North Arbutus

North Arbutus is a public boat landing providing convenient access to Lake Arbutus and the Black River system near Merrillan, Wisconsin. The landing offers a traditional boat ramp suitable for kayakers, canoeists, and motorboats. Lake Arbutus itself is a 163-acre lake with depths up to 28 feet, offering good fishing opportunities for panfish, largemouth bass, and walleye. Nearby amenities include the Arbutus Marina, which provides fuel docks and additional services for boaters.

From the North Arbutus landing, paddlers can explore both the lake and scenic sections of the Black River. Downstream trips toward Highway 95 offer 2.4 miles of river paddling featuring a scenic gorge, boulder gardens, and Class 3 Red Granite Rapids—suitable for intermediate to advanced paddlers. Upstream options provide access to additional river sections with varying difficulty levels, including whitewater stretches with Class 2 and Class 3 rapids further upriver. This location works well as either a starting point for lake paddling or as a takeout/put-in for river trips along the Black River system.