See all 10 routes on Barren River
Kentucky | South-Central Kentucky
Barren RiverJames R. Hines Boat Landing Ramp to Lonnie White Boat Ramp
Lower-Barren route from James R. Hines Boat Landing Ramp to Lonnie White Boat Ramp at Thomas Landing. KDFWR lists this exact 6.7-mile segment and ties it to the direct Bowling Green gauge with official 350 to 700 cfs good-flow guidance.
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Route location
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Route overview
Trip details
Access rules, camping and seasonal notes.
Permits, camping and season
Access and shuttle
Launch at James R. Hines Boat Landing Ramp and finish at Lonnie White Boat Ramp for the official 6.7-mile lower-Barren segment. Use the Bowling Green gauge and expect slower pooled water whenever the river stays below 350 cfs.
Access map
Put-in
James R. Hines Boat Landing RampLonnie White / Thomas Landing is the intended finish. KDFWR says the park closes at dusk, so do not launch late on a marginal-flow day.
Take-out
Lonnie White Boat RampThe lower reach is pooled by Lock and Dam 1 influence near Greencastle, which can make the finish feel slower and more wind-exposed than the mileage suggests.
Road shuttle
Leave the downstream vehicle at Lonnie White Boat Ramp / Thomas Landing, then drive back to James R. Hines Boat Landing Ramp. Start early enough that a slow pooled finish does not run into the Thomas Landing dusk closure.
Additional access notes
- Most shoreline between the ramps is private and should not be treated as public rest-stop space.
More route and safety guidance
- The Thomas Landing park closes at dusk, which matters if low water or upstream wind slows the route.
- Private banks and sparse services still make this feel more committed than a city park lap.
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Station details and river cameras
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Measurement notes and coverage
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View at the gauge
Barren River at Bowling Green, KY. This view may be outside your paddling reach. Images are periodic and do not establish safe conditions.
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Recent notes from paddlers
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Sources and methodology
Review source dates and published guidance below. We have not inspected this trip in person.
Why this scoreData reliability: checking
This rating reflects whether the gauge measures this part of the river, whether published water-level guidance is available, and how recently the data was updated.
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Data behind the scoreWater levels, published guidance and update times
These readings and published water-level limits help explain today’s score.
| Gauge site | Barren River at Bowling Green, KY |
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| Preferred range | 350 cfs to 700 cfs |
| Low threshold | 350 cfs |
| High threshold | 700 cfs |
| Evidence strength behind the range | Official data source |
| Gauge observed | Checking |
| Paddle Today updated | Checking |
| Main source behind this score | KDFWR recommended Bowling Green flow band |
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NotesPublished evidence and verification notes
These notes cover the access details, route quirks, and source caveats most likely to matter once you get there.
- Official route segmentJames R. Hines Boat Landing Ramp to Lonnie White Ramp, 6.7 mi
KDFWR lists this exact downstream lower-Barren site-to-site mileage.
- Official level band350-700 cfs good
KDFWR rates the Barren River at Bowling Green gauge as Low below 350 cfs, Good from 350 to 700 cfs, and High above 700 cfs.
- Put-in accessJames R. Hines Boat Landing Ramp, 37.0161, -86.4449
KDFWR access detail for Boat Landing Road Ramp matches the James R. Hines Boat Landing Park endpoint named on the Lower Barren page and confirms a public paved ramp with parking.
- Take-out accessLonnie White Boat Ramp, 37.0348, -86.4984
KDFWR access detail confirms Lonnie White / Thomas Landing as a public ramp with gravel parking and dusk-close park context.
- Gauge check during route review · 2026-07-03USGS 03314500 at 198 cfs / 3.85 ft
This reading was saved when we checked the guide. It is not today’s water level. Check the current gauge and local conditions before paddling.
- Finish characterPooled Thomas Landing finish above Lock and Dam 1 influence
KDFWR says this section is pooled from the influence of Lock and Dam 1 near Greencastle and that the Thomas Landing park closes at dusk.
Verify it yourselfCheck the source links
Use these links to double-check the gauge, route details, and access notes before you head out.
Other routes nearby
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