Stevens Point Area Visitors Guide 2023

OUTDOORS
Paddle Guide
Upper Plover River
by Timothy Bauer (MilesPaddled.com)
Skill Level: Intermediate
Class Difficulty: Flatwater +
Two Class I Rapids
Gradient: Approx. 3’ per mile
Put-In/Take-Out: Bentley Road
(south of Bentley Pond) to
Jordan Pond, 8500
Jordan Rd., Stevens Point
@belleofthebustle
Time Needed: 3-4 hours
Top Six Swim Spots
1
SUNSET LAKE PARK
On a hot summer day, Sunset Lake Park is
the perfect spot for swimming in Portage
County. This 63-acre lake is incredibly clear
and clean, and the large beach is perfect for
picnics and building sandcastles.
2 LAKE EMILY PARK
Walk down the grassy rolling trail or flight of
stairs to access the rocky shoreline of this
popular 96-acre lake. The beautiful, clear
water is perfect for swimming as well as
fishing.
3 JORDAN PARK
This beach is a perfect spot for a day trip.
Picnic, explore the Nature Center, and hit the
trails in the county park which also offers
camping. Better yet – make a weekend of it,
and reserve one of the water sites.
4 IVERSON PARK
Don’t miss this gem, tucked in Stevens Point’s
oldest park. The beach, worth the walk from
the parking area, is perfect for families with
young children with shallow water perfect for
exploring.
Insider tip: The clear, cola colored water of
the Plover River gets its hue from tree roots
it runs over.
5 COPPS POOL
If you prefer swimming with lifeguards and
temperature controlled water, don’t skip the
Copps Pool. Here you can ride the 162-foot
slide, jump off the diving boards, or play in
the zero depth wading pool – perfect for
young children.
Insider Tip: Be sure to check the pool’s hours
ahead of time, as the swimming season is
short.
6 BUKOLT PARK
Swim in the Wisconsin River from Bukolt
Park. Tucked along the shore (and the Green
Circle Trail), you’ll find the WPA-era stone
bathhouse in front of stone steps and sand
leading down to the swimming area.
Insider Tip: Take a walk along one of the
fishing piers installed in the nearby lagoons.
Looking to bring
Fido along?
Check out the dog-friendly beach
at Mead Park on the Wisconsin River!
Find more swimming spots:
Collins County Park, Lake DuBay,
Wolf Lake, and Hartman Creek.
@nature_guuurl
This trip explores the Upper Plover River, a
section that often gets overlooked due to its
secluded location and narrow, meandering
nature. But it’s an engaging and intimate
route that is endowed with wildlife and often
surrounded by an undeveloped landscape.
Paddlers will be rewarded with reliable water
levels and a good current over an attractive
sand-gravel bottom, plus some boulder
gardens and several luscious riffles.
The best starting point is at Bentley Road,
where you’ll find clear water, good current,
and pine-lined banks – classic central
Wisconsin. Dozens of small grassy islands
create fun side channels to add to the
intimacy, with occasional obstacles to
dodge. Wooded scenes flow by on the left,
while the right-hand side will offer marshy
and more spacious views.
Continuing south, about midway between
Bentley Road and County K, you aren’t far
from the Steinhaugen Recreation Area, a
mix of upland forest, prairie, and wetlands.
Accessible by Bentley Road, it offers
270-acres to explore on foot post-paddle.
Next, you’ll see the bridge at County Road K
– technically a culvert, which is always fun to
paddle through. The river will run parallel to
the road, but this next section still manages
to feel remote and natural along the left
bank. After several meanders past a large
farm, the river will slip back into the woods
and sweep along an attractive undercut sand
bank -- a foreshadow of the lower Plover
River trip (south of the Jordan Dam, heading
towards Stevens Point). Soon, the landscape
will open again and you’ll have to decide
whether to portage around the Class I rapids
on the left or right – or when there is enough
water you can run the rapids just left of
center with little difficulty. It’s best to scout
this along the right bank before running the
rapid; check it out first along the road when
doing the shuttle. The rapids are created by
the remnants of a removed dam.
From here it’s a short 1+ miles to the take-out
at Jordan Park, most of which is flat water
paddling, the result of the dam that created
Miles Paddled: 8.75 miles
the pond. However, before you enter Jordan
Pond the river gallops through an attractive
wooded section. And just below the small
bridge at Sharonwood Lane is a scenic little
boulder garden where you can expect lively
riffles or rapids (depending on water levels).
Paddlers will be interested to know there are
three designated canoe/kayak campsites
on the right shore, all part of Jordan Park
campground. There are two location options
for taking out, both on the right. The first
is designated for paddlers near the canoekayak
campsites; the second is 1000’ further
down the shore at a boat launch.
Check out more places
worth paddling at
STEVENSPOINTAREA.COM
36 Stevens Point Area Official Visitors Guide | 2023
Stevens Point Area Official Visitors Guide | 2023
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