Canoecopia - 2025 Presentations by Category

Canoecopia is presented by

Presenting Sponsor

Location
Alliant Energy Center
1919 Alliant Energy Way
Madison, Wisconsin

Show Hours
Friday: 3 PM to 8 PM
Saturday: 9 AM to 6 PM
Sunday: 10 AM to 4 PM

Tickets
1-Day: $17.00
3-Day: $35.00
Ages 17 and under are FREE
Cash or check only for tickets purchased at the event

Parking Fees
1-Day: $8.00
Credit only, fees collected by Alliant Energy Center
Advanced passes may be purchased HERE.
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Trip Planning

Karla "With a K"

Day Paddling Trips & Paddle-in Campsites Around Wisconsin State Parks

Caribou - upstairs Sat 3:30pm-4:15pm

Did you know some of our Wisconsin State Parks have water trails for you to paddle? And paddle-in sites to camp at? If not, then this is the session for you! Take a journey with me around the state to learn about which state parks have great day water trips and also paddle-in campsites. Karla will talk about location, entry points, notable facts, and learned hacks.

Rachel Hedlund, Izzie Smith

Paddling on a Budget—Tips and Tricks for Enjoying Your Adventure While Saving $$$

Atrium - upstairs Fri 6:30pm-7:15pm

Anyone can embark on a paddling adventure, but there are often some barriers to entry, particularly in the form of expensive gear. Izzie and Rachel, two Education Team staff from Friends of the Boundary Waters, will walk you through how to outfit your trip for cheap! Their expertise comes from years of guiding expeditions through Wilderness Inquiry and Outward Bound. They now support getting underserved youth to the BWCA through Friends of the BWCA, and feel even more skilled in all the hacks ... Read More

Cliff Jacobson

Camping's Top Secrets

Quetico - main floor Fri 4:30pm-5:15pm

Quetico - main floor Sat 10:30am-11:15am

This whirlwind seminar focuses on camping tricks that only the experts know-practical procedures that increase your comfort and safety. Learn how to stormproof your tent, bug-proof your body and camp; choose edged tools and make fire in the rain; cook with "cozies" to save stove fuel; inexpensively waterproof your sleeping bag and gear; sleep comfortably on a bad site, and much more. You won't find this information in ordinary camping books or videos.
Based on Cliff's book, "CAMPING'S ... Read More

Cliff Jacobson

Canoeing the Boundary Waters with Style!

Quetico - main floor Sat 1:30pm-2:15pm

If you've ever been to the Boundary Waters and competed for campsites on a popular lake, fussed with fire on a rainy day, slept in a wet tent or been bugged by bugs, bears or rodents, this fast-paced session is for you. You'll learn how to get away from the crowd, choose essential gear, stay dry when it rains all day, bear-proof your camp while complying with the new federal law, make a one match fire when the woods are wet with rain, and more. We'll check out equipment that works, and that ... Read More

Peter Marshall

25 Tips for a Better Boundary Waters Trip

Quetico - main floor Sat 11:30am-12:15pm

Drawing from his experience of paddling hundreds of days through the Northwoods, Pete Marshall, Communications Director at Friends of the Boundary Waters Wilderness, will go over 25 tips for a better Boundary Waters canoe trip. This presentation has a bit of everything in it, from how to travel more efficiently to simple niceties that make any canoe trip just a little bit better. You will be sure to leave with valuable ideas for your summer trip.

Peter Marshall

How to Quetico

Quetico - main floor Sat 3:30pm-4:15pm

Superior - main floor Sun 10:30am-11:15am

Larger than the Boundary Waters with only a fraction of the visitors, Quetico is a canoeist's paradise. However, the logistics of international travel as well as an intimidating reputation, keeps many would-be Quetico paddlers away. In this practical presentation, we'll go over the nuts and bolts of how to reserve a permit and reach your entry point, what makes travel in Quetico different, highlight some iconic areas in the park and discuss a few routes.

Ginny Nelson

Talking Boundary Waters Permits With an Outfitter

Caribou - upstairs Sat 1:30pm-2:15pm

BWCA - main floor Sun 1:30pm-2:15pm

Join Ginny Nelson, co-owner of an Ely MN area outfitter as she talks about how Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness permits work. She will make sure you understand the details in reserving a BWCAW permit, getting it issued and rules and regulations you will need to follow when you travel the BWCAW. There are lots of myths about permits floating around online. Come find out more about what you need to know for your next BWCA canoe trip.

Steven Nelson

Boundary Waters Trip Routes: Details for Central & Western Area

BWCA - main floor Sun 12:30pm-1:15pm

A Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCA) trip can be a wonderful adventure. Knowing details of your route before you enter the BWCA will enhance your experience. Steve co-owner of an Ely MN based outfitter will review multiple 3-5 day routes you should consider for your next trip. He will include what to expect, range of difficulty, sites to visit along the way and share entertaining stories he & his outfitting guests have experience and more

Bear Paulsen

BWCA: Permits, Planning, Packing, Paddling, Portaging, & Protecting

BWCA - main floor Sun 10:30am-11:15am

In this information-packed talk, Bear will cover the 6 Ps of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, starting with the all-important pre-trip items of permits and planning, along with hints on avoiding crowds. Come to delve into packing strategies for portaging and paddling, as well as a wealth of wilderness tripping techniques. Learn ways to protect yourselves from bugs and your food from bears.

Stacie & Vince Sadowski, Vince Sadowski

A Beginner's Guide to Outdoor Adventuring

Algonquin - main floor Sat 4:30pm-5:15pm

What does it take to get out and have adventures? This beginner's presentation will answer all of your questions, or at least get you thinking! From safety and comfort to Leave No Trace, Vince and Stacie will share their simple approach to getting started and get you ready for fun. With the proven health and wellness benefits of outdoor recreation, don't miss out. Starting with day hikes and paddles, up to planning overnight excursions, you will be equipped with a practical can-do philosophy ... Read More

Neal Schroeter

Apostle Islands–One of the Best Places to Paddle in the World!

Algonquin - main floor Sun 1:30pm-2:15pm

The Apostle Islands are one of the best places in the world to sea kayak! Some of the history and wonderful wilderness landscape will be reviewed. Photos, videos, and some secrets will be shared from extensive personal trips, as well as arranging countless guided trips for others. Focus will center on what it's like and what it takes to be safe and prepared to paddle in this special National Lakeshore Park.

Pete Swiggum

Quetico Provincial Park: Your Next Canoe Trip

Caribou - upstairs Sat 11:30am-12:15pm

Algonquin - main floor Sun 12:30pm-1:15pm

Quetico Provincial Park is a fabulous canoeing destination located adjacent to the Boundary Waters, but just over the international border in Ontario, Canada. Quetico has lakes, portages and over 2,000 campsites scattered over it's one million acres. And with annual visitors numbering only 10% of the number who visit the BWCA, Quetico paddlers get a fantastic wilderness experience filled with solitude and great fishing. It's not uncommon to go several days without seeing another ... Read More

Jared Wold

Planning Overnight River Camping Trips

Superior - main floor Fri 4:30pm-5:15pm

This presentation will explore the not-so-fine art of planning and executing a successful overnight river camping trip. Attendees will learn about resources to help choose a suitable river for their trip, budget for appropriate times and distances, and organize logistics prior to the excursion. They will learn about additional tools to help pack the necessary gear and food to avoid redundancy and over packing. Shuttle and on-water tips and logistics will also be covered. Finally, the presenter ... Read More