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Kentucky | Mammoth Cave
Green River
Dennison Ferry to Green River Ferry
Check current paddling conditions for this Green River route, including water level, recent gauge trend, weather, and route details.
Route snapshot
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Today
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Start with the verdict, current conditions, route plan, and quick facts before you commit to the drive.
Today's conditions
Gauge
Recent trend
Checking preferred range.
Checking trend.
Gauge source
--Checking timestampMN DNR provides the current paddling level here, but not chart-ready recent samples.
Weather
Best window today
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Today by hour
Short-route forecast
Checking the next several hours.
Quick facts
Plan
Dial in the shuttle, distance, and access.
Use this section once the route looks viable and you need to turn it into an actual trip plan.
Access plan
Access, shuttle, and map
Launch at Dennison Ferry and take out at Green River Ferry for the park's popular scenic Green River day trip. The direct Mammoth Cave gauge is in the same park corridor, but the current July 14 reading sits above the broad beginner-friendly band and should be treated as experienced-water caution rather than a casual green light.
Put-in
Dennison FerryOpen mapDennison Ferry is day-use only with a carry-down launch. Do not plan to camp or leave gear spread across the access.
Take-out
Green River FerryOpen mapNPS says canoe and kayak users should use the access ramp just upstream from the ferry on the south side when finishing at Green River Ferry.
Pulling access map tiles. Usually under 5 seconds.
Access caveats and watch for
Access caveats
- Dennison Ferry is day-use only with a carry-down launch. Do not plan to camp or leave gear spread across the access.
- NPS says canoe and kayak users should use the access ramp just upstream from the ferry on the south side when finishing at Green River Ferry.
- The ferry status can change without notice. Check current conditions or call the ferry hotline before shuttling.
- Cell service can be limited in the park, so do not rely on last-minute online rerouting once the group is on the road.
Watch for
- Swift current, submerged trees and rocks, drifting debris, logjams, and muddy or slick carry-down surfaces.
- Green River Ferry traffic. Stay back, wait for eye contact from the operator, and never linger upriver of the ferry vessel.
- Higher water above about 15 ft, when the river becomes more consequential for casual paddlers, and launch closures at or above 20 ft.
- Heat, limited rescue access, and slower emergency response times in the park.
Route gallery
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Sources
Check the data behind today's call.
Use this section when the page shows stale data, limited confidence, or a call you want to verify before driving.
Why this scoreToday's data confidence is checking
Data confidence mostly comes down to three things: how direct the gauge is, how clear the range is, and how fresh the data is.
- Checking data confidence notes.
- Checking data confidence cautions.
OutlookTomorrow and weekend
This is a cautious early look. If the data is too thin, we leave it out.
Waiting on forecast.
Waiting on forecast.
Data behind the scoreGauge, thresholds, and timing
These are the live readings and threshold notes behind today's score.
| Gauge site | Green River at Mammoth Cave, KY |
| Gauge height | Checking |
| Discharge | Checking |
| 24h trend | Checking |
| 24h change | Checking |
| Current band | Checking |
| Rain last 24h | Checking |
| Rain last 72h | Checking |
| Air temp | Checking |
| Water temp | Checking |
| Wind | Checking |
| Gusts | Checking |
| Rain timing | Checking |
| Target band | 9.00 ft to 15.00 ft |
| Low threshold | 9.00 ft |
| High threshold | 20.00 ft |
| Data confidence behind the range | Official data source |
| Gauge observed | Checking |
| Paddle Today updated | Checking |
| Main source behind this score | Mammoth Cave NPS Green River skill-level stage guidance |
| Gauge source | Checking |
| Weather source | Checking |
| Rainfall source | Checking |
NotesWhat to know before you go
These notes cover the access details, route quirks, and source caveats most likely to matter once you get there.
- Official route segmentDennison Ferry to Green River Ferry, about 7.5-7.6 mi
KDFWR lists Dennison Ferry to Green River Ferry as a 7.5-mile Pool 6 segment, and NPS separately publishes the same Mammoth Cave trip as 7.6 miles with an estimated 2.5 to 4 hours of travel time.
- Official stage model9-15 ft broad audience, >=20 ft closed
NPS says beginner Green River conditions in the park are about 9 to 15 ft, experienced paddlers may continue higher, and launching in the park is prohibited at or above 20 ft. Paddle Today uses that as a conservative public-facing stage model.
- Put-in accessDennison Ferry, 37.2174, -86.0493
KDFWR identifies Dennison Ferry as a free carry-down access inside Mammoth Cave National Park with gravel parking and day-use-only rules.
- Take-out accessGreen River Ferry, 37.1795, -86.1123
NPS notes canoe and kayak users should use the access just upstream on the south side of the ferry, and KDFWR still identifies Green River Ferry as a public paved park ramp with year-round availability.
- Live-gauge supportUSGS 03309000 at 3950 cfs / 16.15 ft
USGS Water Services returned same-day July 14, 2026 values of 3950 cfs and 16.15 ft for Green River at Mammoth Cave. That keeps the route below the NPS launch closure but above the park's broad beginner-friendly target band.
- Route characterScenic flatwater, gravel bars, islands, back channels
NPS describes this as a popular scenic flatwater Green River trip with gravel bars, islands, back channels, riverside caves at lower water, and abundant wildlife.
Verify it yourselfCheck the source links
Use these links to double-check the gauge, route details, and access notes before you head out.
Paddler reports
Recent notes from paddlers
A few quick notes from people who were on this route recently.
Reports
Photos, paddler notes, and updates.
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More routes to check next
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Quick answers
Green River paddling FAQ
What water level is good for paddling Green River?
Paddle Today watches Green River at Mammoth Cave, KY and treats 9.00 ft to 15.00 ft as the target band for this route, with weather and recent trend included in the final score.
Where does this Green River route start and end?
This route starts at Dennison Ferry and ends at Green River Ferry, about About 7.5 mi on the water.
Is this Green River route good for beginners?
This is listed as a moderate route. Expect more planning than an easy float, and use the live score, route notes, and source links before committing.
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