Gilbert Park Landing to Oak Island Park Landing
Paddle from Gilbert Park Landing to Oak Island Park Landing along the Great Pinery Heritage Waterway for an easy 2.7-mile segment provides a unique blend of urban and natural beauty. This segment of the water trail will take approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes to complete. At Oak Island you can relax in the shade of beautiful trees, enjoy a nice trail to Fern Island, or cookout at the shelter.
Gilbert Park Landing to Oak Island Park Landing
Paddle from Gilbert Park Landing to Oak Island Park Landing along the Great Pinery Heritage Waterway for an easy 2.7-mile segment provides a unique blend of urban and natural beauty. This segment of the water trail will take approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes to complete. At Oak Island you can relax in the shade of beautiful trees, enjoy a nice trail to Fern Island, or cookout at the shelter.
Segment vitals
Segment information:
Start: Gilbert Park Landing
44.984179, -89.622004
End: Oak Island Park Landing
44.953182, -89.629095
Miles: 162 to 164.7
Segment length: 2.7 miles
Time required: 1 hour and 45 mins
Segment difficulty: Moderate
Skill level: Intermediate
Water level: Good
Gradient: No gradient,
Wisconsin River Flowage
Trail Type: Urban
Internet: Good
Portage: Hadley’s
Portage at the
WPS Dam
Check out the live data
Flow rates
Flow rates play a crucial role in determining the conditions of rivers for canoeing, kayaking, and paddling activities. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced enthusiast, being informed about flow rates is essential for a safe and enjoyable experience on the water.
NOAA - Wisconsin River below Wausau Dam
Check out live data here!
Landmarks
Wausau Whitewater Park - Rapids Class I-III
Hadley’s Portage at Wausau Dam
Barker & Stewart Sawmill marker - Baker-Stewart Island
Wisconsin River - Wausau's water highway marker - Baker-Stewart Island
Railroads bring a new era to Wausau marker - Baker-Stewart Island
Renewable energy marker - Baker-Stewart Island
Vertical log raft statue - River Edge Trail
Champions of business inspiration plaza marker - River Edge Trail
Why is it called Big Bull Falls marker? - Big Bull Falls Park
Business boomed at Big Bull Falls marker - Big Bull Falls Park
Big Bull historical marker - Big Bull Falls Park
Kayak sculpture - Wausau Whitewater Park
Train Depot
Powerhouse
Wausau Waterworks marker
Landings
Gilbert Park Landing
Enjoy a day of fun at Gilbert Park Landing! Pack a picnic, go fishing, or simply relax by the water. This landing has an accessible fishing pier so anyone can enjoy a day of fishing. With ample parking and facilities, it’s the perfect spot for outdoor adventures!
Coordinates: 44.984179, -89.622004
Parking: Yes
Scholfield Park Landing
Discover Schofield Park Landing! Enjoy a picnic, let the kids play on the playground, or cast your line for some fishing fun.
Coordinates: 44.979449, -89.630055
Parking: Yes
RiverLife Park ADA Landing
Relax and take in the scene at RiverLife Park Landing! Enjoy riverside picnics, let the kids play in the playground, or cast your fishing line from the dock. And if you’re interested in the buzz of downtown Wausau, simply walk up and down the area to enjoy the fun downtown scene.
This landing is ADA Friendly!
Coordinates: 44.970130, -89.630887
Parking: Yes
RiverLife Park
Relax and take in the scene at RiverLife Park Landing! Enjoy riverside picnics, let the kids play in the playground, or cast your fishing line from the dock. And if you’re interested in the buzz of downtown Wausau, simply walk up and down the area to enjoy the fun downtown scene.
Coordinates: 44.966764, -89.631336
Parking: Yes
Hadley’s Portage at Wausau Dam
The portage is on the left side of the bank facing downstream
Mileage Marker 160
Portage Length: 400 feet
Takeout coordinates:
Launch Coordinates D°M’S”: 44°57’32.8″N 89°38’01.1″W
Launch Coordinates Degrees: 44.959101, -89.633632
Put-in coordinates:
Launch Coordinates D°M’S”: 44°57’28.4″N 89°38’02.5″W
Launch Coordinates Degrees: 44.957887, -89.634035
Coordinates: 44.959101, -89.633632
Parking: No
Oak Island Landing
Escape to Oak Island Park Landing! Immerse yourself in nature, enjoy a picnic by the water, or let the kids have a blast on the playground. It’s the perfect place for a day of outdoor fun! And if you stop by on a Saturday you will catch the local farmers market to enjoy local produce, bakery items, honey, meat, and more.
