Boone Creek, Kentucky, US

KY 418 Bridge to Kentucky R. (6.3 miles)

Boone Creek Rapid

Boone Creek Rapid
Photo of travis Bolinger by Barry Grimes taken 05/15/03 @ Low

River Description

Boone is not really a "playful" stream but rather a beautiful and continuous class II(III) run more appreciated for it's remote, wilderness feeling and incredible scenery than it's surfing potential.

Boone Creek however has had a dark and deserved reputation as a killer stream throughout it's history by claiming the lives of several unprepared paddlers. In the early 90's even a supposedly seasoned and veteran class IV paddler drowned after being pinned in one of the frequent strainers that appear on that narrow, twisting stream. In all cases these deaths were due to very high flows and a general lack of respect for the potential dangers of fences and tree strainers on Boone Creek. The local Lexington boating organization, the Bluegrass Wildwater Association has even been called upon to help search for the bodies of drowning victims in order to save the local volunteer fire department from suffering a drowning itself. If you paddle Boone at higher flows be extremely cautious in your descent and carefully scout the many blind bends which may be completely blocked by river wide obstructions. Be advised that the strainer situation can change at any time - especially after heavy, windy rains which are likely to topple trees from the steep banks into the creek.

There are 2 putins for Boone Creek. The bridge on Athens-Boonesboro road (KY 418) near the Christian camp is the upper-most put-in. Do not attempt to park in the campground (Fayette County) but rather cross the bridge (into Clark county) and park along the small access road on the right just after crossing the creek. The 2nd put-in is at the bridge over the creek on Grimes Mill Rd near the private fox hunt club. Parking is very limited at both putins so try to leave as many vehicles as possible at the takeout where ample parking is usually available.

The Boone Creek takeout involves paddling a short stretch of KY River flatwater to the US 25 bridge over the KY River (directly under the I-75 bridge). The total length of Boone from the Christian Camp to the US 25 bridge is about 6.3 miles.