See all 10 routes on Upper Cumberland River
Kentucky | Daniel Boone Country
Upper Cumberland River4 Mile Ramp to Barbourville Ramp
Mid-length Upper Cumberland float from 4 Mile Ramp to Barbourville Ramp at Thompson Park. KDFWR lists the public chain as 4 Mile to Artemus at 9.8 miles plus Artemus to Barbourville at 5.1 miles, supporting this about 14.9-mile combination on the official Williamsburg gauge ladder.
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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 4 Mile Ramp and finish at Barbourville Ramp for an Upper Cumberland combination built from the official 4-Mile-to-Artemus and Artemus-to-Barbourville segments. Use the Williamsburg gauge and expect stronger current whenever the river is above the 300 to 700 cfs good band.
Access map
Put-in
4 Mile RampArtemus sits mid-corridor and is a rough gravel-bar access rather than a clean casual bailout. Do not assume it will solve problems easily once the route is underway.
Take-out
Barbourville RampBarbourville is the intended public finish with the cleanest downstream services. Do not count on bridge shoulders or private banks as substitute exits.
Road shuttle
Leave the downstream vehicle at Thompson Park in Barbourville, then drive back to 4 Mile Ramp. The shuttle is reasonable, but this is still a meaningful river day rather than an in-town park loop.
Additional access notes
- At higher water the route can feel straightforward at the start and noticeably pushier later, especially when landing at Thompson Park.
More route and safety guidance
- The route passes the rough Artemus access mid-corridor, but paddlers should not treat it as an effortless bailout because the landing can be muddy and awkward.
- Most banks outside the named accesses are private, so the clean public finish remains Thompson Park in Barbourville.
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Conditions
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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
Cumberland River at Williamsburg, 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 | Cumberland River at Williamsburg, KY |
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| Rain last 24h | Checking |
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| Preferred range | 300 cfs to 700 cfs |
| Low threshold | 300 cfs |
| High threshold | 700 cfs |
| Evidence strength behind the range | Official data source |
| Gauge observed | Checking |
| Paddle Today updated | Checking |
| Main source behind this score | KDFWR Upper Cumberland recommended Williamsburg flow band |
| Gauge source | Checking |
| Weather source | Checking |
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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 chain4 Mile -> Artemus 9.8 mi plus Artemus -> Barbourville 5.1 mi
KDFWR lists both public site-to-site mileages on the Upper Cumberland corridor page, supporting this about 14.9-mile combination.
- 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.
- Put-in access4 Mile Ramp, 36.7930, -83.7534
KDFWR access detail confirms the public ramp under the US-25E bridge north of Pineville.
- Take-out accessBarbourville Ramp, 36.8603, -83.8893
KDFWR access detail confirms the public Thompson Park ramp with paved parking and park amenities.
- Camping supportThompson Park RV campground with full hookups
KDFWR says the Barbourville ramp sits in Thompson Park, which includes an RV campground with full hookups.
- 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.
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
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