Wauzeka

The Wauzeka boat ramp is a newly renovated, county-maintained access point located on river-right approximately three-quarters of a mile upstream of where the Kickapoo River meets the Wisconsin River. This convenient launch serves paddlers, anglers, and boaters looking to explore the lower Kickapoo and Wisconsin Rivers. The ramp provides easy access to the final stretch of the Kickapoo, known as "the crookedest river in the world," which is navigable its entire length from north of Ontario to this takeout point.

Paddlers should be prepared for wind in this section, as the area transitions into the floodplains and bottoms where the Kickapoo widens before meeting the Wisconsin River. The landscape features open meadowlands and marshes, with scattered houses and agricultural buildings typical of the region. Power lines and railroad tracks cross the area, but development remains minimal until you reach Wauzeka proper downstream. The surrounding Wauzeka Unit contains significant oak forest habitat and offers opportunities to observe wildlife and migrating songbirds, particularly in spring and fall.

The Kickapoo is accessible at numerous road crossings throughout its length, and canoe and kayak rentals are available locally. This location provides an excellent endpoint for paddlers finishing longer trips downriver or a starting point for exploring the confluence area.