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West Virginia | Cabell County / lower Guyandotte Water Trail

Guyandotte RiverSalt Rock public access to Barboursville Park public access

Guyandotte River Salt Rock public access to Barboursville Park public access is a 16.8 mi Class I run documented by official route and access sources.

Route location

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Plan this route

Distance16.8 mi
DifficultyModerate
Typical timeAbout 9–13 hr depending on flow
ShuttleCar shuttle
The Guyandotte River at West Logan, West Virginia.
Route photoGuyandotte River at West Logan; same-river contextPhoto by Wikimedia Commons contributor

Need to know

Why this call
This route is documented for planning, but does not receive a Paddle Today score.
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Route overview

Trip details

Access rules, camping, seasonal conditions and trip length.

Distance, difficulty, rules and camping
On-water distance16.8 miSalt Rock public access to Barboursville Park public access
DifficultymoderateModerate Class I moving water primarily because of the 16.8-mile endurance commitment, limited bailout assumptions, and difficult take-out carry.
ShuttleCar shuttleStage at Barboursville Park, then drive Route 49/10 and local roads to Salt Rock. Confirm park hours, legal parking, and the steep take-out carry before unloading the shuttle.
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 near Barboursville, Huntington, or Hamlin; the 16.8-mile route should be planned as a daylight day trip rather than an improvised overnight.
SeasonApr-OctSpring through fall; September is suitable only with a stable Branchland proxy, limited rainfall, acceptable water quality, enough daylight, and a confirmed Barboursville take-out carry.

Plan ahead

Tomorrow and the weekend

Forecasts can change. Check current conditions again before leaving.

TomorrowChecking

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Plan

Plan your trip

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

Route logistics

Access and shuttle

Long 16.8-mile lower-Guyandotte water-trail endurance route from Salt Rock to Barboursville Park, with a steep take-out carry and an upstream Branchland stage proxy.

Access map

Skip map

Pulling access map tiles. Usually under 5 seconds.

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Start

Put-in

Salt Rock WVDNR public access
Open mapDirections to put-in

Salt Rock is a WVDNR-listed public access; confirm the carry, parking, signage, and current condition before launching.

Finish

Take-out

Barboursville Park public access
Open mapDirections to take-out

The Barboursville Park take-out is described as a steep, slippery carry with improvements expected; inspect the route from the water and confirm current park access before committing.

Road shuttle

Driving shuttle routeShuttle in Apple MapsOpenStreetMap
Access notes and hazards

Access caveats

  • Salt Rock is a WVDNR-listed public access; confirm the carry, parking, signage, and current condition before launching.
  • The Barboursville Park take-out is described as a steep, slippery carry with improvements expected; inspect the route from the water and confirm current park access before committing.
  • Do not substitute private river frontage or bridge shoulders for either named access, and do not assume camping or overnight vehicle storage at the lots.

Watch for

  • USGS 03204000 proxy stage outside the conservative 3.5–16 ft screen, a sharp rise, or a mismatch between Branchland telemetry and local conditions.
  • Low-water scraping, strainers, submerged debris, cold water, private banks, fatigue, changing water quality, and the steep Barboursville carry.

Plan this paddle

Choose your trip times

No account needed. Check the selected access points above, then choose both dates and times. For an overnight paddle, set take-out to the following date.

Trip schedule

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Conditions

Water levels, gauge history, and hourly forecast

Check the forecast and local water levels before launching.

Gauge detail

Water-level history and forecastDetailed view

Gauge

Recent trend

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Weather

Hourly forecast

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Next 8 hours

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Route gallery

Photos

Check each caption: some photos show the surrounding area rather than this exact trip.

The Guyandotte River at West Logan, West Virginia.
Guyandotte River at West Logan; same-river contextPhoto by Wikimedia Commons contributor
Wikimedia Commons: CC BY 4.0

Sources

Data and sources

Read the access and hazard notes and check the linked guides. We do not issue a daily score for this trip.

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 corridorSalt Rock to Barboursville Park; Trip 20; 16.8 mi; long hard-paddling day

    Guyandotte Water Trail Map 5 publishes the exact trip length, endpoint names, road approach, and a warning that the Barboursville take-out is currently a steep, slippery carry.

    Source

  • Public access and gauge relationshipSalt Rock WVDNR access 38.3107,-82.2213 to Barboursville Park 38.393,-82.320; Branchland gauge is an upstream proxy

    WVDNR District 5 lists Salt Rock as a Guyandotte lot, while the water-trail map documents the Barboursville Park endpoint. USGS 03204000 at Branchland is retained as an upstream same-river proxy and must be paired with local visual conditions.

    Source

  • GaugeUSGS 03204000 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.

Reports

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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.

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Quick answers

Guyandotte River paddling FAQ

What water level is best for the Salt Rock public access to Barboursville Park public access route on the Guyandotte River?

This planning route has no live Paddle Today score. Review the linked water-level sources, current access notices and route-specific hazards before travel.

Where does the Salt Rock public access to Barboursville Park public access route on the Guyandotte River start and end?

This route starts at Salt Rock WVDNR public access and ends at Barboursville Park public access, 16.8 mi on the water.

Is the Salt Rock public access to Barboursville Park public access route on the Guyandotte River suitable for beginners?

This is listed as a moderate route. Review the difficulty notes, hazards and current access conditions against your group's skills. No live score assesses this trip.

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