WATER TRAIL TRAILHEAD
Charleston Civic Center
GPS Coordinates
38.357112, -81.641861
Trailer Access/Boat Ramp
No
Location Description
Owned and operated by the City of Charleston. Site is located at the Charleston Coliseum and Convention Center. The site, while on the Elk River, is near the confluence with the Kanawha River where there is large boat and barge traffic. Small boats with outboard motors regularly travel into the Elk River, so caution needs to be exercised.
Parking & Features
Access is located near the parking lot beside Lee Street. Paved parking. Est. over 10 parking spots. Distance to river from parking area: short.
Directions From I-79
FROM NORTH OF CHARLESTON: From I-77 S and from I-79 S, merge onto I-77S, in 1.5 mi. use the far right lane to take exit 101 for I-64 W/US-119 S toward Huntington. In 0.2 miles keep right, follow signs for Exit 58C/US 60/Washington St/Civic Ctr. Use the left two lanes to merge slightly LEFT onto US-119 S./Pennsylvania Ave. S. In 66 feet, use the middle lane to turn left onto US-60/Lee St. E. Cross the bridge and in 0.2 mi. take a right into the parking lot beside the Civic Center and turn right back toward the river.
FROM SOUTH AND EAST OF CHARLESTON: take I-77 N and I-64 W, stay on I-64 W at the split, and take Exit 58C.Use the left two lanes to merge slightly LEFT onto US-119 S./Pennsylvania Ave. S. In 66 feet, use the middle lane to turn left onto US-60/Lee St. Cross the bridge and in 0.2 mi. take a right into the parking lot beside the Civic Center and turn right back toward the river.
FROM WEST OF CHARLESTON: From I-64 E. take Exit 58C toward US-60 E./Lee St. E. Turn right onto US-60 E./ Lee St.Cross the bridge and in 0.2 mi. take a right into the parking lot beside the Civic Center and turn right back toward the river.
Accessibility
Concrete ramp and stairs. Terminates at a floating dock. Ease of river access: moderate. Public access is limited to 6:00am - 4:00 pm daily. The Coonskin Park or Big Chimney access sites are better. Expect a long flat paddle, interrupted by motorboat traffic, downriver from Coonskin Park. The river access is handicap accessible. Good ramps and stairs. There are no guard rails on the dock or ramps. Again, do not recommend starting from the Mink Shoals site.
Distance from Sutton Dam
101.2 mi
Distance from Previous Access
4.5 mi
Nearest Town
Charleston
Amenities In Town & Nearby
