WPG
A canoeing, kayaking, and whitewater rafting guide to Wisconsin's most popular paddle rivers.

The Wolf River

The Wolf River is one of the most popular whitewater rivers in Wisconsin. The river originates above Pine Lake in Forest County and flows for more than 240 miles before joining with the Fox River in Lake Butte de Morts in Winnebago County. Most of the lower reaches are primarily flat-water but the rugged 37-mile stretch between Lily and Big Smoky Falls features a large number of rapids and waterfalls which rate from class 1 to class 4. This stretch is extremely popular for whitewater canoeing, kayaking and rafting. The majority of the rapids are in the class 2 to 3 range but many become class 3 to 4 in high water conditions, especially in spring.

Consistent flow, numerous access points, plenty of whitewater, limited development, gorgeous scenery, clean water, and excellent fishing; all these characteristics combine to make the Wolf River an immensely popular recreation destination. The Wisconsin DNR owns large tracts of land along the riverway, greatly limiting development and preserving the river's natural beauty.

The landscape is widely varied. Open marsh, dense thickets and grassy lowlands often surround the river when it is wide and slow, while beautiful hardwood forests and pine groves normally canopy rocky shorelines where the river rumbles through narrow whitewater runs. Common trees include: maple, basswood, beech, aspen, birch, and white and red pine. A few of the wildlife species you may see or hear include: eagle, kingfisher, duck, deer, mink, otter, fox, wolf, raccoon, and black bear.

The section between Highway M and Smoky Falls is one of the premier whitewater rafting sections in Wisconsin, next to the 'Roaring Rapids' of the Peshtigo. This stretch features a number of class 3+ rapids including the ruggedly scenic 'Dells Gorge'.

The river runs through the Menominee Indian Reservation below County Highway M, and the National Park Service has designated this area as a Wild and Scenic River. The tribe controls access and runs a shuttle service for this section. If you have your own watercraft and transportation, you will need to acquire a permit from the tribe in order to use any of the landings in Menominee County. There are no canoe campsites along the river, however there are several privately owned and National Forest Service campgrounds in the area.

Authors' Note: In mid-April, 2005 I was camping at the USFS Boulder Lake Campground when a female mountain lion began 'calling' for a mate at about 11 oclock at night. Up 'till that moment there had been some coyotes yapping in the distance, an owl hooting now and then, and some crickets chirping nearby. When the lion started screaming everything went dead quiet, even the crickets... for about an hour. The shrieking sound from that cat instantly made the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end. I'll never forget it! It was VERY LOUD and sounded like she was close by, but she must have been across the lake, sound carries extremely well here in the forest at night...

Season

The river is usually navigable throughout the warm weather seasons. The best paddling is from the snow melt-off through about mid-July. The rapids can become scrappy during dry spells, especially in late summer and fall.

River Level Information

river gage location: Highway 64 Bridge, Langlade, northeast bank
suggested minimum level: 7.6 feet / 200 cfs
on the web: USGS River Gage - Langlade