See all 8 routes on Green River
Kentucky | Mammoth Cave / Edmonson County
Green RiverHouchins Ferry to Brownsville City Park
Short lower Mammoth Cave Green River continuation from Houchins Ferry to Brownsville City Park. NPS still documents the 3.6-mile public segment, KDFWR still publishes both endpoint accesses, and the direct Mammoth Cave gauge still supports a conservative park-stage model.
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Route location
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Route overview
Trip details
Access rules, camping and seasonal notes.
Permits, camping and season
Access and shuttle
Launch at Houchins Ferry and take out at Brownsville City Park for the short lower Green continuation below the ferry crossing. The direct Mammoth Cave gauge still governs the route, but the current July 14 reading sits above the broad beginner-friendly band and the former Lock and Dam 6 rapid near Brownsville raises the consequence beyond a casual novice float.
Access map
Put-in
Houchins FerryHouchins Ferry is the clean public launch and still provides the best legal pre-trip camping support in this corridor.
Take-out
Brownsville City ParkBrownsville City Park is the intended public take-out. NPS says private land begins after the park boundary, so do not improvise extra stops or a longer continuation without fresh access research.
Road shuttle
Stage the take-out at Brownsville City Park, then drive back to Houchins Ferry. The road shuttle is short, but check current park and ferry conditions before leaving vehicles because Mammoth Cave access status can change without notice.
Additional access notes
- The route is short enough to look easy on paper, but the lower end deserves deliberate boat spacing and scouting if the group is unfamiliar with the former Lock and Dam 6 rapid near Brownsville.
- Ferry, road, and river conditions can change without notice. Check current Mammoth Cave conditions before the shuttle.
More route and safety guidance
- Use Brownsville City Park as the planned public finish and do not extend past the park boundary without fresh access research; NPS notes private land after the park boundary.
- Follow the NPS Mammoth Cave stage model closely: above about 15 ft is more consequential experienced water, and park launching is prohibited at or above 20 ft.
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Conditions
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Station details and river cameras
Station observations
USGS measurements
Measurement notes and coverage
These are observations at the station. Water depth and current can differ along your trip.
River camera · USGS
View at the gauge
Green River at Mammoth Cave, KY. This view may be outside your paddling reach. Images are periodic and do not establish safe conditions.
Photos and recent reports
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Paddler reports
Recent notes from paddlers
A few quick notes from people who were on this route recently.
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Sources and methodology
Review source dates and published guidance below. We have not inspected this trip in person.
Why this scoreData reliability: checking
This rating reflects whether the gauge measures this part of the river, whether published water-level guidance is available, and how recently the data was updated.
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Data behind the scoreWater levels, published guidance and update times
These readings and published water-level limits help explain today’s score.
| Gauge site | Green River at Mammoth Cave, KY |
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| Discharge | Checking |
| 24h trend | Checking |
| 24h change | Checking |
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| Rain last 24h | Checking |
| Rain last 72h | Checking |
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| Rain timing | Checking |
| Preferred range | 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 |
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NotesPublished evidence and verification notes
These notes cover the access details, route quirks, and source caveats most likely to matter once you get there.
- Official route segmentHouchins Ferry to Brownsville, about 3.6 mi
NPS publishes Houchin Ferry to Brownsville as a 3.6-mile Green River trip with an estimated 1.5 to 2 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 launching in the park is prohibited at or above 20 ft. Paddle Today uses that as a conservative public-facing stage model.
- Put-in accessHouchins Ferry, 37.2024, -86.2376
KDFWR identifies Houchins Ferry as a public paved access with camping, restrooms, and ferry-side launch support.
- Take-out accessBrownsville City Park, 37.1964, -86.2757
KDFWR identifies Brownsville City Park as a public paved ramp with parking, toilets, and no camping at the finish.
- Gauge check during route review · July 14, 2026USGS 03309000 at 3950 cfs / 16.15 ft
This reading was saved when we checked the guide. It is not today’s water level. Check the current gauge and local conditions before paddling.
- Brownsville hazard contextCurrent can be swift; former Lock and Dam 6 rapid near finish
NPS says current can be swift on this segment and its boating guidance notes that a class 2 rapid remains from former Lock and Dam 6 shortly before the Brownsville Boat Ramp.
Verify it yourselfCheck the source links
Use these links to double-check the gauge, route details, and access notes before you head out.
- NPS Houchin Ferry to Brownsville
- NPS Canoeing, Kayaking and Boating
- NPS River Safety and Regulations
- KDFWR Houchins Ferry access detail
- KDFWR Brownsville City Park access detail
- KDFWR Lock and Dam 6 Carrydown access detail
- USGS 03309000 Green River at Mammoth Cave
- USGS 03309000 Water Services current values
Other routes nearby
More on Green River
All 8Nearby routes within 75 miles
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