Carter Caves State Resort Park, near Olive Hill, is hosting several kayak and canoe adventure trips on weekends in March, April, and May, 2013.
The Tygart Creek Kayak Float is being billed as a “BYOK” event (bring your own kayak). This 6-mile, 3.5-hour, guided kayak trip will take paddlers down Tygart Creek and through one of Kentucky’s most scenic limestone gorges with a side trip into a natural limestone tunnel.
The park will provide a transportation shuttle from the Welcome Center to the launch site. Required equipment for participants includes a kayak, paddle, PFD (life jacket), cool-weather attire, a change of clothes, treaded footwear, flashlight (for the tunnel visit), sack lunch, bottled water, and a dry bag for supplies.
The dates for the Tygart Creek Kayak Float are March 23 and May 11 and will leave from the Welcome Center at 10:00 a.m. both days. Cost of the trip is $25.00 per person and preregistration is required.
The annual Tygart Creek ‘Regretta’ Canoe Excursion is a 6-mile canoe trip through Tygarts Creek Gorge and will also visit the limestone tunnel in addition to viewing all the natural beauty spring in eastern Kentucky has to offer. This outing requires participants to have previous canoeing experience; the inexperienced canoeist will soon learn why it is called ‘regretta.’
The park will provide a guide, canoes, paddles, life jackets, and transportation to and from the creek. Required equipment for participants includes a cool-weather attire, a change of clothes, treaded footwear, flashlight (for the tunnel visit), sack lunch, bottled water, and a dry bag for supplies.
The dates for the Tygart Creek ‘Regretta’ Canoe Excursion are April 13, April 14, and May 12 and will leave from the Welcome Center at 9:30 a.m. Cost of the trip is $25.00 per person and preregistration is required.
To make a reservation for either the Tygart Creek Kayak Float or the Tygart Creek ‘Regretta’ Canoe Excursion, call the park at (800) 325-0059. The park reserves the right to cancel any trip due to high or low water levels or extreme weather conditions.
As the name of the park suggests, caves are a big part of the park. Cave tours of X Cave and Cascade Cave are available year round.
Carter Caves is also home to the Lewis Caveland Lodge. Constructed with native fieldstone, the lodge has 28 rooms, each with a private balcony or patio overlooking the surrounding woodlands. The lodge also has a dining room, Tierney’s Cavern Restaurant, with seating for 100.
Other facilities at the park include cottages, campground, picnic areas, golf course, miniature golf, and a large outdoor pool.
Carter Caves is less than 150 from Metro Louisville via I-64. From exit 161 near Olive Hill, follow the signs to the park. Detailed directions can be found using Google Maps.
Carter Caves State Resort Park
344 Caveland Drive
Olive Hill, KY 41164
Telephone: (606) 286-4411 or (800) 325-0059
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