Boulder Junction has over 194 crystal lakes and several excellent rivers for paddlers. The vast tracts of undeveloped public lands have helped to create an atmosphere conducive to wilderness paddling. Canoeists and kayakers will find several excellent no-motor lakes as well as a huge array of secluded, undeveloped lakes and waterways within the Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest.

The following canoeing areas are suggested by a long time area canoeist that prefers to go by the name of “Tent Shaker”, a term used to refer to the canoe guides of long ago that would shake your tent to get you going early in the morning. “Tent Shakers” would have the coffee going with slices of slab bacon sizzling in the iron skillet with flapjacks to follow.

Please remember to treat the Northwoods' lakes as your own, and always leave the area better than you found it.

Rentals – Information on canoe and kayak rentals in Boulder Junction.

Tent Shaker's four paddle trips that don’t require a shuttle:

Allequash Lake – 426 Acres with Maximum Depth 24 ft
Location: Boulder Junction Township – Located off County M about 4 miles north of Hwy 51. Turn right onto Allequash Lake Road.
Notes: Located in the Northern Highland State Forest with an improved landing with the lands state owned. There is no development on this lake and the lower basin has a no-motor restriction.

Frank Lake- 141 Acres with Maximum Depth 34 ft
Location: Plum Lake Township – Sometimes known as Bear Lake – Very Secluded! Located off County M about 3 miles North. Turn right onto Big Muskellunge Road. Travel about 3 miles east to a left turn on Frank Lake Road. Big Muskellunge Road becomes a dirt road. Notes: you will be traveling in the heart of the Northern Highland State Forest past Blueberry Lake (south side) and Starrett Lake (north side). Unimproved landing with no development on the lake. Rarely do you find a visitor.

Mann Creek – A long mile long
Location: Boulder Junction Township – Travel 2 miles north on County M off of Hwy 51. Turn Left on County N for about one mile.
Notes: Mann Creek is about one mile long and is between County M and County N. Unimproved Landing on the left side of the road. Marsh Habitat and a waterfowl rearing area. No development on these waters. The boarding lands are State Lands. Traveling in two vehicles? Try a shuttle between County M and County N.

Camp Lake – 59 Acres with Maximum Depth 31 ft
Location: Travel one mile North past County M on Hwy 51. Turn left on unimproved dirt logging road and go past Little Rock Lake approximately one mile.
Notes: Again in the heart of the Northern Highland State Forest. This lake has no development. It is a studied lake by the University of Wisconsin Trout Lake Station.

Tent Shaker’s suggestions for River Trips of varying lengths

Trout River Adventure
(A) Approximately 3 miles long ending at Popes Road (1 to 2 hours)
(B) Approximately 4.5 miles long ending at County H (2 to 3 hours)
(C) Approximately 7.5 miles ending at west end of Wild Rice Lake (4 to 6 hours)
Location at Start: Travel 1.3 miles north pass County N to the Trout River (sign on right). Vehicles can park on both sides of road off shoulder, however it is recommended to park vehicles north of this area where shoulder flattens out.
On (A) route for takeout turn left on Gresham Road climbing steep hill. Travel Gresham Road for about 2.5 miles just before road turns to gravel. Turn left on to dirt road across from Popes Road and travel one mile to Trout River and landing. Good area to leave pickup vehicle. Unimproved Landing.
On (B) take Gresham Road all the way to County H bridge. Unimproved landing.
On (C) stay on Hwy 51 traveling northward about 4 miles north to left on Bakken Road. Travel 1.75 miles and turn left on Townline Road ½ mile to landing on Wildrice Lake on north shore. Improved landing.