Harrods Creek

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Harrods Creek is probably the most scenic paddle near Louisville, and is very popular with flatwater paddlers. It is mostly forested area with some residential areas and marinas thrown in. The Ohio River creates a pool several miles long providing good water levels at all times, though it may be difficult to actually access the creek when the Ohio is flooded.

The pool goes back several miles. Once you reach the end of the pool, there is a small rapid you can carry your boat up. This is the Great Blue Heron rookery. You will see many herons and other wild life while paddling up the creek. At night, if you turn on a flashlight or headlamp, bats will fly up to your boat to eat bugs and turn just in time to miss you.

Harrods Creek is probably the nicest paddle near Louisville. It is a creek that meanders through the forested area near Prospect, KY and empties into the Ohio. The creek is backwater from the Ohio River for about 3-4 miles, which means it doesn't flow much. So it always has water, and you can put in and take out at the same place. About 3-4 miles in from the Ohio, you hit the first rapid. At this point you can carry up the rapid and continue paddling, this is the location of the Blue Haron rookery. Just before the rapid on the right (if you're paddling upstream) is a small steep stream leading to a waterfall.

Access

There are several access points to Harrods Creek, none of them are optimal compared to access to most other streams and lakes. Note that you are not permitted to launch from any of the private marinas.

Captain's Quarters

Captain's Quarters is the most popular access point, it costs $5 per boat to launch on weekdays, $10 on weekends and hollidays. It is located just past their restaurant. Go as if you were going to Captains Quarters, but once you reach the parking lot keep going straight through a swing gate and down to the boat ramp.

The boat ramp isn't always open. And when it is open it isn't always staffed. If you have questions, call the restaurant. If the gate is closed when you arrive, go in to the restaurant to pay and they will remotely open the gate. If the gate is open, pay at the boat ramp.

265 Overpass

There is a gravel lot under the 265 overpass where it crosses the creek. It is located where 265 crosses River Rd. The hill down to the creek looks steep, but if you walk parallel to the Interstate, the hill is much less steep but a longer walk.

Harrods Creek Park

Harrods Creek Park is located in Prospect, KY. Launching can be muddy at times. This is just about 1/4 mile downstream from the Blue Herron rookery and the waterfall, so a great place to put in if you want to check those places out, but plan on paddling downstream if you want a long paddle.

329 Bridge

It is possible to launch where Hwy 329 crosses Harrods Creek, but parking is very limited. This also puts you above the pool created by the Ohio, so low water levels may be an issue. But this is a fairly popular launch site, you will often cross paths with people who have launched here while paddling up from the Ohio.

Nachand Canoe & Kayak Rental

Nachand Canoe & Kayak Rental (502-753-9271) rents kayaks and canoes, and also offers launching your own boat for $5. It is just slightly upstream of the Ohio, near HCBH. I believe parking is fairly limited, and I don't have any information on season of operation.

Cox Park

Cox park is located on River Rd on the Ohio and is a free public put-in. However it is approximately 4 miles from the mouth of the creek, making it fairly impractical.

Duffy's Landing (Indiana Side)

Duffy's Landing is similar to Cox Park in every respect, except it's on the Indiana side.

Party Cove (Indiana Side)

There is an access point to the Ohio River inside of what's commonly referred to as "Party Cove". It is about a 1.5 mile paddle to the mouth of the creek. Also, parking is very limited.

Harrods Creek Park

A fairly new access point is Harrods Creek Park. While it is theoretically possible to launch here, it's going to be a long carry.

Private Marinas

The private marinas and docs are for members only. You won't be permitted to launch from them unless you've purchased a boat slip.

After the paddle

Cunningham's Restaurant is located just East (on River Rd) of HCBH, and is right next to Nachand Canoe and Kayak. So it is often a destination for an after paddle dinner.

Directions

https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Louisville,+KY/Harrods+Creek+Boat+Harbor,+Guthrie+Beach+Rd,+Louisville,+KY+40059/@38.2908864,-85.7339923,13z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m13!4m12!1m5!1m1!1s0x88690b1ab35bd511:0xd4d3b4282071fd32!2m2!1d-85.7584557!2d38.2526647!1m5!1m1!1s0x88697663263730e7:0x366934f9addd4a4!2m2!1d-85.640777!2d38.331255