Sugar River Outfitters LLC
Overview
Expert Summary
Detailed Insights
Sugar River Outfitters offers scenic river kayaking experiences ranging from 1 to 4 hours on the Sugar River, known for its turns, small rapids, and beautiful nature. It's particularly well-suited for families and groups, with friendly staff providing support, including for first-timers (who might need assistance). The experience often concludes with convenient access to local attractions like The Mill or shops in Paoli.
Key Highlights
- ✓Simple drop-off and easy in-and-out process for river access.
- ✓Friendly, helpful, and professional staff, including owner Kelly who provides excellent communication and coordination.
- ✓The Sugar River offers interesting features like turns and small rapids, keeping the paddle engaging.
- ✓Beautiful natural scenery along the 8-mile river route.
- ✓Assistance provided for first-time kayakers, helping them navigate the experience.
- ✓Ability to coordinate with local businesses for a seamless, enhanced outing experience.
Standout Features
- ⭐The river's natural features (turns, small rapids, scenic views) make for an engaging paddle.
- ⭐Availability of a longer, preferred 3-4 hour (8-mile) route, specifically the Verona to Paoli trip.
- ⭐Owner Kelly's proactive communication and ability to assist first-timers and coordinate group outings.
- ⭐The Mill is a convenient and pleasant ending point for paddles.
- ⭐Guided tours are available, enhancing the professional and smooth experience.
Perfect For
Ideal For
💡Pro Tips from Reviews
- →For families with younger children, ensure an adult is available to paddle with elementary-age kids.
- →Inquire about current river conditions and the *actual* expected trip duration before booking, especially if a specific route length is desired, to avoid disappointment (as trip lengths can vary).
- →If river levels allow, aim for the Verona to Paoli trip for a more extensive 3-hour experience.
- →Plan to explore the shops or grab ice cream in Paoli, or enjoy the amenities at The Mill, for a complete afternoon outing after your paddle.
- →Communicate clearly with the staff, especially owner Kelly, regarding any specific needs or if you have first-timers in your group, as they are noted for their helpfulness.
Things to Consider
- ⚠Trip duration can be unreliable; one reviewer experienced a 1-hour float for a trip advertised as 2-3 hours due to high water levels, leading to poor value for money ($50 each).
- ⚠Paddling in the alternative 'Belview pond' is described as 'straight up boring'.
- ⚠The river can be challenging for an absolute 'first kayak experience', though 'advanced beginner teens' found it doable.
- ⚠Risk of disappointment if specific routes (like the 3-hour Verona to Paoli trip) are unavailable due to river conditions.
Price & Value
Pricing can be $50 per person for river trips. The value is highly dependent on the actual duration of the trip; a 1-hour trip for $50 per person was considered poor value. Kayak rentals for pond paddling are $15/hr, suggesting the river trips should offer significantly more value. Parents should clarify expected duration to assess value.
♿Accessibility & Special Needs
- •No specific accessibility accommodations mentioned in the reviews.
🍎Food & Drink Policy
- •No explicit food policy mentioned. However, reviewers suggest post-paddle activities involving food (ice cream, shops in Paoli, The Mill), implying external dining/snacks are part of the overall experience.
🚗Parking Info
- •Reviewers mention 'simple drop-off' and 'getting in and out was a breeze,' indicating efficient logistical arrangements for parking and access, likely with designated areas for this purpose.
👥Crowd Levels
- •One review mentioned a Labor Day outing, suggesting it can handle holiday crowds, but no explicit details on typical crowd levels or peak times were provided.
🛡️Safety Features
- •Staff are described as helpful and supportive, including for first-timers, which contributes to a sense of safety. No explicit technical safety features (e.g., life vests, first aid stations) were detailed in the reviews, but professional operation implies standard safety practices.
⏰When to Avoid
- • If you are an absolute first-time kayaker and expect to paddle solo without guidance or prior experience.
- • Booking without confirming expected trip duration and river conditions, especially if a specific long route (like Verona to Paoli) is crucial to your enjoyment.
- • Paddling in the Belview pond if you're seeking an adventurous or scenic river experience (described as boring).
- • During periods of high water if you are set on a specific longer route that might be unavailable.
Pricing/Package/Events
Pricing & Packages
Verona / Paoli Kayak River Trip
$48Duration: 3-4 hours (most finish in about 3 hours), must finish by 5pm
Single person kayak rental for a day trip on the Sugar River from Verona to Paoli.
Includes:
- •Kayak (single person, roughly 10' sit-in or sit-on-top options available)
- •Shuttle service
- •Paddles
- •Life vests (PFDs of various sizes)
Belleville Lake Belle View Hourly Rental - Single Person Kayak or SUP
$15 (minimum rental), then $10 per hourDuration: Hourly
Hourly rental of a single person kayak or stand-up paddleboard on Lake Belle View.
Includes:
- •Single person kayak or stand-up paddleboard
- •Life jacket
Belleville Lake Belle View Hourly Rental - Three Person Canoe
$20 (minimum rental), then $15 per hourDuration: Hourly
Hourly rental of a three-person canoe on Lake Belle View.
