. Take 1-94 east to the Highway 164 exit south from 1-94 into Waukesha.
Follow Hwy 164 to the 2nd stop light (Moreland Blvd.) and turn left
across the bridge crossing the Fox River. Turn right it the next light onto White
Rock and cross tie railroad track. Take the next right, Baxter Street, to the parking
area next to the river at the Baxter Building.
Additional Information (1) Toilet facilities in the Baxter Building if it is open. (2)
Drive time from the put in to the take out is approximately 15 minutes.
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Segment II:
Distance 10.5 miles
Time (approximate) 3 hours of paddling
Hazards One major deadfall blocking the river south of the sewage treatment
plant and before crossing Sunset Drive.
Put in Bethesda Park in Waukesha. Take the Highway 164 exit south from I-94
into Waukesha. Highway 164 will turn into North Street as it continues south. Stay
on North Street as it continues south and crosses Madison Street. At the next
stoplight turn right onto West St. Paul Ave. Turn left at the next light onto Prairie
Ave. Prairie Ave. will cross a railroad track and the bridge crossing the Fox River.
Turn left immediately after crossing the bridge onto Manhattan Street and left
again onto Dunbar Street. Park on Dunbar and carry the canoes and equipment
across Bethesda Park to your choice of launch location. Take out Highway I
where it crosses the Fox River south of Waukesha. From Bethesda Park go south
on Prairie Ave to Sunset Drive. Turn right on Sunset Drive and take a left onto
Oakland Ave (opposite Flemming Company). Follow Oakland Ave. south across
to Highway I. Turn left on Highway Ito the intersection with Highway H. Turn left
on Highway I as it parallels the Fox River. Continue south on Highway I until you
cross the bridge over the Fox River. Park cars and trailers anywhere on the side of
Highway I south of the bridge. The best take out is on the right hand side of the
Fox River before it goes under the bridge. Additional information (1) At Bethesda
Park there are several covered picnic areas that can be used prior to doing Segment
II. There are also toilet facilities at the put in. (2) Prior to crossing under Highway
H south of Sunset Drive there is a Fox River Park that also has toilet facilities and
can be used as a lunch stop picnic area. (3) There are no toilet facilities at the
takeout location. (4) Drive time from the put in to the take out is approximately 15
to 20 minutes.
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Segment III:
Distance— 12.5 miles
Time (approximate) 4 to 4.5 hours of paddling
Hazards None. Possible confusion on the river channel if the water has been high,
especially in the Vernon Marsh. If there is a strong wind from the south the
paddling will be difficult for new canoeists.
Put in Highway I where it crosses the Fox River south of Waukesha. Highway I
where it crosses the Fox River south of Waukesha. Find Sunset Drive on the south
side of Waukesha and follow it west past the Spring City soccer fields then take a
left onto Oakland Ave (opposite Flemming Company). Follow Oakland Ave. south
across to Highway I. Turn left on Highway I to the intersection with Highway H.
Turn left on Highway I as it parallels the Fox River. Continue south on Highway I
until you cross the bridge over the Fox River. Park cars and trailers anywhere on
the side of Highway I south of the bridge. The best put in is on the right hand side
of the Fox River before it goes under the bridge. Park the cars at the side of the
road.
Take out Big Bend Village Park. From the put in follow Highway I north and east
to the intersection with Highway 164. Take Highway 164 south from 1-43 through
Big Bend highway L. Turn right on L and then right again into the Park just before
you cross the river. Parking and facilities are available at the park. The take out is
at the boat ramp that goes down to the river.
Additional information (1) There are no toilet facilities at the put in. (2) There are
temporary toilet facilities at the Big Bend Village Park takeout. (3) Drive time
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from the put in to the take out is approximately 20 minutes.
Optional Segment:
Distance 2 miles
Time (approximate) less that 1 hour
Hazards Dam approximate 6 foot drop. Fast moving water Class I or II rapids.
Put in Frame Park same as takeout for Segment I Take out Bethesda Park same
as put in for Segment II Additional information (1) The canoes will have to be
carried (portaged) around the dam. Take out on the right hand bank at the cement
steps before the white buoys that cross the river. Carry the canoes and equipment
to the cement steps just below the dam. Once you go under the Barstow Street
bridge you will encounter the faster water.
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Additional comments:
1. Although the time on the river is the enjoyable time additional time has to be
kept in mind for the dropping off of equipment, scouts and the placing of cars
at the take out location and returning to the put in to start the trip. Additional
time will also be spent in loading canoes and equipment and returning to the
put in to pick up cars. Approximately 25% of the trip time is usually a good
estimate for these events unless other arrangements have been made with
parents not taking the trip to do the drop off and pick up.
2. Overnight camping is available at Minooka Park on the south east side of
Waukesha. Group camping permits can be obtained from the Waukesha
County Parks office at (262) 548-7801. This is a good location for anyone of the
three river segments.
3. Be sure to turn in a list of the scout and adults who have completed a river
segment when you purchase your patches.
Reference information:
1. Canoeing merit badge book and requirements
2. Float Plan (Safety Afloat)
3. Safety Afloat & Safe Swim Defense
5. Swimming skills and safe trip afloat requirements per Second Class
requirements 7a, 7b & 7c and First Class requirements 9a, 9b, 9c & 9d.
Equipment :
1. Canoes
2. Paddles sized correctly per canoeist (see canoeing merit badge book)
3. PFD (personal flotation device) for each participant (see Safety Afloat)
4. Water proofed daypack with dry clothes. This can be taken in the canoes or
kept in the cars so there is a dry change of clothes at the take out.
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