Wisconsin River

Known as the “River of a Thousand Isles,” the state’s longest river is mostly calm and shallow, with sandbars forming those thousand tiny islands. You can also expect secluded beaches on the river’s banks, adding an extra element for curious visitors to explore while rafting, paddling, or fishing.

The Upper Wisconsin supports 26 hydroelectric dams with 21 storage reservoirs—more than any other stretch of river in the country. The Lower Wisconsin, on the exact opposite hand, flows unimpeded for some 92 miles (148 kilometers), making it the longest free-flowing section of river anywhere in the Midwest and a favorite of water adventurers.

• Deer are quite common, though you may also run into bald eagles, herons, cranes, beavers, otters, turtles, and other wildlife.

• Below the Prairie du Sac Dam is one of the best spots for fishing on the Wisconsin River. Of course, you’ll need a license.

• Most whitewater rafting happens on tributaries of the Wisconsin, like the Menominee and Peshtigo Rivers.

At 430 miles (692 kilometers), “how to get there” depends on where you’re going. Most visitors will head for the free-flowing lower section, where nearly 95,000 acres have been designated as the Lower Wisconsin State Riverway. The river flows through easy-access spots like Wyalusing State Park, Tower Hill State Park, and the Dells of the Wisconsin River State Natural Area, a 5-mile (8-kilometer)-long sandstone gorge.

The best time to explore the Wisconsin River depends on what you want to do. Most visitors will aim for summer, though fall is perhaps the “best” season—you’ll still get mild temperatures, plus all the river’s stunning autumn foliage. Spring is a good time, too, as you’ll encounter the river in almost impossibly vibrant shades of green.

Today, hear the words “Wisconsin Dells,” and you might think of water parks—the eponymous town is essentially one giant amusement park. But go beyond the town’s manmade adventures, and you’ll find the actual Wisconsin Dells, an ultra-scenic sandstone river gorge that’s glorious for hiking and boating.