Includes:
- •Three person canoe
- •Life jacket
Group Service
$30 - $75 per personDuration: Flexible scheduling
Customizable group outings for company outings, summer camps, family reunions, bachelor/bachelorette parties, birthdays, church groups, or large groups of family/friends. Pricing determined by group size, activities, and day of week.
Includes:
- •All equipment
Events & Schedule
Special Events(Last 2 months - Next 6 months)
Memorial Day Weekend Hourly Rentals
May 24th, 25th, 26th
Standard hourly rates apply ($15/$20 minimums)
Hourly rentals available on Lake Belle View from 11am – 5pm.
Independence Day Weekend Hourly Rentals
July 4th, 5th, 6th
Standard hourly rates apply ($15/$20 minimums)
Hourly rentals available on Lake Belle View from 11am – 5pm.
Belleville Music Festival & 10 Junk Mile Race Hourly Rentals
August 2nd
Standard hourly rates apply ($15/$20 minimums)
Hourly rentals available on Lake Belle View during the festival and race.
Sugar River Triathlon Hourly Rentals
August 24th
Standard hourly rates apply ($15/$20 minimums)
Hourly rentals available on Lake Belle View, starting after the race has completed.
🍎Food Policy
- • Carry out what you carry in (for food and beverages brought on the river).
- • Glass bottles or containers are prohibited on the river.
🛡️Safety Policy
- • Coast Guard approved paddling life vests are provided for each person and must be worn at all times when using rental equipment.
- • Customers are responsible for themselves while on the river.
- • Staff provide safety information, equipment assistance, and guidance on entering/exiting the river.
- • Each day trip or hourly rental starts with an informative safety talk covering water speeds, obstructions/challenges, and equipment use.
- • Paddlers are suggested to have basic experience before taking kayak river trips (Verona/Paoli).
- • Hourly rentals on the lake or river can be enjoyed by all experience levels.
- • Customers are responsible for equipment until it is safely returned to the designated take-out.
- • Keep aware of natural obstructions and river changes; portaging over or around trees/branches may be necessary.
- • Dangerous situations (e.g., severe storms, high water) may lead to trip delay or cancellation.
- • Simple rain and high/low temperatures are not considered reasons to cancel; dress for the weather.
- • Wear water shoes, sunscreen, and appropriate clothing (expect to get wet/dirty).
- • Bring a water bottle to avoid dehydration.
- • Bring insect repellent if needed.
📅Booking Policy
- • Verona / Paoli Kayak River Trips: Reservations advised a few days ahead of time via website or same-day call for availability (regularly sell out).
- • A detailed confirmation will be emailed when reserving online for Verona / Paoli trips.
- • Belleville Canoe and Kayak Hourly Rentals: No reservations needed, first come first serve.
🚗Parking Information
- • Verona / Paoli: Parking available around the Paoli Park square or other designated public areas.
- • Verona / Paoli: Shuttle pick-up near Paoli Park Shelter (1367 County Rd Pb, Belleville, WI 53508).
What People Say
What's Great
- Friendly and helpful staff (mentioned in 5 reviews)
Recent Reviews
Laura Nelson
9 months agoOur group of ten (four adults, four teens, two elementary age kids) had a great time on the Sugar River. The drop-off was simple, and the people very friendly. The river was a lot of fun--lots of turns to keep things interesting, some small rapids. It was doable for advanced beginner teens, but would be a difficult first kayak experience. The smaller kids rode with an adult. The scenery was beautiful. Have an ice cream cone and peek at the shops in Paoli after. A great afternoon.
Abbey Priebe
8 months agoTook my mom out on Labor Day to enjoy a paddle down the Sugar River. The workers were so friendly and helpful and getting in and out was a breeze. Wrapping up the paddle at The Mill was the perfect end to the afternoon, thank you!
Tom & Michelle Neeb
10 months agoNot very Happy.....The river was too high to go from Verona down to Paoli, which we've done before and is a 3 hr float. So.....they put us in down the river from Paoli and said we'd have a 2-3 hr float. We were literally in the water at 11am and out by noon. One hour total for $50 each. I think they could have cut the price in half at least or been truthful about how long we'd actually have on the river. We could have paddled around in the Belview pond for awhile, but that is straight up boring. They were renting the kayaks for $15/hr to paddle around in the pond. Do not recommend until the water level goes down so you can do the Verona to Paoli trip.
Chris Graham
3 years agoThe Sugar River is a really scenic smallish river. You'll be kayaking for 3-4 hours through 8 miles of beautiful nature. The guide is excellent, and everything is smooth and professional.
Gary Christensen
10 months agoWe used Sugar River Outfitters for a 12-person work outing. Kelly, the owner, did a fantastic job communicating with us on the day and time, helping first-timers who needed it, and even coordinating with a local business to give our team a really special, seamless experience. We would definitely do it again!