See all 3 routes on Crawfish River
Wisconsin | South-Central Wisconsin
Crawfish RiverAztalan State Park to Jefferson Riverfront Park
Lower Crawfish trip from Aztalan State Park to Riverfront Park in Jefferson, with DNR park access, boulder gardens, drumlin springs, wind exposure, and a direct Milford gauge target.
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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 at Aztalan State Park and take out at Riverfront Park in Jefferson for the lower Crawfish boulder-garden and confluence route. The route is easy, but finish discipline matters near the Rock River and Jefferson dam context.
Access map
Put-in
Aztalan State Park Crawfish River launchWRT says the obvious end of the Aztalan trail can be shallow and partly blocked; use the better nearby side-trail launch if conditions match that report.
Take-out
Riverfront Park Jefferson carry-inRiverfront Park is the planned take-out. Do not continue around the Jefferson dam, fish-passage, or Rock River structures without a separate route plan.
Road shuttle
Stage Riverfront Park in Jefferson first, then launch from Aztalan State Park. Use the park trail to the river and identify the best launch spot before carrying boats down.
Additional access notes
- Check wind direction; this open lower Crawfish reach can be slow into a headwind.
More route and safety guidance
- The route finishes near the Crawfish/Rock confluence and Jefferson dam context. Take out at Riverfront Park and do not continue around dam, fish-passage, or Rock River structures without a separate plan.
- WRT reports no major logjams on the route, but wind, shallow spots, muddy high water, and private banks still require same-day judgment.
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Conditions
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Gauge source
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Weather
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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
Crawfish River at Milford, 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.
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 | Crawfish River at Milford, WI |
| Discharge | Checking |
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| 24h trend | Checking |
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| Rain last 24h | Checking |
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| Wind | Checking |
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| Preferred range | 121 cfs to 250 cfs |
| Low threshold | 60 cfs |
| High threshold | 1,401 cfs |
| Evidence strength behind the range | Local route guidance |
| Gauge observed | Checking |
| Paddle Today updated | Checking |
| Main source behind this score | Wisconsin River Trips Crawfish River Goat Island depth guide |
| Gauge source | Checking |
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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 routeAztalan State Park to Riverfront Park, 7.4 mi
Wisconsin River Trips documents this exact lower Crawfish route, estimates three to four hours, and identifies the public put-in and take-out.
- Level bands121-250 cfs target; 0-60 cfs low; 1401+ cfs maybe too high
WRT ties the Aztalan-to-Riverfront route to the Milford gauge and publishes low, target, high, and too-high bands.
- Official put-in supportAztalan State Park Crawfish River paddling
Wisconsin DNR says visitors can canoe, kayak, or boat in the Crawfish River at Aztalan State Park.
- Take-out supportRiverfront Park Jefferson carry-in
Rock River Trail access documentation lists Riverfront Park in Jefferson as a carry-in with parking at the Crawfish/Rock confluence.
- Gauge check during route review · 2026-07-23111 cfs / 1.94 ft at 2026-07-23 09:00 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.
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
More on Crawfish River
All 3Nearby routes within 75 miles
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