News and Stories
Great Pinery featured in Silent Sports Magazine Cover!
Stunning cover photo by Christi Stellingworth.
ON THE COVER: A bucolic scene on the Great Pinery Heritage Waterway, Lake Wausau/Wisconsin. As noted by photographer Christi Stellingworth, “On September 17, 2022, we were out on the river watching the sunset, worshiping the beauty of the sun.” Thank you to Christi as well as to Faye Blaubach and Sandy Hoogland.
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6/9/25
Interior Designates Five New National Recreation Trails
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior
In celebration of Great Outdoors Month and National Trails Day on June 7, the Department of the Interior today announced the designation of five new National Recreation Trails in six states, adding 387 miles to the National Trails System. The newly designated trails join a network of more than 1,300 existing National Recreation Trails, which can be found in every U.S. state, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.
6/28/24
New water trail attracts thousands of paddlers
Source: Wausau Daily Herald
It’s still being developed, but a newly-designed water trail in the middle of Wisconsin already is attracting thousands of paddlers and may well be on its way to receiving national designation by the National Park Service.
9/7/23/-9/14/23
Fall Paddling at its best
A guide to some of the best paddles in Wisconsin for when the leaves start falling
Article Source: City Pages by Lindsay Wood Davis
Every year, I love fall paddling; the weather is cool, the water warm, and the bugs and powerboats greatly reduced. And it’s hard to beat the scenery. Here you’ll find four fall paddling recommendations, beginning in the Far North as the colors turn, then winding southward to follow the leaf and migratory changes.
9/6/23
Wausau – Wisconsin’s Outdoor Basecamp
Video Source: Discover Wisconsin
Experience the Ultimate Adventure in Wausau: Wisconsin’s Outdoor Basecamp! Join us on Discover Wisconsin as we uncover the heart-pounding world of extreme mountain biking, thrilling whitewater kayaking and canoeing, and hiking iconic Rib Mountain. Discover the best of Wausau’s outdoor scene and savor local flavors at hotspots like Redeye Brewing and Whitewater Music Hall. Get ready to dive into the excitement and relaxation that define Wausau’s unique essence in this thrilling episode!
8/31/23 – 9/7/23
#MyCityScene GPHW Highlight
Source: City Pages Image taken by @bckowalski
Sights such as this could be seen on the Wisconsin River during The Great Pinery Heritage Waterway ribbon cutting and paddle Saturday.
7/13/23
That Old Wisconse
Article Source: Marathon County Historical Society
Among the pioneers of the Great Pinery who had spent their lives living, traveling, and working on the river; an affectionate and familiar name for the Wisconsin River was common, “The Wisconse.” These folks had come to know first-hand, both the natural beauty and the great power of the Wisconsin River. But by the end of the 1800s, the Wisconsin River and it’s tributaries were going through considerable changes, and the old timers of Central Wisconsin felt a need to clarify the passing of the river they once knew as seperate from the River as it was becoming, and so began to adopt with reverence and wistful nostalgia, the name the “Old Wisconse.”
6/8/23
712 Creative and the Wausau/Central Wisconsin Convention and Visitors Bureau receive JEM grant to Promote the Great Pinery Heritage Waterway
Article Source: 712 Creative Press Release
712 Creative and the Wausau/Central Wisconsin’s Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) are thrilled to announce their recent award of the Joint Effort Marketing (JEM) Grant by the WI Department of Tourism. Amounting to $28,775, this grant will be critical in promoting the Great Pinery Heritage Waterway (GPHW), a unique 108-mile long water trail in Central Wisconsin, thereby enhancing regional tourism.
3/1/23
A River Runs Through It
Article Source: Wisconsin Outside | March 2023 e-newsletter
Dave Eckmann, Greater Wausau Chamber of Commerce CEO and president explained, “A significant component of our plan is to market the greater Wausau region as an outdoor recreation mecca of the Midwest to attract and retain skilled workforce and innovative companies. The GPHW proposal would help contribute to realizing this strategy and further enable the area to reach full potential as a nationally recognized outdoor hub.”
