Wisconsin | Northwest Wisconsin
Hay RiverCounty Road FF to Highway 25 at Wheeler
Clear Dunn County Hay River route from County Road FF to Highway 25 at Wheeler, with steady riffles, sandy footing, deadfall navigation, and direct Wheeler gauge support.
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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
Paddle the clear, sandy Hay River from County FF to Highway 25 at Wheeler. The river is scenic and riffly, but WRT reports many deadfalls and two portages at the selected reference level.
Access map
Put-in
County Road FF Hay River accessCounty FF is an informal bridge-area put-in with poison ivy noted by WRT; confirm legal parking and carry-in footing before unloading.
Take-out
Highway 25 at Wheeler take-outCounty N is the only mid-route bridge noted in the overview and should not be assumed as a routine exit without a same-day access check.
Road shuttle
Stage the Highway 25 take-out first and scout the sandbar/pull-up from the bridge. Then drive to County Road FF and launch river-left downstream from the bridge only where parking and bank conditions are legal and safe.
Additional access notes
- Highway 25 has road-traffic exposure. Know the take-out line before reaching the bridge.
More route and safety guidance
- There is only one road crossing between the default endpoints. Build a conservative time plan and keep the group together through woodier bends.
- The Highway 25 take-out is close to road traffic. Scout the sandbar and pull-up before launching, and avoid trespass on private banks.
Plan this paddle
Choose your trip times
No account needed. Check the selected access points above, then choose both dates and times. For an overnight paddle, set take-out to the following date.
Times use the selected time zone. Check it against the river’s location before saving or sharing.
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Conditions
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Recent trend
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Gauge source
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Weather
Hourly forecast
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Next 8 hours
Short-route forecast
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Plan ahead
Tomorrow and the weekend
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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
Hay River at Wheeler, WI. This view may be outside your paddling reach. Images are periodic and do not establish safe conditions.
Photos and recent reports
Look for recent access, obstruction and hazard observations. Context photos may show a different part of the river.
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 | Hay River at Wheeler, 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 |
| Preferred range | Needs paddler reports |
| Known low-water floor | 250 cfs |
| High threshold | Water-level guidance unavailable |
| Evidence strength behind the range | Local route guidance |
| Gauge observed | Checking |
| Paddle Today updated | Checking |
| Main source behind this score | Wisconsin River Trips Hay River Dunn County route-day level |
| 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.
- Exact route reportCounty Road FF to Highway 25 at Wheeler, 9.9 miles
WRT documents the route endpoints, distance, 4.5-hour trip time, deadfall count, two portages, and Highway 25 take-out indicators.
- Route-day threshold250 cfs / about 4 ft at Wheeler
WRT ties the route to the Hay River at Wheeler gauge and reports the completed trip at 250 cfs, a bit below median.
- Direct gaugeUSGS 05368000 Hay River at Wheeler
USGS locates the Wheeler gauge just downstream from the Highway 25 bridge and 2.4 miles below the South Fork Hay River.
- Gauge check during route review · 2026-07-16206 cfs and 3.59 ft at 2026-07-16 16:00 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
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