Kayak and canoe launches on Ohio River - West, Kentucky

21 launch sites on Ohio River - West from Kentucky Fish & Wildlife Access Sites. 12 are trailer ramps.

Fees: 21 list no fee, 0 list a fee, 0 not verified. Each listing names its source; check it before you go.

Sort these launches by distance from you

Launch sites A to Z

• Birdsville Ramp · Boat ramp (trailer)
  No fee listed by Kentucky Fish & Wildlife Access Sites (checked 2026-10-26) View in Google Earth (opens in a new tab) Directions (opens in a new tab)
  Getting to the water

  Launch surface

  Concrete or paved

  Dock or boarding float

  None listed

  • Concrete ramps can be slick with algae below the waterline: wear water shoes with grip. (REI Expert Advice)
  • Shared trailer ramp: get your boat and gear ready off to the side, then launch promptly so trailered boats can use the ramp. (American Canoe Association)

  Official fields: Kentucky Fish & Wildlife Access Sites. Check current conditions; water levels change the walk to the water.

• Blackburn · Boat ramp (trailer)
  No fee listed by Kentucky Fish & Wildlife Access Sites (checked 2026-10-26) View in Google Earth (opens in a new tab) Directions (opens in a new tab)
  Getting to the water

  Launch surface

  Concrete or paved

  Dock or boarding float

  None listed

  • Concrete ramps can be slick with algae below the waterline: wear water shoes with grip. (REI Expert Advice)
  • Shared trailer ramp: get your boat and gear ready off to the side, then launch promptly so trailered boats can use the ramp. (American Canoe Association)

  Official fields: Kentucky Fish & Wildlife Access Sites. Check current conditions; water levels change the walk to the water.

• Broadway Street Ramp · Boat ramp (trailer)
  No fee listed by Kentucky Fish & Wildlife Access Sites (checked 2026-10-26) View in Google Earth (opens in a new tab) Directions (opens in a new tab)
  Getting to the water

  Launch surface

  Concrete or paved

  Dock or boarding float

  None listed

  • Concrete ramps can be slick with algae below the waterline: wear water shoes with grip. (REI Expert Advice)
  • Shared trailer ramp: get your boat and gear ready off to the side, then launch promptly so trailered boats can use the ramp. (American Canoe Association)

  Official fields: Kentucky Fish & Wildlife Access Sites. Check current conditions; water levels change the walk to the water.

• Carrsville · Boat ramp (small boats)
  No fee listed by Kentucky Fish & Wildlife Access Sites (checked 2026-10-26) View in Google Earth (opens in a new tab) Directions (opens in a new tab)
  Getting to the water

  Launch surface

  Concrete or paved

  Dock or boarding float

  None listed

  • Concrete ramps can be slick with algae below the waterline: wear water shoes with grip. (REI Expert Advice)

  Official fields: Kentucky Fish & Wildlife Access Sites. Check current conditions; water levels change the walk to the water.

• Caseyville · Boat ramp (small boats)
  No fee listed by Kentucky Fish & Wildlife Access Sites (checked 2026-10-26) View in Google Earth (opens in a new tab) Directions (opens in a new tab)
  Getting to the water

  Launch surface

  Concrete or paved

  Dock or boarding float

  None listed

  • Concrete ramps can be slick with algae below the waterline: wear water shoes with grip. (REI Expert Advice)

  Official fields: Kentucky Fish & Wildlife Access Sites. Check current conditions; water levels change the walk to the water.

• Cave-In-Rock Boat Ramp · Boat ramp (trailer)
  No fee listed by Kentucky Fish & Wildlife Access Sites (checked 2026-10-26) View in Google Earth (opens in a new tab) Directions (opens in a new tab)
  Getting to the water

  Launch surface

  Concrete or paved

  Dock or boarding float

  None listed

  • Concrete ramps can be slick with algae below the waterline: wear water shoes with grip. (REI Expert Advice)
  • Shared trailer ramp: get your boat and gear ready off to the side, then launch promptly so trailered boats can use the ramp. (American Canoe Association)

  Official fields: Kentucky Fish & Wildlife Access Sites. Check current conditions; water levels change the walk to the water.

• Davidson Memorial Boat Ramp · Boat ramp (trailer)
  No fee listed by Kentucky Fish & Wildlife Access Sites (checked 2026-10-26) View in Google Earth (opens in a new tab) Directions (opens in a new tab)
  Getting to the water

  Access details not published; check before you go.
• Dyer Creek Ramp · Boat ramp (small boats)
  No fee listed by Kentucky Fish & Wildlife Access Sites (checked 2026-10-26) View in Google Earth (opens in a new tab) Directions (opens in a new tab)
  Getting to the water

  Launch surface

  Concrete or paved

  Dock or boarding float

  None listed

  • Concrete ramps can be slick with algae below the waterline: wear water shoes with grip. (REI Expert Advice)

  Official fields: Kentucky Fish & Wildlife Access Sites. Check current conditions; water levels change the walk to the water.

