Best Places to Kayak Near Carter, KY

30 public launch points within 50 miles of Carter, ranked by water conditions, access, and amenities.

30 nearby16 Lakes8 Creeks5 Rivers
← All paddling in Kentucky

Top Picks Near Carter

a lake surrounded by tall grass and trees1

Portsmouth Court Street Landing

Standout kayak fishing on Ohio River

LakeBeginner21 mi away
landscape photography of sea2

Shawnee State Park - Marina

Calm, sheltered water that's ideal for beginners and paddle boarding

LakeBeginner16 mi away
aerial view of green and yellow trees beside body of water during daytime3

Ginat Run Public Ramp

A top-rated lake launch on Ohio River

LakeBeginner21 mi away
body of water near green trees during daytime

Smoky Valley/Carter Caves Lake

Kentucky · 7.1 mi

LakeKayakingCanoeingBeginner

Carter Caves State Park

Kentucky · 7.6 mi

CreekKayakingCanoeingBeginner
Kayakers paddling through a cypress-lined Southern waterway with Spanish moss

McDowells Creek Park Access

Kentucky · 8.0 mi

CreekKayakingCanoeingBeginner
Kayakers paddling through a cypress-lined Southern waterway with Spanish moss

Leatherwood Branch Park Access

Kentucky · 8.4 mi

CreekKayakingCanoeingBeginner
Kayakers paddling through a cypress-lined Southern waterway with Spanish moss

Mill Pond Creek Access

Kentucky · 9.0 mi

CreekKayakingCanoeingBeginner

Olive Hill

Kentucky · 10.2 mi

ReservoirKayakingCanoeingBeginner
Kayakers paddling through a cypress-lined Southern waterway with Spanish moss

KY-344 Roadside Park

Kentucky · 10.2 mi

CreekKayakingCanoeingBeginner
gray concrete rocksc

Garrison

Kentucky · 10.4 mi

CreekKayakingCanoeingBeginner

Olive Hill Carrydown

Kentucky · 11.0 mi

CreekKayakingCanoeingBeginner
gray concrete rocksc

Salt Lick Creek

Kentucky · 12.4 mi

CreekKayakingCanoeingBeginner

Pactolus

Kentucky · 15.2 mi

RiverKayakingCanoeingBeginner
landscape photography of sea

Shawnee State Park - Marina

Ohio · 15.6 mi

LakeKayakingCanoeingBeginner
a group of boats are in the water

Greenbo Lake State Park

Kentucky · 16.3 mi

LakeKayakingCanoeingBeginner
Kayakers on a calm Southern lake lined with pine trees at dusk

Dam area - Greenbo Lake State Park

Kentucky · 17.5 mi

LakeKayakingCanoeingBeginner

Grayson Lake Tailwater

Kentucky · 17.6 mi

LakeKayakingCanoeingBeginner
green trees beside lake under cloudy sky during daytime

Rome Village Boat Ramp

Ohio · 17.7 mi

LakeKayakingCanoeingBeginner
Kayakers paddling through a cypress-lined Southern waterway with Spanish moss

Raccoon

Kentucky · 17.8 mi

RiverKayakingCanoeingBeginner

Grayson Fishing Pier

Kentucky · 18.0 mi

LakeKayakingCanoeingBeginner
body of water near green trees during daytime

Grayson Lake Dam

Kentucky · 18.2 mi

LakeKayakingCanoeingBeginner
woman in blue shirt and blue denim jeans riding orange kayak on water during daytime

Clifty Creek

Kentucky · 18.3 mi

LakeKayakingCanoeingBeginner
a view of a body of water from a kayak

Shawnee State Park - Roosevelt Lake

Ohio · 18.5 mi

LakeKayakingCanoeingBeginner
aerial view of green and yellow trees beside body of water during daytime

Shawnee State Park - Turkey Creek Lake

Ohio · 19.0 mi

LakeKayakingCanoeingBeginner
a group of boats are in the water

Bruin Creek

Kentucky · 20.1 mi

LakeKayakingCanoeingBeginner
a view of a lake from a kayak

Greenup

Kentucky · 20.4 mi

RiverKayakingCanoeingBeginner

Ohio Brush Creek Public Ramp

Kentucky · 20.7 mi

RiverKayakingCanoeingBeginner
aerial view of green and yellow trees beside body of water during daytime

Yates Landing

Ohio · 20.7 mi

LakeKayakingCanoeingBeginner
a group of boats are in the water

Caney Creek

Kentucky · 21.0 mi

LakeKayakingCanoeingBeginner

Portsmouth Public Ramp

Kentucky · 21.2 mi

RiverKayakingCanoeingBeginner
aerial view of green and yellow trees beside body of water during daytime

Ginat Run Public Ramp

Ohio · 21.2 mi

LakeKayakingCanoeingBeginner
a lake surrounded by tall grass and trees

Portsmouth Court Street Landing

Ohio · 21.2 mi

LakeKayakingCanoeingBeginner

Paddling Near Other Cities

Widen your search to towns within an hour of Carter.

Emerson, KY8 miOlive Hill, KY9 miGarrison, KY9 miVanceburg, KY11 miQuincy, KY12 miGrahn, KY13 miStout, OH14 miGrayson, KY15 mi

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best places to kayak near Carter, KY?

Top picks near Carter include Portsmouth Court Street Landing, Shawnee State Park - Marina, Ginat Run Public Ramp. In total there are 30 public launch points within 50 miles, with paddling on lakes, creeks, rivers.

What types of paddling can I do near Carter?

Near Carter you'll find opportunities for kayaking, canoeing, and stand-up paddle boarding. Most locations offer beginner-friendly conditions with public boat ramp access.

Are there free kayak launches near Carter?

Yes! Most public boat ramps near Carter are free to use. Some state parks and recreation areas may charge a small parking or entrance fee.