Kentucky | Eastern Kentucky

Tygarts Creek

Olive Hill Depot Trailhead and Campground Access to Carter Caves State Park

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Today

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Quick facts

On-water distance About 12.5 mi Olive Hill Depot Trailhead and Campground Access to Carter Caves State Park

Difficulty moderate At normal levels KDFWR describes the float as beginner- and family-suitable, but the 12.5-mile length, shallow riffles, remote gorge, tight bluff turns, wood, and borderline Class II behavior above 300 cfs make it a guarded moving-water route rather than a casual park float.

Shuttle Car shuttle Stage the take-out at the Carter Caves State Park carry-down access by the KY 182 bridge, then drive back to Olive Hill Depot Trailhead and Campground Access on Tygart Street. This is a long one-way gorge shuttle; confirm the take-out steps and parking before launching.

Permits None noted No route-specific paddling permit is known. Use only the KDFWR-listed public carry-down accesses, follow Kentucky boating and PFD rules, obey Carter Caves State Resort Park rules, and respect private property along the corridor.

Camping Day trip Treat this as a long day trip unless separately arranging legal camping. The route starts at the Olive Hill trailhead/campground area and ends at Carter Caves, but no mid-route camping plan is assumed.

Season Mar-Nov Tygarts Creek is often low and skinny in summer. KDFWR points to mid-September through November as a better floating window once water cools, while spring and wetter shoulder-season periods can also provide enough flow.

Plan

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Access plan

Access, shuttle, and map

Launch at Olive Hill Depot Trailhead and Campground Access and take out 12.5 miles downstream at Carter Caves State Park near the KY 182 bridge. KDFWR warns that below 150 cfs the route is hard to finish in a day and above 300 cfs the gorge becomes more challenging.

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Start

Put-in

Olive Hill Depot Trailhead and Campground Access Open map

Olive Hill Carrydown is a KDFWR public carry-down site through Tygarts Creek Rail Trail Park with paved parking but no listed restrooms, dock, or ramp amenities.

Finish

Take-out

Carter Caves State Park / KY 182 bridge access Open map

Carter Caves State Park is a KDFWR public carry-down access with unpaved parking near the KY 182 bridge. Use the access area and wooden-step take-out cue rather than spreading out on park or private banks.

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Access caveats

Olive Hill Carrydown is a KDFWR public carry-down site through Tygarts Creek Rail Trail Park with paved parking but no listed restrooms, dock, or ramp amenities.
Carter Caves State Park is a KDFWR public carry-down access with unpaved parking near the KY 182 bridge. Use the access area and wooden-step take-out cue rather than spreading out on park or private banks.
KDFWR says the take-out steps are on river left about 150 yards upstream of the KY 182 bridge after the Devil's Backbone turns and Smoky Creek confluence. Missing them can complicate the exit.
The 12.5-mile length leaves little margin for late starts, low-water dragging, fishing delays, or scouting stops.

Watch for

Shallow riffles, shoals, and boat dragging below about 150 cfs.
Borderline Class II rapids, faster current, and harder ferry/eddy moves above about 300 cfs.
Strong current pushing into overhanging bluffs, especially through tight bends in the gorge.
Wood, fallen treetops, strainers, blind corners, and fresh storm debris.
Remote gorge logistics, limited intermediate exits, daylight pressure, and park/access rules at Carter Caves.

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Sources

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Data behind the score Gauge, thresholds, and timing

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Gauge site	Tygarts Creek near Greenup, KY
Discharge	Checking
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Target band	150 cfs to 300 cfs
Low threshold	150 cfs
High threshold	300 cfs
Data confidence behind the range	Official data source
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Main source behind this score	KDFWR Tygarts Creek Blue Water Trail level guidance
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Notes What to know before you go

These notes cover the access details, route quirks, and source caveats most likely to matter once you get there.

KDFWR level guidance 150-300 cfs guarded window

KDFWR says less than 150 cfs makes this reach hard to finish in a day and more than 300 cfs increases difficulty with borderline Class II rapids and strong current against overhanging bluffs.

Source
Public route shape Olive Hill Depot to Carter Caves, 12.5 mi

KDFWR describes a 12.5-mile Blue Water Trail float from Olive Hill Depot Trailhead and Campground Access to the KY 182 bridge at Carter Caves State Resort Park.

Source
Endpoint coordinates 38.2993, -83.1745 to 38.3676, -83.1089

KDFWR access-detail records list Olive Hill Carrydown and Carter Caves State Park as public carry-down-only Tygarts Creek accesses with coordinates and parking information.

Source
Live direct gauge USGS 03217000 at 222 cfs / 3.68 ft

USGS Water Services returned same-day discharge and gage height at 09:45 EDT on June 1, 2026 for Tygarts Creek near Greenup.

Source
Take-out cue Wooden steps on river left before KY 182

KDFWR says to look for wooden steps cut into the left bank about 150 yards upstream of the KY 182 bridge after the Devil's Backbone turns and Smoky Creek confluence.

Source

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Quick answers

Tygarts Creek paddling FAQ

What water level is good for paddling Tygarts Creek?

Paddle Today watches Tygarts Creek near Greenup, KY and treats 150 cfs to 300 cfs as the target band for this route, with weather and recent trend included in the final score.

Where does this Tygarts Creek route start and end?

This route starts at Olive Hill Depot Trailhead and Campground Access and ends at Carter Caves State Park / KY 182 bridge access, about About 12.5 mi on the water.

Is this Tygarts Creek route good for beginners?

This is listed as a moderate route. Expect more planning than an easy float, and use the live score, route notes, and source links before committing.

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