Paddling Elkhorn Creek Palisades.

The Palisades of the Elkhorn is a 6 mile trip.  There are rapids up to class 3 when the water is high.  Towering palisade walls up to 350 feet tall.  The put in is at the forks of the Elkhorn on Rte 460.  Once on the water you will arrive first to church ledge.  This is a great feature to learn to surf a kayak, canoe or SUP.  It is also easy to take out here if the water seems too rough or cold.   Moving downstream you will pass the Jim Beam Distillery at this point there is a mandatory portage of the dam.  Do this on the LEFT side.   After the dam is one of the best surfing waves on the river, DAM WAVE.  Now you are committed.  Paddling farther in you will pass 2 more rapids and find the largets wall of the palisades on the right.   Lunch stop rapid is below these amazing cliffs and is a great spot for a lunch.  

10 more rapids are spread out downstream.  All of these are no more difficult than class 2.  You will have the choice of going left or right around a large island, the left is Surf City and the right channel is called Angioplasty.   Only a few rapids left after this.  There is a nice promontory point on the right side and this is an alternate take out.  Sofley's is at 4 miles and the American Whitewater take out is 2 miles more downstream.   This can be accessed after passing under the only bridge on the run.

Its an amazing place, if you are a paddler and find yourself in KY its well worth the visit.