Challenging The World’s Best

Russell Fork Whitewater

The Russell Fork River is home to some of the most technical and challenging whitewater paddling in the country. This is not the river for a leisurely float. Only experienced whitewater paddlers should attempt any section of the Russell Fork within park boundaries.

The Russell Fork is broken up into three sections.

The Upper section runs from John W. Flannagan Spillway to the park’s Garden Hole access. This section is rated class III - IV depending on flows.

The middle section, or the “gorge” runs from the Garden Hole access to the Ratliff Hole access. This section runs through the heart of the canyon and is rated class IV-V depending on flows. This section is for the most experienced whitewater paddlers. Paddlers have lost their life on this section of the river.

The lower section runs from the Ratliff Hole access to Elkhorn City. This section is rated class III.

At this time, there are no commercial rafting/paddling companies offering whitewater rafting trips. Levisa Fork Adventures offers family-friendly kayak rentals on the Russell Fork and the nearby Levis Fork.