Wisconsin | Southwest Wisconsin
Blue RiverHighway G to Forest Road
Lower Blue River day below the existing Snow Bottom cards, using the Highway G bridge to Forest Road route that WRT found open enough for an eight-mile Driftless valley paddle with deceptive current, one portage logjam, and several strainers.
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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
Launch from the Highway G bridge and take out at Forest Road for a lower Blue River extension below Snow Bottom. It is more open and less scenic than the upstream Blue, but it has enough current, bluffs, and low-water resilience to be useful when the upper routes are too bony.
Access map
Put-in
Highway G bridge accessHighway G is a bridge put-in, with WRT favoring the northwest side almost under the bridge.
Take-out
Forest Road bridge accessForest Road should be exited from the southeast corner with the make-shift pallet ramp; avoid the fenced north side.
Road shuttle
Use the paved Highway G-to-Forest Road shuttle. WRT measured the bike shuttle at about 5.5 miles with little climbing, but open-valley wind can make the ride harder than the elevation suggests.
Additional access notes
- Studnika Road is a no-access marker, not a bailout. WRT reports fencing, no-trespassing signs, and camera signage there.
More route and safety guidance
- The first mile has two noteworthy logjams, including one required muddy-bank portage; new wood can change this route quickly.
- Use only the named bridge access corners, avoid the fenced north side at Forest Road, and do not rely on private banks for routine stops or bailouts.
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Conditions
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Gauge source
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Station details and river cameras
Station observations
USGS measurements
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
Platte River near Rockville, 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
A few quick notes from people who were on this route recently.
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Sources and methodology
Review source dates and published guidance below. We have not inspected this trip in person.
NotesPublished evidence and verification notes
These notes cover the access details, route quirks, and source caveats most likely to matter once you get there.
- Exact route sourceHighway G to Forest Road, 8.0 mi
Wisconsin River Trips documents the route, endpoint access notes, 8.0-mile distance, expected four-hour paddle time, hazards, and detailed overview.
- Gauge bands0-100 / 101-200 / 351 cfs
WRT says below 100 cfs is a good target, 101 to 200 cfs is navigable but trickier around strainers, 201 to 350 cfs is high, 351 to 600 cfs is expert-only, and 601+ cfs may be too high.
- Gauge check during route review · 2026-07-16144 cfs and 4.58 ft at 2026-07-16 20:00 CDT
This reading was saved when we checked the guide. It is not today’s water level. Check the current gauge and local conditions before paddling.
- Endpoint coordinates43.1280924, -90.5120914 to 43.1747426, -90.5057292
Wisconsin River Trips embeds these coordinates in the Forest Road-to-Highway-G bike-shuttle map link.
- Camping postureDay route only
No on-route public campsite was identified for this bridge-access reach; do not camp on private or farm banks.
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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