Flatwater paddling the four-corners area
The four corners area, where Sawyer, Rusk, Barron and Washburn counties meet near Birchwood Wisconsin, is a great place to go paddling. If whitewater is what you want, you can find lots of information elsewhere. But if enjoying an hour or two paddling quiet waters is what you want, you have come to the right place. Area lakes and the creeks that feed them offer countless opportunities for exploring. And if you know where to go and when to go there, you just about can't help having a good time. If you're looking for a paddler-friendly place to stay in the heart of all these paddling options, look no further than Nystrom's Resort. We've been there and paddled them all.
Any area lake -- knowing when to go
All the lakes in the area are great for paddling at least some of the time. The trick is to know when to go. A paddler's best friend or worst enemy is wind. In the summer, many mornings start with little or no wind on area lakes, and very little boat traffic. It's my favorite time to paddle. And if you can go on a weekday, your chances of having the lake to yourself or sharing it with very few others is high.
Any lake can be a good place to paddle on a windy day if you can choose where you start your adventure. Is the wind from the south today? Then look at the map and find an extended southern shoreline that will be protected from that wind. Even on the windiest summer days, there's always a place you can go paddling and stay out of the worst of the wind.
Murphy Flowage Recreation Area
My favorite place to take novice paddlers is Murphy Flowage. It stretches along a narrow valley for about a mile and a half east to west so it is a great place to go even when the north or south wind is howling. The only dwelling and the only campground on the entire waterway are on the extreme west end, so most of the flowage is devoid of people. Because it's only three miles round trip starting and returning to the campground's dock, it's not too far for beginning paddlers. I love taking kids there and saying, "Over there at that dam is where the water leaves this like. Let's see if you can find where it comes in at the other end." And when they find that creek, it's fun to see how far we can go up.
Big Chetac Lake
Paddle and Pedal Biathlon
Knutson Creek (33 Creek)
Heron Creek
Spider Lakes Chain
Long Lake
Red Cedar Lake
Balsam Lake
Hemlock Lake & Bolger flowage
Big Sissabagama Lake
Little Sissabagama Lake
Deer Lake
Twin Lakes