FAQ

Because we pride ourselves on exceptional service and outstanding value, when you make a reservation, we hold a place just for you. Unlike other industries, we do not overbook our trips to hedge against potential cancellations. We are committed to providing you with the experience you requested and conversely, we ask that you commit to honoring your reservation. In addition, we reserve the requested equipment and remove it from our available inventory to ensure that your trip goes off without a hitch. In order to maintain our high standards, please understand that we must adhere to the following cancellation policies.

We do not offer refunds once the trip has been reserved.

Trips will go rain or shine. However, active thunderstorms affecting the paddling window will cause a trip to be delayed or cancelled.

Weather Raincheck: We reserve the right to change any itinerary to match existing conditions. If we must cancel due to unsafe or unsuitable weather or water conditions, you will receive a rain check which can be used at any time the current season or the following season, outside of some holiday periods.

Booking Coverage: (Recommended) We offer a “Booking Coverage” for $7 per person which provides you the flexibility to make changes to your reservation, such as rescheduling for any reason that may come up. With this protection you will be able to Raincheck your activity and reschedule at any time within 2 years, outside of holiday periods. (unlimited reschedules provided) Most guests select this option to provide flexibility to their booking in the event they need to make a change. (Please note: if the re-booking is scheduled for a day and/or time where the cost is higher, you will be responsible for paying the difference for the upgrade. For example, changing an off-season priced trip to a peak season priced trip, etc.  Additionally any changes to boats that affect the cost will also be charged to the guest. For example, changing one canoe to two kayaks will be more expensive, therefore the difference in cost will be added to the reservation)

Due to high demand reservations are required.
 
A reservation will speed up your check-in process as well as let us know how many boats you need ahead of time. We do allow walk-ins on the weekdays if we have boats available, but on weekends we usually do not have any extra boats. Either way we always recommend showing up at least 30 minutes before the hour you want to leave to make sure you have enough time for check in for your trip.

Pricing varies depending on the trip, boat type, date, time, and availability.

For the most accurate pricing, visit our online booking system and select your trip and preferred date. You’ll be able to view available boats, trip options, and exact pricing for your group.

No customer information is required to receive a quote. Simply explore your options and pricing before deciding whether you’d like to make a reservation.

Our booking system always displays the most current rates and availability, ensuring you receive the most accurate quote for your adventure.

👉 Click Book Now to check pricing and availability.

Trip times vary by season, demand, and river conditions, but most reservations are available at the following times:

Weekdays

• 9:30 AM
• 11:30 AM
• 1:30 PM (available on select days based on river conditions and demand)

Saturdays & Sundays

• 8:30 AM
• 9:30 AM
• 10:30 AM
• 11:30 AM
• 12:30 PM
• 1:30 PM *
• 2:30 PM *

We recommend arriving 30 minutes before your scheduled departure time to allow plenty of time for check-in, waivers, life jacket fitting, and loading onto the shuttle.

* Want the most time on the river? Morning departures offer the most flexibility for swimming, fishing, relaxing, and exploring. All trips must be completed by 6:00 PM, so later afternoon departures naturally have less time available on the water.

Tip: Early morning trips often provide cooler temperatures, lighter crowds, and some of the best opportunities for wildlife viewing.

Because trip times and availability can change based on weather, water levels, and seasonal demand, the best place to view current schedules is our online booking system. Click Book Now  to view real-time availability and trip schedules. No customer information is required to browse available times.

• Please keep in mind that 8am-11:30 am is the busiest time so plan accordingly.
• For all Saturday and Sunday trips, make sure to arrive at least 30 minutes prior to your trip time to get checked in and loaded on the buses. For weekday trips, 20 minutes prior should be fine.

**In our off-season which begins on October 1st, our last departure will be at 12:00 and the last pick-up will be at 4:00. If you wish spend more time on the water, please plan on doing the morning time slots to allow plenty of time.**

You must be 18 years old or older to rent a canoe or kayak by yourself. If you are under the age of 18, a parent or legal guardian must sign the release form for you and you must have at least one person with you or in your group 18 or older.

After booking, you will receive an automated email with an online waiver to be filled out by the parent or the parent must come to the store to fill out a physical waiver.

The youngest age allowed to be in a canoe or kayak by themselves is around 10 years old depending on experience, parental permission, and the waterflow that day. The youngest allowed in a canoe or kayak with an adult is 3 years old or 5+ with more waterflow. If you have a child, feel free to call ahead of time to see what the waterflow is. If we suspect your child to be too small we may have to refuse your trip.

Absolutely! The Caney River Tavern serves a full menu of fresh-made breakfast, lunch, and specialty items right here at Canoe the Caney.

