Wisconsin | Lower Wisconsin Riverway

Wisconsin River

Muscoda Landing West to Woodman Landing

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

Pulling the latest gauge and weather. This usually takes a few seconds.
Checking live data

Route snapshot

Loading the route snapshot. This usually takes a few seconds.

Route alerts

Email me when this route improves

We'll email you when this route climbs into Good or Strong. Every email includes an unsubscribe link.

We only email on a new threshold crossing.

Get the answer fast, then scan the route.

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

Checking preferred range.

Checking trend.

-- -- -- -- -- --

Best window today

Checking weather.

Short-route forecast

Checking the next several hours.

Checking the best short-route window.
-- -- Loading --
Difficulty moderate The route is flatwater, but 24.5 miles, broad-water wind, side-channel choices, fatigue, and overnight logistics make it more committed than a short Lower Wisconsin day trip.
Permits None noted No route-specific day paddling permit is known. Follow Lower Wisconsin State Riverway rules, posted landing rules, boating safety requirements, and current camping/trash guidance.
Camping Options nearby Sandbar camping can work at low to moderate flows, but Wisconsin Trail Guide warns that sandbars shrink or disappear as flows rise. Do not plan an overnight when the Muscoda gauge is in the high-water bands.
Season May-Oct Spring through fall is the normal season. For overnight plans, check upstream rain and possible river surges even when local weather looks quiet.

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 Muscoda Landing West and paddle the LWSR3 corridor past island braids, Blue River, Boscobel, and wooded lower-river bluffs before taking out up the Big Green River at Woodman Landing.

Start

Put-in

Muscoda Landing West Open map

Wisconsin Trail Guide lists Muscoda Landing West as a developed ramp with trailer turnaround and parking, reached from West River Road west of Highway 80.

Finish

Take-out

Woodman Landing Open map

Woodman Landing is a short distance up the Big Green River / Little Green River confluence area from the Wisconsin River; do not miss the turn near Highway 133.

Pulling access map tiles. Usually under 5 seconds.

Access caveats

  • Wisconsin Trail Guide lists Muscoda Landing West as a developed ramp with trailer turnaround and parking, reached from West River Road west of Highway 80.
  • Woodman Landing is a short distance up the Big Green River / Little Green River confluence area from the Wisconsin River; do not miss the turn near Highway 133.
  • The route is intentionally scored as one long route even though Port Andrew, Blue River, and Boscobel are viable bailout or shorter-route landings.

Watch for

  • Long-distance fatigue, storms, heat, broad-river wind, and limited quick exits late in the route.
  • Side-channel strainers around Columbe Island, Allen Island, Gillis Island, and other wooded island forks.
  • Steep sandbar drop-offs and strong current, especially in the lee of islands and sandbars.
  • High-water undercurrents and reduced sandbar camping when the Muscoda gauge rises above the normal range.

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
Checking live inputs.

Pulling the latest gauge and weather. Usually under 10 seconds.

Gauge input Checking

Waiting on the gauge read.

Weather input Checking

Waiting on weather.

Next step Checking

Waiting on enough data to give the next step.

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.

  • Checking data confidence notes.
Tomorrow and weekend

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

Tomorrow Checking

Waiting on forecast.

Weekend Checking

Waiting on forecast.

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
Gauge height Checking
24h trend Checking
24h change Checking
Current band Checking
Rain last 24h Checking
Rain last 72h Checking
Air temp Checking
Water temp Checking
Wind Checking
Gusts Checking
Rain timing Checking
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 LWSR3 Muscoda-gauge suggested river levels
Gauge source Checking
Weather source Checking
Rainfall source Checking
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.

  • Exact guide route Muscoda to Woodman, 24.5 miles

    Wisconsin Trail Guide LWSR3 documents Muscoda Landing West to Woodman Landing as a 24.5-mile Lower Wisconsin route with flat water, 29 feet of drop, and a full-day or multi-day time estimate.

    Source

  • Direct live gauge USGS 05407000

    USGS identifies 05407000 as Wisconsin River at Muscoda, WI, with the site located at the put-in town and used by Wisconsin Trail Guide for LWSR3 level guidance.

    Source

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

    Wisconsin Trail Guide LWSR3 lists below 4,000 cfs as very shallow, 4,000-10,000 cfs as normal summer conditions, 17,000-20,000 cfs as high day-trip-only water, and above 20,000 cfs as not recommended.

    Source

  • Endpoint coordinates Muscoda 43.19800, -90.44576; Woodman 43.07699, -90.84597

    Wisconsin Trail Guide LWSR3 PDF publishes NAD83 / WGS84 coordinates for Muscoda Landing West and Woodman Landing.

    Source

  • Public access support DNR major access corridor

    Wisconsin DNR lists Muscoda west side of Highway 80, Blue River Landing, Boscobel Landings, and Woodman Lake among major public access points on the Lower Wisconsin State Riverway.

    Source

  • Route cautions Islands, strainers, sandbar drop-offs

    Wisconsin Trail Guide highlights island forks, narrow channels, strainers, strong current near sandbars, and reduced sandbar camping suitability as flows rise.

    Source

Check the source links

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

Photos, paddler notes, and updates.

See what others have shared, then add a condition report, upload photos, or flag anything that needs fixing.

Help build the route page

Add photos or send a quick condition report.

Photos

Upload route photos

Add access, hazard, or on-water photos.

No files selected yet.

Compare another stretch on this river, or jump to nearby options before you pick a plan.

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 Muscoda Landing West and ends at Woodman Landing, about 24.5 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.