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West Virginia | Southern West Virginia / Little Coal Water Trail
Little Coal RiverBoone County Water Park to The Forks of Coal public access
Little Coal River Boone County Water Park to The Forks of Coal public access is a 12 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
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Plan
Plan your trip
Launch points, shuttle details, distance, and access notes.
Route logistics
Access and shuttle
Long 12-mile Little Coal L-3 reach from the Boone County Water Park north ramp to The Forks of Coal public access, using Danville as an upstream gauge proxy.
Access map
Put-in
Boone County Water Park north public accessBoone County Water Park is a public campground/boat-access anchor; confirm the north ramp, campground gate hours, and event/maintenance closures before launch.
Take-out
The Forks of Coal public accessThe Forks of Coal endpoint replaces the brochure's off-channel Corridor G coordinate. Confirm the public lot, carry path, confluence conditions, and legal vehicle staging before committing to the float.
Road shuttle
Access notes and hazards
Access caveats
- Boone County Water Park is a public campground/boat-access anchor; confirm the north ramp, campground gate hours, and event/maintenance closures before launch.
- The Forks of Coal endpoint replaces the brochure's off-channel Corridor G coordinate. Confirm the public lot, carry path, confluence conditions, and legal vehicle staging before committing to the float.
- Intermediate parks and campground sites are not automatic bailouts. Land only at open, signed public access and do not continue into L-4 without a separate route plan.
Watch for
- USGS 03199000 discharge outside the 80–1,100 cfs conservative screen, a sharp rise, or a mismatch between upstream Danville telemetry and lower Little Coal conditions.
- Shallow riffles, restoration structures, strainers, submerged debris, private banks, cold water, Corridor G bridge traffic, confluence current, and limited cell service.
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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
Little Coal River at Danville, 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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Route gallery
Photos
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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 corridorBoone County Water Park toward Corridor G / The Forks of Coal; 12 mi L-3
The current Coal River Water Trail brochure names L-3, gives a 12-mile route, and identifies the north Water Park ramp and bridge-area take-out. Its printed longitude places the bridge marker off the Little Coal channel near Fuquay Creek, so the route uses the WVDNR-listed The Forks of Coal public access for a verifiable endpoint; the brochure's approximately 15-mile drift note remains visible.
- Public access endpointsBoone County Water Park 38.1811,-81.8491 to The Forks of Coal 38.2670,-81.8052
WVDNR lists both the Water Park/Upper Waterways chain and The Forks of Coal as public Little Coal access lots. The Forks endpoint replaces the brochure's off-channel bridge coordinate; confirm the carry path, parking, and any confluence/traffic hazards before staging.
- GaugeUSGS 03199000 discharge 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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Quick answers
Little Coal River paddling FAQ
What water level is best for the Boone County Water Park to The Forks of Coal public access route on the Little Coal 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 Boone County Water Park to The Forks of Coal public access route on the Little Coal River start and end?
This route starts at Boone County Water Park north public access and ends at The Forks of Coal public access, 12 mi on the water.
Is the Boone County Water Park to The Forks of Coal public access route on the Little Coal 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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