See all 5 routes on Namekagon River
Wisconsin | St. Croix National Scenic Riverway
Namekagon River
County Road K Landing to Whispering Pines Landing
Check current paddling conditions for this Namekagon River route, including water level, recent gauge trend, weather, and route details.
Route location
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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
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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 below Trego at County Road K and paddle to Whispering Pines for a secluded lower Namekagon day. The route has mostly easy current, several Class I riffles, wooded banks, islands, and strong Riverway camping context.
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
County Road K LandingStart at County Road K Landing below the Trego Dam/flowage corridor. Do not fold the upstream dam portage into this card.
Take-out
Whispering Pines LandingWhispering Pines is the default exit. Howell, Fritz, McDowell, and Riverside are separate downstream planning choices.
Plan this segment
Access caveats and watch for
Access caveats
- Start at County Road K Landing below the Trego Dam/flowage corridor. Do not fold the upstream dam portage into this card.
- Whispering Pines is the default exit. Howell, Fritz, McDowell, and Riverside are separate downstream planning choices.
- Riverway camps are first-come and designated only; do not assume private banks, islands, or sandbars are legal overnight stops.
Watch for
- Shallow riffles below the 155 cfs floor, island-channel splits, overhanging trees, sweepers, and strainers.
- Remote shoreline with limited intermediate exits and slower rescue response.
- Cold water, post-rain rises, ticks, poison ivy, and private or restricted banks outside signed Riverway sites.
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 | Namekagon River at Leonards, 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 |
| Ideal range | Needs paddler reports |
| Known low-water floor | 155 cfs |
| High threshold | Not calibrated yet |
| Evidence strength behind the range | Official and local sources |
| Gauge observed | Checking |
| Paddle Today updated | Checking |
| Main source behind this score | Wisconsin River Trips County K-to-Whispering Pines observed Leonards level |
| 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.
- Exact route reportCounty K to Whispering Pines, 11.0 miles
WRT documents the exact put-in, take-out, distance, 3-hour paddle time, Class I rapids/riffles, scenic character, and a Leonards reading of 155 cfs / 1.99 ft.
- WTG recommended splitCounty K to Whispering Pines, about 9.9-11 miles
WTG says the County K to Whispering Pines reach is one of the most recommended single-day paddles by NPS rangers and documents N4 landings/campsites with GPX coordinates.
- Official Riverway mapNamekagon Map 3
NPS Map 3 covers Trego to Riverside Landing, including County K, downstream riffles, islands, rocky sections, safety rules, and designated-campsite regulations.
- Current gauge check57.9 cfs / 1.45 ft at 2026-07-22 23:00 CDT
USGS Water Services returned current Leonards discharge and stage during this run, below the selected minimum-only floor.
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
Namekagon River paddling FAQ
What water level is good for paddling Namekagon River?
Paddle Today watches Namekagon River at Leonards, WI and uses 155 cfs as the conservative low-water floor for this route. The ideal range still needs more paddler reports.
Where does this Namekagon River route start and end?
This route starts at County Road K Landing and ends at Whispering Pines Landing, about About 11.0 mi on the water.
Is this Namekagon River route good for beginners?
This is listed as an easy route, but conditions still matter. Check today's score, water level, weather, and access notes before you go.
Flag a change
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Access, hazards, wood, and shuttle details change. Send a quick correction if something looks off.