11/23/22
Great Pinery Heritage Waterway gains state designation
Article Source: WJFW – News Channel 12
A project in Lincoln and Marathon counties called the Great Pinery Heritage Waterway has recently been listed as the 21st state designated water trail. It runs from Oneida to Portage County. You may have heard of The Ice Age National Scenic Trail, a hiking route throughout the state. Water trails are essentially the same but of course on water designed for kayakers and paddlers.
11/4/22
Vilas County forestry receives Wisconsin River trail presentation
Article Source: The Lakeland Times, November 4, 2022, Page 11
The Vilas County board’s forestry, recreation, and land committee received a presentation on Tuesday about a statewide paddling trail program on the Wisconsin River…The committee didn’t make a decision, but Tomlanovich said a third-party group could be organized to push for the program and work as a liaison between Bertram’s foundation and the county.
10/1/22
Paddling Adventures Abound
Article Source: Greater Wausau 2022-2023 Recreation Guide, Pages 20-21
The Wausau area features some great opportunities for paddling adventures, including a trio of river trails. The Great Pinery Heritage Waterway is an overarching water trail that consists of three rivers located in Central Wisconsin…Portions of the trail hold scenic wonders as it flows over rapids and rock outcropping, through primeval pine and hardwood forest, and along the Ice Age Trail.
6/20/22
Great Pinery Heritage Waterway – A paddle trail like no other!
Article Source: Wausau Works For You Summer 2022, Page 4
The Great Pinery Heritage Waterway (GPHW) is an overarching historic river trail system that combines the histories of three rivers that meet in the heart of our city. The trail offers our residents paddling opportunities on the Wisconsin River, the Lower Big Rib River, and the Lower Eau Claire River on branded landings that tell the story of our rivers and the people that lived along their banks.
5/11/22
Great Pinery Heritage Waterway: A Great Midwest Destination
Article Source: Silent Sports Magazine
The Wausau & Marathon County Parks & Recreation Foundation announces the development of the Great Pinery Heritage Waterway (GPHW) as an overarching paddling trail on the Wisconsin River from Hat Rapids in Oneida County through Wausau to the Lake DuBay Dam in Portage County. The scenic, urban, and historical water trail is 108 miles in length and connects today’s paddler with the history, events and people of the river that runs through Central Wisconsin.
5/5/22
‘Great Pinery Waterway’ will bring new water trails to Wisconsin River
Article Source: WSAW – News Channel 7
The Wausau and Marathon County Parks and Recreation Foundation announced Thursday the creation of a new paddling trail called the ‘Great Pinery Heritage Waterway’. The vision to create water trails along the Wisconsin River traces its way back to the 1980s with former Wausau and Marathon County Parks and Recreation Director Bill Duncanson. Recently, they’ve decided to return to the project.
3/6/22
Paddling Future, Past Tribute: The Great Pinery Heritage Waterway will be in place by the fall
Article Source: City Pages 2022 Summer Fun Book, Pages 60-61
The Wausau area has lots of outdoor activities, and soon, those looking for one on the water will get access to a new scenic urban and historical paddle trail passing through Central Wisconsin. After two years of talk, the Great Pinery Heritage Waterway is now being developed on the Wisconsin River.
2/1/22
Great Pinery Heritage Waterway
Article Source: Silent Sports Magazine
The Wausau & Marathon County Parks & Recreation Foundation announces the development of the Great Pinery Heritage Waterway (GPHW) as an overarching paddling trail on the Wisconsin River from Hat Rapids in Oneida County through Wausau to the Lake DuBay Dam in Portage County. The scenic, urban, and historical water trail is 108 miles in length and connects today’s paddler with the history, events and people of the river that runs through Central Wisconsin.
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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