Root River Paddle Challenge

Join us on 05/10/2025

Root River Paddle Challenge Race Description

www.TheRootRiver.com 

Root River Paddle Challenge - Saturday, May 10, 2024 @ 1:30 PM

Linwood Park, Hwy 38 & 5 Mile Road, Caledonia, WI 

The Root River Paddle Challenge is celebrating its 10th year! This event provides a diverse set of paddling conditions as it winds its way through Caledonia in Racine County. Depending upon water levels and sections paddled you can get everything from quiet lake paddling to fast rapids in an environment that ranges from scenic rural woodlands to parks and wetlands. 

Starting at Linwood Park, 5 Mile Road – Franksville, Village of Caledonia, and ending at the Horlick Dam. The course is approximately 8 miles and takes about 2.5 hours to complete.  

PACKET PICK UP:  Saturday, May 10th @12:30pm at the event (Linwood Park) Linwood Park, Hwy 38 & 5 Mile Road, Caledonia, WI

Shuttle Service from Horlick Dam: Check-in and drop your watercraft off at Linwood Park. Bring your vehicle to the finish (Horlick Dam). We will have a shuttle service that will return you back to the start. This will allow you to leave at your leisure once you complete the course. If you are coming as a group, please only have one driver drop off your vehicle to allow additional space in the shuttle for others.

To Horlick Dam from Linwood Park: Take 5 Mile Road East. Turn right on Hwy 31. Turn left on 4 Mile Road to Green Bay Road, then turn Right (Rapids Court - There is a BP Gas Station on the corner). Horlick Dam will be on your right-hand side just past the south end of the Airport and before Rapids Drive. 

SEE WEB SITE FOR MORE DETAILS AND MAPSwww.TheRootRiver.com

Timeline of events

  • 12:30 pm – 1:30 pm: Check-In and On-Site Registration
  • 1:30 pm-2:00 pm: Launch Time
  • 4:00 pm: End at Horlick Dam
  • If you have a group and want to launch together, just let us know and we will accommodate. 

Important Note for your safety

ALL PARTICIPANTS ARE REQUIRED TO PROVIDE THEIR OWN LIFE VESTS except for rental craft participants. We will have a limited number of preservers available on a first come first serve basis.

It is mandatory that you have a life preserver and always wear it, it may save your life. 5Kevents.org, LLC, and all associated parties assume no responsibility. You are participating in this event at your own risk. 

See you soon!

The staff at 5Kevents.org

Root River Paddle Challenge 

Event photos on Facebook  

Features:

  •         T-Shirt (Optional - fee applies)
  •         Complimentary Beverages
  •         Snacks

Course Description:

Starting at Linwood Park, 5900 5 Mile Road – Franksville, Town of Caledonia, and ending at Horlick Dam. The course is approximately 8 miles and takes about 2 -2.5 hours to complete. 

Watercraft Rentals

Canoe and kayaks Rentals are AVAILABLE!

Rentals are $35 - Single and Tandem Kayaks are available as well as Canoes.  

Life Preservers

All participants must provide their life preserver and wear it at all times during the event.

RENTALS INCLUDE LIFE PRESERVERS. 

To Horlick Dam: 

From Linwood Park: Take 5 Mile Road East. Turn right on Hwy 31. Turn left on 4 Mile Road to Green Bay Road, then turn Right (Rapids Court). Horlick Dam will be on your right-hand side just past the south end of the Airport and before Rapids Drive.  

PACKET PICK UP: Saturday: at the event

 

Get ready for the Root River Paddle Challenge

Race Countdown

Share this Franksville Race


add race to calendar    Add to my calendar 2025-05-10 13:30:00 2025-05-10 13:30:00 America/Chicago Root River Paddle Challenge Franksville, WI Patrick Flynn supportstaff@5kevents.org

    Root River Paddle Challenge Where & When

  • Location: Franksville, WI 53126
  • Race Date: 2025/05/10 01:30:00 PM (Saturday)
  • Categories:
    • General Registration
    • YOUTH - 16 and Under


Root River Paddle Challenge Sponsors




Root River Paddle Challenge Reviews

4.9 - 9 reviews

Review Root River Paddle Challenge

Most Helpful Review
5.0/5
Course: 5.0/5
Organization: 5.0/5
Fun paddle with a great group of paddlers

This was my first time ever kayaking and had a great time. Parking at the nature center gets crowded so arrive early. Water was high & fast but we managed with little trouble. Took a timelapse using an action camera, check it out here https://youtu.be/LGh1jRSTNgU

Adam M. 1/1 found this review helpful.

