Kentucky | South-Central Kentucky

Green River

Russell Ford Access to American Legion Park Ramp

Check current paddling conditions for this Green River route, including water level, recent gauge trend, weather, and route details.

Route location

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DistanceAbout 2.3 mi
DifficultyEasy
Typical timeAbout 1 hr to 2 hr
ShuttleCar shuttle
Morning mist and sunlight hang over the wooded Green River near Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky.
River contextGreen River near Mammoth Cave National Park river-level photo — not necessarily this exact reach.Photo by code poet

Need to know

Why this call
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Gauge history and hourly forecast

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Quick facts and what's next

Distance, difficulty, shuttle basics, and the near-term outlook before you commit to the drive.

DifficultyeasyThis is a short public-ramp Green River segment with easy route-finding, but it is still a broad moving river with shoals, muddy edges, private banks, and current that becomes less forgiving above the KDFWR good band.
PermitsNone notedNo route-specific paddling permit is known. Use only the KDFWR-listed public accesses, follow Kentucky boating and PFD rules, and stay off private banks between the endpoints.
CampingOptions nearbyTreat this as a day route. KDFWR does not document camping or normal overnight support at Russell Ford or American Legion Park.
SeasonMar-NovThis upper Pool 6 segment is more reliable in spring and wetter fall periods. Summer can still work, but low stages expose shoals and muddy landings quickly, while storms can raise current and broad-river wind effects.

Upcoming outlook

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Plan your trip

Launch points, shuttle details, distance, and access notes.

Access and shuttle

Launch at Russell Ford and finish at American Legion Park for the short 2.3-mile Upper Green split. Use the Greensburg gauge and expect a scrape-prone ride whenever the stage sits below KDFWR's 1.0 to 1.75 ft good band.

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Start

Put-in

Russell Ford Access
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Russell Ford is a simple gravel-bar carry-down with limited unpaved parking and no amenities.

Finish

Take-out

American Legion Park Ramp
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American Legion Park is the intended public finish on this split. Keep the ramp area clear for anglers and other park users.

Plan this segment

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Access caveats and watch for

Access caveats

  • Russell Ford is a simple gravel-bar carry-down with limited unpaved parking and no amenities.
  • American Legion Park is the intended public finish on this split. Keep the ramp area clear for anglers and other park users.
  • Even on this short route, private banks between the endpoints should not be treated as casual take-outs.

Watch for

  • Low water below about 1.0 ft, when shallow shoals and muddy edges become more noticeable.
  • High water above about 1.75 ft, when current at bends and the park landing gets less forgiving.
  • Bridge-adjacent current, fresh wood after rain, and other users at both public accesses.

Why this score

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Read quality
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Today's evidence strength is checking

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Gauge, thresholds, and timing

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

Gauge siteGreen River at Greensburg, KY
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Target band1.00 ft to 1.75 ft
Low threshold1.00 ft
High threshold1.75 ft
Evidence strength behind the rangeOfficial data source
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Paddle Today updatedChecking
Main source behind this scoreKDFWR recommended river levels for Green River at Greensburg
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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 segmentRussell Ford to American Legion Park, 2.3 mi

    KDFWR lists Russell Ford to American Legion Park Ramp as a 2.3-mile Green River access-to-access segment.

    Source

  • Official level band1.0-1.75 ft good

    KDFWR rates the Green River gauge at Greensburg as Low below 1.0 ft, Good from 1.0 to 1.75 ft, and High above 1.75 ft.

    Source

  • Put-in accessRussell Ford Access, 37.2738, -85.4784

    KDFWR identifies Russell Ford as a free carry-down access with unpaved parking and year-round 24-hour availability.

    Source

  • Take-out accessAmerican Legion Park Ramp, 37.2441, -85.4795

    KDFWR identifies American Legion Park as a free single-lane unpaved ramp with year-round 24-hour boat-ramp availability and ample unpaved parking.

    Source

  • Live-gauge supportUSGS 03306500 at 1.63 ft

    USGS Water Services returned a same-day July 11, 2026 11:15 CDT gage-height reading for Green River at Greensburg during this run. That stage sits inside the KDFWR good band.

    Source

  • Route characterShoals, deep rocky pools, muddy park landing

    KDFWR describes the Russell Ford to American Legion reach as having good shoals with several deep rocky pools and a graded muddy/gravel park landing at the take-out.

    Source

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Green River paddling FAQ

What water level is good for paddling Green River?

Paddle Today watches Green River at Greensburg, KY and treats 1.00 ft to 1.75 ft as the target band for this route, with weather and recent trend included in the final score.

Where does this Green River route start and end?

This route starts at Russell Ford Access and ends at American Legion Park Ramp, about About 2.3 mi on the water.

Is this Green River route good for beginners?

This is listed as an easy route, but conditions still matter. Check today's score, water level, weather, and access notes before you go.

See something outdated?

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