See all 6 routes on Baraboo River
Wisconsin | South-Central Wisconsin
Baraboo River
Rock Springs Firemen's Park to North Freedom Canoe Launch
Check current paddling conditions for this Baraboo River route, including water level, recent gauge trend, weather, and route details.
Route location
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Need to know
Why this call
Conditions
Gauge history and hourly forecast
The top card is the quick read. This lower section keeps the longer gauge trend, gauge context, and hourly forecast together.
Gauge detail
Gauge history & hourly forecastDetailed view
Gauge
Recent trend
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Gauge source
--Checking timestampMN DNR provides the current paddling level here, but not chart-ready recent samples.
Weather
Hourly forecast
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Next 8 hours
Short-route forecast
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Route overview
Quick facts and what's next
Distance, difficulty, shuttle basics, and the near-term outlook before you commit to the drive.
Quick facts
Plan ahead
Upcoming outlook
These are early planning reads. Re-check live conditions before you commit to the drive.
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Plan
Plan your trip
Launch points, shuttle details, distance, and access notes.
Route logistics
Access and shuttle
Launch at the Rock Springs public landing and paddle the Baraboo toward North Freedom. This reach has gentle current, quartzite-bluff scenery, railroad bridges, muddy banks, and enough deadfall history that the Reedsburg gauge and same-day wood conditions both matter.
Prepare this trip
Take the plan with you
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Put-in
Rock Springs Firemen's Park canoe landingThe Baraboo River map places the Rock Springs landing and parking off County Road DD just south of the Highway 136 bridge, with restrooms in the park across the street.
Take-out
North Freedom Canoe Launch / Firemen's ParkWisconsin River Trips calls Firemen's Park the official Rock Springs canoe launch but notes the launch can be muddy and awkward; the upstream Highway 136 / Ableman Gorge put-in is scenic but less formal.
Plan this segment
Access caveats and watch for
Access caveats
- The Baraboo River map places the Rock Springs landing and parking off County Road DD just south of the Highway 136 bridge, with restrooms in the park across the street.
- Wisconsin River Trips calls Firemen's Park the official Rock Springs canoe launch but notes the launch can be muddy and awkward; the upstream Highway 136 / Ableman Gorge put-in is scenic but less formal.
- North Freedom has a public canoe launch with parking, restrooms, picnic tables, and a kayak dock, but a small launch fee may be posted.
Watch for
- Minor logjams between Rock Springs and North Freedom that may require portage.
- Strainers, muddy banks, and poor footing when entering, landing, or scouting.
- Higher water above the WRT target range, when the river gets pushier and wood avoidance becomes less forgiving.
Route gallery
See this route on the water
Photos help show what the access looks like and what the route actually feels like on the water.
Score & sources
Why this score
See the gauge, weather, and source notes behind today's call.
Why this scoreToday's evidence strength is checking
Evidence strength mostly comes down to three things: how direct the active gauge is, how clear the range is, and how fresh the data is.
- Checking evidence-strength notes.
- Checking evidence cautions.
Data behind the scoreGauge, thresholds, and timing
These are the live readings and threshold notes behind today's score.
| Gauge site | Baraboo River at Main Street at Reedsburg, 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 | 151 cfs to 250 cfs |
| Low threshold | 0 cfs |
| High threshold | 551 cfs |
| Evidence strength behind the range | Local route guidance |
| Gauge observed | Checking |
| Paddle Today updated | Checking |
| Main source behind this score | Wisconsin River Trips Baraboo River - Rock Springs Reedsburg gauge estimate |
| Gauge source | Checking |
| Weather source | Checking |
| Rainfall source | Checking |
NotesWhat to know before you go
These notes cover the access details, route quirks, and source caveats most likely to matter once you get there.
- Public access chainRock Springs Firemen's Park to North Freedom
The Baraboo River paddling map places the Rock Springs landing off County Road DD south of the Highway 136 bridge and the North Freedom landing in Firemen's Park south off Walnut Street, with restrooms at both parks.
- Route family and mileageAbout 7 to 8.2 mi depending on Rock Springs start
Wisconsin River Trips documents the Rock Springs-to-North Freedom route as 8.2 miles from the upstream Highway 136 / Ableman Gorge put-in and identifies Firemen's Park as the official Rock Springs canoe launch 1.3 miles downstream.
- Gauge ladder151-250 cfs target; 551+ cfs too high
Wisconsin River Trips uses Reedsburg-gauge estimates for this route family: 0-150 cfs very low but manageable, 151-250 cfs average and a good target, 351-450 cfs high/pushy, 451-550 cfs very high/expert, and 551+ cfs too muddy, pushy, and strainer-prone.
- Current gauge check170 cfs / 5.20 ft at 2026-07-23 05:00 CDT
USGS Water Services returned current Baraboo River at Reedsburg discharge and stage during this run.
Verify it yourselfCheck the source links
Use these links to double-check the gauge, route details, and access notes before you head out.
Paddler reports
Recent notes from paddlers
A few quick notes from people who were on this route recently.
Reports
Paddler reports
See recent photos and notes from people on the route.
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More routes to check next
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Quick answers
Baraboo River paddling FAQ
What water level is good for paddling Baraboo River?
Paddle Today watches Baraboo River at Main Street at Reedsburg, WI and treats 151 cfs to 250 cfs 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 Rock Springs Firemen's Park canoe landing and ends at North Freedom Canoe Launch / Firemen's Park, about About 7 mi from Firemen's Park; 8.2 mi from the upstream Highway 136 gorge put-in 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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