Kickapoo River
Vernon / Crawford Co. · 125 mi · Class I
400CFS/ 4.32 ft
Optimal→Stable
Optimal: 200–1,200 CFS · USGS #05408000
Length
Difficulty
Optimal
Avg Flow
Hist. Median
USGS Gauge
Kickapoo Valley Reserve · Driftless Area
Known as the 'crookedest river in the world,' the Kickapoo meanders 125 miles through the Driftless Area of southwestern Wisconsin — a glacially unscathed landscape of towering sandstone bluffs and narrow valleys. Gentle Class I current and over 60 miles of canoeable water make it one of the best family paddling rivers in the Midwest.
Trip sections
Ontario to Rockton — 15 mi, Class I, best Driftless bluffs
Rockton to La Farge — 12 mi, Class I, Kickapoo Valley Reserve
La Farge to Wauzeka — 30 mi, Class I, lower valley meanders
Outfitters
Drifty's Canoe Rental
Kickapoo River canoe and kayak trips from Ontario
Mr. Duck's Canoe Rental
Family float trips on the Kickapoo, La Farge
72-Hour Flow Forecast
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10-Year Flow Patterns
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Data Quality
River conditions are community-verified. CFS ranges, difficulty ratings, and trip sections may not reflect every flow level or seasonal change. Always check current conditions, scout unfamiliar rapids, and paddle within your skill level. If you spot an error, use the Improve This River button at the top of the page — your local knowledge is what makes this atlas accurate.