See all 6 routes on Buck Creek
Kentucky | Pulaski County
Buck CreekRainey Road Fishing Access to Bent Road Fishing Access
Longer Buck Creek day from Rainey Road to Bent Road. KDFWR still documents the official Rainey-to-Stab and Stab-to-Bent floats, and together they support this 11.7-mile chained public route against the direct Shopville gauge.
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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 Rainey Road and continue to Bent Road for the full upper-plus-middle Buck Creek chain. Use the Shopville gauge and expect a slower day whenever the creek stays below the same-gauge 100 cfs / 2.0 ft local floor.
Access map
Put-in
Rainey Road Fishing AccessRainey Road is a simple carry-down start with unpaved parking and no amenities.
Take-out
Bent Road Fishing AccessThe Stab / KY-1675 bridge is the only clean public midpoint stop before the Bent section. Do not assume extra legal staging room beyond the marked access footprint.
Road shuttle
Leave the downstream vehicle at Bent Road, then drive back to Rainey Road. This is a real point-to-point Buck Creek day, and the steep Bent carry-out is worth scouting before you commit the full chain.
Additional access notes
- Bent Road is the intended finish, but KDFWR says the carry-out is steep and rocky enough that many paddlers leave vehicles at the top and walk boats up.
More route and safety guidance
- Bent Road is the legal public finish, but KDFWR says the carry-out can be steep and rough enough that many paddlers park at the top and walk boats up.
- Use only the named public accesses at Rainey, Stab, and Bent. Most banks between them are private.
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Conditions
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Gauge source
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Weather
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Station details and river cameras
Station observations
USGS measurements
Measurement notes and coverage
These are observations at the station. Water depth and current can differ along your trip.
River camera · USGS
View at the gauge
Buck Creek near Shopville, KY. This view may be outside your paddling reach. Images are periodic and do not establish safe conditions.
Photos and recent reports
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Paddler reports
Recent notes from paddlers
A few quick notes from people who were on this route recently.
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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 | Buck Creek near Shopville, KY |
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| Preferred range | Needs paddler reports |
| Known low-water floor | 100 cfs |
| High threshold | Water-level guidance unavailable |
| Evidence strength behind the range | Local route guidance |
| Gauge observed | Checking |
| Paddle Today updated | Checking |
| Main source behind this score | Buck Creek Outfitters same-gauge minimum for Buck Creek near Shopville |
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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 chainRainey Road to Stab 4.2 mi plus Stab to Bent Road 7.5 mi
The current KDFWR Buck Creek article and map still present these as consecutive official public floats, supporting this 11.7-mile combined route.
- Minimum-flow supportAbout 100 cfs and 2.0 ft minimum
Buck Creek Outfitters continues to use the Shopville gauge and says the creek needs to be above about 100 cfs and 2.0 ft for a fun float.
- Put-in accessRainey Road Fishing Access, 37.1792, -84.4564
KDFWR identifies Rainey Road as a public carry-down access with unpaved parking and no amenities.
- Take-out accessBent Road Fishing Access, 37.1038, -84.4350
KDFWR identifies Bent Road as a public carry-down access and the Buck Creek article warns the carry-out can be steep and rough.
- Gauge check during route review · 2026-07-13USGS 03407500 at 556 cfs / 3.49 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.
- Hazard and route characterBluff turns, The Bent gorge, and steep Bent carry-out
KDFWR describes the bluff-lined upper float into the square-shaped Bent and warns about strainers and the steep Bent Road finish at higher flows.
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
More on Buck Creek
All 6Nearby routes within 75 miles
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