Red River - Kentucky

The upper, state-designated wild river segment of the Red River runs for nine miles between the Kentucky Highway 746 byidge and the Kentucky Highway 715 bridge. It is a narrow, whitewater run, classified as Class Il and III, appropriate for intermediate and advanced paddlers who are well grounded in basic whitewater techniques. it is runnable from late December to late May in years of average rainfall. The "Falls of the Red River" near the mouth of Calaboose Creek are about three feet high, and can be negotiated by expert canoeists--others should portage. Beyond the falls, between Solomon Branch and Pecks Branch, lies the "Narrows of the Red River." This stretch is filled with huge boulders, and is channeled into gaps some times no wider than two to three feet. When the water level is high, this area is dangerous. When it is low, several portages will be required. Also within this section is the 'Dog Drowning Hole,' a swirl near the middle of the river. A put-in point is near the intersection of Kentucky Highway 746 and KY 1010 west of Hazel Green. This location is outside of the National Forest proclamation boundary. The take-out point is at the Kentucky Highway 715 bridge on National Forest land.

The middle section of the Red River begins at the Kentucky Highway 715 bridge and twists through the center of the Red River Gorge to the Kentucky Highway 77 bridge. The level of difficulty is Class I throughout, but numerous sharp turns, sandbars, riffles and small ledges make the paddling interesting. Access on this section is excellent and canoe camping is allowed on the south side of the river on National Forest land. Navigational hazards consist of deadfalls, occasional logjams and periodic overcrowding.

The lower Red River, meandering downstream of Kentucky Highway 77 bridge and leaving the Red River Gorge, does not compare to the middle and upper sections. The lower section is almost always clogged with deadfalls that force portaging or swinging continually back and forth across the river to navigate around them.

The canoeist beginning at the bridge crossing Kentucky Highway 746 is hard pressed to complete the run to the ford below Schoolhouse Branch in a single day. The necessity for scouting rapids and difficulty in portaging around areas dangerous for canoes and/or passengers in the Upper Gorge generally make for a full, exhausting day between the bridges crossing highways 746 and 715. Stopping to enjoy the many scenic features further prolongs the trip. However, canoeing the lower Red River is possible in two to four hours.