West Virginia | Lower Elk / Elk River Water Trail
Elk RiverQueen Shoals DNR Access to Clendenin North DNR Access
Elk River Queen Shoals DNR Access to Clendenin North DNR Access is a 3 mi Class I-II run documented by official route and access sources.
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Route location
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Need to know
Why this call
Route overview
Trip details
Access rules, camping, seasonal conditions and trip length.
Distance, difficulty, rules and camping
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 into Clendenin with a direct Queen Shoals gauge, a paved DNR take-out, and a conservative shallow-water stage screen.
Access map
Put-in
Queen Shoals DNR AccessQueen Shoals is a gravel lot with a short carry and posted 10pm–6am closure except for fishing and launching; use the named DNR property rather than adjacent private riverbank.
Take-out
Clendenin North DNR AccessClendenin North has paved parking, lighting, a paved ramp, five trailer spaces, and a 10pm closure; confirm the gate and parking layout before staging.
Road shuttle
Access notes and hazards
Access caveats
- Queen Shoals is a gravel lot with a short carry and posted 10pm–6am closure except for fishing and launching; use the named DNR property rather than adjacent private riverbank.
- Clendenin North has paved parking, lighting, a paved ramp, five trailer spaces, and a 10pm closure; confirm the gate and parking layout before staging.
- Do not substitute Clendenin South, Walnut Street, or the closed Mink Shoals site without a separate access check; the route ends at Clendenin North.
Watch for
- USGS 03197000 stage outside the conservative 4.5–8.0 ft screen, a rising hydrograph, heavy recent rain, or a mismatch with local water.
- Shallow shoals, submerged wood, muddy carries, cold water, private banks, limited cell service outside town, and night closures.
Plan this paddle
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Conditions
Water levels, gauge history, and hourly forecast
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USGS measurements
More about this gauge
These measurements come from the gauge station. Water depth and current can differ along your trip.
River camera · USGS
View at the gauge
Elk River at Queen Shoals, WV. This view may be outside your paddling reach. Images are periodic and do not establish safe conditions.
Gauge detail
Water-level history and forecastDetailed view
Gauge
Recent trend
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Gauge source
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Hourly forecast
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Short-route forecast
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Route gallery
Photos
Check each caption: some photos show the surrounding area rather than this exact trip.
Score & sources
Why this score
See the gauge, weather, and source notes behind today’s call.
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 | Elk River at Queen Shoals, WV |
| Gauge height | Checking |
| Discharge | Checking |
| 24h trend | Checking |
| 24h change | Checking |
| Current band | Checking |
| Rain last 24h | Checking |
| Rain last 72h | Checking |
| Air temp | Checking |
| Water temp | Checking |
| Wind | Checking |
| Gusts | Checking |
| Rain timing | Checking |
| Preferred range | 4.80 ft to 6.50 ft |
| Low threshold | 4.50 ft |
| High threshold | 8.00 ft |
| Evidence strength behind the range | Local route guidance |
| Gauge observed | Checking |
| Paddle Today updated | Checking |
| Main source behind this score | Conservative 4.5–8.0 ft planning screen inferred from the WVDNR 3.0-mile access listing, USGS 03197000 stage history, and Elk Water Trail shallow-water guidance; not an official runnable range |
| Gauge source | Checking |
| Weather source | Checking |
| Rainfall source | Checking |
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 corridorQueen Shoals DNR Access to Clendenin North DNR Access; 3 mi; Class I-II
The Clendenin North water-trail page lists a 3.0-mile distance from the previous Queen Shoals access and calls this an excellent float into Clendenin.
- Public access endpointsQueen Shoals 38.471787,-81.282635 to Clendenin North 38.489833,-81.331372
The water-trail access pages publish the endpoint coordinates, ownership, parking, ramp, and operating-hour details; confirm conditions day-of.
- GaugeUSGS 03197000 stage telemetry
Official same-river gauge used for the route planning screen; verify current value and trend before launch.
Verify it yourselfCheck the source links
Use these links to double-check the gauge, route details, and access notes before you head out.
Paddler reports
Recent notes from paddlers
A few quick notes from people who were on this route recently.
Reports
Paddler reports
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Keep exploring
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Compare another stretch on this river, or explore different rivers within 75 straight-line miles.
Quick answers
Elk River paddling FAQ
What water level is best for the Queen Shoals DNR Access to Clendenin North 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 Queen Shoals DNR Access to Clendenin North DNR Access route on the Elk River start and end?
This route starts at Queen Shoals DNR Access and ends at Clendenin North DNR Access, 3 mi on the water.
Is the Queen Shoals DNR Access to Clendenin North 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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