Rockcastle, Kentucky, US

Beech Creek to Bee Rock Campground (5 miles) (Lower Rockcastle)

Running the Narrows

Running the Narrows
Photo of Andy taken 07/15/01 @ 400 cfs ?

Gauge Information

Name	Range	Difficulty	Updated	Level
ROCKCASTLE RIVER AT BILLOWS, KY
usgs-03406500	200 - 3000 cfs	III-IV	15h59m	1160 cfs (rc= 0.6 )
	Bigger, pushier flows (moderate to moderately-high).

River Description

Classic Cumberland Plateau boating. This narrow river has sections of whitewater to give any capable boater goose bumps. The narrows section is representative of the boulder choked, undercut, and sieved rapid-pool style whitewater associated with the Cumberland Plateau.

Class IV Beech Narrows is the only non-read-and-run rapid, making this 5 mile section of whitewater perfect for all skill levels. While remote and wild this section also has trails following the river on both sides eventually ending downstream at Bee Rock Campground.

The Rockcastle Narrows sections becomes very pushy and has a bigger water feel at levels above 1000 CFS. Bring your reliable roll when paddling this remote section of whitewater beauty.

In January 2007 the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced an emergency drawdown of Lake Cumberland, which the Rockcastle is a tributary of. This drawdown of 30-60 feet depending on what time of the year it is ensures that the entire Lower Narrows sections will not be covered by the lake like it is most of the year. The project to repair the dam, the reason for the drawdown, is expected to take 2-7 years depending upon the sucess and progress of the project.

A 25 minute park and hike-in shuttle takes the old monster drive/shuttle out of play. It is the 503 Trail that also connects to the 529 trail at Bee Rock Campground making the shuttle completely hikeable (~50 minutes). This completely takes out all the flat water sections of the Rockcastle except that between Beech and Lower Narrows.

The 503 trail actually hits the river downstream of Beech Narrows so you will probaby want ot turn left (upstream) when you intersect with the riverside trail on the hike in.

From Bee Rock take 192 west two miles then turn right onto Close Rd. Two (2) miles in be on the lookout for orange diamond shaped trail markers(labled 503) on the trees about 8 feet up on the left side of the road. Parking is immediately ahead on both sides of the road. Park off the road as there is regular traffic here. Never block road gates in the National Forest they are there for emergency purposes.

Here is a map of the Rockcastle whitewater section. It shows the old put in and take out along with routes of the whitewater run and the shuttle.