Karl Nelson started the business of renting tubes, kayaks and paddle boards to people seven years ago and now has a contract through the state of Wisconsin.

“I was looking for something to do up here, because I owned property, and I wanted to do something in the summertime to utilize my property and be up here,” he said. “I basically just started doing it. And then, the state came and talked to me, and they saw my website and everything I was doing, and they said I was exactly what they were looking for in this area for the Wild Rivers, because the Wild Rivers, they’re supposed to be for people to enjoy.”

Wisconsin’s official State Wild Rivers designation protects free-flowing, undeveloped northwoods waterways. The Pine River is one of three designated Wild Rivers in Florence County, along with the Popple and the Pike. They all received the designation in 1965.

Nelson has about 300 tubes, 12 kayaks and four paddle boards that are available for rental. He also offers some guided tours. The Oxbow, which is along County N, is popular for tubing because it is a slow-moving river that offers a relaxing 2 1/2- to three-hour ride. Because of the bend in the river, the entrance and exit for the trip are only a short distance apart.

Karl Nelson stands next to the sign for his business, Nature’s Water Park, where they rent tubes and kayaks for the Pine River Oxbow off County N in Florence, Wis. (Marguerite Lanthier/Daily News photo)

“I love it. I make it easy for people to come and have fun. You try to make it easy as possible for them,” Nelson said. If people are a little late for their reservation, he tells them “I’m on your time. You take as much time as you want.”

Having tubes available for rental is also convenient for people who have family and friends coming to the area, Nelson noted — they don’t have the hassle of trying to find tubes to buy.

He tries to instill in people the sense that they need to take care of the river. “I usually talk about nature and what this river is about — it’s the most-protected river in America. I tell them that, and about the river, about the waterfalls. If there’s kids there, I always tell them, ‘You know, if we all keep this nice, when you guys get older, you’ll be taking your kids back here.'”

After being business for the past seven years, Nelson has seen a kind of culture emerge. People are more respectful, keeping the area and the river clean. He maintains the property with mowing and picking up garage. He hasn’t had any problems with customers and the only times law enforcement had to be contacted was to help people off the river who missed the takeout.

He also promotes other businesses in the area through the website because he believes the river is supposed to help the economy of local towns. Someone coming to the area may want to tube, then enjoy a meal or attend an event in the area.

Brynn Worpel, who is in her sixth summer working at Nature’s Water Park on the Pine River in Florence, Wis., greets customers in the trailer where rentals are available. (Marguerite Lanthier/Daily News photo)

“People aren’t going drive all this way just for me,” Nelson said.

Being weather dependent, business was dismal in June due to the cooler weather but has picked up in July.

Nature’s Water Park operate daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. They don’t like to go past 4 p.m. because tubers would be on the river too late.

Someone usually is in the trailer to rent out tubes and explain procedures. Their website at natureswaterpark.com has information about rental and booking online.

For more information, call or text 715-889-4693, email to natureswaterpark@gmail.com or go to their Facebook page.

Tubes of different sizes, kayaks and paddle boards are available for rental from Nature’s Water Park at the Oxbow on the Pine River in Florence, Wis. (Marguerite Lanthier/Daily News photo)

Nelson grew up in Green Bay and came to the area a lot as a child. During the offseason, he lives in Sarasota, Fla., where he has owned Greenleaf Cheese LLC., which sells gourmet Wisconsin cheese, for about 20 years. He also enjoys fishing and traveling the country paddle boarding.

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Marguerite Lanthier can be reached at 906-774-3500, ext. 85242, or mlanthier@ironmountaindailynews.com.