Wisconsin River

In the initial stretch, high steep banks rise above the river along the north shore, with open fields and farms occasionally visible through the trees. A lush bottomland forest canopies dense undergrowth along the south shore with scenic bluffs visible in the distance.

There seems to be more islands than sandbars as you paddle further downriver. Many of the larger islands have names such as: Big Island, Little, Patterson, Trumbull, Feather and Allen. These islands must have some stories to tell from the logging era!

Columbe Island, one of the largest in this segment, forks the river near the town of Blue River. Check out the long sandy beaches down the narrow left fork. As the river continues west from Blue River, tall bluffs and steep-sloped hills once again dominate the surrounding landscape. Highway 60 runs along the north bank in this stretch, but does little to mar the experience. Near Boscobel, the Highway 61 bridge may be the most scenic bridge of the entire Lower Wisconsin Riverway.

Another large island, named Allen Island, forks the river a little over a mile past the Highway 61 bridge. If you take the main channel down the left fork you will come upon a much smaller channel on river right that splits the island. Try paddling down this if you can! Be mindful of strainers! A large and inviting sandbar often forms in the lee of Allen island. However, there are steep drop offs and strong currents so be careful if you decide to land here and wade in the river.

A few homes sit on the steep right bank as you pass Boydtown. A narrow channel on river left leads up to Woodman Lake where you will often find local fisherman casting their lines from the south bank.

The river is filled with islands in the short stretch from Boydtown to Woodman Boat Landing. One island is Gillis Island, a long, narrow strip which lies under a canopy of dense forest. The Wisconsin Western Railroad Bridge crosses the river, over the island.

Downriver, Woodman Boat landing is located a short distance up the Little Green River which flows through a small coulee between tall scenic bluffs. Look up and you may see eagles soaring overhead.

Though not nearly as traveled as the two previous, this may be the most scenic of the four segments on the lower Wisconsin River!

River Camping

Sandbars continue to be common during low to moderate flows, often providing many fun opportunities for camping.

Camping in a State Park

Governor Dodge State Park is just 27 miles driving distance southeast of the Muscoda boat landings. The park offers forty miles of hiking trails, eight miles of mountain bike trails, twenty-two miles of horse trails, eight picnic areas, and a pair of lakes with sandy beaches and boat launches for canoeing and kayaking. There are two family campgrounds, Cox Hollow and Twin Valley, with a total of 269 campsites. Other types of camping include six backpack sites, eight group sites (15 - 40 people per site), and eleven horse campsites.

The beautiful Blackhawk Lake Recreation Area is just a few miles west of Governor Dodge State Park and features a beautiful lake surrounded by rolling hills. Activities and amenities include: camping, hiking, boating and fishing. This is an excellent campground for RV camping. There are also plenty of shaded sites for tent camping, and several lakeside cabins. There are a total of 150 campsites.

Season

The river is usually navigable throughout spring, summer, and fall. It can be scrappy in places during periods of little rainfall in summer and fall. Paddlers should avoid the river in early spring, or whenever water levels are especially high.

River Level Information

Always check the local weather forecast before paddling on the LWSR. Also, even if the local forecast calls for sunny conditions, talk to a local outfitter about possible river surges before embarking on an overnight trip! Although it may be sunny in the LWSR, any kind of heavy rainfall upriver can result in an unexpected rise in river levels. Although this set of conditions only happens occasionally, it is something to be aware of.

River Gauge Location: State Hwy 80 Bridge at Muscoda
USGS Website: Gauge data @ 05407000
Phone: Contact local shuttle service / livery (Local Area Guide).

River Hazards

The Wisconsin River is in a constant state of transition. Consider the evolution of a sandbar of which there are hundreds at any given time. First a sandbar is created, then reshaped, then shifted, then swept away, while another mysteriously appears nearby and undergoes the same metamorphosis. The same can be said for the river channel, which often shifts, splits and then rejoins itself again and again. And, to make it even more interesting, the river does not move at a constant speed at all! In fact, it often fluctuates as it runs its' course, from less than 1 mph to more than 5 mph.

Shifting sandbars, a moving river channel, and dynamic rate of speed are a few of the contributing factors to a couple of hazards paddlers need to be aware of. First are sudden dropoffs, where the river can go from a few inches deep - to several feet deep in one step. Second are 'layered' currents, where the current can appear to be slow on the surface but will be fast and powerful enough to sweep your feet from under you just a few inches below. Both hazards are especially common in the lee of sandbars and islands, places where you should never wade! When you do wade into the river - say off a sandbar - make sure you do it near the 'head' or 'up-river' side, and try to have your feet and knees pointing up-river. Remember to always wear a pfd! (personal flotation device)