Every question, all in one place.

Yes. Every canoe and kayak rental includes paddles, USCG-approved life jackets, shuttle transportation to or from the river, and parking. If you bring your own boat, you must provide your own paddle and life jacket — we sell both in the camp store.

A single kayak holds one paddler. A tandem kayak holds two paddlers and is a great option for a parent with an older child or a couple who wants to share a boat.

We are located at Bell Bridge on Highway 13 in Waynesboro, Tn. We float a 26 mile section of the Buffalo River which includes the counties of Lewis, Perry, & Wayne.  The first 16 miles are upriver above our office. The last 10 miles are downriver past our office.

The 8-mile trip averages 4–5 hours and the 10-mile trip averages 5–6 hours. The 16-mile overnight is spread across two days at your own pace. Times vary with water level and how long you stop at gravel bars.

No. Canoes, kayaks, campsites and personal boat transports are all first come, first served. Cabins and lodge rooms are the only things that require a reservation.

We do not have set launch times.  Launch any time from opening until your trip's last-launch cutoff time which is listed on the float page. On Saturdays-- especially the Saturday of a holiday weekend-- we recommend being on the water by 10am or earlier to avoid long lines. 

• A cooler with food/snacks for the whole day
• More water than you think you'll need
• Sunscreen
• Hat
• Water shoes that stay on your feet
• Bungees
• Dry bag/box strapped onto the boat
• Everyone must have a lifejacket, children 12 and under must wear one at all times while in the boat. These are provided, but feel free to bring your own if you prefer.
• Most of these items are sold in our camp store, so don't worry if you forget something.

• NEVER TAKE YOUR KEYS! We're happy to hold them for you in the office while you float-- free of charge.
• We recommend leaving phones, money, wallets, jewelry, cameras, etc locked up in your vehicle. If you decide to carry your phone, make sure it's kept in a dry bag/box that's secured to your boat.
• No glass containers of any kind
• No oversized coolers or anything too heavy to carry over a gravel bar — we recommend soft bag coolers for kayaks
• No fishing poles unless you're 12 and under or have a current TN fishing license
• No trash left behind — pack out everything you bring in

Yes. Mon-Fri last launch is 11am (return by 6pm); Sat & Sun last launch is 2pm (return before dark). You can launch any time from opening up to that cutoff. Late fees Mon-Fri: $10/person after 6pm, plus $10/person for every hour thereafter. Applies to 10-mile trip only.

Tubes are strictly prohibited to use on float trips. Our trips are too long, so you cannot use them as your sole means of getting down the river. You can take them to play in, but everyone must have a seat in a boat. If you're camping with us, you're welcome to bring tubes and float the 1-mile stretch through our campgrounds. Day-pass guests are not allowed in the campgrounds and must stay downriver from the bridge in the designated area, so tubing through the campgrounds is not an option for day-pass guests.

Renting 10+ canoes? Call us for group pricing. (Group rates don't apply to kayak rentals.)

No. The Buffalo River is a great river for beginners. It has class 1 and 2 currents with no whitewater, so first-time kayakers do fine. Staff will explain anything important about the route and the pickup point before you launch. We also have a mile marker sheet for our 10 mile trip so you can keep up with how far you've been and know where everything is located. If they forget to offer this, don't hesitate to ask for one.

Yes. It is required by Tn state law. Everyone must have one with them in the boat. Children 12 and under must wear them at all times while in the boat. NOTE:  Life jackets and paddles are included with every canoe and kayak RENTAL at no extra charge.  If you are bringing your own boat, you are also required to provide your own paddle and jacket.

Yes! There are gravel bars along all of our trips. Please keep in mind that all land along the river — including our access sites — are privately owned. Please respect landowner signage and always leave things better than you found it.

Please do not bring glass. Pack out everything you pack in — we always have free trash bags at the office. If you need extras, just ask. We also have trash receptacles at the end of each trip.

If you take the 8-mile trip it ends at your vehicle. The 10-mile trip ends at the blue painted rock.

Personal boats must arrange transportation with us in the office prior to unloading your boat. We will direct you from there.

No public parking or access at any of our river access points. Vehicles will be towed at owner's expense if you do so.

Call 911-- they will then will call us. We will coordinate with emergency services to determine the best plan of action for all parties involved.

