Wisconsin | Northeast Wisconsin

Peshtigo River

CCC Bridge to Burnt Bridge Landing

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Difficulty moderate Wisconsin Trail Guide rates this as novice whitewater at medium runnable levels, but the route includes Class I-II Camp 12, Coldwater, Preserve, Smiley, and Big Rock rapids, with boulders, strainers, and faster constrictions that require boat control.
Permits None noted No route-specific paddling permit is known. Follow Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest rules and posted parking, camping, and landing guidance at both forest-road access points.
Camping Options nearby Wisconsin Trail Guide notes two rustic canoe/kayak campsites at Burnt Bridge Landing, one on each side of the river, available first-come, first-served. Confirm current forest rules before relying on them for an overnight.
Season Apr-Oct Wisconsin Trail Guide says this reach is usually best in spring and early summer, with summer and fall trips depending on moderate to heavy rainfall. The downstream Wabeno gauge is an estimate for this upstream forest reach, so use trend, recent rain, and visual checks together.

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

Launch at CCC Bridge and take out at Burnt Bridge Landing for the P2 Peshtigo forest run. The day mixes quiet remote water with repeated Class I-II boulder gardens and the longer Preserve Rapids section.

Start

Put-in

CCC Bridge / Forest Road 2131 access Open map

Both endpoints are remote forest-road landings rather than full-service parks; check road condition, parking room, and cell coverage before committing to the shuttle.

Finish

Take-out

Burnt Bridge Landing / Forest Road 2134 Open map

Miles Paddled reports ample room at both landings and an easy downstream river-right take-out at Burnt Bridge with railroad-tie steps, but access conditions can change after storms or forest-road maintenance.

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Access caveats

  • Both endpoints are remote forest-road landings rather than full-service parks; check road condition, parking room, and cell coverage before committing to the shuttle.
  • Miles Paddled reports ample room at both landings and an easy downstream river-right take-out at Burnt Bridge with railroad-tie steps, but access conditions can change after storms or forest-road maintenance.
  • Do not use this route as a substitute for the easier upper P1 section after major blowdowns; current wood conditions should be checked locally before launching.

Watch for

  • Camp 12, Little Camp 12, Coldwater, Preserve, Smiley, and Big Rock rapids, with Class I-II boulder gardens and constricted current.
  • Scrapier rocks below 5.0 ft and pushier, less novice-friendly rapids above 6.5 ft on the Wabeno gauge.
  • Strainers, deadfall, possible near-river-wide wood, cold water, and long stretches with limited road access.
  • The Wabeno gauge is about 26 miles downstream, so pair the gauge with recent rainfall, trend, and visual checks at the put-in.

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Gauge, thresholds, and timing

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

Gauge site Peshtigo River Near Wabeno, WI
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Target band 5.00 ft to 6.00 ft
Low threshold 4.50 ft
High threshold 7.50 ft
Data confidence behind the range Official and local sources
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Main source behind this score Wisconsin Trail Guide Peshtigo P2 CCC Bridge suggested river levels
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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.

  • Route level bands 4.5 / 5.0-6.0 / 7.5 ft

    Wisconsin Trail Guide lists below 4.5 ft as not recommended, 4.5 to 5.0 ft as low runnable, 5.0 to 6.0 ft as medium runnable and excellent, 6.0 to 6.5 ft as high runnable, 6.5 to 7.5 ft as above novice range, and above 7.5 ft as unusually high.

    Source

  • Gauge fit USGS 04067958 near Wabeno

    Wisconsin Trail Guide ties this route to the County C / Wabeno gauge, while warning that the gauge is about 26 miles downstream and should be read as an estimate for the reach.

    Source

  • 2024 level check 5.2 ft / 892 cfs

    Miles Paddled ran the exact CCC Bridge-to-Burnt Bridge route in May 2024 at 5.2 ft and 892 cfs at Wabeno, strongly recommended that level, and notes the route can be paddled as low as 4.5 ft while 6 ft and above becomes rowdy for novices.

    Source

  • Endpoint coordinates 45.61092, -88.59312 to 45.56208, -88.49530

    Miles Paddled publishes Google Maps-linked GPS coordinates for CCC Bridge on Forest Road 2131 / Peshtigo River Road and Burnt Bridge Landing on Forest Road 2134 / Michigan Creek Road.

    Source

  • Access context Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest

    Wisconsin Trail Guide says the entire route runs through the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest and identifies rustic canoe/kayak campsites at Burnt Bridge Landing.

    Source

  • Hazards Preserve Rapids and strainers

    Wisconsin Trail Guide highlights the mile-plus Preserve Rapids as the most difficult section and cautions that constricted rapids require quick maneuvering around boulders; Miles Paddled also reports one nearly river-wide blockage that was passable without portaging in 2024.

    Source

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Peshtigo River paddling FAQ

What water level is good for paddling Peshtigo River?

Paddle Today watches Peshtigo River Near Wabeno, WI and treats 5.00 ft to 6.00 ft as the target band for this route, with weather and recent trend included in the final score.

Where does this Peshtigo River route start and end?

This route starts at CCC Bridge / Forest Road 2131 access and ends at Burnt Bridge Landing / Forest Road 2134, about 9.2 to 9.25 mi on the water.

Is this Peshtigo River route good for beginners?

This is listed as a moderate route. Expect more planning than an easy float, and use the live score, route notes, and source links before committing.

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