See all 10 routes on Upper Cumberland River
Kentucky | Daniel Boone Country
Upper Cumberland RiverArtemus Rock Access to Barbourville Ramp
Short Upper Cumberland day from Artemus Rock Access to Barbourville Ramp at Thompson Park. KDFWR lists this exact 5.1-mile segment and ties it to the same official Williamsburg gauge ladder used for the broader 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
Put in at Artemus Rock Access and take out at Barbourville Ramp for the short official Upper Cumberland segment into Thompson Park. The route is manageable at normal water, but the rough put-in and rain-sensitive current still deserve attention.
Access map
Put-in
Artemus Rock AccessKDFWR says the path to Artemus can be rough and muddy, and the gravel bar may not suit every vehicle. Confirm shuttle practicality before you launch.
Take-out
Barbourville RampBarbourville is the clean public finish. Do not rely on bridge shoulders or private banks between Artemus and town as substitute take-outs.
Road shuttle
Leave the downstream vehicle at Thompson Park in Barbourville, then drive back to Artemus. The shuttle is short, but the rough gravel-bar put-in is worth scouting before you commit the carry and parking.
Additional access notes
- Even on this shorter segment, higher water above the official good band can hide more of the shallow features and make the current feel pushier than expected.
More route and safety guidance
- Artemus is a rough gravel-bar access that may be muddy or unsuitable for some vehicles, so scout shuttle logistics before committing the run.
- Most banks between the named accesses are private, so plan breaks around the official endpoints rather than improvised bars.
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Conditions
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Station details and river cameras
Station observations
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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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| 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 |
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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 segmentArtemus Rock Access to Barbourville Ramp, 5.1 mi
KDFWR lists this exact Upper Cumberland site-to-site mileage.
- 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 accessArtemus Rock Access, 36.8240, -83.8440
KDFWR access detail confirms the public gravel-bar access south of Artemus and warns that the path can be rough and muddy.
- Take-out accessBarbourville Ramp, 36.8603, -83.8893
KDFWR access detail confirms the public Thompson Park ramp with paved parking and other 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 1130 cfs / 4.38 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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