See all 6 routes on Namekagon River
Wisconsin | St. Croix National Scenic Riverway
Namekagon RiverSpringbrook Landing to Big Bend Landing
Plan the 5.2-mile Namekagon float from Springbrook Landing to Big Bend Landing in about 2–3.5 hours. This mostly quiet-water reach has light Class I riffles, grassy island channels, and wooded banks. The Leonards gauge is an upstream proxy; 150 cfs is a conservative corridor floor, not a route-specific ideal. Scout shallow channels and wood, and use signed Riverway landings.
Checking current river conditions…
Route location
Loading the route map.
Route overview
Trip details
Access rules, camping and seasonal notes.
Permits, camping and season
Access and shuttle
Plan the 5.2-mile Springbrook-to-Big Bend float in about 2–3.5 hours. Expect mostly quiet water with light Class I riffles, shallow grassy island channels, and wooded banks. The Leonards gauge is an upstream proxy, so treat 150 cfs only as a conservative corridor floor. Use the signed public Riverway landings and campsites.
Access map
Put-in
Springbrook LandingSpringbrook is the intended put-in; launching upstream overlaps the Stinnett-to-Springbrook rapid connector.
Take-out
Big Bend Landing / POW RoadBig Bend is the planned take-out. Earl Park and Trego are downstream alternatives covered by the existing Big-Bend-to-Trego card.
Road shuttle
Stage a vehicle at Big Bend Landing / POW Road, then drive back to Springbrook Landing for the put-in. Earl Park and Trego are downstream access choices if you plan a longer trip.
Additional access notes
- The route is short but still remote enough that wood, low water, or cold-water conditions can turn it into a committed outing.
More route and safety guidance
- Big Bend is the take-out for this card. Continuing to Earl Park or Trego overlaps the existing downstream route and adds a different shuttle plan.
- Use Riverway landings and designated campsites only; avoid private banks, blocked side channels, and woody outside bends.
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.
Browser plans stay on this device. Sharing opens your device’s share tools or gives you text to copy.
Download GPX Route geometry only; no schedule required.
Conditions
Check the forecast and local water levels before launching.
Recent trend
Checking preferred range.
Checking trend.
Gauge source
--Checking timestampDetailed weather
Weather
Hourly forecast
Checking weather.
Loading today's forecast.
Next 8 hours
Short-route forecast
Checking the next several hours.
Plan ahead
Tomorrow and the weekend
Forecasts can change. Check current conditions again before leaving.
Waiting on forecast.
Waiting on forecast.
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.
Share a recent access update, hazard observation or photo.
Sources and methodology
Review source dates and published guidance below. We have not inspected this trip in person.
NotesPublished evidence and verification notes
These notes cover the access details, route quirks, and source caveats most likely to matter once you get there.
- WTG N3 splitSpringbrook to Big Bend inside the 13.2-mile N3 route
WTG N3 documents Springbrook-to-Trego as 13.2 miles with Springbrook, Big Bend, Earl Park, and Trego coordinates; WRT lists Legion Lane/Springbrook-to-Big Bend as 5.2 miles with Class I rapids.
- Route characterLight rapids, islands, open marsh, and wooded banks
WTG describes light rapids below Springbrook, grassy island channels, spring-fed tributaries, and Big Bend as a wider reach with tall pines and steep banks.
- Gauge check during route review · 2026-07-2358.6 cfs / 1.46 ft at 2026-07-23 00:00 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
Flag a change
See something outdated?
Access, hazards, wood, and shuttle details change. Send a quick correction if something looks off.