Books

The best paddling guides...

The layout for each of these books is very similar... I suspect the authors know each other. Along with maps and descriptions for each river, both books provide extremely useful information about things you may not think about immediately, like private property issues. Each state has their own rules and regulations for waterways. Information on paddling etiquette, leave-no-trace ethics, water levels, shuttle logistics, and even a canoe trip check list. 

I did not learn any of this when I first started. My parents still rarely reference maps and water level gauges. They like to ask the people living around the river about the conditions, not a bad way to go either. 

Each river map fits on one page. On the maps you can see the surrounding roads, parks, boat ramps, dams, riffles, cities, and mile markers. 

I used to take these maps everywhere with me but now I just use my google maps app on my phone. It is less to carry, but cell service is often not reliable in the river valleys. Battery life is also an issue if you don't have a solar charger. 

Since most of the driftless region is in Wisconsin, I'm sure there is a really great guide book for the Wisconsin driftless rivers.