Treasures of Oz

Celebrating the Natural Gems of Ozaukee County

Recreation

Route M-12 Milwaukee River - Mequon to Thiensville

Location: Mequon Show More
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There are three optional paddling segments:

Option 1: For a 1.5 hour paddle, put in at Garrison’s Glen on Pioneer Rd and take-out at Moonlight Landing, ¼ mile south of Highland Rd on East Shoreland Dr. to Island Drive. Garrison’s Glen has parking 20 yd. from river. No toilet. For the first mile, some mild class 1 rapids at water levels below 6.0* but passable at higher levels. If the river is above level 7* stay to center to avoid fallen trees.

After the first mile, the river is slow and flat with many riverfront homes and some motorboat traffic on weekends.

Option 2: For a 1 hr. flatwater paddle, start at Moonlight Landing and take out at Villa Grove. On this stretch, you will encounter motorboat traffic on weekends. When you see a park on your right, look for a limestone stepped canoe landing as you approach the Park from the north (right) side of an island. If you see the park but don’t see the canoe landing, continue 200 yd. downstream along the Park to the motorboat dock. Both have parking 20 yards. from river. Toilet facilities next to the dock.

Option 3: Continue or start at Villa Grove for a 30 min calm paddle to Thiensville Park. This is slow, flat water so you could make it a “round trip” starting from Villa Grove or Thiensville Park. There is a small boat dock, and next to the playground is a toilet in Thiensville Park. The dam is well-marked by red buoys and signs. On this stretch, winds from N or E favorable. West or south winds under 10 mph may be ok but it is a hard paddle with West wind over 10 mph.

Shuttle back to your launch site via Port Washington Rd (Hwy W) - see map below then west on Pioneer Rd to Garrison’s Glen… or turn west on Highland Rd, then south on East Shoreland Dr. and Island Drive to Moonlight Landing.

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  Name Description Additional data
M-12 Garrisons Glen Landing
Route M-12 Garrison's Glen Landing
M-12 Moonlight Landing
Route M-12 Moonlight Landing
M-12 Villa Grove Park Landing
Route M-12 Villa Grove Park Landing
M-12 Thiensville Park Landing Above Falls
Route M-12 Thiensville Park Landing

Location

Thiensville Village Park, 53092, Thiensville, Wisconsin, United States