Chippewa River: Ella to Reads Landing

Miles: 10.6
Time: *4-6 hours
Difficulty: moderate/difficult
Shuttle time: 35 minutes
Shuttle cost: $62. $5/boat if hauling a personal boat.
Sights: Large bluffs, bald eagles, wide and quiet river, surrounded by protected forest, Reads Landing Brewing Company

Notes
Chippewa River from Ella to the Reads Landing is quiet, calm, easy downstream paddling the entire trip. The river through this section is jaw dropping - paddling next to steep bluffs through the Tiffany Bottoms State Natural Area, beaching on a sandbar for lunch, and no doubt seeing bald eagles during the trip. You are unlikely to encounter many other paddlers or boaters for this paddle. Your crossing at the Mississippi River is short though can have plenty of powerboat traffic on a weekend. Make the crossing quick and as soon as you reach the Mississippi so as not to miss Reads Landing. Give plenty of space to barges and powerboats.

The Chippewa River in this section is wide and easy to paddle or float. A quiet paddle with no houses after the first half mile. You’ll paddle under two bridges, Hwy 35 and BNSF Railway bridge. Check with Broken Paddle Guiding for up to date current, strainers, dredging, and any other pertinent information.

*Times are approximate and represent typical outings. Conditions such as weather and current can alter times.