The rapids on the Wisconsin River at downtown Wausau form one of the premier whitewater kayaking venues in the Midwest. The city has hosted numerous national and world championships here, and the river draws competitive paddlers from across the country during the warmer months.
The whitewater park is accessible from the riverbank trail, and it is an enjoyable place to watch skilled kayakers working the rapids from the pedestrian bridge and the banks. The wider riverwalk connects the park to downtown restaurants and the 400 Block — a public park built on the site of a demolished mall — making for a pleasant walk along the river through the heart of the city.