See all 4 routes on Wolf River
Wisconsin | Northwoods Wisconsin
Wolf RiverMarkton County M Landing to Big Smokey Falls Landing
Advanced Wolf River Section IV run through Menominee Tribal lands, with County M access, the Dalles Gorge, Big Smokey Falls, multiple Class III drops, a Class IV finish, and a full Langlade-gauge flow ladder.
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
Launch at the County M DNR Landing near Markton and run Wolf River Section IV to Big Smokey Falls Landing. This is the advanced lower-Wolf whitewater classic, with long boulder gardens, multiple Class III drops, the Dalles Gorge, and Class IV Big Smokey Falls.
Access map
Put-in
Markton County M DNR LandingCounty M has a large DNR landing with hand-carry paths and trailer turnaround, but the downstream corridor enters Menominee Tribal lands and requires a pass.
Take-out
Big Smokey Falls LandingBig Smokey Falls has upper and lower landing options. Use the upper landing and left fork if portaging the falls; the left-fork slide below the footbridge is closed to running.
Road shuttle
Arrange the shuttle and required Menominee access pass before launching. Local rafting/shuttle operators commonly manage this corridor; self-supported paddlers should call ahead and confirm where vehicles may be staged.
Additional access notes
- Do not treat reservation roads, shorelines, or outfitter landings as general public access. Confirm current rules before the shuttle.
More route and safety guidance
- Obtain the required Menominee Tribal Lands permit before launching and confirm the current shuttle and access rules. Do not treat reservation roads, shorelines, or outfitter landings as general public access.
- Use the Langlade gauge and its full flow ladder: below 250 cfs is not recommended, 400-700 cfs is the broad target, and higher flows bring pushy waves, sticky holes, powerful hydraulics, and stronger Class IV consequences. Recheck rain and trend, not just a single reading.
- Big Smokey Falls has a signed upper landing on river-left for a portage; the left-fork slide below the footbridge is closed to running. If you are not intentionally running the falls, take out at the upper landing and do not miss the sign or continue downstream.
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
Wolf River at Langlade, 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.
- Route-specific bands400-700 cfs very good range
Wisconsin Trail Guide treats below 250 cfs as not recommended, 250-400 cfs as low runnable, 400-700 cfs as very good, 700-1,000 cfs as advanced challenging water, 1,000-1,500 cfs as high Class IV, and 1,500+ cfs as rare extreme water.
- Same-river gaugeUSGS 04074950
Wisconsin Trail Guide says the Langlade gauge is about 9.5 miles upstream of this segment and should accurately indicate current conditions on the reach.
- Endpoint coordinatesCounty M 45.12518, -88.66322; Big Smokey 45.01644, -88.63758
Wisconsin Trail Guide publishes NAD83 / WGS84 GPS points for County M DNR Landing and Big Smokey Falls Landing on the W6 guide.
- Access requirementMenominee pass required
Wisconsin Trail Guide states that paddlers must obtain a Menominee Indian Tribe pass through Big Smokey Falls Rafting or Shotgun Eddy Campground and Rafting before paddling this tribal-lands section.
- Route character12.7 miles; Class III-IV
Wisconsin Trail Guide lists the Markton-to-Big Smokey Falls run as 12.7 miles, 5 to 6 hours by kayak/canoe, 179 feet of drop, and Class IV as the most difficult whitewater.
- Whitewater corroborationAW Section IV
American Whitewater documents the Wolf Otter Slide-to-Big Smokey Falls Section IV reach and ties it to the Wolf River at Langlade gauge.
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 Wolf River
All 4Nearby 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.