The Namekagon River is a tributary of the St. Croix River. It is 102 miles (164 km) long and is in northwestern Wisconsin. The Namekagon River is one of the best places for canoeing, kayaking, and river tubing in Wisconsin.
Canoeists, kayakers, and rafters can enjoy over 100 miles of flowing water, including low-level rapids and calmer waters. Many resorts offer access to the river, including Heartwood Resort & Conference Center.
When you book a room at Heartwood Resort, you can access many amenities and equipment rentals for activities and river tubing on the Namekagon River. Keep reading to learn more about Heartwood Resort and the complimentary shuttle for river tubing trips available, and book a room when you’re ready to visit!
Heartwood Resort & Conference Center
Heartwood Resort and Conference Center is a premier resort and conference center located on acres of Wisconsin wilderness.
The resort is located about two hours from the Twin Cities metro area and is the perfect place to escape the city and relax. Heartwood Resort offers a variety of lodging options for your vacation or group retreat. Some lodging options include:
Lakeside Cottages – These accommodations are individual cabins with lake views, full kitchens, and fireplaces.
Homes – You can have the whole house to yourself with your group, with a kitchen, living room area, and fireplace.
Duplex Cabins – Stay in a duplex cabin with a small kitchenette perfect for sharing the space with friends!
Lodge Rooms – The lodge has rooms available for those who want comfort and convenience. Each of the 53 rooms has a lakeside view and other amenities.
What Is River Tubing?
River tubing is simply a recreational activity where you use an inner tube to float on a river. Think lazy river at a water park but on a naturally occurring river.
Once you have an inner tube, you can explore the beauty of the Namekagon River.
While river tubing, you will see different plants and animals that depend on rivers for survival as you relax in your inner tube.
How Is River Tubing Done?
River tubing is done on shallow, slow-moving rivers with no rapids or turbulence. The level of depth may vary depending on the time of year or rainfall.
Nearly anyone can do river tubing since it requires no special skills. It only involves finding a comfortable spot on the inner tube and floating down the river currents. However, it is advisable to know how to swim if anything happens when you are floating down the river.
There are some basic guidelines for safe river tubing that individuals should always follow to avoid any accidents or injuries when doing this activity.
River tubers need to wear comfortable clothes so that they can get wet. Shorts are preferable to pants and sandals or water shoes that are secure and protect your feet from sharp rocks and other objects in the water. Tube rentals are available at Heartwood Resort & Conference Center.
If you choose not to rent one from us, you must bring your tube or life preserver for everyone tubing in your party.
Under Wisconsin DNR law, anyone under 18 years of age must wear an approved personal flotation device (PFD) when floating on the river. Even if you are an adult, it’s a good idea to have this with you in case of an emergency.
Once the journey is complete, most people will step out of the water at the end of a calm stretch and take the complimentary shuttle service back provided by Heartwood Resort!
The river tubing trip on this stretch of the Namekagon River is about 4 hours long. Bringing your music, snacks, and chilled drinks are encouraged, but please remember to clean up after your group. Preserving nature is important so that everyone can enjoy what it has to offer.
Why Go for River Tubing in Wisconsin?
Heartwood Resort is your ideal accommodation for those who love to spend time on the water!
You can do river tubing in Wisconsin on many different waterways, but it is best on rivers with a gentle current like the Namekagon River. Let us help you create great memories with a river tubing adventure when you stay at Heartwood Resort! Book your stay today.