Kayak and canoe launches on Kanawha River, West Virginia
15 launch sites on Kanawha River from WV DNR Public Fishing Access Sites. 15 are trailer ramps.
Fees: 0 list no fee, 0 list a fee, 15 not verified. Each listing names its source; check it before you go.
Sort these launches by distance from you
Launch sites A to Z
- Buffalo Boat Ramp · Boat ramp (trailer)
Fee not verified, check with the site owner 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: WV DNR Public Fishing Access Sites. Check current conditions; water levels change the walk to the water.
- Chesapeake · Boat ramp (trailer)
Fee not verified, check with the site owner 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)
- 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: WV DNR Public Fishing Access Sites. Check current conditions; water levels change the walk to the water.
- City of Nitro · Boat ramp (trailer)
Fee not verified, check with the site owner 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)
- 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: WV DNR Public Fishing Access Sites. Check current conditions; water levels change the walk to the water.
- Daniel Boone Park · Boat ramp (trailer)
Fee not verified, check with the site owner 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)
- 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: WV DNR Public Fishing Access Sites. Check current conditions; water levels change the walk to the water.
- Glasgow · Boat ramp (trailer)
Fee not verified, check with the site owner 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: WV DNR Public Fishing Access Sites. Check current conditions; water levels change the walk to the water.
- Hansford · Boat ramp (trailer)
Fee not verified, check with the site owner 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.
- Kanawha Falls · Boat ramp (trailer)
Fee not verified, check with the site owner 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: WV DNR Public Fishing Access Sites. Check current conditions; water levels change the walk to the water.
- Leon Public Access Area · Boat ramp (trailer)
Fee not verified, check with the site owner 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)
- 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: WV DNR Public Fishing Access Sites. Check current conditions; water levels change the walk to the water.
- Montgomery Boat Launch · Boat ramp (trailer)
Fee not verified, check with the site owner 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
- Not 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)
- Not listed as accessible by the managing agency. If you need an accessible launch, contact them before you go. (American Canoe Association)
Official fields: WV DNR Public Fishing Access Sites. Check current conditions; water levels change the walk to the water.
- Point Pleasant Launch Ramp · Boat ramp (trailer)
Fee not verified, check with the site owner 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)
- 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: WV DNR Public Fishing Access Sites. Check current conditions; water levels change the walk to the water.
- Raymond City Boat Launch · Boat ramp (trailer)
Fee not verified, check with the site owner 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.
- Shawnee State Park · Boat ramp (trailer)
Fee not verified, check with the site owner 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: WV DNR Public Fishing Access Sites. Check current conditions; water levels change the walk to the water.
- St. Albans Roadside Park · Boat ramp (trailer)
Fee not verified, check with the site owner 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: WV DNR Public Fishing Access Sites. Check current conditions; water levels change the walk to the water.
- Verizon Ramp · Boat ramp (trailer)
Fee not verified, check with the site owner 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: WV DNR Public Fishing Access Sites. Check current conditions; water levels change the walk to the water.
- Winfield Bridge · Boat ramp (trailer)
Fee not verified, check with the site owner View in Google Earth (opens in a new tab) Directions (opens in a new tab)Getting to the water
- Launch surface
- Concrete or paved
- 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: WV DNR Public Fishing Access Sites. Check current conditions; water levels change the walk to the water.
West Virginia paddling rules
Registration, permits, life jackets and AIS stickers
Other West Virginia waters with 5+ launches
Elk River (29) · West Fork River (25) · Guyandotte River (22) · South Branch Potomac River (19) · Ohio River (18) · Greenbrier River (16) · Little Kanawha River (15) · New River (15) · Tygart River (11) · Cacapon River (11) · Buckhannon River (10) · Gauley River (9) · All West Virginia launches
Data shown as published by the agency or mapped source; launch details and fees change, so check the official source before you go.