Kayak & float · Autauga Creek
Float Autauga Creek from downtown Prattville
Put in behind Prattville City Hall and drift about 3 miles of shady, spring-fed creek to Autauga Creek RV Campground. Here's the route, how long it takes and what to know before you go.
The route
Route follows Autauga Creek as mapped by the USGS. The 1 mi and 2 mi dots count from the put-in; the canoe trail's own mile markers count down toward the Alabama River. Distances are approximate.
- Put in downtown. Start at the Creekwalk behind City Hall (101 W Main St), on the creek just below the Main Street bridge and the mill dam. Park in the paved lot by the creek and slide your boat down the grassy bank. The historical marker there tells how Daniel Pratt built his mills on this creek in the 1830s.
- Drift south. The creek winds past cypress trees, bamboo and little waterfalls under a canopy of trees. Pebble bars make easy places to stop and stretch. Watch for sandbars and the occasional downed tree.
- Pull out at the campground. Campground guests pull out right at the park, near mile marker 2.5 of the canoe trail. The public take-out is Canoe Trail Park (1123 Rueben Rd), about half a mile farther downstream at mile marker 2, with restrooms, drinking water, grills, picnic tables and free primitive campsites.
Before you go
- Wear a life jacket. Everyone in the boat should have one on.
- Leave the glass at home. Glass isn't allowed on Autauga Creek.
- Kayaks are easier than canoes here. The creek has sharp turns, so canoes are best for experienced paddlers.
- Check the water. Levels change quickly after heavy rain, and fallen trees can block the channel. In May 2026 a big logjam was reported about a quarter mile below mile marker 3, just upstream of the campground. Call the office about current conditions before you float.
- Plan your ride back. The put-in is about 10 minutes from the campground by car, so bring two vehicles or a friend with a car.
- Pack for a few hours outside: water, sunscreen, bug spray and a dry bag for your phone and keys.
The National Recreation Trail listing calls the 1½ miles between mile marker 5 (Doster Well Park) and mile marker 3.5 the most challenging part of the trail. Mile markers count down toward the Alabama River, and the campground is near mile marker 2.5, so take that stretch slow.
Make a day of it
- Start downtown. Historic Downtown Prattville's shops, restaurants and the Prattaugan Museum are a short walk from the put-in.
- Go geocaching. About 35 geocaches are hidden along the creek.
- A bit of history. In 2016, volunteers dug a 4,000-pound cast-iron mill turbine from about 1860 out of the creek bank off County Road 4, near the take-out. It came from McNeill's Mill.
- Finish with dinner. The Bottom Bar & Grill is about a 3-minute walk from the campground.
The City of Prattville's yearly Kayak Trail Fun Run, usually held in June, floats this same stretch from the Creekwalk to Canoe Trail Park, with a free shuttle.
About the Autauga Creek Canoe Trail
The canoe trail runs 13 miles and became a National Recreation Trail on June 3, 2015. The Autauga Creek Improvement Committee looks after it. Mile markers count down to 0 where the creek meets the Alabama River: the campground is near mile marker 2.5, and Canoe Trail Park is at mile marker 2. Alabama Tourism lists Autauga Creek RV Campground as the only campground on the trail.
The State of Alabama has declared Autauga Creek a navigable waterway from the mill dam in downtown Prattville to the Alabama River. Above the dam, the creek bottom is private property.
Float trip questions
How long is the float from downtown Prattville to the campground?
About 3 miles. Plan on 1½ to 2½ hours, depending on the water and how often you stop.
Where do you put in?
At the Creekwalk behind Prattville City Hall, 101 W Main St, just below the Main Street bridge and the mill dam. There's a paved parking lot by the creek.
Where do you take out?
Campground guests pull out at the campground. The public take-out is Canoe Trail Park, 1123 Rueben Rd, about half a mile farther downstream.
Is Autauga Creek good for beginners?
It's gentle Class I–II moving water, but it has sharp turns and the occasional downed tree. Kayaks are easier than canoes for beginners, and everyone should wear a life jacket.
Can I bring glass on the creek?
No. Glass isn't allowed on Autauga Creek.
Is it safe to float after rain?
Water levels change quickly after heavy rain, and fallen trees can block the channel. Call the office at (334) 717-6188 about current conditions before you float.
Sources: the National Recreation Trails database, Outdoor Alabama, Alabama Recreation Trails, the City of Prattville and WSFA. Conditions change, so check before you go.