Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to make a reservation?

-Reservations are not required but they are recommended.  It not only guarantees a canoe/kayak/tube/camp site for you, but you also receive a discounted rate. 

Does a reservation require payment?

-Reservations require payment in full and are non-refundable, so make sure everyone is committed to the trip before making a reservation.  If your group has a couple people who cannot commit until the last minute, do not include them in your reservation payment numbers – you can always add (within reason & availability), but you cannot subtract and receive a refund.  As long as we are notified of any additions at least one day in advance of your trip and we have availability, the discounted rate can be applied and the balance paid upon arrival.

Can I cancel or reschedule my reservation?

-Reservation payments are non-refundable so if you choose to cancel, your reservation payment is not refunded.  Rescheduling is always permitted if sufficient notice is given.  Canoeing, kayaking, tubing, and camping require a three-day advance notice, the cabins/chalet require a seven-day advance notice.  Reservations have to be rescheduled within the same season; reservations cannot be transferred to the following year.

What if it rains?

We canoe rain or shine.  You are reserved for your trip rain or shine unless you call at least three days in advance to reschedule to another date this summer.  Should there be a storm at the same time a trip is scheduled to depart, we will delay the trip until the storm passes.  If we receive a large amount of rain and the creek reaches our flood stage level, we cancel trips and reschedule or refund your money.

Should I come on a weekend or during the week?

-We are almost always booked up on the weekends, especially Saturday.  We recommend coming during the week so you can avoid standing in line, and there will also be a lot less people on the creek.  It’s a great time to enjoy the wildlife, scenery, and great fishing.

What time do I need to arrive for my trip?

-You need to arrive for your trip 30-minutes prior to your reserved departure time for every trip except Trip #2.  Trip #2 departs from the livery so arrive at your reserved time. 

Are pets allowed?
-Pets are allowed on canoe trips (please have a leash for the bus ride), but not in the campground or cabins.

What time zone are you in?

-We observe Eastern Time all year. 

What is provided with my rental?

-When you rent a canoe or kayak, we provide the boat, paddles, life jackets, and shuttle service.  When you rent a tube the same is provided, except the paddle.  You get the rental for the entire day (not just a couple hours), and outstanding customer service comes free of charge. 

What do I need to bring for my trip on Sugar Creek?

-We recommend wearing clothes that can get wet, a swim suit, and water shoes or old tennis shoes (not sandals) as the creek bottom is rocky and there is a bit of a current to the water.  We also recommended you bring sunscreen, bug repellant, sunglasses, towel, change of clothing, trash bag, cooler with food and drinks, and a dry bag if you take along your camera and/or cell phone.  We recommend you leave your car keys in the office and do not bring anything of value on the water.  Please also do not bring extra large coolers, glass containers, or litter bugs!

What do you sell in the canoe and camp stores?

-The stores sell grocery items, toiletries, pop, water, Gatorade, canoe supplies, camp supplies, ice, firewood, souvenirs, coffee, Crocs, fishing licenses, tackle, ice cream, cigarettes, batteries, and many more items.  Please email or call if you want to know if we carry a particular item.

What do I need to bring for the cabins?

-The cabins are camping style, so bring everything you would normally take camping except the tent.  Bring your bedding, towels, toiletries, cooking supplies, extra trash bags, food, beverages, and anything else you would take on a camping trip.  Coffee filters and toilet tissue are provided.  The grills are charcoal so you can either bring your own or buy it at the camp store.  All firewood has to be purchased from the camp store - outside firewood is prohibited.

What do I need to bring for the chalet?

-You need to bring linens and pillows for the beds, towels (kitchen & bathroom), toiletries, food & beverages, any paper products like paper towel (toilet tissue is provided), and extra garbage bags.  The chalet provides a kitchenette that features a small refrigerator, small stove/oven, microwave, kitchen sink with dish soap and sponge, toaster, coffee pot with filters, silverware, dishes, pots, pans, hot pads, utensils, and cutting board.  There is a table with chairs in the kitchen area, as well as a couch and oversized chair in the living area.  The bathroom has a tub/shower, toilet, & sink.  There is sleeping for up to 7 people, 2 double beds and a bunk bed (bottom bed is a double, top is a single).  The grill is charcoal so you can either bring your own or buy it at the camp store.  All firewood has to be purchased from the camp store - outside firewood is prohibited.

