Right next to Hartman Creek State Park, there are five small connected lakes – Pope, Orlando, Knight, Manomin and Marl. These five lakes are glacial in origin, so they are deep (Marl is 59 feet deep), but kayak sized. Being partially within the park, much of their shoreline is wild and undeveloped. The landing is outside the park, so there are no fees. The main landing is first rate, with a honest-to-god parking lot, where I have seen deer walking around. They are slow / no wake lakes, so no speed boats or water skiers to mess things up. The lakes are connected by narrow channels, which further argue against motor boats and for paddling. Being surrounded by tall trees, wind is less of a factor than it would otherwise be. Especially scenic in the Fall, with a grove of tall pines that you can paddle through.
This is a great place for an easy paddle with friends, with no destination in mind but time well spent. If you want, the lakes connect to the Waupaca Chain O’ Lakes and even the Crystal River, but they are a destination in their own right. Even if you are not enamored of lake paddling, these are worth a look.
Lake maps (see pages 6 and 14). No water gauge, but these are lakes so that is less important. The channels (except for Beasley Creek) always have enough water for paddlers.
Paddling Central Wisconsin 