Breakfast is one of our biggest hidden gems. Start your day with hearty favorites like sausage, egg & cheese or bacon, egg & cheese bagels, breakfast burritos, and breakfast scrambles. Our breakfast sandwiches feature thick, flavorful sausage patties and generous portions that have earned a loyal following among locals and paddlers alike.

For lunch, don’t miss our authentic Philly cheesesteaks, made with ingredients imported directly from Philadelphia for the real deal experience. We also serve fresh-made smoothies, hand-squeezed lemonade, and a rotating menu of daily specials that may include shrimp tacos, chicken quesadillas, shrimp po’boys, blackened chicken po’boys, and more.

And if you hear people talking about Jay’s BBQ, they’re not exaggerating. Our famous hickory-smoked barbecue is offered on select days and special events and tends to sell out quickly whenever it’s available—especially during the Haunted Canoe Trip season.

Pro Tip: Daily specials are made fresh and available in limited quantities, so if you see something you want, don’t wait too long to order!

Please Check-In with the store before taking your boats off of your car/trailer.

We do offer a shuttle service Monday – Friday for customer’s private boats from our main store location.

On weekends during the peak summer, Memorial weekend through Labor Day weekend, we do our shuttles for private boats from our satellite location. You can come to our main location and check out, then you will be given directions to our satellite location where they will have trailers and they can transports your boats from there.

During our peak season, we have to have everyone off the river by 5:00pm CST. So our last trip for the long paddle is 1pm and our last trip for the shorter paddle is 2pm.

We do not allow alcohol. We want you to have a great time but safety is always our top priority. Alcohol and boating do not mix!

Tennessee State Law for operating human powered vessels such as canoes, kayaks and stand up paddleboards (SUP) state: “It is unlawful to use or be in possession of drugs or controlled substances while boating or paddling.” And also, “Use or possession of alcohol by individuals who are underage is prohibited.”

This is also a very family oriented activity and we want all of our customers to enjoy their time with us. So come on out, enjoy the beauty of the river, and wait until you’re safe at home to drink.

At Canoe the Caney your safety is most important! We don’t put out trips if the generation or water release is strong enough to create a current that presents an unusual hazard. Therefore, Canoe The Caney reserves the right to close or cancel trips at anytime depending on weather or river conditions.

You can always check the message at the top of our site which in most cases during our peak season displays, ” Canoe the Caney is Open Today” to see any posted closings due to weather or river conditions.

Yes, we provide all life jackets for children ranging ages 3 and up. We do not recommend nor allow children under the age of 3 years old in a canoe or kayak even with an adult due to safety concerns.

While we do provide life jackets for children, we recommend if you have a coast guard approved life vest for your child age 3-8 you bring that as most young children are much more comfortable in their own life vests.

Yes with Restrictions. At Canoe The Caney we are animal lovers too, but due to safety concerns, your pet must be small enough to fit in your lap, and you will need to bring a pet carrier to gain access on the bus. Soft carriers are recommended as you will have to keep the carrier with you. Canoe the Caney reserves the right to refuse any pet in circumstances as deemed necessary by Canoe the Caney management.

Please let us know ahead of time if you have special needs and use a service animal.

At Canoe The Caney, we want you to enjoy everything about the river. Therefore, if you are planning to fish, or just need more time, that’s no problem! Just let our staff know in advance and we will be happy to accommodate your needs.

That depends on you. Most people can stay pretty dry during their trip. However, some may want to get in the water from time to time to cool off. At a minimum, you should expect to get your feet wet getting in and out of the canoe.

Although you may stay dry, we recommend that you bring a change of clothes with you just in case.

The Caney Fork River has many sites and wildlife to see, which would be great to snap a shot of. If you choose to bring your camera, we advise to protect it by placing it in a dry storage bag. We would hate for anything to happen that could spoil your day and a damaged camera is definitely a day spoiler. For your convenience, we do sell the clear dry storage bags in our gift shop if you do not have one.

A day on the Caney will be a lot of fun, but there’s a few things we would recommend you bring with you to make your day more enjoyable.

These items are:

• Water and snacks are key on those hot summer days. All groups should have AT LEAST one bottle of water per person for all trips, especially May-September.
• Sunblock
• Sunglasses
• A hat or scarf to protect you head
• A change of clothes
• Towels
• Water shoes
• Plastic storage containers or dry packs for cameras/cell phones

In the event you forget any of these items, don’t worry, we stock most items needed in our gift shop.

Yes, it is common for two adults and a child to ride in one canoe. There are two stationary seats at the front and back of each canoe, and for a child riding as a third passenger, we offer a comfortable soft cushion for the middle, which can be rented upon arrival.

Yes, we have backrests for our canoes, available to rent for a small upcharge.

Yes, we offer two person tandem kayaks.

At Canoe The Caney we mostly rent sit on top kayaks as these are by far the most preferred type of kayak.