USDA Forest Service
 
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USDA Forest Service
Daniel Boone
National Forest
1700 Bypass Road
Winchester, KY 40391

Phone: 859-745-3100
FAX: 859-744-1568

River Information

WHITEWATER RATING SYSTEM

Rivers are classified based on the International Scale of River Difficulty. Skill level needed is based on both the general fitness and strength of a paddler, plus paddling skill, judgment, and expertise.

CLASS I
SKILL: Beginner, easy.
DESCRIPTION: Moving water with few riffles and small waves. Few or no obstructions.

CLASS II
Intermediate, requires care and some knowledge of paddling and reading of the river.
Easy rapids with waves up to 3 feet and wide, clear channels that are obvious without scouting. Some maneuvering is required.

CLASS III
SKILL: Experienced, difficult.
DESCRIPTION: Rapids with high, irregular waves often capable of swamping an open canoe. Narrow passages that often require complex maneuvering. May require scouting from shore.

CLASS IV
SKILL: Highly skilled, very difficult.
DESCRIPTION: Long, difficult rapids with constricted passages that often require maneuvering in very turbulent waters. Scouting from shore is often necessary, and conditions make rescue difficult. Generally not possible for open canoes. Boaters in covered canoes and kayaks should be able to Eskimo roll.

CLASS V
SKILL: Team of experts, exceedingly difficult.
DESCRIPTION: Extremely difficult, long, and very violent rapids with highly congested routes which nearly always must be scouted from from shore. Rescue conditions are difficult and there is significant hazard to life in event of a mishap. Ability to Eskimo roll is essential for kayaks and canoes.

CLASS VI
SKILL: Team of experts with every precaution. Utmost difficulty, near limit of navigability.
DESCRIPTION: Difficulties of Class V carried to the extreme of navigability. Nearly impossible and very dangerous. For teams of experts only, after close study and all precautions taken.

RED RIVER

Upper Red River

Big Branch to "Concrete Bridge" (KY 715)

This 10.8 mile section of the river is a Class II to III whitewater stream of unparalleled beauty. The put in point is at Big Branch; 1.7 miles downstream from the put in point you cross under the KY 746 bridge, the former put in point for this segment. The first 3 miles below the KY 746 bridge are scenic Class I water with a good current. Below the mouth of Stillwater Creek the gradient increases with a technical, Class III rapids. For a half mile below Pecks Branch the Red River twists through a series of 3 borderline Class III rapids, popularly know as the "Narrows of the Red". Generally the run is a Class II, runnable from late December to late May in years of average rainfall. At low water the run can turn into a hike. At very high water the Red is extremely dangerous. The best time to run the Red is in the morning because of the afternoon sun that shines directly in your eyes after 2:00 p.m.

  • CLASS: II-III
  • MILES: 10.8
  • TIME: 6 hours
  • SEASON: Nov.-June
  • SKILL LEVEL: Intermediate, Advanced
  • PUT IN: Big Branch
  • TAKE OUT: KY 715 (Concrete bridge)

Middle Red River

KY 715 "Concrete Bridge" to KY 77 "Iron Bridge"

This 8.5 mile section begins at KY 715 and twists and turns through the center of the Red River Gorge Geological Area, past Sky Bridge Arch, Tower Rock and Chimney Top Rock. This section is Class I throughout, but numerous sandbars, riffles, and small ledges make the paddling interesting. The middle section is runnable from late fall to early summer most years. The take out will be on the right under the KY 77 bridge.

  • CLASS: I
  • MILES: 8.5
  • TIME: 4 hours
  • SEASON: Nov.-June
  • SKILL LEVEL: Families and Beginners
  • PUT IN: KY 715 (Concrete Bridge)
  • TAKE OUT: KY 77 (Iron Bridge)

Lower Red River

KY 77 to Schoolhouse Branch

This is an approximately 2 mile Class I section that remains very scenic as it winds along then finally runs out of the Red River Gorge. The take out is on the right, at an old ford below Schoolhouse Branch.

  • CLASS: I
  • MILES: 2
  • TIME: 2 hours
  • SEASON: Nov.-June
  • SKILL LEVEL: Families and Beginners
  • PUT IN: KY 77 (Iron Bridge)
  • TAKE OUT: Schoolhouse Branch

ROCKCASTLE RIVER

Upper Rockcastle River

Livingston to I-75 Bridge

This section of river is rated as Class I+. Put in is at the Wilderness Road Ford just south of Livingston on U.S. 25. The put in is on private land. Please respect the rights of landowners. The take out is just beyond I-75, on the right side of the river, 6 miles downstream. This take out is also on private land. The trip takes between 1 and 3 hours depending on the water level and the paddler's ability.

