Up The Creek With A Paddle!

Guests on a Cave Tour

Great paddling events are planned for Carter Caves State Resort Park for March, April, and May. Warm up the Spring with an adventure float down Tygarts Creek.  Known for its caves and outdoor amenities, Carter Caves State Resort Park has a dining room, cottages, lodge rooms, golf, horseback riding, hiking trails, fishing, and camping.

‘BYOK’ Tygart Creek Kayak Float
March 23 and May 11

This is a 6-mile kayak trip that navigates paddlers down Tygarts Creek, which cuts through one of Kentucky's most scenic limestone gorges. You will be on the creek for at least 3.5 hours. “BYOK” stands for bring your own kayak. The park provides the transportation shuttle from the Welcome Center and guides for your trip on the creek. You will see high cliffsides and the natural beauty that the spring has to offer. There will be a side trip into one of Kentucky’s largest natural limestone tunnels. Required equipment includes; kayak, paddle, PFD (life jacket), the correct attire for cool-weather paddling, a complete change of clothes, treaded footwear, flashlight (for natural tunnel visit), sack lunch, bottled water and a dry bag for your supplies.  Participants meet at the Welcome Center at 10 a.m. The cost is $25 per person. Limited space available; preregistration is required. Call the park’s recreation department to register, 1-800-325-0059. (This trip may be canceled due to high or low water levels or extreme weather conditions).

Paddling on Tygarts Creek

Tygart Creek ‘Regretta’ Canoe Excursion 

April 13, 14 and May 12

This is a 6-mile canoe trip that navigates paddlers through the Tygarts Creek Gorge, one of Kentucky's most scenic limestone gorges.  You will be on the creek for at least 3.5 hours.  Canoe experience is required. If you don’t have the experience, then you’ll know why we call this a “REGRETTA.” Along the way you’ll see high cliffsides and the natural beauty that the spring has to offer. There will also be a side trip into one of Kentucky’s largest natural limestone tunnels. A guide, canoes, paddles, life jackets and transportation to and from the creek are provided. Required equipment is warm clothes, extra change of clothes, treaded footwear, flashlight (for natural tunnel visit), sack lunch, bottled water and a dry bag for your supplies. The cost is $25 per person. Limited space available; preregistration is required. Participants meet at the Welcome Center at 9:30 a.m. (This trip may be canceled due to high or low water levels or extreme weather conditions).  Call the park’s recreation department to register at 1-800-325-0059.

Directions: From Interstate 64, Exit 161, take U.S. 60 east. Go approximately 2 miles and turn left on KY 182 north. The park entrance is 3 miles from the left turn onto KY 182 north.