Wisconsin | Lower Wisconsin Riverway

Wisconsin River

Boscobel Landing to Bridgeport Landing

Check current paddling conditions for this Wisconsin River route, including water level, recent gauge trend, weather, and route details.

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

Level Checking Checking
Trend Checking Checking 24h change
Weather Loading Air: No reading
Rain Loading Recent rain: Checking

Recent trend

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Best window today

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Difficulty moderate Flatwater, but 23 miles, fewer bailout options, broad-water exposure, and overnight-style planning make this more committed than an easy short day trip.
Permits None noted No route-specific day paddling permit is known. Follow Lower Wisconsin State Riverway rules, posted landing rules, and current camping/trash/PFD guidance.
Camping Options nearby Overnight sandbar camping may be practical at suitable flows, but use current DNR rules and avoid high-water sandbars. The route is long enough that a late start can force an unplanned overnight.
Season May-Oct Spring through fall is the normal paddling season. The lower river is quieter, but the full-day distance makes wind, heat, storms, and overnight water rises more important.

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 Boscobel and take out at Bridgeport near the Highway 18 bridge. This is a quieter lower-river commitment with flatwater, wooded islands, sloughs, and fewer crowds than upstream segments.

Start

Put-in

Boscobel Landing / Floyd Von Haden Boat Landing Open map

Wisconsin DNR lists Boscobel and Bridgeport among major Lower Wisconsin access points, but Bridgeport has multiple nearby landing references; confirm the intended take-out and current road/parking conditions.

Finish

Take-out

Bridgeport Landing / Highway 18 bridge access Open map

The route is scored separately from Blue River-to-Boscobel because the 23-mile length and lower-river isolation change the decision.

Pulling access map tiles. Usually under 5 seconds.

Access caveats

  • Wisconsin DNR lists Boscobel and Bridgeport among major Lower Wisconsin access points, but Bridgeport has multiple nearby landing references; confirm the intended take-out and current road/parking conditions.
  • The route is scored separately from Blue River-to-Boscobel because the 23-mile length and lower-river isolation change the decision.

Watch for

  • Long-distance fatigue and weather exposure.
  • Broad lower-river wind, slough choices, and wooded island strainers.
  • High-water hidden current and reduced sandbar availability.

Check the data behind today's call.

Use this section when the page shows stale data, limited confidence, or a call you want to verify before driving.

Read quality
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Today's data confidence is checking

Data confidence mostly comes down to three things: how direct the gauge is, how clear the range is, and how fresh the data is.

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Tomorrow and weekend

This is a cautious early look. If the data is too thin, we leave it out.

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Weekend Checking

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Gauge, thresholds, and timing

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

Gauge site Wisconsin River at Muscoda, WI
Discharge Checking
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24h trend Checking
24h change Checking
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Rain last 24h Checking
Rain last 72h Checking
Air temp Checking
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Target band 4,000 cfs to 10,000 cfs
Low threshold 2,500 cfs
High threshold 20,000 cfs
Data confidence behind the range Official and local sources
Gauge observed Checking
Paddle Today updated Checking
Main source behind this score Wisconsin Trail Guide Lower Wisconsin Riverway LWSR4 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.

  • Official route Boscobel to Bridgeport, 23 miles

    Wisconsin DNR lists Boscobel to Bridgeport as a 23-mile Lower Wisconsin State Riverway canoe route with an estimated 6-hour paddling time.

    Source

  • Published level bands 4,000 to 10,000 cfs normal

    Wisconsin Trail Guide LWSR4 uses the Muscoda gauge and the same Lower Wisconsin level ladder, with paddling not recommended above 20,000 cfs.

    Source

  • Lower-river character Quieter, wooded islands and sloughs

    Wisconsin Trail Guide describes the final Lower Wisconsin segment as quieter and more isolated, with wooded islands, sloughs, and large bottomland areas.

    Source

Check the source links

Use these links to double-check the gauge, route details, and access notes before you head out.

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Wisconsin River paddling FAQ

What water level is good for paddling Wisconsin River?

Paddle Today watches Wisconsin River at Muscoda, WI and treats 4,000 cfs to 10,000 cfs as the target band for this route, with weather and recent trend included in the final score.

Where does this Wisconsin River route start and end?

This route starts at Boscobel Landing / Floyd Von Haden Boat Landing and ends at Bridgeport Landing / Highway 18 bridge access, about 23 mi on the water.

Is this Wisconsin 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.

See something outdated?

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