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See all 5 routes on North Fork Kentucky River

Kentucky | Eastern Kentucky

North Fork Kentucky River

Hazard City Ramp and Fishing Pier to Perry County Park Ramp

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

Route location

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DistanceAbout 4.8 mi
DifficultyEasy
Typical timeAbout 2 hr to 3 hr
ShuttleCar shuttle
A wooded Kentucky creek corridor with shallow moving water.
River contextKentucky river corridor context; not this route or current conditions; route imagery unavailable — not necessarily this exact reach.Photo by Bpluke01 via Wikimedia Commons

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Conditions

Gauge history and hourly forecast

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Route overview

Quick facts and what's next

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

Quick facts

On-water distanceAbout 4.8 miHazard City Ramp and Fishing Pier to Perry County Park Ramp
DifficultyeasyPerry County presents this as an easy family float, and KDFWR says both accesses suit canoes, kayaks, and small john boats. The main consequence comes from the low-head-dam launch context and fast-rising muddy water, not from technical rapids.
ShuttleCar shuttleStage the Perry County Park take-out first, then drive back to Hazard City Hall for the downtown put-in. Both accesses are public and developed, but inspect the launch and landing before committing because riverfront events, maintenance, or muddy conditions can tighten room at the ramp.
PermitsNone notedNo route-specific paddling permit is known. Use the named public launches, follow Kentucky boating and PFD rules, and respect any posted city or park parking limits.
CampingDay tripNo camping plan is assumed on this in-town float. Use it as a day trip and treat banks outside the public access points as private or unsuitable for overnight use.
SeasonMar-NovThis short Hazard float can work much of the warmer season, but the North Fork is still a flashy Appalachian river. Treat same-day rain, wood, and gauge trend as more important than the month.

Plan ahead

Upcoming outlook

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Plan

Plan your trip

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

Route logistics

Access and shuttle

Launch behind Hazard City Hall and take out at Perry County Park for the short North Fork River Trail float through Hazard. KDFWR gives a good Hazard gauge band of 4.25 to 5.0 ft, while Perry County frames the route as an easy 2-to-3-hour paddle.

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Start

Put-in

Hazard City Ramp and Fishing Pier
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The Hazard City launch is directly upstream from a low-head dam. Launch efficiently, stay out of boil-affected water, and do not drift back toward the dam while organizing gear.

Finish

Take-out

Perry County Park Ramp
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Perry County Park is the clean public take-out with parking, restrooms, and family facilities. Do not assume steep or private banks elsewhere are legal exit spots.

Plan this segment

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Access caveats and watch for

Access caveats

  • The Hazard City launch is directly upstream from a low-head dam. Launch efficiently, stay out of boil-affected water, and do not drift back toward the dam while organizing gear.
  • Perry County Park is the clean public take-out with parking, restrooms, and family facilities. Do not assume steep or private banks elsewhere are legal exit spots.
  • The Hazard gauge was slightly below the official good band during this run, so expect slower current and occasional scrape-prone shallows rather than ideal push.

Watch for

  • Fast rises after rain, muddy current, and fresh wood moving into outside bends.
  • The low-head-dam launch context at Hazard and any swirl or boil near the ramp.
  • Steep or private banks outside the named accesses, especially if someone wants an unscheduled stop.

Route gallery

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Photos help show what the access looks like and what the route actually feels like on the water.

A wooded Kentucky creek corridor with shallow moving water.
Kentucky river corridor context; not this route or current conditions; route imagery unavailable — not necessarily this exact reach.Photo by Bpluke01 via Wikimedia Commons
Wikimedia Commons: CC BY-SA 4.0; regional context only

Score & sources

Why this score

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Why this scoreToday's evidence strength is checking

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Data behind the scoreGauge, thresholds, and timing

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

Gauge siteNorth Fork Kentucky River at Hazard, KY
Gauge heightChecking
DischargeChecking
24h trendChecking
24h changeChecking
Current bandChecking
Rain last 24hChecking
Rain last 72hChecking
Air tempChecking
Water tempChecking
WindChecking
GustsChecking
Rain timingChecking
Target band4.25 ft to 5.00 ft
Low threshold4.25 ft
High threshold5.00 ft
Evidence strength behind the rangeOfficial data source
Gauge observedChecking
Paddle Today updatedChecking
Main source behind this scoreKDFWR recommended river levels for North Fork Kentucky River at Hazard
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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.

  • Official route segmentHazard City Ramp to Perry County Park Ramp, 4.8 mi

    KDFWR lists Hazard City Ramp to Perry County Park Ramp as a 4.8-mile North Fork Kentucky River segment in the access-mileage table.

    Source

  • Official level band4.25-5.0 ft

    KDFWR rates the North Fork Kentucky River at Hazard as Low below 4.25 ft, Good from 4.25 to 5.0 ft, and High above 5.0 ft.

    Source

  • Put-in accessHazard City Ramp, 37.2513, -83.1962

    KDFWR lists the downtown Hazard City Ramp and Fishing Pier as a paved public launch behind city hall with published coordinates, restrooms, and parking.

    Source

  • Take-out accessPerry County Park Ramp, 37.2783, -83.2088

    KDFWR lists Perry County Park Ramp as the downstream public take-out with published coordinates and park amenities around the landing.

    Source

  • Trail manager contextNorth Fork River Trail, easy, 2-3 hr

    Perry County describes the same Hazard City Hall to Perry County Park reach as an easy approximately 5-mile North Fork River Trail and says to allow 2 to 3 hours.

    Source

  • Direct live gaugeUSGS 03277500 at 4.17 ft

    USGS Water Services returned a same-day stage of 4.17 ft at 19:45 EDT on June 25, 2026 for the North Fork Kentucky River at Hazard.

    Source

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Keep exploring

More routes to check next

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More in Kentucky

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More on North Fork Kentucky River

All 5
Douthitt Park Ramp to Roy Spencer RampEastern KentuckyModerate · About 10.4 miRoy Spencer Ramp to Beattyville RampEastern KentuckyModerate · About 34.0 miWatts Ramp to Hazard City Ramp and Fishing PierEastern KentuckyModerate · About 22.2 miWatts Ramp to Perry County Park RampEastern KentuckyModerate · About 27.0 mi

Nearby routes by distance

South Fork Kentucky RiverRocky Branch Road Access to Fish Creek Boat Ramp · about 26 mi awayEasy · About 26.9 miSouth Fork Kentucky RiverRocky Branch Road Access to Kay Wood Road Access · about 26 mi awayEasy · About 19.0 miGoose CreekDump Hollow Ford to Laurel Branch Road Access · about 28 mi awayEasy · About 4.8 miGoose CreekTobacco Road Bridge Ramp to Dump Hollow Ford · about 29 mi awayEasy · About 0.8 mi

Quick answers

North Fork Kentucky River paddling FAQ

What water level is good for paddling North Fork Kentucky River?

Paddle Today watches North Fork Kentucky River at Hazard, KY and treats 4.25 ft to 5.00 ft as the target band for this route, with weather and recent trend included in the final score.

Where does this North Fork Kentucky River route start and end?

This route starts at Hazard City Ramp and Fishing Pier and ends at Perry County Park Ramp, about About 4.8 mi on the water.

Is this North Fork Kentucky 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.

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