See all 9 routes on Tradewater River
Kentucky | Western Kentucky
Tradewater RiverVFW Bridge Ramp to Granger Landing Ramp
Lower Tradewater finish from VFW Bridge Ramp to Granger Landing Ramp with KDFWR public accesses, official Providence-gauge bands, and a conservative upstream same-river gauge proxy for the Sturgis corridor.
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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 VFW Bridge Ramp and take out at Granger Landing Ramp for the official 10.6-mile Sturgis-area Tradewater segment. Because no gauge sits on this exact reach, use the upstream Providence gauge as a conservative same-river check and stand down quickly when flashy weather pushes the river out of band.
Access map
Put-in
VFW Bridge RampVFW Bridge Ramp is a larger paved access with better staging room than the upstream bridge landings, but it still deserves a same-day mud and debris check after storms.
Take-out
Granger Landing RampGranger Landing is an uncomplicated public ramp near Sturgis, yet the lower river still runs past private banks and limited shoreline services. Do not assume open stopping points away from the ramp.
Road shuttle
Stage the Granger Landing take-out first, then drive back to VFW Bridge near Sullivan. This is a full rural Tradewater shuttle with few services, so inspect both ramps before launching and keep the plan conservative after recent rain.
Additional access notes
- KDFWR treats both endpoints as access sites rather than destination parks or campgrounds, so keep the day framed as a simple launch-to-ramp float.
More route and safety guidance
- Woody debris, braided channels, and strainers are ordinary hazards on this corridor even when the upstream gauge is in range.
- Both public accesses border private property or limited public shoreline; use the signed ramps and legal public landings rather than treating banks as open 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
Tradewater River near Providence, KY. This view may be outside your paddling reach. Images are periodic and do not establish safe conditions.
Photos and recent reports
Look for recent access, obstruction and hazard observations. Context photos may show a different part of the river.
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.
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 segmentVFW Bridge Ramp to Granger Landing Ramp, 10.6 mi
KDFWR lists VFW Bridge Ramp to Granger Landing Ramp as a 10.6-mile Tradewater segment in the official access-mileage table.
- Official level band5-50 cfs / 10-15 ft at Providence
KDFWR rates the Providence gauge low below 5 cfs or 10.0 ft, good from 5.0 to 50.0 cfs or 10.0 to 15.0 ft, and high above 50.0 cfs or 15.0 ft.
- Put-in accessVFW Bridge Ramp, 37.4794, -87.9539
KDFWR lists VFW Bridge Ramp as a free paved public ramp with published coordinates and a large gravel-and-grass parking area.
- Take-out accessGranger Landing Ramp, 37.5463, -88.0189
KDFWR lists Granger Landing Ramp as a free paved public ramp with published coordinates near Sturgis.
- Gauge check during route review · June 26, 2026USGS 03384100 at 211 cfs / 12.66 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.
- Camping supportNo endpoint campground support
KDFWR treats VFW and Granger as simple access sites rather than campgrounds, so this route ships as a day-trip float without camping assumptions.
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 Tradewater River
All 9Nearby routes within 75 miles
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