Wisconsin | South-Central Wisconsin

Baraboo River

Glenville Landing to Luebke Landing

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Start with the verdict, current conditions, route plan, and quick facts before you commit to the drive.

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Difficulty easy No rapids are expected on this reach, but steady current, strainers, muddy banks, and possible logjams mean it still needs alert river handling and conservative high-water judgment.
Permits None noted No route-specific paddling permit is known. Follow posted parking and landing rules at both Sauk County / Baraboo River access sites.
Camping Day trip No on-route camping is expected. The Baraboo River map notes that most riverfront land is private and that camping is not allowed along the river.
Season Apr-Oct Spring through fall is practical. The lower Baraboo is drought resistant compared with shallow riffly reaches, but rain can quickly make strainers and muddy banks more consequential.

Dial in the shuttle, distance, and access.

Use this section once the route looks viable and you need to turn it into an actual trip plan.

Access, shuttle, and map

Put in at Glenville Landing off Highway 113 southeast of Baraboo and take out at Luebke Landing on County Road W. This short lower-Baraboo route is easy at normal levels, with steady current, floodplain woods, muddy banks, and enough wood risk to make high-water judgment important.

Start

Put-in

Glenville Landing / Highway 113 Open map

Sauk County mapping lists both Glenville and Luebke as river landings with parking, but no restrooms at either site.

Finish

Take-out

Luebke Landing / County Road W Open map

Glenville can be muddy after heavy rain, and Luebke is a boat ramp but still a small river landing rather than a full-service paddling facility.

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Access caveats

  • Sauk County mapping lists both Glenville and Luebke as river landings with parking, but no restrooms at either site.
  • Glenville can be muddy after heavy rain, and Luebke is a boat ramp but still a small river landing rather than a full-service paddling facility.
  • Most banks along the Baraboo are private; use the named landings and avoid casual bank exits unless safety requires it.

Watch for

  • Strainers, downed trees, and fresh logjams after wind or rain events.
  • Faster, muddier current that can push paddlers into wood above the average stage band.
  • Steep muddy banks and slippery carries if a blockage forces an unplanned portage.

Check the data behind today's call.

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Tomorrow and weekend

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Gauge, thresholds, and timing

These are the live readings and threshold notes behind today's score.

Gauge site Baraboo River Near Baraboo, WI
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Target band 7.10 ft to 8.00 ft
Low threshold 7.00 ft
High threshold 9.60 ft
Data confidence behind the range Local route guidance
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Main source behind this score Wisconsin River Trips Baraboo River - Glenville Landing depth guide
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What to know before you go

These notes cover the access details, route quirks, and source caveats most likely to matter once you get there.

  • Depth guide 7.1-8.0 ft target

    Wisconsin River Trips treats 7.1-7.5 ft as low but navigable, 7.6-8.0 ft as average, 8.1-8.7 ft as above average and faster, 8.8-9.5 ft as expert-only, and 9.6+ ft as flood-stage/not recommended paddling.

    Source

  • Direct gauge USGS 05405000

    USGS operates Baraboo River Near Baraboo, WI, and the Sauk County Baraboo River map points paddlers to site 05405000 for real-time flow downstream of Baraboo.

    Source

  • Public access Glenville and Luebke landings

    The Sauk County / Baraboo River map lists Glenville Landing off Highway 113 and Luebke Landing on County Road W, with parking available at both sites.

    Source

  • Route shape 5.1 miles

    Wisconsin River Trips documents Glenville Landing to Luebke Landing as a 5.1-mile route that usually takes about two to three hours.

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  • Hazards Strainers and muddy banks

    Wisconsin River Trips found no required portages on its trip but warns that this stretch is unpredictable, with downed trees, strainers, deceptively quick current, and possible future logjams.

    Source

  • Official corridor Baraboo River Water Trail

    The National Rivers Project lists Glenville Landing to the Wisconsin River as a Wisconsin DNR-managed Baraboo River Water Trail corridor and identifies Glenville-to-Luebke as one of the most traveled portions.

    Source

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Baraboo River paddling FAQ

What water level is good for paddling Baraboo River?

Paddle Today watches Baraboo River Near Baraboo, WI and treats 7.10 ft to 8.00 ft as the target band for this route, with weather and recent trend included in the final score.

Where does this Baraboo River route start and end?

This route starts at Glenville Landing / Highway 113 and ends at Luebke Landing / County Road W, about 5.1 mi on the water.

Is this Baraboo River route good for beginners?

This is listed as an easy route, but conditions still matter. Check today's score, water level, weather, and access notes before you go.

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Access, hazards, wood, and shuttle details change. Send a quick correction if something looks off.