Who we are…
In 1981, 42 hardy souls came together to form the Elkhorn Paddlers for the purpose of promoting appreciation for the recreational value of canoeing, canoe camping, and canoe racing; to encourage and promote navigation of waterways by canoe and kayak; to promote the conservation of such rivers by cooperation with local and national organizations whose purpose and interests are in the fields of conservation and the preservation of the wilderness; and, to promote the safety of the sport through training and information to members.
Members of ‘The Paddlers’ have paddled, explored and enjoyed countless streams, rivers and lakes in Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana, Missouri, Tennessee, etc. Though our trips are primarily day paddles, we throw in a smattering of overnight outings and can be found on our favorite creeks most of the year. Membership is open to beginners, novices, experts, families and all who enjoy recreational paddling activities. Dues are reasonable and we hold only 2 meetings each year (in spring we meet - and eat; in fall we meet, eat and float).
2024 Spring & Summer Notes
Spring Meeting
Our spring meeting this year was held on March 10, 2024 at the home of Ron and Rona Lawson. We had 28 members at the meeting followed by a cruise planning session for the year, followed by a potluck supper. Thank you Ron and Rona for hosting!
Our treasury balance remains consistent year to year, and we continue to contribute to two paddling organizations (American Whitewater & American Canoe Association), some of which goes towards upkeep of the AWA put-in on Elkhorn Creek. Other expenses are our website and Meetup site. No more newsletter expenses now that we have started sending it electronically.
There was some discussion on possible new boat access sites to come on Stoner Creek and in Millersburg. The new access point at Shaker Landing in Shakertown has been greatly improved.
At meeting time we had 33 members, and 344 people on our Meetup site last fall. Our 21 cruises from last year was a 50% increase over the year before, with Covid still playing a part then.
Mark your calendars now for our fall meeting on November 9th, 2024, at Tammy’s Diner at the Forks of Elkhorn near Frankfort. We eat breakfast there and after the meeting some members usually paddle or hike, depending on weather.
Additions to the Cruise Schedule
These will be announced on the Elkhorn paddlers MeetUp page: https://www.meetup.com/Elkhorn-Paddlers/ . If you are not already signed up to access this page, please do so as we will have "Drop In" trips scheduled over the coming months. If you join the Meetup group you will get e-mails on all posted trips. You must be set up as a trip organizer to post trips through MeetUp.
Some trips may just be sent out to the list of club members, usually when smaller groups are desired. Often, to be sure all members are alerted to a new trip, you will be notified by both Meetup and the club e-mail list.
Please try to lead a trip this year and take us to your favorite paddling destinations. Contact Dave Stawicki davestawicki@yahoo.com with any questions or to have him post a trip for you.
Access Points
Elkhorn Creek @ US 460 bridge
Paddlers are no longer permitted to park or put in at the Elkhorn Campground property on the southeast corner of the US460 bridge over S. Elkhorn, on Scruggs Lane. Fortunately, the owners of the small chapel at the Northwest corner have stepped forward and allowed paddlers to use their property to provide access to Elkhorn Creek. Note that this is the smaller church on the north of 460 and NOT the larger church parking area across the creek from the previous put-in. Put-in IS NOT permitted at the larger church.
At the smaller chapel across the creek, paddlers are allowed to park & put-in to float the Elkhorn main stem or take out from the Switzer Bridge put-in. There is a small orange 'pay box' at the back of the parking area, near the put-in access, that paddlers are asked to pay a fee. This is $6 for use of the parking/put-in.
Switzer Bridge
The property on the northwest side of the bridge, where we usually put in on the North Fork of Elkhorn, was sold a few years ago and is now fenced off and not available for use by the public. The access road between the fences is not a public road, although the bridge is public. The southeast side of the bridge is still open and can be used. It’s a bit rougher put-in over there with very limited parking, however.
In 1981, 42 hardy souls came together to form the Elkhorn Paddlers for the purpose of promoting appreciation for the recreational value of canoeing, canoe camping, and canoe racing; to encourage and promote navigation of waterways by canoe and kayak; to promote the conservation of such rivers by cooperation with local and national organizations whose purpose and interests are in the fields of conservation and the preservation of the wilderness; and, to promote the safety of the sport through training and information to members.
Members of ‘The Paddlers’ have paddled, explored and enjoyed countless streams, rivers and lakes in Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana, Missouri, Tennessee, etc. Though our trips are primarily day paddles, we throw in a smattering of overnight outings and can be found on our favorite creeks most of the year. Membership is open to beginners, novices, experts, families and all who enjoy recreational paddling activities. Dues are reasonable and we hold only 2 meetings each year (in spring we meet - and eat; in fall we meet, eat and float).
2024 Spring & Summer Notes
Spring Meeting
Our spring meeting this year was held on March 10, 2024 at the home of Ron and Rona Lawson. We had 28 members at the meeting followed by a cruise planning session for the year, followed by a potluck supper. Thank you Ron and Rona for hosting!
Our treasury balance remains consistent year to year, and we continue to contribute to two paddling organizations (American Whitewater & American Canoe Association), some of which goes towards upkeep of the AWA put-in on Elkhorn Creek. Other expenses are our website and Meetup site. No more newsletter expenses now that we have started sending it electronically.
There was some discussion on possible new boat access sites to come on Stoner Creek and in Millersburg. The new access point at Shaker Landing in Shakertown has been greatly improved.
At meeting time we had 33 members, and 344 people on our Meetup site last fall. Our 21 cruises from last year was a 50% increase over the year before, with Covid still playing a part then.
Mark your calendars now for our fall meeting on November 9th, 2024, at Tammy’s Diner at the Forks of Elkhorn near Frankfort. We eat breakfast there and after the meeting some members usually paddle or hike, depending on weather.
Additions to the Cruise Schedule
These will be announced on the Elkhorn paddlers MeetUp page: https://www.meetup.com/Elkhorn-Paddlers/ . If you are not already signed up to access this page, please do so as we will have "Drop In" trips scheduled over the coming months. If you join the Meetup group you will get e-mails on all posted trips. You must be set up as a trip organizer to post trips through MeetUp.
Some trips may just be sent out to the list of club members, usually when smaller groups are desired. Often, to be sure all members are alerted to a new trip, you will be notified by both Meetup and the club e-mail list.
Please try to lead a trip this year and take us to your favorite paddling destinations. Contact Dave Stawicki davestawicki@yahoo.com with any questions or to have him post a trip for you.
Access Points
Elkhorn Creek @ US 460 bridge
Paddlers are no longer permitted to park or put in at the Elkhorn Campground property on the southeast corner of the US460 bridge over S. Elkhorn, on Scruggs Lane. Fortunately, the owners of the small chapel at the Northwest corner have stepped forward and allowed paddlers to use their property to provide access to Elkhorn Creek. Note that this is the smaller church on the north of 460 and NOT the larger church parking area across the creek from the previous put-in. Put-in IS NOT permitted at the larger church.
At the smaller chapel across the creek, paddlers are allowed to park & put-in to float the Elkhorn main stem or take out from the Switzer Bridge put-in. There is a small orange 'pay box' at the back of the parking area, near the put-in access, that paddlers are asked to pay a fee. This is $6 for use of the parking/put-in.
Switzer Bridge
The property on the northwest side of the bridge, where we usually put in on the North Fork of Elkhorn, was sold a few years ago and is now fenced off and not available for use by the public. The access road between the fences is not a public road, although the bridge is public. The southeast side of the bridge is still open and can be used. It’s a bit rougher put-in over there with very limited parking, however.