Canoes are limited to 2 adults only. A 3rd person is allowed only at our discretion and must be a child 12 or under.

Pets are welcome, but they must be on a leash at all times while in the campgrounds and in our vehicles during transport. Please let us know about any pets when renting your boats. We love animals but reserve the right to refuse service or transportation if we feel the need.

The price for us to shuttle your own boat is subject to change without notice. Current prices are listed on the "Float" page. Please check with the office if you have any questions.

If you are a Tennessee non-tax organization, please bring a copy of your tax-exempt form for the 10% tax exemption.

We are grateful for all of our men and women in the U.S. Military and law enforcement and would like to thank them by offering a 10% discount on the price of their canoe or kayak rental. This applies to your individual boat only, not your whole group. A valid ID must be presented for each member receiving the discount.

If you arrive at 10am or later on a Saturday, prepare for the possibility of having to wait in line. We try to keep wait times to a minimum, but sometimes it's unavoidable during peak times. We highly recommend arriving as early as possible on Saturdays if you wish to avoid the wait.

When you rent your boats, everyone in your group should be ready to launch within 10-15 minutes. Please do not rent boats at 8am when half of your group still hasn't arrived and is planning to launch at 11am — this causes confusion for everyone.

We have milemarker sheets to help you find everything. If you are not offered one of these please don't hesitate to ask for one.

Paddle on the left to go right. Paddle on the right to go left.

BE SAFE & HAVE FUN!!! That's what it's all about.

It is highly recommended. Lodging is the only thing that requires a reservation. Canoes, kayaks and campsites are first come, first served.

You will still need to call us for the remainder of the 2026 season. Beginning April 1, 2027 you will pick your dates above, check availability and book online in about a minute — you will be reserving the exact cabin or lodge room you choose. Card pre-payment is required at the time of booking, and you can also call the office during business hours.

Arrive any time after 2pm and check-out by 11am. There's no need to check-in in the office upon arrival or departure— we'll email the details with your confirmation.

Cancel 5 or more days out for a full refund minus a 10% processing fee. Inside 4 days is non-refundable, and there are no refunds for no-shows or early departures.

No. Pets are never allowed in any cabin or lodge room — no exceptions. A cleaning fee applies and you'll be asked to leave. Pets are welcome in the campgrounds and on float trips but must be on a leash.

No. All camping is first come, first served — we've never had to turn anyone away. Come on in, pick a spot and set up.

Bring cash. Fees are collected at the gate or by a camping assistant at your site, and our camping assistants cannot accept credit or debit cards. You can also pay in our office during business hours.

All camping is first come, first served — we've never had to turn anyone away.

Camping fees are typically collected at the gate or by a camping assistant at your site. CASH ONLY — assistants cannot take cards.

Gates are never locked. Come in quietly at any time, find a spot and set up. Check in at the office the next morning if we miss you.

Power adapters for tent electric sites are available at the office or from camping assistants for a refundable $10 deposit.

No generators in the campgrounds. North campground quiet time is 11pm. South campground quiet time is 12am

Everyone's here to have a good time — if a guest or group gets out of hand or disrupts the campground, our security has full authority to step in and ask them to leave the property, no refund.

$7 per person / day. 5 & under free Wayne, Perry & Lewis County locals free with ID. ALL individuals visiting for the day MUST check in at the office and get a wrist band. Stay in the designated area — the campgrounds are for overnight campers only. Tubes are welcome in the swim area, but day-pass guests can't walk through the campgrounds or tube through the campgrounds. Showers and restrooms are available for all guests.

Yes — three free bath houses across the property: one in the north campground, one by the pavilion, and downstairs at the office building. Day pass guests must use the main office restrooms.

No. Our office, campgrounds, river accesses, etc are all privately owned property.

No.

Yes & yes. If you are 13 years old or older and carry your fishing pole, you will need a current Tennessee fishing license. You can purchase one online HERE.

The Buffalo River in Tennessee is home to approximately 85 different species of fish. It is well-known for its Smallmouth Bass, but it hosts a variety of others including Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Channel Catfish, Flathead Catfish, Rock Bass, Buffalo fish (where it got its name from), Longear Sunfish, Green Sunfish, Yellow Bullhead, and several rare species like darters, saddled madtom, and southern cavefish — amongst others.