See all 5 routes on Kickapoo River
Wisconsin | Driftless Wisconsin
Kickapoo River
Rockton Landing to La Farge Landing
Check current paddling conditions for this Kickapoo River route, including water level, recent gauge trend, weather, and route details.
Route location
Loading the route snapshot. This usually takes a few seconds.
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
Checking weather.
Loading today's forecast.
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
Launch at Landing 12 in Rockton and finish at Landing 20 in La Farge for the second classic upper-Kickapoo day. The route has fewer access points than Ontario-to-Rockton, but it keeps the sandstone scenery, riffles, and bridge-number navigation.
Prepare this trip
Take the plan with you
Download the canonical route, add a calendar hold, or send a simple float plan to your group.
Put-in
Kickapoo River Landing 12 (Rockton)Landing 12 is a KVR managed carry-in access with permit requirements and limited space, so do not treat it like an unregulated roadside shoulder.
Take-out
Landing 20 / La Farge Canoe LandingLanding 20 can be less obvious from the road than from the river; MilesPaddled describes it as tucked back through a field approach near Bridge 20.
Plan this segment
Access caveats and watch for
Access caveats
- Landing 12 is a KVR managed carry-in access with permit requirements and limited space, so do not treat it like an unregulated roadside shoulder.
- Landing 20 can be less obvious from the road than from the river; MilesPaddled describes it as tucked back through a field approach near Bridge 20.
- The route has one practical intermediate public landing at Landing 14 / County Highway P, so plan the shuttle and bailout options before launching.
Watch for
- Scraping and dragging if the La Farge gauge is well below the 60 cfs scrape-free guidance.
- Flash-flooding and pushy current after storms; KVR explicitly warns the Kickapoo can rise quickly.
- Strainers, snags, cold-water exposure, and a reported tree hazard in the riffles below Bridge 19.
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 | Kickapoo River at La Farge, 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 |
| Target band | 60 cfs to 120 cfs |
| Low threshold | 42 cfs |
| High threshold | 200 cfs |
| Evidence strength behind the range | Local route guidance |
| Gauge observed | Checking |
| Paddle Today updated | Checking |
| Main source behind this score | MilesPaddled Kickapoo River II and Wisconsin River Trips Rockton-to-La Farge level notes |
| 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.
- Route-specific level guidance60-100 cfs scrape-free; 116 cfs fine
MilesPaddled recorded 116 cfs at the La Farge gauge for this exact route, said it was below ideal but fine, recommends 60-100 cfs for a scrape-free journey, and notes Rockton-to-La Farge is more forgiving than the steeper Ontario-to-Rockton segment.
- Corroborating trip level112 cfs good depth
Wisconsin River Trips documents the exact Rockton Landing to La Farge Landing route at 112 cfs on the La Farge gauge and describes that as good depth.
- Direct gaugeUSGS 05408000 at La Farge
USGS places the Kickapoo River at La Farge gauge on the left bank just upstream from the State Highway 82 bridge in La Farge, immediately downstream of the route corridor.
- Official access corridorLanding 12 to Landing 20
Kickapoo Valley Reserve publishes the Ontario-to-La Farge upper-river guide, identifies access points from Landing 1 through Landing 20, and requires a KVR permit at Landing 12.
- Endpoint coordinates43.6371, -90.60292 to 43.57481, -90.6437
MilesPaddled links GPS points for Landing 12 at Rockton and Landing 20 at La Farge; Mapcarta/OpenStreetMap independently resolves Canoe Landing 20 at La Farge at essentially the same coordinate.
- HazardsFlash flooding, snags, riffles, cold water
The KVR guide warns the Kickapoo is susceptible to flash flooding and calls out current, snags, and cold water; MilesPaddled also reports riffles and a tree hazard after Bridge 19.
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.
Share your trip
Keep exploring
More routes to check next
Compare another stretch on this river, or jump to nearby options before you pick a plan.
Quick answers
Kickapoo River paddling FAQ
What water level is good for paddling Kickapoo River?
Paddle Today watches Kickapoo River at La Farge, WI and treats 60 cfs to 120 cfs as the target band for this route, with weather and recent trend included in the final score.
Where does this Kickapoo River route start and end?
This route starts at Kickapoo River Landing 12 (Rockton) and ends at Landing 20 / La Farge Canoe Landing, about 10 mi on the water.
Is this Kickapoo 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.
Flag a change
See something outdated?
Access, hazards, wood, and shuttle details change. Send a quick correction if something looks off.