Tomahawk River

The Tomahawk River boat ramp near Minocqua provides excellent access to a scenic and largely undeveloped river system in northern Wisconsin. This access point serves paddlers and boaters exploring the Tomahawk River corridor, which features alternating flowages and river sections with varying difficulty levels. Paddlers should be aware that the river includes Class II rapids, particularly Halfbreed Rapids and Prairie Rapids, which require scouting before entry.

The area offers multiple access points along Willow Dam Road and surrounding lanes (Running Bear Lane, Swamp Lake Road, Prairie Lake Road, and Peaceful Lane), each with small parking lots to accommodate vehicles and trailers. Between Willow Flowage and Rice Flowage, four designated river campsites are available for kayakers and canoeists; these sites require advance reservations. The river provides varied paddling experiences, from calm flowage sections to more challenging rapids, making it suitable for paddlers with different skill levels—though proper scouting of rapid sections is essential before proceeding.