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See all 5 routes on Locust Fork

Alabama | Blount County

Locust ForkTaylor Ford Road public put-in to Kings Bend Scenic Overlook Park at Highway 79 public take-out

A source-mapped approximately 7-mile Locust Fork section from Taylor Ford Road to Kings Bend Scenic Overlook Park, including the downstream Class II features and waterfall described for the connected guide section.

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Plan this route

DistanceAbout 7 river miles
DifficultyModerate
Typical timeAllow 4–6 hours with feature scouting
ShuttleCar shuttle
The Locust Fork River flows through a wooded corridor in Blount County, Alabama.
River contextLocust Fork River in Alabama; same-river context, not a route-conditions photograph river-level context — not necessarily this exact reach.Photo by Maria Brindle via Wikimedia Commons

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Route overview

Trip details

Access rules, camping, seasonal conditions and trip length.

Distance, difficulty, rules and camping
On-water distanceAbout 7 river milesTaylor Ford Road public put-in to Kings Bend Scenic Overlook Park at Highway 79 public take-out
DifficultymoderateThe connected Friends of the Locust Fork guide rates the reach Difficulty 2 and documents a waterfall and Class II rapids. Scout all features and portage anything outside the group’s skill level.
ShuttleCar shuttleStage the downstream Kings Bend Scenic Overlook Park vehicle first, then shuttle to Five Points Road. Keep vehicles at the named public sites.
PermitsCheck posted rulesConfirm current Blount County park rules, road access and parking before launch. Do not use private map markers without permission.
CampingOptions nearbyThis is a day-use route. No on-route overnight campsite is documented; use established lodging or campgrounds separately.
SeasonJan-DecThe Locust Fork responds quickly to rainfall. Low stages expose shoals; rising water increases current, bridge and strainer hazards.

Plan ahead

Tomorrow and the weekend

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Plan

Plan your trip

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

Route logistics

Access and shuttle

A source-mapped Taylor Ford to Kings Bend public Locust Fork reach.

Access map

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Start

Put-in

Taylor Ford Road public put-in
Open mapDirections to put-in

Taylor Ford is a mapped public road access; confirm the current carry and parking.

Finish

Take-out

Kings Bend Scenic Overlook Park / Highway 79 public take-out
Open mapDirections to take-out

Kings Bend is a steep but improved park take-out; allow time to carry boats up the Grand Staircase.

Road shuttle

Driving shuttle routeShuttle in Apple MapsOpenStreetMap
Access notes and hazards

Access caveats

  • Taylor Ford is a mapped public road access; confirm the current carry and parking.
  • Kings Bend is a steep but improved park take-out; allow time to carry boats up the Grand Staircase.
  • The downstream Swann whitewater corridor is outside this route and requires separate review.

Watch for

  • USGS 02455000 stage and rapid rises
  • Cornelius Falls and the two Class II rapids
  • Strainers, bridge debris and low-water scraping
  • Private banks and closed or unmarked access points

Plan this paddle

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Conditions

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Gauge detail

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Gauge

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Route gallery

Photos

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The Locust Fork River flows through a wooded corridor in Blount County, Alabama.
Locust Fork River in Alabama; same-river context, not a route-conditions photograph river-level context — not necessarily this exact reach.Photo by Maria Brindle via Wikimedia Commons
CC BY-SA 4.0

Score & sources

Why this score

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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.

Why
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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 siteLocust Fork near Cleveland, AL
Gauge heightChecking
DischargeChecking
24h trendChecking
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Rain last 24hChecking
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Preferred range1.80 ft to 2.40 ft
Low threshold1.40 ft
High threshold2.80 ft
Evidence strength behind the rangeLocal route guidance
Gauge observedChecking
Paddle Today updatedChecking
Main source behind this scoreFriends of the Locust Fork River section guide
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NotesWhat to know before you go

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

  • Named reach and distanceTaylor Ford Road to Kings Bend Scenic Overlook Park; approximately 7 miles; Difficulty 2

    Friends of the Locust Fork River section guide and linked map document Taylor Ford, Kings Bend, the connected 10.2-mile section and its waterfall/Class II features.

    Source

  • Scoring band1.8–2.4 ft preferred planning band; 2.8 ft review ceiling

    The guide publishes the connected section’s minimum and easy-float cues and warns about higher stages; these bounds are conservative planning guards.

    Source

  • Direct gaugeUSGS 02455000 Locust Fork near Cleveland

    USGS provides direct stage telemetry for the connected Locust Fork corridor.

    Source

  • Public endpoint verificationTaylor Ford Road and Kings Bend Scenic Overlook Park

    The linked Friends of the Locust Fork map marks both public access points.

    Source

Verify it yourselfCheck the source links

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Keep exploring

More routes to check next

Compare another stretch on this river, or explore different rivers within 75 straight-line miles.

More in Alabama

All 50 routes
Alabama route guideBrowse every tracked Alabama route.Blount CountyJump to routes in this region.

More on Locust Fork

All 5
County Highway 14 public put-in to Cold Branch Road public take-outBlount CountyEasy · About 10 river milesFive Points Road public put-in to Kings Bend Scenic Overlook Park at Highway 79Blount CountyModerate · About 10.2 river milesFive Points Road public put-in to Taylor Ford Road public take-outBlount CountyEasy · About 3 river milesSwann Covered Bridge public put-in to Covered Bridge Road near Nectar public take-outBlount CountyModerate · About 4.1 river miles

Nearby routes within 75 miles

Mulberry ForkBlountville Road access to County Road 10 access · about 7 straight-line mi awayModerate · Approximately 12.5 river milesMulberry ForkBlountville Road access to Garden City River Park · about 7 straight-line mi awayModerate · Approximately 19 river milesMulberry ForkCounty Road 10 access to Garden City River Park / Old U.S. Highway 31 · about 10 straight-line mi awayModerate · Approximately 6.5 river milesCahaba RiverMoon River access to Grants Mill access · about 35 straight-line mi awayModerate · About 5.1 river miles

Quick answers

Locust Fork paddling FAQ

What water level is best for the Taylor Ford Road public put-in to Kings Bend Scenic Overlook Park at Highway 79 public take-out route on the Locust Fork?

Paddle Today watches Locust Fork near Cleveland, AL and treats 1.80 ft to 2.40 ft as the target band for this route, with weather and recent trend included in the final score.

Where does the Taylor Ford Road public put-in to Kings Bend Scenic Overlook Park at Highway 79 public take-out route on the Locust Fork start and end?

This route starts at Taylor Ford Road public put-in and ends at Kings Bend Scenic Overlook Park / Highway 79 public take-out, about 7 river miles on the water.

Is the Taylor Ford Road public put-in to Kings Bend Scenic Overlook Park at Highway 79 public take-out route on the Locust Fork suitable 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.

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