13 Places to Launch your Next Fox Cities Paddling Adventure

A guest entry by Jeff Mazanec.

Fox Cities Paddling Launch Locations & Paddle Venues

Whether you want to get on the water for a few hours or are looking for a longer weekend paddle, Little Lake Butte des Morts, the Fox River and Lake Winnebago offer bountiful options. Within just a few minutes of launching, you can push through a great workout paddle or enjoy slowing the world down to replace the hustle and bustle of city life with the sounds of the water, beautiful scenery and frequent views of hawks, eagles and other wildlife.

Many Fox Cities communities have installed kayak launch facilities and some offer on-water rental kayaks through an online reservation and payment system to make it even easier to enjoy them. It's hard to beat local paddling in the Fox Cities with easy accessibility, beautiful scenery and safe options for varying conditions.

Little Lake Butte des Morts

If windy conditions are generating big waves on Lake Winnebago, you can likely enjoy a nice paddle on smaller Little Lake Butte des Morts.

Fritse Park: Enjoy a nice loop around the south part of the lake past Arrowhead Park and back along the Trestle Trail, or venture north under the Trestle Trail bridge to explore a longer route under the Hwy 441 bridge and to Stroebe Island.

Lower Fox River

Neenah - Shattuck Park: Head up the Fox River along the shoreline, past Riverside Park and around Kimberly Point to Lake Winnebago.

Menasha - Menasha Lock Turning Basin: Explore the Fox River up through the City of Menasha to Jefferson Park, or Lake Winnebago, but be aware of the railroad swing bridge over the navigation canal at Lush Street and be sure to stay a safe distance from the Menasha Dam near Racine Street.

Menasha - Adjacent Marina: This floating dock launch provides ready access to the Fox River navigation canal and is a great back-up option to avoid the Lush Street railroad swing bridge.

Menasha - Jefferson Park: Another floating dock launch that provides a convenient location for exploring the Fox River along the Menasha shoreline, or out around Jefferson Park to explore a bit of Lake Winnebago.

Appleton - Lutz Park: Paddle outings from Lutz Park upstream into Little Lake Butte Morts offer great scenery and, depending on river flow conditions, a great workout! Heading downstream? Be sure to keep your distance from the dam and have a plan to lock through or protage around Appleton Lock #1.

Appleton - Lower Telulah Park: This location provides great access for a downriver paddle to Sunset Park in Kimberly but be aware that the return trip is upstream!

Kimberly - Sunset Park: Heading upstream to the Lower Telulah Park launch location is a great workout paddle option with the assurance that your return trip is downstream all the way!

Kaukauna - Sanitorium Road: Convenient access to explore the Fox River downstream to Riverside Park, between sets of locks and dams.

Kaukauna - Riverside Park: Great launch location to head upstream and be assured your return trip is downstream.

Lake Winnebago

High Cliff State Park Marina: Great launch location to enjoy a beautiful trip along the Lake Winnebago shoreline if wind and wave conditions are conductive, with a local favorite route south to Calumet County Park and back.

Fire Lane #8: Fire Lane 8 offers "walk-in" launching and streetside parking to access the northern end of Lake Winnebago.

Neenah - Wisconsin Avenue: Wisconsin Avenue also offers "walk-in" launching and streetside parking, with access into Lake Winnebago for a beautiful shoreline paddle.

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