• Elizabethtown Ferry · Boat ramp (trailer)
  No fee listed by Kentucky Fish & Wildlife Access Sites (checked 2026-10-26) View in Google Earth (opens in a new tab) Directions (opens in a new tab)
  Getting to the water

  Launch surface

  Concrete or paved

  Dock or boarding float

  None listed

  • Concrete ramps can be slick with algae below the waterline: wear water shoes with grip. (REI Expert Advice)
  • Shared trailer ramp: get your boat and gear ready off to the side, then launch promptly so trailered boats can use the ramp. (American Canoe Association)

  Official fields: Kentucky Fish & Wildlife Access Sites. Check current conditions; water levels change the walk to the water.

• Fort Massac State Park Ramp · Boat ramp (trailer)
  No fee listed by Kentucky Fish & Wildlife Access Sites (checked 2026-10-26) View in Google Earth (opens in a new tab) Directions (opens in a new tab)
  Getting to the water

  Launch surface

  Concrete or paved

  Dock or boarding float

  None listed

  • Concrete ramps can be slick with algae below the waterline: wear water shoes with grip. (REI Expert Advice)
  • Shared trailer ramp: get your boat and gear ready off to the side, then launch promptly so trailered boats can use the ramp. (American Canoe Association)

  Official fields: Kentucky Fish & Wildlife Access Sites. Check current conditions; water levels change the walk to the water.

• Ft. Defiance State Park Ramp · Boat ramp (trailer)
  No fee listed by Kentucky Fish & Wildlife Access Sites (checked 2026-10-26) View in Google Earth (opens in a new tab) Directions (opens in a new tab)
  Getting to the water

  Launch surface

  Concrete or paved

  Dock or boarding float

  None listed

  • Concrete ramps can be slick with algae below the waterline: wear water shoes with grip. (REI Expert Advice)
  • Shared trailer ramp: get your boat and gear ready off to the side, then launch promptly so trailered boats can use the ramp. (American Canoe Association)

  Official fields: Kentucky Fish & Wildlife Access Sites. Check current conditions; water levels change the walk to the water.

• Givens Creek Ramp · Boat ramp (small boats)
  No fee listed by Kentucky Fish & Wildlife Access Sites (checked 2026-10-26) View in Google Earth (opens in a new tab) Directions (opens in a new tab)
  Getting to the water

  Launch surface

  Concrete or paved

  Dock or boarding float

  None listed

  Carry from nearest mapped parking

  about 63 m (210 ft), straight line

  Elevation change, parking to launch point

  -4 ft (about 2% average grade)

  • Concrete ramps can be slick with algae below the waterline: wear water shoes with grip. (REI Expert Advice)

  Official fields: Kentucky Fish & Wildlife Access Sites. Carry distance: nearest parking mapped in OpenStreetMap (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL); elevations: USGS 3DEP. Check current conditions; water levels change the walk to the water.

• Golconda Marina Ramp · Boat ramp (trailer)
  No fee listed by Kentucky Fish & Wildlife Access Sites (checked 2026-10-26) View in Google Earth (opens in a new tab) Directions (opens in a new tab)
  Getting to the water

  Launch surface

  Concrete or paved

  Dock or boarding float

  None listed

  Accessible features

  Listed

  • Concrete ramps can be slick with algae below the waterline: wear water shoes with grip. (REI Expert Advice)
  • Shared trailer ramp: get your boat and gear ready off to the side, then launch promptly so trailered boats can use the ramp. (American Canoe Association)
  • Listed as having accessible features by the managing agency. Call ahead to confirm what is accessible (parking, path, dock or launch). (National Park Service)

  Official fields: Kentucky Fish & Wildlife Access Sites. Check current conditions; water levels change the walk to the water.

• Holloway Landing · Boat ramp (small boats)
  No fee listed by Kentucky Fish & Wildlife Access Sites (checked 2026-10-26) View in Google Earth (opens in a new tab) Directions (opens in a new tab)
  Getting to the water

  Launch surface

  Concrete or paved

  Dock or boarding float

  None listed

  • Concrete ramps can be slick with algae below the waterline: wear water shoes with grip. (REI Expert Advice)

  Official fields: Kentucky Fish & Wildlife Access Sites. Check current conditions; water levels change the walk to the water.

