See all 32 routes on Green River
Kentucky | Mammoth Cave
Green River
Green River Ferry to Houchins Ferry
Check current paddling conditions for this Green River route, including water level, recent gauge trend, weather, and route details.
Route location
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Need to know
Why this call
Conditions
Gauge history and hourly forecast
The top card is the quick read. This lower section keeps the longer gauge trend, gauge context, and hourly forecast together.
Gauge detail
Gauge history & hourly forecastDetailed view
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
Hourly forecast
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Next 8 hours
Short-route forecast
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Route overview
Quick facts and what's next
Distance, difficulty, shuttle basics, and the near-term outlook before you commit to the drive.
Quick facts
Plan ahead
Upcoming outlook
These are early planning reads. Re-check live conditions before you commit to the drive.
Waiting on forecast.
Waiting on forecast.
Plan
Plan your trip
Launch points, shuttle details, distance, and access notes.
Route logistics
Access and shuttle
Launch below Green River Ferry and continue downstream to Houchins Ferry for a quieter, longer Mammoth Cave Green River run. The direct Mammoth Cave gauge anchors the route, but the current July 14 stage sits above the broad beginner-friendly band and should be treated as consequential experienced water.
Prepare this trip
Take the plan with you
Download the canonical route, add a calendar hold, or send a simple float plan to your group.
Put-in
Green River FerryLaunch and load on the downstream side of Green River Ferry so you do not interfere with ferry operations.
Take-out
Houchins FerryHouchins Ferry has the easiest overnight support in this route family, but the ramp and campground still sit inside a managed park setting with posted quiet-hour and facility rules.
Plan this segment
Access caveats and watch for
Access caveats
- Launch and load on the downstream side of Green River Ferry so you do not interfere with ferry operations.
- Houchins Ferry has the easiest overnight support in this route family, but the ramp and campground still sit inside a managed park setting with posted quiet-hour and facility rules.
- On-route camping requires a valid riverside permit and is flow-dependent. Use only legal gravel-bar or low-bank sites allowed by park rules.
- This longer stretch is less traveled than Dennison-to-Green River Ferry, so groups should be more self-sufficient about shuttle, weather, and emergency planning.
Watch for
- Ferry traffic at the launch, plus submerged trees, logjams, gravel-bar shifts, back channels, and drifting debris throughout the run.
- Higher water above about 15 ft, when the route becomes more consequential, and launch closures at or above 20 ft.
- Cold springs, exposed sun, limited cell service, and fewer nearby bailout options than the shorter park segment.
- Camping mistakes: rising overnight water, unsecured boats, and unauthorized stops without a valid permit.
Route gallery
See this route on the water
Photos help show what the access looks like and what the route actually feels like on the water.
Score & sources
Why this score
See the gauge, weather, and source notes behind today's call.
Why this scoreToday's evidence strength is checking
Evidence strength mostly comes down to three things: how direct the active gauge is, how clear the range is, and how fresh the data is.
- Checking evidence-strength notes.
- Checking evidence cautions.
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 |
| Evidence strength 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 segmentGreen River Ferry to Houchins Ferry, about 12.3-12.4 mi
KDFWR lists Green River Ferry to Houchins Ferry as a 12.3-mile Pool 6 segment, and NPS separately publishes the same park trip as 12.4 miles with an estimated 4 to 6 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 and park launching is prohibited at or above 20 ft. Paddle Today uses that as a conservative public-facing stage model.
- Put-in accessGreen River Ferry, 37.1795, -86.1123
KDFWR identifies Green River Ferry as a free single-lane paved park ramp with year-round availability, picnic tables, and access near Mammoth Cave Campground.
- Take-out accessHouchins Ferry, 37.2024, -86.2376
KDFWR identifies Houchins Ferry as a free paved park ramp with year-round camping, restrooms, picnic facilities, and ferry-side access support.
- 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, above the broad beginner-friendly 9 to 15-foot band but below the NPS 20-foot launch closure.
- Camping contextPermitted riverside camping plus Houchins campground
NPS says this route can support gravel-bar or low-bank camping at lower water with a valid riverside camping permit, and Houchin Ferry Campground itself offers developed endpoint camping.
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
Paddler reports
See recent photos and notes from people on the route.
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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 Green River Ferry and ends at Houchins Ferry, about About 12.3 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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