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Cave Country Canoes introduces you to a few tips and tricks that will be helpful in making your first canoe or kayak trip even more enjoyable.
Take a moment and review the next few pages and then get ready to float your boat on the beautiful Blue River, Indiana’s first designated scenic river.
We look forward to seeing you on the beautiful Blue River soon. -
Cash & Cards. We accept cash and all major credit cards.
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We Love Pets. Bring your four legged friend, but keep them on a leash. Once you get into the canoe, you can take your pet off the leash and enjoy your trip. Never tie a pet or person to your canoe or kayak.
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We Cannot Hold Keys. We don’t hold keys but you may rent a locker at Cave Country Canoes. The cost is $5.00. If possible, avoid taking key fobs. If you must, key fobs should be stored in water tight containers or floating key chains and attached to your self or boat.
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Cave Country Canoes will operate rain or shine. However, if you are on the river and there is lightening we ask that you pull over off the water and wait for the lightening to pass. Once the lightening has pass you may continued your trip.
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Sandbars or Islands. You are only allowed to stop on sandbars or islands. The majority of the land along Blue River is privately owned.
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Our Campground
We offer electric and primitive/non electric sites with a river view. There are modern showers and restrooms facilities. Call 812-633-4806, ext. 2 for more details or to make a reservations.
Nearby
- Marengo Cave is just 4 miles away and offers full electric sites perfect for RV’s, campers, and tents.
More Options
- O’Bannon Woods State Park
- Sycamore Springs
- Patoka Lake Campground
- Buffalo Trace Park offers both primitive and modern campsites.
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Fishing Is Good
Blue River is noted for its smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, channel catfish, and flathead catfish. Indiana fishing regulations apply.
Licenses are required for those 17 and older.DNR Division of Fish and Wildlife Info:
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It Saves Time!
It will save you quite a bit of time if you are part of a group. Download our release waiver.
If you have problems viewing the PDF above, you may need to [download Adobe Acrobat Reader]https://cavecountrycanoes.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6071/2022/12/201405_Canoeing_Release_Waiver.pdf for free
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June & July
Most people prefer water levels that are not high and swift, making June and July the best time for most trips. Saturdays are our busiest days,
followed by Sundays. Weekdays are usually slower.We are open daily May through August and weekends only in April, September, and October. For additional hours and river conditions , call 812-633-4806, ext. 2
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- No glass containers
- No Styrofoam coolers
- Only personal sized coolers are allowed during ‘Special Events.’ (Full Moon Float, Twilight Canoe and Dinner for Two)
- Larger coolers are only allowed on day time trips
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Generally Two
There are two seats in a canoe, so 2 paddlers are ideal for a canoe. If water levels permit, a child under 12 may ride in the middle of the canoe on a cushion, sometimes 2 small children. The weight limit is 500 lbs in ideal water conditions.
Kayaks are a great option for groups with an uneven number of people.
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The Necessities
We provide the following:
- life vests
- paddles
- a litter bag
- a map
- an opportunity to view an instructional video
- transportation from the operating base to the “put-in” and/or “take-out” location
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Marengo Cave
Marengo Cave, a U.S. National Landmark, is only five minutes away. Your family can enjoy two outstanding cave
tours, pan for gems at their gemstone mine, shop for unique gifts, or squeeze through The Crawl.Check out our Nearby page for more ideas.
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River Conditions
Times may vary due to rising and falling water levels. Always call ahead for the best departure time. We operate on Eastern Daylight Time (EDT).
Departure & Return
We open at 8:00 am.
Buses depart every 45 minutes for the half day trip, with the last trip departing at 3:00 pm. You must return by 8PM.- Half-day – Please be here by 2:30 pm to catch the last bus out.
- Full-day- Check with the reservations team or our website for dates available.
- You must be here by 10:30 am and ready to depart behind our gift shop by 11 am, you must be finished with your trip by 6 pm.
- Our last shuttle back to your car is at 6 pm. Late arrivals are subject to a $50 per person per hour charge.
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Age 3 and 30 Pounds
Children must be at least 3 years old and weigh no less than 30 pounds. Our smallest life jackets are for 30-50 pounds.
If you have a child that is three years old or older and does NOT weigh 30 pounds, then you must furnish a US Coast Guard approved life jacket.
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Mostly Class I
Most of the rapids are Class I, the easiest to maneuver. This makes Blue River an excellent stream for family canoeing.
Here are the average drops by trip. A larger drop means you will find faster current.
- 7 mile trip – 2.2 feet per mile
- 14 mile trip – 4.2 feet per mile
In the spring, when water levels tend to be the best, there are several Class II rapids on our full-day 14 mile trip on the lower river section.
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Cave Country Canoes will operate rain or shine. We do not offer refunds for inclement weather. We do understand guests may not want to paddle in the rain. In the case of prepaid reservations and group deposits, when forecasts predict a 70% chance of rain or greater, Cave Country Canoes will allow guests to transfer their trip to another date. We do not offer refunds for inclement weather.
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Kayak $26/Canoe/Tandem Kayak $50 Fee 7-Mile Half Day Trip
Kayak $30/Canoe $60 Fee 14-Mile Full Day Trip (must have reservations)
Yes, we will. There is a non-refundable fee per craft charge. Please see above for pricing. However, you must choose a trip that we are currently running.
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Several Brands
We are a large outfitter with over 500 canoes and kayaks.
- Old Town Discovery 158’s (15’8” long)
- Mad River Journey
- Paluski
Kayaks Available
Kayaks have become an increasingly popular way to experience Blue River. We offer both “sit in” and “sit-on-top” one person kayaks.
The cost to rent a kayak is slightly higher. Due to increasing popularity, kayaks can now be reserved by phone.
Tandem Kayaks Available
We also offer a Tandem Kayak. This is a two person kayak. Perfect way to get some back support or bring a child with you on a kayak.
Weight Limits
- Canoe
- 500 pounds
- Kayak – Single Seat
- Riviera – Sit on Top
- 300 pounds
- Vapor – Sit-in
- 325 pounds
- Riviera – Sit on Top
- Tandem Kayak – Double Seat
- Riviera T
- 450 pounds
- Riviera T
Kayaks are the best option for lower water times.
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Tubes and boards are not recommended on Blue River. We won’t prohibit them, but we want you to enjoy you trip.