Kentucky | Pulaski County

Buck Creek

KY-1675 Fishing Access to Bent Road Fishing Access

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Start with the verdict, current conditions, route plan, and quick facts before you commit to the drive.

LevelCheckingChecking
TrendCheckingChecking 24h change
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DifficultymoderateThe mileage, the square-shaped Bent gorge turns, and the steep Bent Road finish make this more committed than the short upstream float even though it is still broad-audience moving water at ordinary levels.
PermitsNone notedNo route-specific paddling permit is known. Use the KDFWR-listed public accesses, follow Kentucky boating and PFD rules, and avoid stopping on private banks through the gorge.
CampingOptions nearbyTreat this as a day route. KDFWR lists no public camping or overnight support at the Stab or Bent Road accesses.
SeasonMar-NovThis The Bent segment becomes scrapy during dry spells and materially pushier after rain. The route stays minimum-only because the source trail supports a floor, not a clean ideal or high cutoff.

Dial in the shuttle, distance, and access.

Use this section once the route looks viable and you need to turn it into an actual trip plan.

Access, shuttle, and map

Launch at the Stab / KY-1675 bridge and finish at Bent Road for the scenic Buck Creek middle-gorge float through the Bent. Use the Shopville gauge and expect a scratchier day whenever the creek stays below the same-gauge 100 cfs / 2.0 ft floor.

Start

Put-in

KY-1675 Fishing AccessOpen map

The KY-1675 bridge access is a basic carry-down with no restroom, dock, or staging pad.

Finish

Take-out

Bent Road Fishing AccessOpen map

KDFWR says Bent Road is the legal take-out, but the final carry-out is steep and rocky enough that some paddlers will want to park at the top and walk boats up.

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Access caveats and watch for

Access caveats

  • The KY-1675 bridge access is a basic carry-down with no restroom, dock, or staging pad.
  • KDFWR says Bent Road is the legal take-out, but the final carry-out is steep and rocky enough that some paddlers will want to park at the top and walk boats up.
  • This is a bluff-walled private-bank corridor. Use only the named public launches for launching, landing, and breaks.

Watch for

  • Low water near or below about 100 cfs, when long shoals and rocky runs become slower and more scrape-prone.
  • Higher post-rain current that can push boats toward strainers and cliff bases through the Bent.
  • Fresh wood, tight turns, and a strenuous finish carry at Bent Road.

Check the data behind today's call.

Use this section when the page shows stale data, limited confidence, or a call you want to verify before driving.

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Data confidence mostly comes down to three things: how direct the gauge is, how clear the range is, and how fresh the data is.

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Gauge, thresholds, and timing

These are the live readings and threshold notes behind today's score.

Gauge siteBuck Creek near Shopville, KY
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Ideal rangeNeeds paddler reports
Known low-water floor100 cfs
High thresholdNot calibrated yet
Data confidence behind the rangeLocal route guidance
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Paddle Today updatedChecking
Main source behind this scoreBuck Creek Outfitters same-gauge minimum for Buck Creek near Shopville
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What to know before you go

These notes cover the access details, route quirks, and source caveats most likely to matter once you get there.

  • Official route segmentKY-1675 / Stab to Bent Road, 7.5 mi

    The current KDFWR Buck Creek article and map still identify this exact middle segment as the next official float below Stab.

    Source

  • 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.

    Source

  • Put-in accessKY-1675 Fishing Access, 37.1516, -84.4392

    KDFWR identifies the Stab bridge as a public carry-down access with year-round shoreline availability.

    Source

  • 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.

    Source

  • Live-gauge supportUSGS 03407500 at 63.5 cfs / 1.91 ft

    USGS Water Services returned same-day values for Buck Creek near Shopville, KY at 2026-07-09 11:30 EDT during this run, which keeps the gauge live while honestly flagging a below-floor day.

    Source

  • Hazard and route characterThe Bent gorge and steep Bent carry-out

    KDFWR says this section enters the square-shaped Bent, warns about strainers at higher flows, and notes the Bent Road carry-out is steep and rocky.

    Source

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Buck Creek paddling FAQ

What water level is good for paddling Buck Creek?

Paddle Today watches Buck Creek near Shopville, KY and uses 100 cfs as the conservative low-water floor for this route. The ideal range still needs more paddler reports.

Where does this Buck Creek route start and end?

This route starts at KY-1675 Fishing Access and ends at Bent Road Fishing Access, about About 7.5 mi on the water.

Is this Buck Creek route good for beginners?

This is listed as a moderate route. Expect more planning than an easy float, and use the live score, route notes, and source links before committing.

See something outdated?

Access, hazards, wood, and shuttle details change. Send a quick correction if something looks off.