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West Virginia | Lower Elk / Elk River Water Trail

Elk RiverKing Shoals DNR Access to Queen Shoals DNR Access

Elk River King Shoals DNR Access to Queen Shoals DNR Access is a 3.5 mi Class I-II run documented by official route and access sources.

Route location

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Plan this route

Distance3.5 mi
DifficultyEasy
Typical timeAbout 2–4 hr depending on flow
ShuttleCar shuttle
The Elk River Water Trail passes through West Virginia.
Route photoElk River Water Trail; same-river contextPhoto by Lance Cheung / USDA via Wikimedia Commons

Need to know

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Route overview

Trip details

Access rules, camping, seasonal conditions and trip length.

Distance, difficulty, rules and camping
On-water distance3.5 miKing Shoals DNR Access to Queen Shoals DNR Access
DifficultyeasyEasy Class I-II moving water for prepared paddlers, with low-water dragging and changing access conditions possible.
ShuttleCar shuttleStage at Queen Shoals, then shuttle upstream on WV-4 to King Shoals. Keep vehicles fully off travel lanes and respect posted access hours.
PermitsNone notedNo route-specific permit is published for the named public endpoints. Follow current West Virginia boating/PFD rules, posted access rules, and any closure or water-quality notice.
CampingDay tripNo on-route camping is assumed. Use separately verified lodging or campgrounds around Clendenin, Clay, or the wider Elk River Water Trail.
SeasonApr-OctLate spring through fall; September is attractive when the gauge is stable and the river has enough depth for the chosen craft.

Plan ahead

Tomorrow and the weekend

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Plan

Plan your trip

Launch points, shuttle details, distance, and access notes.

Route logistics

Access and shuttle

Short public-access Elk River float with a direct Queen Shoals gauge and a deliberately conservative low/high screen.

Access map

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Start

Put-in

King Shoals DNR Access
Open mapDirections to put-in

King Shoals has a small gravel lot and Queen Shoals has limited dirt/gravel parking; estimates differ by source, so confirm space, access hours, and surface conditions before unloading.

Finish

Take-out

Queen Shoals DNR Access
Open mapDirections to take-out

Use only the named public access properties. Do not launch from private riverbank pull-offs or the closed Mink Shoals site downstream.

Road shuttle

Driving shuttle routeShuttle in Apple MapsOpenStreetMap
Access notes and hazards

Access caveats

  • King Shoals has a small gravel lot and Queen Shoals has limited dirt/gravel parking; estimates differ by source, so confirm space, access hours, and surface conditions before unloading.
  • Use only the named public access properties. Do not launch from private riverbank pull-offs or the closed Mink Shoals site downstream.

Watch for

  • USGS 03197000 stage outside the conservative 4.5–8.0 ft screen, a rising hydrograph, or heavy recent rain.
  • Shallow shoals, submerged wood, muddy carries, cold water, private banks, and limited cell service.

Plan this paddle

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Trip schedule

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Conditions

Water levels, gauge history, and hourly forecast

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Gauge detail

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Gauge

Recent trend

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Weather

Hourly forecast

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Route gallery

Photos

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The Elk River Water Trail passes through West Virginia.
Elk River Water Trail; same-river contextPhoto by Lance Cheung / USDA via Wikimedia Commons
Wikimedia Commons: Public domain

Score & sources

Why this score

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Data status
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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.

Why
  • Checking data sources and update times.
Data behind the scoreWater levels, published guidance and update times

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

Gauge siteElk River at Queen Shoals, WV
Gauge heightChecking
DischargeChecking
24h trendChecking
24h changeChecking
Current bandChecking
Rain last 24hChecking
Rain last 72hChecking
Air tempChecking
Water tempChecking
WindChecking
GustsChecking
Rain timingChecking
Preferred range4.80 ft to 6.50 ft
Low threshold4.50 ft
High threshold8.00 ft
Evidence strength behind the rangeLocal route guidance
Gauge observedChecking
Paddle Today updatedChecking
Main source behind this scoreConservative 4.5–8.0 ft planning screen inferred from the WVDNR 3.5-mile float listing, USGS 03197000 stage history, and Elk Water Trail shallow-water guidance; not an official runnable range
Gauge sourceChecking
Weather sourceChecking
Rainfall sourceChecking
NotesWhat to know before you go

These notes cover the access details, route quirks, and source caveats most likely to matter once you get there.

  • Named route corridorKing Shoals DNR Access to Queen Shoals DNR Access; 3.5 mi; Class I-II

    The WVDNR District 3 guide lists this exact float distance, while the State Parks and water-trail sources identify both public endpoints.

    Source

  • Public access endpointsKing Shoals 38.504732,-81.232135 to Queen Shoals 38.472008,-81.283631

    The Elk River Water Trail map publishes distinct GPS coordinates for both public access sites; verify parking and launch conditions day-of.

    Source

  • GaugeUSGS 03197000 stage telemetry

    Official same-river gauge used for the route planning screen; verify current value and trend before launch.

    Source

Verify it yourselfCheck the source links

Use these links to double-check the gauge, route details, and access notes before you head out.

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Keep exploring

More routes to check next

Compare another stretch on this river, or explore different rivers within 75 straight-line miles.

More in West Virginia

All 56 routes
West Virginia route guideBrowse every tracked West Virginia route.Lower Elk / Elk River Water TrailJump to routes in this region.

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All 6
Blue Creek DNR Access to Charleston Civic Center AccessLower Elk / Charleston urban water trailEasy · 13.8 miClendenin South DNR Access to Blue Creek DNR AccessLower Elk / Elk River Water TrailEasy · 5.4 miFrametown Bridge public access to Duck public accessCentral West Virginia / Elk River Water TrailEasy · 9 miQueen Shoals DNR Access to Clendenin North DNR AccessLower Elk / Elk River Water TrailEasy · 3 mi

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Big Coal RiverJohn Slack Park to Dartmont Park · about 34 straight-line mi awayEasy · 10.5 miBig Coal RiverDartmont Park to Sproul Road Launch · about 34 straight-line mi awayEasy · 6.5 miBig Coal RiverSproul Road Launch to Alum Creek Lions Club Park · about 35 straight-line mi awayEasy · 6 miCoal RiverMeadowood Park to Lower Falls · about 35 straight-line mi awayEasy · 6 mi

Quick answers

Elk River paddling FAQ

What water level is best for the King Shoals DNR Access to Queen Shoals DNR Access route on the Elk River?

Paddle Today watches Elk River at Queen Shoals, WV and treats 4.80 ft to 6.50 ft as the target band for this route, with weather and recent trend included in the final score.

Where does the King Shoals DNR Access to Queen Shoals DNR Access route on the Elk River start and end?

This route starts at King Shoals DNR Access and ends at Queen Shoals DNR Access, 3.5 mi on the water.

Is the King Shoals DNR Access to Queen Shoals DNR Access route on the Elk River suitable for beginners?

This is listed as an easy route, but conditions still matter. Check today's score, water level, weather, and access notes before you go.

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