7-Mile, Half-Day Trip is available every day. Last trip leaves at 1PM Mon-Fri. 14-Mile, Full-Day trip available Saturdays with reservations only. All Trips are weather and water levels permitting.

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FAQ

FAQs

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.

See our Visitors Guide

Cash & Cards. We accept cash and all major credit cards.

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.

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.

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.
Sandbars or Islands. You are only allowed to stop on sandbars or islands. The majority of the land along Blue River is privately owned.
Our Campground

We offer electric, pull-through water and electric hook-ups,  and primitive/non electric sites with a river view. There are modern showers and restrooms facilities. Call 812-633-4806, ext. 1 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

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:

  • Fishing License Fees
  • Fishing Report

It Saves Time!

It will save you quite a bit of time if you are part of a group. Download and print our release waiver. We do not accept digital forms at this time.

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.

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 or ext 1 for the reservation office.

    • 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

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.

The Necessities

We provide the following:

  • life vests (Renters Only)
  • paddles (Renters Only)
  • 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
  • Guest who bring their own boat will need to bring their paddle and life vests.

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.

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.

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.

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.

 

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.

7-Mile Half Day Trip – Kayak $26/Canoe/Tandem Kayak $50 Fee 

Saturday and Sunday Peak trip times 9:30-11:00 Kayak $40/Canoe/Tandem Kayak $70 Fee

14-Mile Full Day Trip – Kayak $30/Canoe $50 Fee (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.

Several Brands

We are a large outfitter with over 500 canoes and kayaks.

  • Mad River Journey – Canoe

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
  • Tandem Kayak – Double Seat
    • Riviera T
      • 450 pounds

Kayaks are the best option for lower water times.

Tubes and boards are not recommended on Blue River. We won’t prohibit them, but we want you to enjoy you trip.