Kentucky | Daniel Boone Country

Upper Cumberland River4 Mile Ramp to Artemus Rock Access

Upper Cumberland day float from 4 Mile Ramp to Artemus Rock Access north of Pineville. KDFWR lists this exact 9.8-mile segment and uses the Williamsburg gauge for the full corridor.

Route location

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DistanceAbout 9.8 mi
DifficultyEasy
Typical timeAbout 3.5 hr to 5.5 hr
ShuttleCar shuttle
The Cumberland River follows a green valley through Loyall in eastern Kentucky beneath a bright summer sky.
River contextCumberland River at Loyall river-level photo — not necessarily this exact reach.Photo by Brian Stansberry
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Trip details

Access rules, camping and seasonal notes.

Permits, camping and season
PermitsNone notedNo route-specific paddling permit is known. Use 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 documents no developed camping at 4 Mile and does not treat Artemus as an overnight facility.
SeasonMar-NovThis mid-corridor Upper Cumberland segment is easiest when the official Williamsburg gauge stays inside the KDFWR good band. Low water exposes more shallow riffles, while rain can turn the run into a faster push than the mileage suggests.

Access and shuttle

Launch at 4 Mile Ramp and finish at Artemus Rock Access for the official 9.8-mile Upper Cumberland segment north of Pineville. Use the Williamsburg gauge and expect a quicker push whenever the river is above the 300 to 700 cfs good band.

Access map

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Start

Put-in

4 Mile Ramp
DirectionsOpen map

Artemus is a rough gravel-bar access that KDFWR says may be muddy or unsuitable for some vehicles. Confirm the take-out before launching upstream.

Finish

Take-out

Artemus Rock Access
DirectionsOpen map

This segment has clean public endpoints, but most shoreline between them is private. Do not count on random bars or bridge shoulders as substitute stops.

Road shuttle

Stage the downstream vehicle at Artemus Rock Access first, then drive back to 4 Mile Ramp. The shuttle is short, but the rough gravel-bar finish is worth scouting before you commit the run.

Additional access notes
  • Higher-water days can make the route feel simpler at first and more pushy later, especially if wood has shifted into bends.
More route and safety guidance
  • Artemus is a rough gravel-bar access that may be muddy or unsuitable for some vehicles, so scout the take-out before committing the shuttle.
  • Most banks between the named accesses are private, so plan breaks around the official endpoints rather than improvised stops.
Terms and safety
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Conditions

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Tomorrow and the weekend

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Station details and river cameras

Sources and methodology

Review source dates and published guidance below. We have not inspected this trip in person.

Data reliability: checking
Data status
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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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Water levels, published guidance and update times

These readings and published water-level limits help explain today’s score.

Gauge siteCumberland River at Williamsburg, KY
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Preferred range300 cfs to 700 cfs
Low threshold300 cfs
High threshold700 cfs
Evidence strength behind the rangeOfficial data source
Gauge observedChecking
Paddle Today updatedChecking
Main source behind this scoreKDFWR Upper Cumberland recommended Williamsburg flow band
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Published 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 segment4 Mile Ramp to Artemus Rock Access, 9.8 mi

    KDFWR lists this exact Upper Cumberland site-to-site mileage.

    Source

  • Official level band300-700 cfs or 3.0-3.8 ft good

    KDFWR rates the Williamsburg gauge as Low below 300 cfs or 3.0 ft, Good from 300 to 700 cfs or 3.0 to 3.8 ft, and High above that.

    Source

  • Put-in access4 Mile Ramp, 36.7930, -83.7534

    KDFWR access detail confirms the public ramp under the US-25E bridge north of Pineville.

    Source

  • Take-out accessArtemus Rock Access, 36.8240, -83.8440

    KDFWR access detail confirms the public gravel-bar take-out south of Artemus and warns that it can be rough and muddy.

    Source

  • Gauge check during route review · 2026-07-03USGS 03404000 at 1010 cfs / 4.20 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.

    Source

  • Camping postureNo documented public camping at either endpoint

    KDFWR access detail for 4 Mile lists camping as None, and Artemus is documented as a rough access rather than an overnight facility.

    Source

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