The State designated wild river segment of the Cumberland River is 17 miles long and extends from Summer Shoals to the backwaters of Lake Cumberland. it is divided into two sections by Cumberland Falls, a regionally significant scenic attraction with water cascading over the Falls from a height of 67 feet. The upper stretch is listed as "light whitewater," Class II, and is judged appropriate for all canoeists, including novices and beginners. The put-in point is at the Kentucky Highway 204 bridge and the take-out point is the Kentucky Highway 90 bridge at Cumberland Falls State Park. The canoeist should know this section of the river because there is no sign warning that Cumberland Falls is just beyond the bridge.
The section below Cumberland Falls is a whitewater river, Class II, III and IV, recommended only for intermediates, advanced paddlers and expert canoeists. it is one of the most popular whitewater runs in the state and the only whitewater river in Kentucky that is normally runnable all year. This section is much different in character from the upper stream segment. The terrain is considerably more rugged; high cliffs appear along the forested hillsides and huge boulders are numerous in and along the stream. There are large rapids, three to five foot drops, undercut rocks and other dangerous in-stream obstacles. The put-in point is below the falls on state park property. The take-out points are 12 miles downstream in the slackwaters of Lake Cumberland at the Mouth of Laurel boat ramp. The Cumberland River flows through the heart of the Daniel Boone National Forest. It is one of the most beautiful and one of the best canoeing streams in the country.
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