Coordinates: 44.953182, -89.629095
Parking: Yes
History
The 1912 flood of the Wisconsin River
If you were standing right here at about 10 pm July 23, 1912, you would have seen the signs of the coming disaster that would be one of the most infamous evenings in the history of the Wisconsin River. By the time the swell was visible from this point, the flood had already swept down the Wisconsin River through Merrill and Brokaw.
Wisconsin River Valley gets hydromania
[…] the turn of the 20th century saw a surge in the number of hydro projects being created up and down the Wisconsin River Valley. After seeing the success of the famous Niagara Falls dam in 1889, many communities across the United States saw hydro dams as the answer to their problems.
Lumbering at Big Bull Falls
Like many of the communities founded along the Wisconsin River, the place where Wausau would eventually emerge was first settled because of the good waterpower provided by the falls here. In 1838, George Stevens led the first expedition of Europeans up the Wisconsin River with the goal of establishing a sawmill that would allow for the harvest of the Great Pinery.
History of Janke Book Store
In early days, Wisconsin logging operations
clustered on the banks of the mighty Wisconsin
River. This timber boom of the 19th century led to the development of the city of Wausau, first called Big Bull Falls by settlers. Soon Wausau’s downtown, centered around Third Street, grew just two blocks from the river.
History of the Wausau Dam
Wausau owes its existence to the Wisconsin
River that flows through it. As early as 1841, logs were being sent down to Big Bull Falls, where sawmills were harnessing the river’s power to drive powerful saws. However, by the beginning of the 20th century, things had changed considerably.
Wausau’s islands become parks
Since the founding of Wausau in the late 1830s, the islands here have been central to the development of the community. The islands that were the first home to these settlers in the 1840s continued to be the place where the all-important lumber industry operated. Many of Wausau’s islands inherited names from the lumber companies that operated there.
Wildlife
American Goldfinches
The American Goldfinch is a vibrant, yellow songbird commonly seen across Wisconsin in open fields, gardens, and along roadsides. Known for its cheerful call and acrobatic feeding on seeds, it adds a bright splash of color to the landscape, especially in summer.
Painted Turtles
The painted turtle is one of the most common and easily recognized turtles in Wisconsin, often seen basking on logs near ponds, lakes, and slow-moving rivers. With its smooth, colorful shell and bright red and yellow markings, it’s a familiar and welcome sight in the state’s wetlands.
Red Foxes
Red foxes are widespread across Wisconsin and can often be spotted in forests, grasslands, and even near urban areas. Known for their bushy tails and keen senses, they are most active during dawn and dusk, making them a delightful surprise for quiet nature observers.
Eastern Gray Squirrels
Walleye, a popular sportfish in Wisconsin, thrives in the state’s lakes and rivers, including the Wisconsin River. With a robust population and widespread distribution, anglers enjoy pursuing this prized species, making it a cornerstone of Wisconsin’s freshwater fisheries.
American Minks
American minks are found throughout Wisconsin, particularly in wetland habitats near streams, rivers, and lakes. Their sleek, dark fur and semi-aquatic lifestyle make them well-suited for hunting along waterways, where they prey on fish, amphibians, and small mammals.
Wildlife
American Goldfinches
The American Goldfinch is a vibrant, yellow songbird commonly seen across Wisconsin in open fields, gardens, and along roadsides. Known for its cheerful call and acrobatic feeding on seeds, it adds a bright splash of color to the landscape, especially in summer.
Painted Turtles
The painted turtle is one of the most common and easily recognized turtles in Wisconsin, often seen basking on logs near ponds, lakes, and slow-moving rivers. With its smooth, colorful shell and bright red and yellow markings, it’s a familiar and welcome sight in the state’s wetlands.