Is the fishing good in Sugar Creek?

-Yes! Sugar Creek has excellent fishing, especially Smallmouth bass.  The best section of the creek for fishing is from Crawfordsville to Deer’s Mill.  That is a 15-mile stretch and too much to do in one day if you are fishing seriously.  We recommend our 5-mile trip from Jim Davis to Deer’s Mill, which is the last five miles of the previously mentioned 15-mile section.  Those who want to get in some serious fishing will take that trip on a weekday and will depart at the earliest departure time so they can take all day (until 5:00pm) to fish the 5-miles.  We do sell fishing licenses; Indiana Resident: Annual $17, One-Day $9, Non-Resident: One-Day $9, Seven-Day $20.  We also sell some tackle, but we do not sell live bait.  The closest place to purchase live bait is Hess Supply in Waveland or Bal-Hinch Country Store on SR 47 N.  Note: INDNR has imposed new restrictions on bass effective February 1, 2007.  The new law says, “A person must not take or possess a black bass from Sugar Creek (Parke, Montgomery, Boone, Clinton, and Tipton counties) unless the bass is at least twenty (20) inches long.  The daily bag limit is one (1) black bass taken from Sugar Creek.”  “Black bass means the species Micropterus salmoides (Largemouth bass), Micropterus dolomieui (Smallmouth bass), and Micropterus punctulatus (Spotted bass).”

How do I reserve camping - by person or site?

-Camping is reserved on a per person per night basis, not site.  Everyone in your group gets to camp together at one site.  We do not limit the number of people or tents at each site.  Our sites are different sizes to accommodate different groups. 

Since your campground is for tents only, is there a campground in the area that can accommodate RVs and Pop-up campers?

-RVs and pop-up campers can camp at Shades State Park, Lake Waveland, Turkey Run State Park, Raccoon Lake, and the KOA Kampground in Crawfordsville.

How far away is the closest town?

-The closest town is Waveland.  It is about 5-miles from us and has a gas station, small grocery, ATM, liquor store, and Pizza King.  The next closest town is Crawfordsville, which is about 15-miles north of us on SR 47.  There you will find fast food and sit down restaurants, Wal-Mart, gas, ATM, laundry mat, grocery stores, movie theatre, museums, antique shops, bowling alley, swimming pool, golf, liquor stores/bars, hotels, and hospital.

What else is there to do in your area?

-Crawfordsville has the above listed activities and amenities.

-Shades State Park is about two miles east on SR 234.  Shades offers hiking tails, picnic shelters, and camping.  The trails at Shades are just as nice as Turkey Run and they are a lot less crowded! There is an entrance fee to get in the park based on your car plates (in state vs. out of state).  Don’t forget to check out Pine Hills Nature Preserve too.  It is a trail system just one mile east of us on SR 234 that features some spectacular rock formations.

-Lake Waveland is a local park that offers a fishing/swimming lake and campground.  It is located 5-miles south of us on SR 47.  There is an entrance fee to get in the park.

-Turkey Run Golf Course is just south of Lake Waveland on SR 47.  It is an 18-hole course that features a pro shop and restaurant/lounge.  Open seasonally.

-Turkey Run State Park is located 15-miles south of us on SR 47.  The park offers hiking trails, horseback riding, a swimming pool, non-primitive camping, an inn & cafeteria, and picnic shelters.

-Parke County borders our county (Montgomery County) and boasts 32 covered bridges.  Pick up a Covered Bridge Map from our canoe livery or campground and spend the afternoon following the covered bridge trail!

Are there any restaurants in the area?

-A nice little restaurant for lunch and dinner is A Country A-Fair, about 8 miles north on SR 32.  There is also a café, sub shop, & Pizza King in Waveland (5-miles), a restaurant at the Turkey Run Golf Course (8 miles), a cafeteria in the inn at Turkey Run State Park (15-miles), and multiple fast food and sit down restaurants in Crawfordsville (15-miles).

Are there any hotels in the area?

-In Crawfordsville (15-miles) there is a Comfort Inn, Holiday Inn, Ramada Limited, Days Inn, Super 8, and the Riviera Motel.  Crawfordsville also has Bed & Breakfast accommodations at The Davis House and Thelma’s B & B.