Our rivers are very accessible and we get asked about places to stop along our rivers pretty much everyday. So, we’ve compiled a list of places and included a timeline for each from each of our locations. Take a look and let us know if you have any questions or comments. Thanks for kayaking with us and remember to wear your life jacket!
*updated 3/24/26
**DOWNTOWN MILWAUKEE RIVER (paddling north)**
Blue Bat
– public launch
– lower kayak dock, easy to use, share with motor boats
– secure kayaks on top of dock to save space for others in the water or on dock
– 15 minute paddle north from MKC @ Jerry’s Docks
– 30 minute paddle south from MKC @ Schlitz Park
– 30 minute paddle east from MKC @ Twisted Fisherman
Milwaukee Public Market
– same public launch as Blue Bat (above)
Saffron Milwaukee
– near or same public launch as Blue Bat (above)
Pere Marquette Park
– nice spot for a picnic lunch
The TapYard (located next to our Schlitz Park rental location)
– nice dock
– on the weekends, we can help you enter and exit your kayaks at our Schlitz Park location
– best taco food truck in town (cash only) – located near here on the Pleasant Street Bridge
– 35 minute paddle from MKC @ Jerry’s Docks
– same location as MKC @ Schlitz Park
– 45 minute paddle east and north from MKC @ Twisted Fisherman
Lakefront Brewery
– lower kayak dock reserved for kayaks only
– convenience and great place to stop and/or turnaround
– 45 minute paddle north thru downtown from MKC @ Jerry’s Docks
– 10 minute paddle north from MKC @ Schlitz Park
– 50 minute paddle east and north from MKC @ Twisted Fisherman
Cozumel
– smaller dock
– quiet, residential area
– less motor boat traffic upriver from Lakefront Brewery (on way north to Cozumel)
– one hour paddle north from MKC @ Jerry’s Docks
– 20-25 minute paddle north from MKC @ Schlitz Park
– one hour+ paddle north from MKC @ Twisted Fisherman
Turtle Park @ Restoring Lands – A Wisconsin Land Trust
– natural area full of nature – great spot for a picnic lunch
**MENOMONEE RIVER VALLEY (paddling west)**
MOTOR at Harley Davidson Museum
– nice kayak dock and launch
– 15-20 minute paddle west from MKC @ Jerry’s Docks
– 45 minute paddle south and west from MKC @ Schlitz Park
– 20 minute paddle east from MKC @ Twisted Fisherman
Twisted Fisherman (use kayak launch to the west of docks / by our rental location here)
– we have an additional location here
– nice dock and launch on the west end of docks
– 30-35 minute paddle west from MKC @ Jerry’s Docks
– 45 minute paddle south and west from MKC @ Schlitz Park
Lombardi Brewing
– smaller dock
– bring kayaks up on the grass if possible otherwise secure them to dock well
– 45 minute paddle west from MKC @ Jerry’s Docks
– one hour paddle south and west from MKC @ Schlitz Park
**HARBOR / KK RIVER (paddling south)**
– this is the inner harbor / bigger water
Barnical Buds
– no kayak docking available, bring kayaks on land out of the way or stay with your kayaks
– 40 minute south paddle from MKC @ Jerry’s Docks
– one hour paddle south from MKC @ Schlitz Park
– 50 minute paddle east and south from MKC @ Twisted Fisherman
Bridgewater
– nice, easy to exit, lower to the water kayak dock
– 50 minute paddle south from MKC @ Jerry’s Docks
– one hour+ paddle south from MKC @ Schlitz Park
– one hour paddle south from MKC @ Twisted Fisherman
Happy Paddling – wear your life jacket and have fun!
Please email, call or text us with any comments, questions or suggestions:
MKC email: info@milwaukeekayak.com
MKC phone: (414) 301-2240