Red Foxes
Red foxes are widespread across Wisconsin and can often be spotted in forests, grasslands, and even near urban areas. Known for their bushy tails and keen senses, they are most active during dawn and dusk, making them a delightful surprise for quiet nature observers.
Eastern Gray Squirrels
Eastern gray squirrels are abundant throughout Wisconsin, commonly found in forests, parks, and suburban neighborhoods. Known for their bushy tails and energetic behavior, they are active year-round, especially during early morning and late afternoon.
American Minks
American minks are found throughout Wisconsin, particularly in wetland habitats near streams, rivers, and lakes. Their sleek, dark fur and semi-aquatic lifestyle make them well-suited for hunting along waterways, where they prey on fish, amphibians, and small mammals.
Nearby attractions and activities
Gilbert Park
River Edge Walkway
Wausau On Water (WOW Family Entertainment Center)
Barker-Stewart Island Park
Big Bull Falls Park
Wausau Whitewater Park
Picnic Island
Isle of Ferns Park
Riverside Park
Oak Island Park
Know Before You Go
Please review these important safety reminders before getting on the water.
Safe & Smart
Check the weather and water temperature before going paddling.
Wear a Lifejacket
Don’t be a statistic.
Know Your Limits
There are old paddlers and bold paddlers, but no old bold paddlers! Know your skill level.
Don’t Drink and Paddle
Water and booze don’t mix.
Have the Right Gear
Footwear, sunscreen, hat, sunglasses, trail map, water, snacks, water tight bag for personal items and your cell phone, bilge pump, and first aid kit.
File a Float Plan
Communicate to family and friends your put-in and take-out, and when you are paddling.
Water Levels & Obstacles
Be aware of water levels, rapids, and dams before you get into the water.
In Case of Emergency Call 911
Remember your mile markers and landmarks.
Have a Map or App
Take a map or download an app to know where you are at on the water.
No Glass on the Wisconsin River
It is illegal to have glass on the Wisconsin River. If you are caught, the DNR will fine you up to $749.
Know Before You Go
Please review these important safety reminders before getting on the water.
Safe & Smart
Check the weather and water temperature before going paddling.
Wear a Lifejacket
Don’t be a statistic.
Know Your Limits
There are old paddlers and bold paddlers, but no old bold paddlers! Know your skill level.
Don’t Drink and Paddle
Water and booze don’t mix.
Have the Right Gear
Footwear, sunscreen, hat, sunglasses, trail map, water, snacks, water tight bag for personal items and your cell phone, bilge pump, and first aid kit.
File a Float Plan
Communicate to family and friends your put-in and take-out, and when you are paddling.
Water Levels & Obstacles
Be aware of water levels, rapids, and dams before you get into the water.
In Case of Emergency Call 911
Remember your mile markers and landmarks.
Have a Map or App
Take a map or download an app to know where you are at on the water.
No Glass on the Wisconsin River
It is illegal to have glass on the Wisconsin River. If you are caught, the DNR will fine you up to $749.
Apps
We put together some recomended apps for anyone planning a trip out on the water.
Resources
Check out these resources to help you out when you are planning a trip out on the water.
Apps
We put together some recomended apps for anyone planning a trip out on the water.
Resources
Check out these resources to help you out when you are planning a trip out on the water.
Great Pinery Heritage Waterway
Safety
Visit the trail
Plan your trip
About the Pinery
Water Trail Segments
- Hat Rapids Dam to Kings Dam
- Kings Dam to Tomahawk Dam
- Tomahawk Dam to Camp New Wood County Park
- Camp New Wood County Park to Alexander Dam
- Alexander Dam to Riverside Park Landing
- Riverside Park Landing to Brokaw Mill Landing
- Brokaw Landing Mill to Gilbert Park Landing
- Gilbert Park Landing to Oak Island Park Landing
- Oak Island Park Landing to Rothschild Dam
- Rothschild Dam to Chuck’s Landing
- Chuck’s Landing to Lake DuBay Dam
- Lower Big Rib River Water Trail
- Lower Eau Claire River Trail
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