See all 6 routes on Milwaukee River
Wisconsin | Southeast Wisconsin
Milwaukee RiverLime Kiln Park to Village Park
Grafton-to-Thiensville Milwaukee run with a livelier opening than most easy river shuttles. The main decision is still water level first, but this route also deserves an honest skill check because the opening island split and Class I ledge are not beginner-flatwater features.
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Route location
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Route overview
Trip details
Access rules, camping and seasonal notes.
Permits, camping and season
Access and shuttle
Put in at Lime Kiln Park in Grafton and take out at Thiensville Village Park. This is one of the more interesting lower-Milwaukee day trips because the upper mile is genuinely lively before the river widens and slows.
Access map
Put-in
Lime Kiln Park canoe rampLime Kiln Park is an official canoe-ramp access with multiple parking lots, but the exact launch line still deserves a quick scout because paddlers can choose between a calmer dock launch and a more direct upper launch near the opening features.
Take-out
Village Park boat launch (Thiensville)Village Park is the official Thiensville take-out. Confirm the current launch, parking, and park rules before the trip.
Road shuttle
Plan a straightforward two-car shuttle of roughly 6 miles. A bike shuttle is possible on local roads and trail links, but a car shuttle is simpler for most groups.
More route and safety guidance
- Low water adds scraping, while higher water makes the opening features less forgiving.
- The lower half has more development, slower current, and possible powerboat traffic near Thiensville.
Plan this paddle
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Conditions
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Station details and river cameras
Station observations
USGS measurements
Measurement notes and coverage
These are observations at the station. Water depth and current can differ along your trip.
River camera · USGS
View at the gauge
Milwaukee River near Cedarburg, WI. This view may be outside your paddling reach. Images are periodic and do not establish safe conditions.
Photos and recent reports
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Paddler reports
Recent notes from paddlers
A few quick notes from people who were on this route recently.
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Sources and methodology
Review source dates and published guidance below. We have not inspected this trip in person.
Why this scoreData reliability: checking
This rating reflects whether the gauge measures this part of the river, whether published water-level guidance is available, and how recently the data was updated.
- Checking data sources and update times.
- Checking evidence cautions.
Data behind the scoreWater levels, published guidance and update times
These readings and published water-level limits help explain today’s score.
| Gauge site | Milwaukee River near Cedarburg, WI |
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| Preferred range | Needs paddler reports |
| Known low-water floor | 260 cfs |
| High threshold | Water-level guidance unavailable |
| Evidence strength behind the range | Local route guidance |
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| Main source behind this score | MilesPaddled Milwaukee River III route-day gauge note |
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NotesPublished evidence and verification notes
These notes cover the access details, route quirks, and source caveats most likely to matter once you get there.
- Route-day floor260 cfs
MilesPaddled ran this exact Lime Kiln Park to Thiensville route at 260 cfs on the Cedarburg gauge and recommended that level for the trip.
- Route shape8.75 river miles
MilesPaddled documents the route as an 8.75-mile shuttle from Lime Kiln Park in Grafton to Thiensville.
- Put-in authorityVillage park with canoe ramp
The Village of Grafton identifies a canoe ramp at Lime Kiln Park and upper and lower parking lots.
- Take-out authorityVillage Park boat launch and trailer parking
Thiensville officially says Village Park has a boat launch and trailer parking on the Milwaukee River and serves as the local portage point around the dam.
- Route characterRiffles and Class I ledge up top; slower suburban lower half
MilesPaddled describes an opening island split with either riffles and a rock wall or a Class I drop, followed by a wider slower lower river with more development and powerboats.
- Operations noteVillage Park hours 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
The official Village Park page confirms a boat launch, two parking lots, and posted park hours, which strengthens the Thiensville finish logistics.
Verify it yourselfCheck the source links
Use these links to double-check the gauge, route details, and access notes before you head out.
Other routes nearby
More on Milwaukee River
All 6Nearby routes within 75 miles
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