Rockcastle River, KY to Cumberland River Trip Information

I don't know of a better area to ask for information, so if there is one, please point me to it.

I live in southern Ohio (just above Dayton) and am looking at local river trips. I've been on Rockcastle River in Kentucky for short recreational purposes and am now looking to do a canoe trip from around Livingston all the way to the Cumberland River. I know there is an area where whitewater kayakers run some rapids, and the assumption is that I can portage downstream since they portage upstream. I've mined youtube for videos and have found a few that have camped, but nothing that is like a detailed trip report that I'd like before jumping into my canoe. It looks like I could do the best planning I an and things would work out, but I'd live some direct experience.

So ... any Rockastle River, KY trippers?

I did the Rockcastle once back in the mid 1970s, but don't remember anything about it. Here are a couple links to some sketchy info:
They claim there's some class 4 whitewater in there, but I don't remember, just too long ago now. I remember our trip as high water.
There seem to be some boat rental shops around London, and you could try there for info, too.

Nick Pending said:

I did the Rockcastle once back in the mid 1970s, but don't remember anything about it. Here are a couple links to some sketchy info:

Rockcastle River

fw.ky.gov

Rockcastle River in Kentucky

Before starting on your trip stop by the Rockcastle River Trading Company at the Rockcastle River Bridge on US 25. The first 4 miles of the trip the river runs adjacent to the main line of the C&X railroad. At the 4-mile point we floated by the scenic Rockcastle River Trading Co. At about the…

paddling.com

The Rockcastle River Narrows: A Kentucky Wild River Adventure — Explore Kentucky Initiative

This year we are celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act by sharing stories from adventures on the Kentucky wild rivers. The Red River is the commonwealth's sole waterway with national designation, however streams that include the Rockcastle River, Big South Fork of

www.explorekentucky.us

They claim there's some class 4 whitewater in there, but I don't remember, just too long ago now. I remember our trip as high water.
There seem to be some boat rental shops around London, and you could try there for info, too.

Click to expand...

Thanks; I'll read those! I do know that there are some whitewater areas that will need portaging around. Hopefully, those links will give the places to take out and then back in so I don't go around a corner and find myself in trouble. I read maps well, which helps, but nothing like information from those who have done what I'd like to do to help.

WonderMonkey said:

Thanks; I'll read those! I do know that there are some whitewater areas that will need portaging around. Hopefully, those links will give the places to take out and then back in so I don't go around a corner and find myself in trouble. I read maps well, which helps, but nothing like information from those who have done what I'd like to do to help.

Click to expand...

I don't think the writeups I linked are very extensive, and be sure to look at the dates, as I didn't do that. It's certainly more recent than my likely 50 year old memories would be though. They might provide more contact info, too. I didn't check for those, just collected a few likely looking prospects and sent. One of them had some pics of some fun-looking drop-pool rapids that would probably be more interesting than you'd like to contend with. The big problem is that anyone you talk to or correspond with won't know your skill level. Good luck.