See all 3 routes on Wolf River
Wisconsin | Northwoods Wisconsin
Wolf River
Hwy 52 to West Hollister Road
Check current paddling conditions for this Wolf 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
Put in at Hwy 52 in Lily and take out at West Hollister just above Burnt Point Rapids. This is a compact bouldery run, not a lazy scenic float.
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
Hwy 52 access (Lily)Both landings are backed by Wisconsin DNR access records, but check parking conditions on the ground before you leave a vehicle.
Take-out
West Hollister Road carry-inThe take-out is near the next rapid zone, so do not drift past your exit while you are distracted or tired.
Plan this segment
Access caveats and watch for
Access caveats
- Both landings are backed by Wisconsin DNR access records, but check parking conditions on the ground before you leave a vehicle.
- The take-out is near the next rapid zone, so do not drift past your exit while you are distracted or tired.
Watch for
- Shallow boulder gardens at lower flows.
- Pushier hydraulics and faster swims when the flow climbs.
- Cold water and downed trees on blind corners.
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 | Wolf River at Langlade, 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 |
| Target band | 500 cfs to 1,000 cfs |
| Low threshold | 250 cfs |
| High threshold | 2,000 cfs |
| Evidence strength behind the range | Official and local sources |
| Gauge observed | Checking |
| Paddle Today updated | Checking |
| Main source behind this score | Wisconsin Trail Guide Wolf River Lily-to-Hollister suggested river levels |
| 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.
- Working band250 to 2,000 cfs
Wisconsin Trail Guide says below 250 cfs is not recommended, 250-500 cfs is low runnable, 500-1,000 cfs is very good for novice whitewater paddlers, 1,400-2,000 cfs is unusually high and novice paddlers should avoid it, and above 2,000 cfs is not recommended.
- Strong target~500 cfs
Miles Paddled describes about 500 cfs as an awesome level for this exact Lily to Hollister section.
- Too low cutoff~250 cfs
Miles Paddled treats roughly 250 cfs as the too-low cutoff point for this route.
- Access confidenceVerified
Both landings are backed by Wisconsin DNR boat-access inventory records.
- Route character6.4 miles, Class I-II
Wisconsin Trail Guide and the National Rivers Project describe Lily to Hollister as a 6.4-mile upper Wolf route with riffles, Class I-II rapids, boulder gardens, islands, and DNR-managed corridor context.
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.
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Keep exploring
More routes to check next
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Quick answers
Wolf River paddling FAQ
What water level is good for paddling Wolf River?
Paddle Today watches Wolf River at Langlade, WI and treats 500 cfs to 1,000 cfs as the target band for this route, with weather and recent trend included in the final score.
Where does this Wolf River route start and end?
This route starts at Hwy 52 access (Lily) and ends at West Hollister Road carry-in, about 6.5 mi on the water.
Is this Wolf River route good for beginners?
This is listed as a moderate route. Expect more planning than an easy float, and use the live score, route notes, and source links before committing.
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Access, hazards, wood, and shuttle details change. Send a quick correction if something looks off.