Canoe launch at the Dennison Ferry Day Use Area in Mammoth Cave National Park

GETTING THERE

The Dennison Ferry Day Use Area in Mammoth Cave National Park has a few picnic tables and a canoe launch. If using Google Maps for directions, search DENNISON FERRY PICNIC AREA. If you are driving on Flint Ridge Road from the Mammoth Cave Visitor Center and using the map on the park brochure for directions, keep in mind that there is a fork in the road at the intersection with Park Ridge Road, and there are no directional or road identification signs (there are signs when coming from the other direction). Stay left at the fork and then take the next left you come to, Dennison Ferry Road (there is a sign).

Dennison Ferry Road is a dirt road that isn’t in the best of shape. Any car can travel on it—no need for 4-Wheel Drive—but if the road is wet, it could be difficult getting up hills due to the clay-like surface that can become very slippery. There are some steep hills on the road.

CANOE LANUCH

The Dennison Ferry Canoe Launch is suitable for hand-launched watercraft only—no trailer launched boats. It is located at the end of the road, and there is a cul-de-sac for unloading equipment. However, you cannot park along the cul-de-sac. Use any grass area prior to it for parking.

Unloading area at the Dennison Ferry Canoe Launch in Mammoth Cave National Park

Getting your boat to the Green River involves getting it down two flights of concrete stairs. There is a wooden ramp that you can use to slide your boat down, but the wood is a little rough. The outer layer of the bottom of my friend’s inflatable kayak got ripped, though it did not puncture the air chamber. It’s not a problem for plastic or fiberglass boats, but those with inflatables might just want to carry their boat down the stairs if the wood hasn’t been replaced.

Canoe launch at the Dennison Ferry Day Use Area in Mammoth Cave National Park

Ramp for sliding boats down the staircases at the Dennison Ferry Canoe Launch in Mammoth Cave National Park

The Green River is calm in this area, so it is easy to launch your boat once you get it to the bottom.

View upriver from the Dennison Ferry Canoe Launch in Mammoth Cave National Park

View downriver from the Dennison Ferry Canoe Launch in Mammoth Cave National Park

PICNIC AREA

Along Dennison Ferry Road just prior to the canoe launch are three picnicking spots, each with a table and a bench but no grill. There is also a portable toilet. In truth, Dennison Ferry is a long way to drive for a picnic, especially since the Mammoth Cave Picnic Area conveniently located near the Visitor Center has plenty of tables and grills. Most everyone I saw here was either launching a canoe or kayak of their own or on a guided paddling trip run by a park concessionaire. The tables might get some use prior to a trip on the Green River, but I doubt anyone comes out here solely for the purpose of picnicking.

Picnic table at the Dennison Ferry Day Use Area in Mammoth Cave National Park

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