See all 6 routes on Namekagon River
Wisconsin | St. Croix National Scenic Riverway
Namekagon RiverNamekagon Dam Landing to Highway 63 / Cable Wayside Landing
Upper Namekagon Riverway day from Namekagon Dam to Cable Wayside, with WTG/NPS public access, campsite, and hazard support plus 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
Launch at Namekagon Dam Landing and take out at Cable Wayside / Highway 63 for the upper Namekagon N1 corridor. This is a scenic but shallow, rocky, and isolated Riverway day with Class I-II ledges and beaver-dam/wood exposure.
Access map
Put-in
Namekagon Dam LandingNamekagon Dam Landing is the start. Do not treat the upstream flowage or dam structure as part of this route.
Take-out
Highway 63 / Cable Wayside LandingNPS warns the first ten miles are isolated and can become extremely low or impassable during dry conditions.
Road shuttle
Stage the take-out at Cable Wayside / Highway 63 first, then drive back to Namekagon Dam Landing. Inspect low bridges and visible riffles from the road-crossing accesses when the Leonards gauge is near or below the floor.
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Access planner
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This changes launch and take-out logistics, not today's river score.
Namekagon Dam Landing to Highway 63 / Cable Wayside Landing is about 14.7 mi. Use the planner to compare shorter access pairs.
Additional access notes
- Cable Wayside is the planned exit just beyond the Highway 63 bridge; identify the take-out before the shuttle feels committed.
- Riverway camping is limited to designated sites; do not improvise on islands, marsh banks, or private/restricted land.
More route and safety guidance
- NPS warns the first ten miles are isolated and may be extremely low or impassable during dry conditions.
- Use only Riverway landings and designated campsites; private or restricted banks are not bailout or camping options.
Plan this paddle
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Download GPX Route geometry only; no schedule required.
Conditions
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Gauge source
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Weather
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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
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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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 | 170 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 Namekagon Dam route observed Leonards 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 reportNamekagon Dam to Hwy 63 Wayside, 14.7 miles
WRT documents the put-in, take-out, distance, 5.25-hour paddle time, Class I-II rapids, and a Leonards reading of 170 cfs / 2.08 ft.
- Official Riverway mapNamekagon Map 1
NPS Map 1 covers Namekagon Dam to Hayward Landing and warns of beaver dams, downed trees, low bridges, dry-condition low water, and the need to check conditions.
- WTG segment supportN1 Namekagon Dam Landing to Cable Wayside Landing
WTG lists the N1 section as 13.5 guide miles with canoe/kayak access, Class I whitewater, a 5-6 hour paddle time, one NPS individual campsite, and GPX endpoint coordinates.
- 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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