City: Friendship, WI
County: Adams County
Type: Boat Ramp
Location: 43.86510639, -89.95363451
Air Temp: --
Location
Live Webcam
Nearby Gauge Conditions
Real-time data from USGS Water Services
Whitewater Runs on Wisconsin River
7 runs (3 nearby)Difficulty Classes
I Easy
II Novice
III Intermediate
IV Advanced
V Expert/Extreme
VI Unrunnable
Position relative to this access site:
Put-in at this location
This location is on the run
Take-out at this location
Downstream from here Upstream from here
Downstream from here Upstream from here
I(III)
Downstream from here (16.9 mi to put-in)
F) Wisconsin Dells - Narrows (Blackhawk Island) (PnP)
6.2 mi
II
Downstream from here (41.4 mi to put-in)
G) Prairie du Sac (PnP)
0.3 mi
I-II
Upstream from here (49.9 mi from take-out)
E) Stevens Point: Whiting Dam, Al Tech County Park (PnP, 0.6mi.)
5.4 mi
These whitewater runs are on the same river but located more than 50 miles from this access site.
II-III
78 mi away
D) Wausau Slalom Course (0.35 mile modified natural channel)
0.3 mi
125 ft/mi
II-III+(IV)
100 mi away
C) Grandfather Falls (1 mile)
0.9 mi
60 ft/mi
I-II(III)
118 mi away
B) Camp 10 to Menard Isle (4 miles)
4.5 mi
II-III
128 mi away
A) Rhinelander (0.3 mile modified natural channel)
0.3 mi
86 ft/mi
Whitewater data from
American Whitewater
About This Access Site
**Location & Access**
Castle Rock Dam is located in Friendship, Adams County, providing access to both the Wisconsin River and Castle Rock Lake (the impoundage above the dam). The site features a boat ramp on the downstream side of the dam near a spillway, along with a grassy picnic area. An observation deck with stairs or a gravel trail offers views of the lake. Note that a $3 launch fee applies to all watercraft, including kayaks and canoes.
**For Paddlers**
This site works well as a put-in or take-out point depending on your route. Paddlers can take out at a public ramp off Indiana Avenue or portage around the dam. The stretch between Dells Dam and Indian Trails Landing measures approximately 6.2 miles. The dam separates two distinct paddling areas: the quieter impoundage (Castle Rock Lake) above the dam and the flowing Wisconsin River below it. Check current water conditions and dam operations before paddling, as hydroelectric releases can affect water levels and flow.
Castle Rock Dam is located in Friendship, Adams County, providing access to both the Wisconsin River and Castle Rock Lake (the impoundage above the dam). The site features a boat ramp on the downstream side of the dam near a spillway, along with a grassy picnic area. An observation deck with stairs or a gravel trail offers views of the lake. Note that a $3 launch fee applies to all watercraft, including kayaks and canoes.
**For Paddlers**
This site works well as a put-in or take-out point depending on your route. Paddlers can take out at a public ramp off Indiana Avenue or portage around the dam. The stretch between Dells Dam and Indian Trails Landing measures approximately 6.2 miles. The dam separates two distinct paddling areas: the quieter impoundage (Castle Rock Lake) above the dam and the flowing Wisconsin River below it. Check current water conditions and dam operations before paddling, as hydroelectric releases can affect water levels and flow.