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West Virginia | Lincoln/Cabell County line / lower Guyandotte Water Trail
Guyandotte RiverWest Hamlin public access to Salt Rock public access
Guyandotte River West Hamlin public access to Salt Rock public access is a 2.8 mi Class I 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 2.8-mile lower-Guyandotte water-trail float from the West Hamlin town ramp to Salt Rock, with a low gradient and an upstream Branchland stage proxy.
Access map
Put-in
West Hamlin public concrete rampWest Hamlin’s concrete ramp is behind the fire and police departments; keep emergency access clear and verify current parking or event restrictions.
Take-out
Salt Rock WVDNR public accessSalt Rock is a WVDNR-listed concrete-ramp access; confirm the carry, parking, signage, and current condition before relying on it as a take-out.
Road shuttle
Access notes and hazards
Access caveats
- West Hamlin’s concrete ramp is behind the fire and police departments; keep emergency access clear and verify current parking or event restrictions.
- Salt Rock is a WVDNR-listed concrete-ramp access; confirm the carry, parking, signage, and current condition before relying on it as a take-out.
- 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, changing water quality, and town/road traffic at the accesses.
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Conditions
Water levels, gauge history, and hourly forecast
Check the forecast and local water levels before launching.
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
Guyandotte River at Branchland, 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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Route gallery
Photos
Check each caption: some photos show the surrounding area rather than this exact trip.
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 corridorWest Hamlin to Salt Rock; Trip 19; 2.8 mi; suitable for most boats
Guyandotte Water Trail Map 5 publishes the route length, endpoint names, West Hamlin ramp directions, Salt Rock public-access directions, and approximately 1.5 feet per mile of drop.
- Public access and gauge relationshipWest Hamlin concrete ramp 38.287,-82.196 to Salt Rock WVDNR access 38.3107,-82.2213; Branchland gauge is an upstream proxy
WVDNR District 5 lists Salt Rock as a Guyandotte public access with concrete ramp, while the water-trail map documents the West Hamlin public ramp. USGS 03204000 at Branchland is retained as an upstream same-river proxy and must be paired with local conditions.
- GaugeUSGS 03204000 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
See recent photos and notes from people on the route.
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Quick answers
Guyandotte River paddling FAQ
What water level is best for the West Hamlin public access to Salt Rock 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 West Hamlin public access to Salt Rock public access route on the Guyandotte River start and end?
This route starts at West Hamlin public concrete ramp and ends at Salt Rock WVDNR public access, 2.8 mi on the water.
Is the West Hamlin public access to Salt Rock public access route on the Guyandotte River suitable for beginners?
This is listed as a easy 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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