  • CLASS: I+
  • MILES: 6
  • HOURS: 1-3 hrs.
  • SEASON: Nov.-June
  • SKILL LEVEL: Families and Beginners
  • PUT IN: US 25, Livingston
  • TAKE OUT: I-75 Bridge

I-75 Bridge to KY 1956 (Billows Bridge)

The river from I-75 bridge to KY 1956, meanders for 10.6 miles and is considered to be a Class I+ stream. Most of this section is flat water with a few easy shoals. The river follows KY 1329 for approximately 2 miles. There is no paved access to the river beyond I-75 until the take out which is on the left side of the river just beyond the bridge. The take out is on private land. Plan on between 3 and 5 hours to make the trip.

  • CLASS: I+
  • MILES: 10.6
  • HOURS: 3-5 hrs.
  • SEASON: Nov.-June
  • SKILL LEVEL: Families and Beginners
  • PUT IN: I-75 Bridge
  • TAKE OUT: KY 80 Bridge

Lower Rockcastle River

KY 1956 to KY 192 (Bee Rock Campground)

This section of river is designated a State Wild River and includes one of the most challenging white water runs in Kentucky. It is a long 16.9 mile stretch of water with several Class III and at least one Class IV rapids along the way. It should be attempted only by experienced, well equipped parties. Big Narrows and Beech Narrows can be portaged using trails on the left side of the river. Only boaters with advanced expert skills should attempt Beech Narrows due to serious "Keeper" hydraulics and undercut rocks. Plan on at least 8 hours for the trip. There is a national forest campground at the take out on the east side of Bee Rock Recreation Area. The campground has drinking water available.

KY 192 to KY 3497

The trip from KY 192 to KY 3497 is made on the backwaters of Lake Cumberland. It is suitable for beginners. This section is used by power boats, so paddlers should stay near the banks. Take out is at the Rockcastle Recreation Area Boat Ramp. There is a national forest campground and a private marina at the take out.

  • CLASS: III-IV
  • MILES: 16.9
  • HOURS: 8+ hrs.
  • SEASON: Nov.-June
  • SKILL LEVELS: Intermediate, Advanced
  • PUT IN: KY 80 Bridge
  • TAKE OUT: KY 192 (Bee Rock)

CUMBERLAND RIVER

Upper Cumberland River

KY 204 at Redbird Bridge to KY 90 at Cumberland Falls State Park

The take out for this section of river is 200 yards above Cumberland Falls on the right side of the river. Paddlers failing to take out here may be carried over a 68 foot high waterfall. After passing through the right arch of the bridge take out immediately. Do not attempt this section when the river is high.

Most of this section is rated Class I with Class II rapids at Pitch Rapids and the KY 90 bridge. The put-in is at the Redbird Bridge on private land. It is a 17 mile trip and is usually done in two days. Camping is allowed in the National Forest, 300 feet from the water. There are several areas of private land along this section of river. Campers should make sure that they are on national forest land before making camp. The Cumberland is a designated State Wild River from Summer Shoals downstream to Lake Cumberland. Take out is at Cumberland Falls State Park.

  • CLASS: I, II
  • MILES: 17
  • HOURS: 24 hrs.
  • SEASON: Nov.-June
  • SKILL LEVEL: Advanced Beginners
  • PUT IN: KY 204 at Redbird Bridge
  • TAKE OUT: Cumberland Falls

Lower Cumberland River

Cumberland Falls to Mouth of Laurel

The River "below the falls" is one of the few white water runs that can be made year round. It is rated as a Class III with several difficult rapids that should be attempted only by intermediate and advanced paddlers. It is 11.6 miles from the put in at the state park beach below Cumberland Falls to the mouth of the Laurel Boat Ramp which is within the national forest. The last several miles are flat water. Plan on 4 to 6 hours for the trip. A private concessionaire also runs guided raft trips on this section of river. For more information on guided raft trips, contact Cumberland Falls State Park.

  • CLASS: III
  • MILES: 11.6
  • HOURS: 4-6 hrs.
  • SEASON: All
  • SKILL LEVEL: Intermediate, Advanced
  • PUT IN: Below Cumberland Falls
  • TAKE OUT: Mouth of Laurel Boat Ramp

Title: River Information
Last Updated: December 22, 2008

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