See all 5 routes on North Fork Kentucky River
Kentucky | Eastern Kentucky
North Fork Kentucky RiverWatts Ramp to Perry County Park Ramp
Extended upper Hazard corridor from Watts Ramp to Perry County Park. KDFWR supports the route by chaining its exact Watts-to-Hazard and Hazard-to-Perry County mileage table against the official Hazard gauge bands.
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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 Watts Ramp and continue all the way to Perry County Park for the full extended Hazard corridor on the North Fork Kentucky River. The route uses the official Hazard gauge band, but the length and below-band slowdown risk still make it a deliberate all-day plan.
Access map
Put-in
Watts RampWatts is a simpler bridge-side launch with unpaved parking rather than a full park facility, so confirm footing and vehicle placement before leaving the shuttle car downstream.
Take-out
Perry County Park RampHazard City Ramp is the only clearly developed midpoint. It can work as a bailout, but do not miss the main route line while approaching the city corridor and its dam-adjacent riverfront context.
Road shuttle
Long Perry County shuttle from Ulvah to the Perry County Park finish. Stage the park take-out first because it is the cleaner developed finish, then return to Watts only after you are confident the group and forecast support a full-day effort.
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Watts Ramp to Perry County Park Ramp is about 27.0 mi. Use the planner to compare shorter access pairs.
Additional access notes
- Below KDFWR's 4.25 ft lower limit at Hazard, expect slower current and scrape-prone riffles. Check the live stage and trend before launch.
More route and safety guidance
- KDFWR describes the Watts reach as relatively shallow with numerous riffles, and the drainage can rise quickly after rain while carrying fresh wood into the channel.
- Most banks away from the named accesses should be treated as private, muddy, or too steep for casual emergency stops.
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Conditions
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Tomorrow and the weekend
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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
North Fork Kentucky River at Hazard, 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 | North Fork Kentucky River at Hazard, KY |
| Gauge height | Checking |
| Discharge | Checking |
| 24h trend | Checking |
| 24h change | Checking |
| Current band | Checking |
| Rain last 24h | Checking |
| Rain last 72h | Checking |
| Air temp | Checking |
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| Wind | Checking |
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| Rain timing | Checking |
| Preferred range | 4.25 ft to 5.00 ft |
| Low threshold | 4.25 ft |
| High threshold | 5.00 ft |
| Evidence strength behind the range | Official data source |
| Gauge observed | Checking |
| Paddle Today updated | Checking |
| Main source behind this score | KDFWR recommended river levels for North Fork Kentucky River at Hazard |
| Gauge source | Checking |
| Weather source | Checking |
| Rainfall source | Checking |
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 segmentWatts Ramp to Perry County Park Ramp, about 27.0 mi
KDFWR lists Watts Ramp to Hazard City Ramp at 22.2 miles and Hazard City Ramp to Perry County Park at 4.8 miles, supporting this longer upper-North-Fork continuation of about 27.0 miles.
- 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.
- Put-in accessWatts Ramp, 37.1283, -83.0519
KDFWR lists Watts Ramp as a paved public launch under the Watts Drive bridge in Ulvah with published coordinates and unpaved parking.
- Take-out accessPerry County Park Ramp, 37.2783, -83.2088
KDFWR lists Perry County Park Ramp as a paved public launch with published coordinates, restrooms, parking, and other developed park amenities.
- Gauge check during route review · July 3, 2026USGS 03277500 at 4.10 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.
- Route characterLong shallow-riffle upper-river day into Perry County Park
KDFWR describes the Watts reach as relatively shallow with numerous riffles and documents Perry County Park as the next developed downstream public finish after Hazard.
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 North Fork Kentucky River
All 5Nearby routes within 75 miles
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