Kayak and canoe launches on Little Kanawha River, West Virginia

15 launch sites on Little Kanawha River from WV DNR Public Fishing Access Sites. 11 are listed as hand, car-top or paddlecraft launches. 4 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

• Burnsville Lake Tailwaters · Hand launch / carry-in
  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

  Dock or boarding float

  None listed

  Official fields: WV DNR Public Fishing Access Sites. Check current conditions; water levels change the walk to the water.

• Cabot Station · Hand launch / carry-in
  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

  Dock or boarding float

  None listed

  Accessible features

  Not listed

  • 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.

• Little Kanawha River - Creston · Hand launch / carry-in (slide)
  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.
• Little Kanawha River - Gilmer/Braxton County Line · Hand launch / carry-in (slide)
  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

  Wood

  Dock or boarding float

  None listed

  Boat slide

  Yes

  • Boat slide listed: slide the hull down with a hand on the bow or stern line instead of carrying it. (REI Expert Advice)

  Official fields: WV DNR Public Fishing Access Sites. Check current conditions; water levels change the walk to the water.

• Little Kanawha River - Grantsville · 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.

• Little Kanawha River - Leachtown · Hand launch / carry-in
  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.
• Little Kanawha River - Leading Creek · Hand launch / carry-in (slide)
  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

  Wood

  Dock or boarding float

  None listed

  Boat slide

  Yes

  • Boat slide listed: slide the hull down with a hand on the bow or stern line instead of carrying it. (REI Expert Advice)

  Official fields: WV DNR Public Fishing Access Sites. Check current conditions; water levels change the walk to the water.

• Little Kanawha River - Lock #4 · Hand launch / carry-in
  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

  Dock or boarding float

  None listed

  • Roadside pull-off parking, not a lot: space may be limited. (REI Expert Advice)

  Official fields: WV DNR Public Fishing Access Sites. Check current conditions; water levels change the walk to the water.

• Little Kanawha River - Sanoma Bridge · Hand launch / carry-in
  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

  Dock or boarding float

  None listed

  Official fields: WV DNR Public Fishing Access Sites. Check current conditions; water levels change the walk to the water.

• Little Kanawha River - Sportsman 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.

• Little Kanawha River - Spring Valley · 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.

• Little Kanawha River - Wells Lock (Left Bank) · Hand launch / carry-in
  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

  Natural (dirt, sand or mud)

  Dock or boarding float

  None listed

  Carry from nearest mapped parking

  about 65 m (210 ft), straight line

  Elevation change, parking to launch point

  -16 ft (about 7% average grade)

  • Natural bank (dirt, sand or mud): wear sandals or water shoes with grippy soles that stay on in mud. (REI Expert Advice)

  Official fields: WV DNR Public Fishing 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.

• Little Kanawha River - Wells Lock (Right Bank) · Hand launch / carry-in
  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

  Carry from nearest mapped parking

  about 192 m (630 ft), straight line

  Elevation change, parking to launch point

  +66 ft (about 10% average grade)

  • Steep bank: lower the boat bow-first, keep your weight low, and enter where the water is calm and deep enough to float the hull. (REI Expert Advice)
  • Roadside pull-off parking, not a lot: space may be limited. (REI Expert Advice)

  Official fields: WV DNR Public Fishing 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.

• Little Kanawha River- Glenville · Hand launch / carry-in (slide)
  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

  Wood

  Dock or boarding float

  None listed

  Boat slide

  Yes

  • Boat slide listed: slide the hull down with a hand on the bow or stern line instead of carrying it. (REI Expert Advice)

  Official fields: WV DNR Public Fishing Access Sites. Check current conditions; water levels change the walk to the water.

• Little Kanwaha River - Corning 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.

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) · 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.