Kentucky Wild Rivers Program

Much of the land surrounding the Wild Rivers corridors is privately owned. Please make sure you do not trespass on private property to access a river. While most of the rivers themselves are public waters legally open to canoeing and fishing, please be sure to only access the river from legally designated boat ramps or access points.

Public land on our Wild Rivers includes:

• Mammoth Cave National Park
• The Red River National Geological Area
• The Big South Fork National Recreation Area
• The Daniel Boone National Forest
• Cumberland Falls State Park

Wild Rivers are more than just clean, free-flowing waters in a scenic setting. They serve as refuges for wild plants and animals, as well as havens for those people seeking solitude and tranquility in nature. Their waters provide healthy sport fisheries, cool pools for swimming and white-water rapids for adventurous paddlers. Wild Rivers provide living examples of natural ecological processes for nature study and scientific research. Wild Rivers are also natural museums harboring the relics of prehistoric inhabitants in rock shelters and caves, and preserving the ancient impressions of primitive life in rock strata.

The Wild Rivers program protects these special places from unwise use and development. Some activities are strictly prohibited within a Wild River corridor, such as surface mining, clear-cutting of timber and construction of dams or other in-stream disturbances. Existing residential and agricultural uses continue, but developments that might impair the river's water quality or natural condition are regulated through a permit system. If you are a private landowner with property in a Wild Rivers Corridor, please contact the KNP office for more information. If grant funding is available the KNP may purchase land within a Wild Rivers Corridor from willing sellers at appraised value.

These priceless treasures known as Wild Rivers are held in public trust by the Commonwealth of Kentucky for our use and enjoyment, and thanks to the Wild Rivers Act, they will be here for many generations to come.

Research and Group Event Permits​​

If you are interested in conducting scientific research or proposing a group event on a Wild RIver Corridor, you will first need a permit from KNP.  Depending on the corridor, you may also need a permit from other agencies. For a KNP application, please email us at naturepreserves@ky.g​ov before initiating your project or event.

Development or Land Use Permits

Remove a Resource

Generally, a permit is required to remove a resource such as oil or gas, to selectively harvest timber or to introduce a new agricultural use involving the removal of one-half acre or more of timber. Access the Wild Rivers regulations at 400 KAR 4:125 to understand the kinds of land-use changes that require a permit.​

Utility Right of Way

Construction of any utility right of way across or within a designated Wild River corridor requires written authorization from the secretary of the Energy and Environment Cabinet before any construction activity is initiated. Access the Wild Rivers regulations at 400 KAR 4:125, Section 11​ to view the procedures for applying for such approval.​

Change of Land Use 

Changes of land use within a designated Wild River corridor require a Change-of-Use permit to be obtained from the Division of Water (DOW) prior to beginning any construction activity. Visit the DOW website for more information.

Each Change-of-Use permit contains specific standards for protecting water quality, scenic values and other outstanding natural resources within the Wild River corridor. Access Regulation 400 KAR 4:140 to view performance standards and specifications for each type of land-use change.​

The process of obtaining a Wild Rivers Change-of-Use permit takes several months from the time a completed application is submitted to DOW. Access the Wild Rivers regulations at 400 KAR 4:130​ to view the procedures for applying for a permit.