• Metropolis Ferry · Boat ramp (small boats)
  No fee listed by Kentucky Fish & Wildlife Access Sites (checked 2026-10-26) View in Google Earth (opens in a new tab) Directions (opens in a new tab)
  Getting to the water

  Launch surface

  Concrete or paved

  Dock or boarding float

  None listed

  • Concrete ramps can be slick with algae below the waterline: wear water shoes with grip. (REI Expert Advice)

  Official fields: Kentucky Fish & Wildlife Access Sites. Check current conditions; water levels change the walk to the water.

• Odgen Landing · Boat ramp (small boats)
  No fee listed by Kentucky Fish & Wildlife Access Sites (checked 2026-10-26) View in Google Earth (opens in a new tab) Directions (opens in a new tab)
  Getting to the water

  Access details not published; check before you go.
• Old Lock & Dam #50 · Boat ramp (trailer)
  No fee listed by Kentucky Fish & Wildlife Access Sites (checked 2026-10-26) View in Google Earth (opens in a new tab) Directions (opens in a new tab)
  Getting to the water

  Launch surface

  Concrete or paved

  Dock or boarding float

  None listed

  • Concrete ramps can be slick with algae below the waterline: wear water shoes with grip. (REI Expert Advice)
  • Shared trailer ramp: get your boat and gear ready off to the side, then launch promptly so trailered boats can use the ramp. (American Canoe Association)

  Official fields: Kentucky Fish & Wildlife Access Sites. Check current conditions; water levels change the walk to the water.

• Old Shawneetown Boat Ramp · Boat ramp (trailer)
  No fee listed by Kentucky Fish & Wildlife Access Sites (checked 2026-10-26) View in Google Earth (opens in a new tab) Directions (opens in a new tab)
  Getting to the water

  Launch surface

  Concrete or paved

  Dock or boarding float

  None listed

  • Concrete ramps can be slick with algae below the waterline: wear water shoes with grip. (REI Expert Advice)
  • Shared trailer ramp: get your boat and gear ready off to the side, then launch promptly so trailered boats can use the ramp. (American Canoe Association)

  Official fields: Kentucky Fish & Wildlife Access Sites. Check current conditions; water levels change the walk to the water.

• Paducah Ramp · Boat ramp (trailer)
  No fee listed by Kentucky Fish & Wildlife Access Sites (checked 2026-10-26) View in Google Earth (opens in a new tab) Directions (opens in a new tab)
  Getting to the water

  Launch surface

  Concrete or paved

  Dock or boarding float

  Yes

  Accessible features

  Listed

  • Dock launch: set the boat parallel to the dock, paddle within reach, sit on the dock and lower yourself into the seat, keeping your weight centered. (REI Expert Advice)
  • Concrete ramps can be slick with algae below the waterline: wear water shoes with grip. (REI Expert Advice)
  • Shared trailer ramp: get your boat and gear ready off to the side, then launch promptly so trailered boats can use the ramp. (American Canoe Association)
  • Listed as having accessible features by the managing agency. Call ahead to confirm what is accessible (parking, path, dock or launch). (National Park Service)

  Official fields: Kentucky Fish & Wildlife Access Sites. Check current conditions; water levels change the walk to the water.

• Smithland Ramp · Boat ramp (small boats)
  No fee listed by Kentucky Fish & Wildlife Access Sites (checked 2026-10-26) View in Google Earth (opens in a new tab) Directions (opens in a new tab)
  Getting to the water

  Launch surface

  Concrete or paved

  Dock or boarding float

  None listed

  • Concrete ramps can be slick with algae below the waterline: wear water shoes with grip. (REI Expert Advice)

  Official fields: Kentucky Fish & Wildlife Access Sites. Check current conditions; water levels change the walk to the water.

• Uniontown Dike · Boat ramp (small boats)
  No fee listed by Kentucky Fish & Wildlife Access Sites (checked 2026-10-26) View in Google Earth (opens in a new tab) Directions (opens in a new tab)
  Getting to the water

  Launch surface

  Concrete or paved

  Dock or boarding float

  Yes

  • Dock launch: set the boat parallel to the dock, paddle within reach, sit on the dock and lower yourself into the seat, keeping your weight centered. (REI Expert Advice)
  • Concrete ramps can be slick with algae below the waterline: wear water shoes with grip. (REI Expert Advice)

  Official fields: Kentucky Fish & Wildlife Access Sites. Check current conditions; water levels change the walk to the water.

Kentucky paddling rules
Registration, permits, life jackets and AIS stickers

Other Kentucky waters with 5+ launches

Lake Cumberland (63) · Kentucky Lake (45) · Lake Barkley (40) · Ohio River - Central (31) · Kentucky River - Lower (27) · Green River - Upper (24) · Ohio River - Below Cincinnati (23) · Green River - Lower (18) · Rough River Lake (18) · Cave Run Lake (16) · Herrington Lake (15) · Licking River (15) · All Kentucky launches

Data shown as published by the agency or mapped source; launch details and fees change, so check the official source before you go.