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Wisconsin | Driftless Wisconsin
Baraboo River
Wayside Park to Kalepp Road
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
Checking preferred range.
Checking trend.
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
Checking the next several hours.
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.
Waiting on forecast.
Waiting on forecast.
Plan
Plan your trip
Launch points, shuttle details, distance, and access notes.
Route logistics
Access and shuttle
Put in at Wayside Park near Wonewoc and take out near Kalepp Road. This is a short scenic Baraboo River segment with sandstone outcrops, but muddy banks, strainers, and changing wood make it a moderate route.
Prepare this trip
Take the plan with you
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Put-in
Wayside Park (Baraboo River / 400 State Trail)Wayside Park is a public park/rest area, but the water entry is not a polished boat ramp.
Take-out
Kalepp Road / 400 State Trail Baraboo River accessThe Kalepp Road exit uses the side creek beside the 400 State Trail described by Wisconsin River Trips. Park only in the DNR lot; land west of the trail includes a Voluntary Public Access easement but remains technically private, so follow postings and stay on the documented exit path.
Plan this segment
Access caveats and watch for
Access caveats
- Wayside Park is a public park/rest area, but the water entry is not a polished boat ramp.
- The Kalepp Road exit uses the side creek beside the 400 State Trail described by Wisconsin River Trips. Park only in the DNR lot; land west of the trail includes a Voluntary Public Access easement but remains technically private, so follow postings and stay on the documented exit path.
Watch for
- Downed trees and strainers in deep, muddy, fast water.
- Do not rely on an easy portage around new wood; steep muddy banks can make getting out difficult.
- Pushy, dirty water above the target stage range.
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 La Valle, WI |
| Gauge height | Checking |
| Discharge | 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 | 5.60 ft to 6.20 ft |
| Low threshold | 5.00 ft |
| High threshold | 6.90 ft |
| Evidence strength behind the range | Local route guidance |
| Gauge observed | Checking |
| Paddle Today updated | Checking |
| Main source behind this score | Wisconsin River Trips Baraboo Wayside Park stage guide |
| 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.
- Published stage bands5.6 to 6.2 ft target
Wisconsin River Trips treats 5.6 to 6.2 ft at La Valle as average/good target depth, 6.2 to 6.4 ft as above normal, 6.4 to 6.9 ft as high and pushy, and 6.9 to 7.3 ft as very high.
- Route shape4.6 miles, about 2 hours
The source documents Wayside Park to Kalepp Road as a 4.6-mile route with an expected 2-hour paddle time and about 3 feet per mile of gradient.
- Primary hazardsStrainers and muddy banks
Wisconsin River Trips calls out strainers in fast, deep, muddy water and notes that steep muddy banks can make portaging difficult.
- Access contextWayside Park to DNR public parking near Kalepp
The put-in is a public wayside park. The take-out is described as a DNR public parking area near the 400 State Trail and Baraboo River corridor, but same-day signage should still be checked.
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 La Valle, WI and treats 5.60 ft to 6.20 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 Wayside Park (Baraboo River / 400 State Trail) and ends at Kalepp Road / 400 State Trail Baraboo River access, about 4.6 mi on the water.
Is this Baraboo 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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