East Fork of the Black River
While not in the same class as the main branch, the East Fork is still a fun paddling river and features some of the best Class 2 rapids in the state.
Trip Reports
Steponik Road to Pray Road
Date Paddled: October 23rd, 2016
Distance: 4.6 miles
Time: 2 hours 24 minutes
A pleasant but lazy stretch little resembling the main branch of the Black River. East Fork Falls and a unique wildlife experience kept things interesting though...
Read More...Pray Road Bridge to Overguard Road Public Access
Date Paddled: September 14th, 2014
Distance: 7.1 Miles
Time: 3 hours 46 minutes
A pleasant central Wisconsin paddle with little signs of human civilization. Enjoy oxymoronic slow riffley current with the highlight of the trip being large granite protrusions and boulder beds. Put-in: Good but hidey access area by Pray Road. It will be on the northwest side of the bridge, with a solid pull-off area for the […]
Read More...Overguard Road to East Fork Campground
Date Paddled: September 1st, 2018
Distance: 4.5 miles
Time: 4 hours 48 minutes (2 hours would be more typical)
The last, best, and most popular stretch of the East Fork. A scenic wilderness trip with fun Class 1-2 rapids and attractive granite boulder gardens.
Read More...Overview Map
Detailed Overview
- River Road to Hwy 73: 1.8 miles. A small creek that might be runnable in high water. Jams shouldn’t be too bad.
- Hwy 73 to Hay Creek Road: 5.4 miles. Probably a feasible creek prospect.
- Hay Creek Road to Peterson Road: 4.3 miles. Probably doable as a creek prospect as it is more open, but there would still be some jams.
- Peterson Road to Hwy ZZ: 7.0 miles. Probably too many downed trees.
- Hwy ZZ to Knutes Road: 5.1 miles. Very narrow and wooded…downed trees are probably an issue. Best launch option probably SW of bridge.
- Knutes Road to Steponik Road: 5.8 miles. Probably a sandy slow section with no rapids and a handful of downed trees. You should be legal to launch by Knutes Road, but the local landowner doesn’t like outsiders. Supposedly there is an access option at Borek Road.
- Steponik Road to Pray Road: 4.6 miles. Ok section with several small Class 1’s, a Class 3, and a Class 4.
- Pray Road to Overguard Road: 7.4 miles. Good section with large granite boulders and one Class 1 rapid.
- Overguard Road to East Fork Campground: 4.5 miles. The last, best, and most popular segment on the East Fork.
- Overguard Road to East Fork Road: 2.3 miles. Scenic section of the river with four Class 1's and one Class 2.
- East Fork Road to East Fork Campround: 2.3 miles. Another good section of the river with two Class 1's and two Class 2's.
- East Fork Campground to Lake Arbutus: Simple flowage paddling. Lake Arbutus has about 9 landings to choose from.
Nearby Guages
Videos
Note, that the clip at 3:19 is not the East Fork of the Black River but rather the main branch of the Black. That particular shot shows the Canyon Rapids at 2100 CFS on the Neilsville Gauge.
Comments
I suspected that Lund Road was private. Thanks for the update!
The canoe landing you have marked by Lund Road is 100% private property. Please note both sides of the East Fork from Pray Road to Overguard Road is private property. Thank you.
Appreciate all the in-depth information...it sounds like you can have a good time on this stretch at higher levels than what I did it. This stretch is terrific...and IMO one of the best beginner whitewater water trails in Wisconsin. Hopefully they fix that darn gauge...
This was my fourth trip to the East Fork this month and each time it comes through. This river does not disappoint and holds its levels longer than most around the area. The backwaters stretch almost back to Pittsville and Lindsey in Wood County. Here are the levels we had: Monday, June 8 @ 893.0, Tuesday, June 16 @ 892.9, Wednesday, June 24, 893.9 (slightly high) and today, Tuesday, June 30 @ 892.7. It is actually better right at 893, rather than higher because some of the rapids get totally missed at these higher levels. The gauge doesn't work anymore at the East Fork Bridge so we have to use the visuals on the west side of the bridge. We also use the Black River Falls USGS and Neillsville USGS as guides as well, but they aren't really reliable to what is happening on the East Fork.
Even at 892.7, the East Fork was at our lowest level of the four times, but we had no problems and no one got stuck in the rapids. We did have a few rock scrapes. It is just such a scenic and peaceful run, we love it so much. The only problem is the amount of driving it takes to get to the end (campground) to Overgaard Road and the amount of gravel roads. We wind up driving on 30 miles of gravel, so beware.
We love the rapids right before the East Fork Bridge and near the lone house on the trip. They are Class One and loads of fun. We must be about 3/5 of the trip at the Bridge, there is still fun after the bridge with a couple good sections the last two miles. The last 1/2 mile is flat, but the takeout is wonderful.
Stars 5, Put-in Overguard Road, Take-out East Fork Campground, Date 06/30/2020, Depth 892.7 (Estimated) at East Fork Bridge
The main gauge is out which is frustrating. Neillsville is a backup gauge...it's at 204 CFS now and falling. I did the rapids at 180 CFS which was low but doable and fun. I expect 170 CFS by the 4th...most of the river will be fine, but you might have to wade some of the rapids. Bring your aquatic shoes! As for time...figure 5 hours.
Looking to paddle from Pray Road to the East Fork Campground this weekend (4th of July 2020). Does anyone know if it is currently runnable with 15' canoes, or is it to low? Estimated paddle time?
Thanks! The stretch you did was my favorite on the East Fork...very underrated.
Great site for people who are interested in kayaking. Just went in the East Fork this morning for Overguard Road to Campground. What a great run it was today. Thanks so much for all the insight. This site is so helpful
That's very generous Todd, especially as the roads in that area are very poor for bike shuttling. Is there a public means by which users can contact you? Also, how much would you charge to do a shuttle? If you can provide this information, I can can include it each my East Fork write-ups.
Provided I am around I would be willing to shuttle people who wish to paddle the east fork. I also could let people know if the river levels are runnable.
Thanks Ryan for the heads up. Borek Road is marked as a landing in the book "A Canoeing Guide to Indian Head Rivers" page 49, but likely this was a mistake. If you know of any other available landings on the upper East Fork besides Steponik Road, feel free to let my readers know.
I have land off of Borek Rd and can tell you that there is no public access to the river without trespassing. The closest public access point to there is the next road to the west, which is Steponic Rd.
How did your trip turn out? Questions or comments? Feel free to leave your feedback.
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