THE ADVENTURE COLLECTIVE® · Independent discovery and booking for outdoor travel
Float a forgiving 4.6-mile section of the Milwaukee River between Badger Meter River Park and Kletzsch Park. This easy, two-hour paddle is perfect for beginners, birders, and visitors who want a quiet waterborne tour of suburban river ecology.
Float a forgiving 4.6-mile section of the Milwaukee River between Badger Meter River Park and Kletzsch Park. This easy, two-hour paddle is perfect for beginners, birders, and visitors who want a quiet waterborne tour of suburban river ecology.
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Operated by Forward Outdoor · Milwaukee, Wisconsin
On a calm stretch of the Milwaukee River between Brown Deer and Glendale, SECTION 8: GLENDALE offers a gentle, beginner-friendly paddle that feels like a short escape from the city without leaving its civic footprint behind. This two-hour, 4.6-mile float begins at Badger Meter River Park in Brown Deer and finishes at the green expanses of Kletzsch Park in Glendale, coursing past wooded banks, residential yards, and the manicured fairways of the Milwaukee Country Club. The river here widens and slows, slipping through a broad floodplain carved by glacial melt. Expect mud-and-sand shoals at low flows and broad, reflective pools at higher levels; guides recommend a flow of roughly 150–200 CFS for the most comfortable ride. There are no rapids on this section—no surprises—so the trip is ideal for first-time paddlers, families with older children, and anyone looking for a low-effort way to tune into local birdlife and the shifting edge where suburb meets river. Scenes shift rapidly along the way: stands of silver maple and cottonwood give way to tidy private docks, clipped lawns, and the occasional remnant of industrial river infrastructure. Keep an eye out for great blue herons poised along the bank and kingfishers skimming the surface; waterfowl and small muskrat slides are common. Bathroom access is available at Kletzsch Park (flush toilets) and a porta-potty at Badger Meter River Park at the put-in. Practical notes matter. Launch and pickup are straightforward: ample parking and a kayak launch in Kletzsch Park make logistics easy for shuttle-supported trips. During unusually low water you may scrape shallow sections—water shoes and a spare paddle will save the day. The experience is short, social, and forgiving: timing, a modest level of stamina, and basic paddling technique are all you need. Why book SECTION 8: GLENDALE with a local outfitter? It’s a chance to see a less flashy, very accessible river corridor that reveals how communities and waterways coexist. For visitors to Milwaukee seeking a quiet hour on the water rather than a whitewater rush, this stretch delivers a readable, restorative paddle with scenic variety and reliable access. Pack a camera, layer for wind off the river, and plan a late-summer or early-fall float to catch migrating birds and the first hints of color along the banks. Trips are listed as suitable for ages 12 and up, and the roughly two-hour on-water time fits into an afternoon or morning slot. Because launch and takeout are municipal parks, cell service and parking are usually reliable, making it easy for families or small groups to self-shuttle. If water levels drop below 150 CFS, plan for short carries; otherwise bring a light dry bag, drinking water, and a sense of patience—the river rewards slow observation.
easy.
2 hours.
Suitable for beginners and those with light aerobic fitness; basic paddling endurance for two hours is sufficient.
Put in at Badger Meter River Park in Brown Deer; take out at Kletzsch Park in Glendale.
The section covers 4.6 miles and typically takes about two hours on the water.
Trips are listed as suitable for ages 12 and up; assess younger paddlers’ stamina and comfort before booking.
No—this section has no rapids and is considered easy, though shallow shoals can appear at low flows.
Flush toilets are available at Kletzsch Park; there is a porta-potty at Badger Meter River Park.
If flows drop below roughly 150 CFS you may need to carry past shallow sections—water shoes and a spare paddle help.
The Milwaukee River has long shaped settlement and industry in the region; this suburban corridor shows how parks and private land meet the river today.
Stay on the waterway, pack out trash, and avoid disturbing nesting birds; municipal parks along the route favor low-impact recreation.
Forward Outdoor is a Milwaukee, Wisconsin outfitter specializing in paddling trips on the Milwaukee River. The company leads ten named river sections—West Bend, Newburg, Saukville, Grafton, Mequon, Thiensville, Brown Deer, Glendale, Shorewood, and Milwaukee—each designed for different skill levels and experiences. Trips range from short scenic floats and a 1.5‑hour Mequon mini Dells route to longer 3–6 hour runs through West Bend rapids and prairie. Routes include gentle rapids, tree‑lined bends, wildlife viewing, and urban waterfront paddling that passes Milwaukee’s skyline. Rentals and guided options focus on safety, clear route descriptions, and flexible trip lengths suitable for beginners and experienced paddlers alike. Forward Outdoor provides trip endpoints at local parks such as Waubedonia Park, Ehlers Park, Veteran’s Memorial Park, Lime Kiln Park, Garrison’s Glen, and other public launch sites named in route descriptions. The outfitter emphasizes low‑impact river use and local stewardship while offering family‑friendly float options and beginner‑friendly rapids on select sections. Equipment, timing, and route choices are tailored per trip to match conditions and guest goals. Forward Outdoor’s presence in Milwaukee connects paddlers to quieter suburban stretches and more urban waterfront sections within a single river corridor. Prospective paddlers can select trips for wildlife viewing, gentle rapids, short urban escapes, or extended scenic journeys along the Milwaukee River. Trips often provide wildlife viewing opportunities—herons, turtles, and deer have been noted along several sections—and several routes finish near festivals, beer gardens, neighborhood parks, or parking areas for convenient access and easy post‑paddle plans for paddlers of all ages.
Book with Forward Outdoor