5.0/5
Course: 3.0/5
Organization: 4.5/5
2019 Race Review
Review On:2020-02-19 12:39:05
Awesome but some experience needed

I had so much fun with a very close friend of mine doing this challenge. I really feel as if you need some experience due to i flipped on a rapids area and there isnt really anyone or anything to do. Luckily there were a few very experience people that paddled up the river to help me ( had a slight injury) .

Tracy M. has attended 1 times
7/17 found this review helpful.
5.0/5
Course: 5.0/5
Organization: 5.0/5
2019 Race Review
Review On:2020-02-19 20:15:11
Jillian

Awesome set up! We had the best time! Anxious for this year’s race!

Jill H. has attended 1 times
1/1 found this review helpful.
5.0/5
Course: 5.0/5
Organization: 5.0/5
2019 Race Review
Review On:2020-02-20 23:42:29
Fun paddle with a great group of paddlers

This was my first time ever kayaking and had a great time. Parking at the nature center gets crowded so arrive early. Water was high & fast but we managed with little trouble. Took a timelapse using an action camera, check it out here https://youtu.be/LGh1jRSTNgU

Adam M. has attended 1 times
1/1 found this review helpful.
5.0/5
Course: 4.5/5
Organization: 5.0/5
2019 Race Review
Review On:2020-02-19 12:51:55
Root River Paddle Challenge

Last year I did the Root River Challenge. It was the most challenging paddle I have ever tackled. Plus, I made it thru without tipping over! The river was extremely high and running quickly, but there were spotters everywhere to assist you. For me it was a very satisfying experience to complete this challenge.

Barb P. has attended 1 times
0/0 found this review helpful.
5.0/5
Course: 5.0/5
Organization: 5.0/5
2019 Race Review
Review On:2020-02-19 12:52:36
Lots of fun! Very well organized!

The Root River Paddle Challenge is a lot of fun and a great opportunity to paddle a section of the river available only in the spring. The organizers do a fantastic job with the logistics making this a very accessible paddle. Don't miss this one!

Karen Z. has attended 1 times
0/0 found this review helpful.
5.0/5
Course: 5.0/5
Organization: 4.5/5
2020 Race Review
Review On:2020-02-19 12:58:03
Great Event

Last year I did the Root River Challenge. It was the most challenging paddle I have ever tackled. Plus, I made it thru without tipping over! The river was extremely high and running quickly, but there were spotters everywhere to assist you. For me it was a very satisfying experience to complete this challenge.

Barbara P. has attended 1 times
0/0 found this review helpful.
5.0/5
Course: 5.0/5
Organization: 5.0/5
2019 Race Review
Review On:2020-02-19 13:14:49
Root River Challenge 2019

I had a great time and I managed to capture some of the excitement with my camera. Check out my photo essay in The Natural Realm blog: https://awealthofnature.org/photo-essay-kayaking-in-the-root-river-challenge/

Eddee D. has attended 1 times
0/0 found this review helpful.
4.0/5
Course: 4.5/5
Organization: 4.5/5
2020 Race Review
Review On:2020-02-19 16:15:36
Art

A lot of fun. Even though my kayak (flat bottom and too long 14 ft) didn't handle the current well (I went over 2 times) it was a lot of fun. I look forward to doing it again this year with a kayak more designed for river current. I consider it one of the better events for kayaks in this area.

Art N. has attended 1 times
0/0 found this review helpful.
5.0/5
Course: 5.0/5
Organization: 5.0/5
2019 Race Review
Review On:2020-02-19 19:22:04
Come join us!

Had an absolute blast last year! Can’t wait to do it again, getting my wife to come with this time. Trying for more. We’re skipping the Kentucky Derby for this!

Brian L. has attended 1 times
0/0 found this review helpful.

View all Root River Paddle Challenge reviews.


Franksville, WI Weather

Root River Paddle Challenge weather history
  • Based on a 5 year average and a race date of May 10th, Franksville, WI can expect temperatures between 48℉ and 59℉ with humidity around 70% and precipitation of 0.04".
    Last year the weather condition was Patchy rain possible.
  • Franksville, WI current weather
  • Clouds 16.9℉ Clouds

  • Join us at the Root River Paddle Challenge in May for a great race. The Root River Paddle Challenge works hard to deliver you a memorable race experience. We would love to hear from you, so consider writing us a review.

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