See all 6 routes on Namekagon River
Wisconsin | St. Croix National Scenic Riverway
Namekagon RiverHayward Landing to Stinnett Landing
Popular upper-middle Namekagon day from Hayward to Stinnett with GPX-backed Riverway landings, Class I-II riffles, designated campsite context, and the live Leonards gauge.
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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
Use Hayward Landing to Stinnett for the short upper-middle Namekagon day route. The reach starts fast and rocky, then alternates clearer main channel, islands, sloughs, and calmer stretches before Stinnett.
Access map
Put-in
Hayward LandingThis card starts at Hayward Landing. If launching at the dam landing upstream, scout the dam-adjacent current and the known first-mile strainer before committing.
Take-out
Stinnett LandingStinnett is the planned take-out. Continuing to Groat or Springbrook adds more rapids and should be treated as a separate route decision.
Road shuttle
Stage Stinnett Landing first, then return to Hayward Landing. Confirm the Hayward launch you plan to use because the dam-adjacent launch and the downstream Hayward Landing are separate choices.
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Access planner
Choose your launch and take-out
This changes launch and take-out logistics, not today's river score.
Hayward Landing to Stinnett Landing is about 9.1 mi. Use the planner to compare shorter access pairs.
Additional access notes
- Use Riverway landings and designated campsites only; private banks and side channels are not assumed bailout points.
More route and safety guidance
- Side channels can be shallow, blocked, or logjammed even when the main channel is clean.
- Use Stinnett Landing as the take-out for this card; continuing toward Groat/Springbrook adds more rapids and a different trip plan.
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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Download GPX Route geometry only; no schedule required.
Conditions
Check how the river is changing and what weather to expect.
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
Forecasts can change. Check current conditions again before leaving.
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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
Namekagon River at Leonards, 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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- Checking evidence cautions.
Data behind the scoreWater levels, published guidance and update times
These readings and published water-level limits help explain 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 |
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| Wind | Checking |
| Gusts | Checking |
| Rain timing | Checking |
| Preferred range | Needs paddler reports |
| Known low-water floor | 50 cfs |
| High threshold | Water-level guidance unavailable |
| Evidence strength behind the range | Official and local sources |
| Gauge observed | Checking |
| Paddle Today updated | Checking |
| Main source behind this score | Wisconsin River Trips Hayward-to-Stinnett Leonards gauge notes |
| 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 reportHayward Dam / Hayward Landing to Stinnett, 9.1 miles
WRT documents the route, access, rapid character, side-channel hazards, campsites, Stinnett take-out, and Leonards gauge notes including 250 cfs normal and roughly 50 cfs as a useful low-water context for light craft.
- Official Riverway mapNamekagon Map 2
NPS Map 2 documents Hayward-to-Trego river character, Stinnett chute, Class I rapids downstream, Riverway rules, and designated-campsite regulations.
- WTG segment supportN2 Hayward Landing to Springbrook Landing
WTG documents the broader N2 route, access chain, novice/riffle rating, campsite rules, warm-weather season, and GPX coordinates for Hayward, West River, Stinnett, Groat, and Springbrook landings.
- Gauge check during route review · 2026-07-2257.9 cfs / 1.45 ft at 2026-07-22 23:00 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 Namekagon River
All 6Nearby routes within 75 miles
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