See all 5 routes on Baraboo River
Wisconsin | Driftless Wisconsin
Baraboo RiverWayside Park to Kalepp Road
Short upper Baraboo day with sandstone outcrops, muddy banks, and a clear La Valle stage ladder from Wisconsin River Trips. It is scenic enough to add, but strainers and pushy high water keep the score conservative.
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Route location
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Route overview
Trip details
Access rules, camping and seasonal notes.
Permits, camping and season
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.
Access map
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.
Road shuttle
Short rural shuttle between Wayside Park and Kalepp Road. The 400 State Trail corridor can help with orientation, but a two-car shuttle is simplest.
More route and safety guidance
- Use the direct La Valle gauge with its trend and recent rain. The source describes 6.4 to 6.9 ft as high and pushy and 6.9 ft or higher as very high, dirty, and difficult to maneuver.
- At Kalepp Road, use the described side-creek exit by the 400 State Trail and DNR parking area. Land west of the trail includes a Voluntary Public Access easement that remains technically private, so follow postings and stay on the documented access path.
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Conditions
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Station details and river cameras
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Measurement notes and coverage
These are observations at the station. Water depth and current can differ along your trip.
River camera · USGS
View at the gauge
Baraboo River at La Valle, WI. This view may be outside your paddling reach. Images are periodic and do not establish safe conditions.
Photos and recent reports
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Paddler reports
Recent notes from paddlers
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Sources and methodology
Review source dates and published guidance below. We have not inspected this trip in person.
Why this scoreData reliability: checking
This rating reflects whether the gauge measures this part of the river, whether published water-level guidance is available, and how recently the data was updated.
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Data behind the scoreWater levels, published guidance and update times
These readings and published water-level limits help explain 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 |
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| Wind | Checking |
| Gusts | Checking |
| Rain timing | Checking |
| Preferred range | 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 |
NotesPublished evidence and verification notes
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.
Other routes nearby
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All 5Nearby routes within 75 miles
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