Licking River
About
From headwaters in Bath County through Fleming County to the Ohio River, the Licking River runs 320 miles of primarily Class I water with occasional Class II sections in the upper reaches. At 2,800 CFS average, this is substantial volume — optimal paddling flows range from 300 to 3,000 CFS on USGS gauge 03253000. The Blue Licks to Falmouth corridor passes through the historic battlefield where Kentucky militiamen fought their last engagement of the Revolutionary War in 1782. Blue Licks Canoe Livery operates on this section, which flows through Blue Licks Battlefield State Resort Park. The Licking carries Kentucky Scenic Stream designation, protecting the corridor through rolling farmland and hardwood forests. Below Falmouth, the lower river maintains Class I character to its confluence with the Ohio.
River conditions are community-verified. CFS ranges, difficulty ratings, and access points may not reflect every flow level or seasonal change. Always check current conditions, scout unfamiliar rapids, and paddle within your skill level.