Elkhorn Creek

Elkhorn Creek is the closest thing to a real whitewater run near Louisville, it is near Frankfort, KY about a one hour drive away. It is mostly Class I/II, with maybe a Class III on the upper section at higher water levels. Before planning a trip you will want to check the USGS Gauge for the Elkhorn.

Upper Section

(Often referred to as the "whitewater section"). The USGS gauge needs to be at least 300cfs for the upper section unless you don't mind dragging. Optimal levels for whitewater are around 2500-3000cfs, above 3000cfs the portage at the dam becomes more difficult. American Whitewater has a good writeup of the upper section.

There are now several access points to the upper section of the Elkhorn. The usual one is at the Forks of the Elkhorn Campground, and costs $2 per boat to launch. There is another (new) put-in just East of the campground which is free. Another access point, previously referred to as the "illegal takeout" is on Peaks Mill Rd about half way to Elkhorn Acres, you will see a brown sign on the side of the road marking it, but this spot has very limited parking.

Lower Section

Elkhorn Acres

https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Louisville,+KY/38.2670019,-84.814129/@38.2111894,-85.5627494,107986m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m8!4m7!1m5!1m1!1s0x88690b1ab35bd511:0xd4d3b4282071fd32!2m2!1d-85.7584557!2d38.2526647!1m0

Shuttle to put-in at forks of the Elkhorn

https://www.google.com/maps/dir/38.2139266,-84.8010203/38.2664978,-84.814083/@38.2359461,-84.8210645,12086m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m3!4m2!1m0!1m0

Shuttle from Elkhorn Acres to 127 bridge:

https://www.google.com/maps/dir/38.31282,-84.8472252/38.2670171,-84.8141228/@38.2690277,-84.8640218,19809m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m4!4m3!1m0!1m0!5i1

Alternate takeout on Peaks Mill Rd

https://www.google.com/maps/@38.3073686,-84.8146129,164m/data=!3m1!1e3

USGS Gauge:

http://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/uv?cb_00060=on&cb_00065=on&format=gif_stats&period=60&site_no=03289500