About Wisconsin River Islands
Welcome to your public lands! Wisconsin is home to over 15,000 lakes, 84,000 river miles, and countless islands. Many islands in this region were omitted from the original land surveys conducted in the 1830s and 1840s and were later designated as public lands. The BLM manages over 500 islands in the rivers and lakes of Wisconsin. These lands are public and open to recreational use. BLM’s islands are in the Black, Chippewa, Crawfish, Flambeau, Fox, Illinois Fox, Menominee, Milwaukee, Montreal, Oconto, Pelican, Pensaukee, Peshtigo, Rock, St. Louis, Sheboygan, Tomahawk, Wisconsin, and Wolf Rivers. Lake islands are in Barron, Door, Jefferson, Langlade, marathon, Marinette, Marquette, Polk, Walworth, Waupaca, Waushara, Waukesha, and Winnebago Counties. Please note, island ownership varies, please check to make sure islands are public before use. Refer to the map at the top of the page. Use your mouse to scroll and zoom in on islands. Those highlighted yellow are public. Wisconsin River There are BLM public islands spread throughout the Wisconsin River. There are clusters of islands near Stevens Point, Wisconsin Rapids, Portage, and along the Lower Wisconsin State Riverway, among other areas. Islands vary in size, shape, and makeup, from willow patches and hardwood stands, to wide, shifting sandbars. Some islands even have remnant prairie and savanna vegetation. Lower Wisconsin State Riverway A 92-mile stretch of the Wisconsin River, including over 95,000 acres of land, from below the Prairie du Sac dam to the confluence with the Mississippi River has been designated as a State Riverway. This designation recognizes the scenic beauty, recreational opportunities, and nature resource value of the area. The Lower Wisconsin is the longest free-flowing stretch of river in the Midwest. This stretch of the river is extremely popular for kayaking, canoeing, floating, and other forms of flatwater recreation. Estimates range from tens to hundreds of thousands of visitors annually. T
How to Get There
PortageFrom Interstate 39 take exit for Hwy 33 east toward Portage. Just before crossing the river, turn right into the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources carry-in boat launch.Stevens PointTake Interstate Highway 39 North and exit onto U.S. Route 10, headed west. From central Stevens Point, take County Road HH across the Wisconsin River. Turn left onto River Road. Proceed approximately 1.5 miles to the Portage County boat launch.Wisconsin RapidsTake Interstate Highway 39 North and exit onto U.S. Route 10, headed west. From central Stevens Point, take County Road HH across the Wisconsin River. Turn left onto River Road. Proceed approximately 1.5 miles to the Portage County boat launch.
Driving directions (Google Maps) →Plan Your Visit to Wisconsin River Islands
Heading to Wisconsin River Islands? A few things to know before you go:
- Reservations: popular sites fill up fast — check Recreation.gov 6 months in advance
- Fees: day-use and camping fees vary; check current rates on the official park page
- Trash & pack-out: follow Leave No Trace principles
- Wildlife: store food in bear boxes where provided; never feed wildlife
- Weather: the 5-day forecast above is updated every 6 hours; verify just before you go
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a reservation for Wisconsin River Islands?
No central reservation system listed for Wisconsin River Islands. Check the official page (https://www.recreation.gov/recarea/14567) for the latest entry policy and availability.
How do I get to Wisconsin River Islands?
PortageFrom Interstate 39 take exit for Hwy 33 east toward Portage. Just before crossing the river, turn right into the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources carry-in boat launch.Stevens PointTake Interstate Highway 39 North and exit onto U.S. Route 10, headed west. From central Stevens Point, take County Road HH across the Wisconsin River. Turn left onto River Road. Proceed approximately 1.5 …
How do I contact Wisconsin River Islands?
You can reach the park at phone: 414-297-4401 or email: BLM_ES_NSDO_PublicInquiry@blm.gov.
References & Official Resources
