See all 12 routes on Wisconsin River
Wisconsin | South-Central Wisconsin
Wisconsin RiverDekorra Park to Camp Rest Park
Shorter lower-Portage Wisconsin River route that keeps the best back channels, sandstone outcrops, islands, and sandbars while avoiding the rough final open-water mile to James Whalen. This is the better scored variant of the Dekorra-to-Lake Wisconsin source route.
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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 Dekorra Park and finish at Camp Rest Park. This keeps the most interesting part of the Dekorra route, including back channels, sandbars, islands, and sandstone outcrops, while avoiding the rough open-water finish to James Whalen.
Access map
Put-in
Dekorra Park / Main Street accessDekorra Park and Camp Rest Park are Town of Dekorra public recreation facilities, but boat traffic and local launch etiquette matter.
Take-out
Camp Rest ParkDo not continue into the Lake Wisconsin-style open-water section unless wind, waves, boat traffic, and the take-out plan are all acceptable.
Road shuttle
Short road shuttle between Dekorra Park and Camp Rest Park. A bike shuttle may work for some groups, but traffic and parking should be checked before committing.
More route and safety guidance
- Motorboat wakes, sandstone walls, wind, and hidden drop-offs require attentive boat control.
- Camp Rest is the planned finish; use the named public parks and do not extend into rough open water without a separate plan.
Plan this paddle
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Conditions
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Recent trend
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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
Wisconsin River near Wisconsin Dells, 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 | Wisconsin River near Wisconsin Dells, WI |
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| Preferred range | 4,000 cfs to 8,000 cfs |
| Low threshold | 2,500 cfs |
| High threshold | 13,000 cfs |
| Evidence strength behind the range | Local route guidance |
| Gauge observed | Checking |
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| Main source behind this score | Wisconsin River Trips Dekorra Dells-gauge depth guide |
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NotesPublished evidence and verification notes
These notes cover the access details, route quirks, and source caveats most likely to matter once you get there.
- Preferred take-outCamp Rest avoids rough final open water
Wisconsin River Trips says Camp Rest Park is the better take-out because downstream of Camp Rest the current and islands vanish and rough open water, powerboats, and whitecaps become more common.
- Published level bands4,001 to 8,000 cfs average range
Wisconsin River Trips uses the Wisconsin Dells gauge and describes 4,001 to 6,000 cfs as average summer depth, 6,001 to 8,000 cfs as average spring depth, 10,001 to 13,000 cfs as high, and 20,000+ cfs as perhaps too high.
- Route shape5.1 miles to Camp Rest
Wisconsin River Trips breaks Dekorra Park to Camp Rest Park out as a 5.1-mile section with outcrops, island deltas, hidden sloughs, and sandbars.
- Access supportTown parks and water access
Town of Dekorra lists Dekorra Park and Camp Rest Park among public recreational facilities and water-access areas on the Wisconsin River / Lake Wisconsin corridor.
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 Wisconsin River
All 12Nearby routes within 75 miles
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