What we’re about
For kayakers in and around the Fox Valley area .
If you are looking to get out and meet others that share your passion for kayaking and canoeing, join Fox Valley Kayakers. Together we can explore the Fox Valley area waterways. Everyone is welcome to join, no matter how much experience you have.
We encourage you to be aware of your ability when signing up for a paddle. You are responsible for your safety. You are encourage to wear a PFD and possibly a helmet.
Stewardship of our waterways is important. Do not liter, respect landowners property and clean up liter when possible.
If you have any questions or concerns, call or email the leadership team. We are happy to meet new people that share our passion. Our goal is to bring kayakers and canoers together to socialize, educate and have fun.
We welcome you to join the Fox Valley Kayakers. If you chose to do so, we request a photo and your name so that our event host can identify you. This will assist the event host and other participants when you attend the event.
- Martin
**Labels below can be used to describe your paddling level**
Beginner = paddles under 10 miles, no obstacles anticipated, current favorable, water temperatures favorable
Intermediate = paddles 10+ miles, possible obstacles or stronger currents. Water temps may be low if early season date.
Advanced = paddles 10+ miles, &/or challenging currents or conditions (weather, water temps, etc.). May also include multiple day trips with camping.
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Late Spring Paddle in the Driftless RegionNeeds location
Join us for a 13.8 mile paddle on the Kickapoo River from Ontario (Bridge 1) to Rockton (Landing 12). The Kickapoo is a beautiful entrenched dendretic river system, with numerous rock faces and ledges against which the river turns and flows. The Kickapoo may also be the oldest river in the world outside of Antarctica.
If you are camping with us at Wildcat Mountain State Park and want to follow us to the put in, we will leave the campsite at 9:00am sharp. We will be reverse shuttling, so you just need to be unloaded and ready to paddle by 10am. We'll have the safety briefing at that time and start launching boats.
Plan on about 5 total hours (at most) on the river with a stop at the Wildcat Landing to eat our packed lunches.
This trip is not ideal for true beginners, but novices are welcome since it is a perfect river on which to hone one's boat handling skills.Call Drifty's at 608-337-4288 to reserve a canoe or kayak if you need to rent one. Also, if you have a spare boat to lend/rent or would like to borrow a boat, post that in the comments below.
After the paddle, we'll hit the Rockton Bar for dinner.
Be sure to check out the Wildcat Mountain State Park camping event and RSVP on the wisoutdoors.org site if you want to camp. See here: https://www.wisoutdoors.org/event/group-camping-wildcat-mountain-spring-2025/
Check out the Google MyMap detailing all locations and routes for this trip:
https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?mid=1rZsrEsRnAqR7koVKSEA048TzDNRxXQw&usp=sharingCheck out the Miles Paddled report (including embedded video) on this trip:
https://milespaddled.com/kickapoo-river-i/As always, failure to comply with State Park or Kickapoo Valley Reserve rules will result in your removal from FVK.
- Pike Lake - Kayak KickstartBeach, Hartford, WI$65.00
Register/pay via the Silent Wake web site
This is a 3 to 4 hour block of instruction for the brand new kayaker. Intended for the person who just bought a kayak, or who is thinking about taking up the sport – we got you covered. These very basic kayaking skills provide you a better appreciation for the sport and provides a safe way to learn new skills.
Before hitting the water, there will be at least an hour’s worth of classroom. If you have concerns about your physical ability, please read our EEC. Class size will be limited to 8, unless otherwise noted. Bring your own kayak, otherwise the use of Kayak, paddle and PFD are included in the price.
Some of the topics you will learn when taking this :
Getting to know your gear:
Matching the kayak for the type of water
Wearing the right clothing
PFD fit and proper wear
Paddle – blade types & hand position
Kayak – Anatomy and Physiology , body position, boat fit
How to paddle correctly:
It’s not just using your arms when you paddle
The catch, propulsion, recovery – how the paddle moves through the water
Forward, Stop, Reverse directions
Understanding what a sweep stroke is, and how it can turn your kayak
How to enter/exit a kayak, launch and land your craft from shoreline, or from a dock.
Ways to transport your kayak – on the road and on land.
What to do when you fall into the water
Trusting your PFD
How to empty a flooded kayakWisconsin State Park sticker required for entrance.
Cost – $65 per/person - Mauthe Lake - Kayak KickstartMauthe Lake Recreation Area, Campbellsport, WI$65.00
Register/pay via the Silent Wake web site
This is a 3 to 4 hour block of instruction for the brand new kayaker. Intended for the person who just bought a kayak, or who is thinking about taking up the sport – we got you covered. These very basic kayaking skills provide you a better appreciation for the sport and provides a safe way to learn new skills.
Before hitting the water, there will be at least an hour’s worth of classroom. If you have concerns about your physical ability, please read our EEC. Class size will be limited to 8, unless otherwise noted. Bring your own kayak, otherwise the use of Kayak, paddle and PFD are included in the price.
Some of the topics you will learn when taking this :
Getting to know your gear:
Matching the kayak for the type of water
Wearing the right clothing
PFD fit and proper wear
Paddle – blade types & hand position
Kayak – Anatomy and Physiology , body position, boat fitHow to paddle correctly:
It’s not just using your arms when you paddle
The catch, propulsion, recovery – how the paddle moves through the water
Forward, Stop, Reverse directions
Understanding what a sweep stroke is, and how it can turn your kayakHow to enter/exit a kayak, launch and land your craft from shoreline, or from a dock.
Ways to transport your kayak – on the road and on land.
What to do when you fall into the water
Trusting your PFD
How to empty a flooded kayakWisconsin State Park sticker required for entrance.
Cost – $65 per/person
