Nolin River in Mammoth Cave National Park

Length: 7.5 miles
Water Level at Time of Trip: 17.75 feet
Average Moving Speed: 3.1 MPH
Time: 2.5 hours

GENERAL INFORMATION

A section of the Nolin River flows through Mammoth Cave National Park, and those wishing to paddle it can do so by starting a trip at the Nolin River Dam 1.5 river miles north of the park boundary. From there, it is 7.5 miles to where the Nolin River empties into the Green River. Takeout points are either 1.75 mile upriver at the Houchin Ferry Canoe Launch, 1.8 mile downriver at the former site of Lock 6 and Dam (parking at the end of Lock Road), or another 1.4 mile farther at the Brownsville Boat Ramp on the downriver side of the KY 259 bridge.

The current on the Green River is typically very slow, so paddling upriver to Houchin Ferry can definitely be done. However, I have a mental anxiety about paddling against the current, so I continued downriver to the Brownsville Boat Ramp (I didn’t know about the Lock Road parking lot at the time). While this review only covers the Nolin River trip, you can read about the trip to Brownsville on the Green River Trip: Houchin Ferry to Brownsville web page here on National Park Planner.

The Nolin River Dam Boat Ramp is part of the Tailwater Recreation Area. Be aware that there are multiple units of this park, so when getting GPS directions, make sure you are navigating to the Nolin River Dam.

There is a fee to use the boat ramp. I was dropped off at the ramp and had no idea there was a charge, and there was nobody around, so I never paid. However, per the website of the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers, the agency that operates the ramp, National Park America the Beautiful passes are good for payment, and I did have one of those. To find out how to pay otherwise, call (270) 286-4511. Supposedly you can pay over the phone with a credit card. For more information, visit the Nolin River Lake website.

Boat ramp at the Nolin River Dam near Mammoth Cave

THE FINE PRINT

Before starting a river trip through Mammoth Cave National Park, it is a good idea to check the water levels so you have an idea of the river conditions. The applicable United States Geological Survey (USGS) water level gauge for the Nolin River is below the dam. Since this trip also covers part of the Green River, be sure to check the gauge at the Green River Ferry. This is the gauge used by the National Park Service to assess conditions on the Green River.

When referencing these gauges, understand that they only measure water depth at one location and that the actual depth of the river varies from place to place. For example, if the Green River Ferry gauge reads 8 feet, it would seem impossible to get stuck on the bottom because eight feet is way more water than needed for canoeing and kayaking. However, an 8-foot reading at the Green River Ferry may mean that some areas of the river have only six inches of water. Using this ratio, if the USGS gauge reads 10 feet, then the shallow areas would have two more feet of water, which is plenty for canoeing and kayaking.

I did the trip when water levels were 8.35 feet per the Green River Ferry gauge and 17.55 feet at the Nolin River gauge, and this paddling report is based on these levels. Per historical data, these two numbers represent extremely low water levels. In fact, rarely do the gauges register anything lower. However, at 17.55 feet, there was just enough water for paddling on the Nolin River, and at 8.35 feet there was just enough for the trip between Houchin Ferry and Brownsville. I would not want to make a trip on either river if the water levels are much lower, perhaps using 8 feet on the Green River and 17 feet on the Nolin River as the absolute minimums.

At 17.55 feet, the Nolin River is completely calm and suitable for paddlers of all skill levels. Unfortunately, I have no idea what water level requires more advanced paddling skills. I do, however, have this information for the Green River because the National Park Service has issued a water level guide for the Green River. Per the National Park Service, levels between 9 and 15 feet are suitable for all paddlers. At these levels, the Green River is mainly calm with some choppy water here and there to spice things up a bit, but nothing even first-time paddlers couldn’t handle. Water levels from 15 to 18 feet are for intermediate paddlers, and levels between 18 and 20 feet require advanced skills. The canoe launches within the park are closed due to safety concerns when the water level is over 20 feet, though this does not keep you from launching upriver at a public boat ramp and paddling through the park. Keep in mind that regardless of water levels, extreme winds can cause turbulent conditions that require advanced skills on water otherwise suited for all paddlers.

Nolin River within Mammoth Cave National Park

RIVER TRIP DETAILS

In a nutshell, the Nolin River is just a narrower version of the Green River. The catch—and it’s a big one—is that a tree can fall and block the entire Nolin River, whereas the Green River is too wide for one tree to block the channel. Therefore, on the Nolin River it is possible that you might have to portage around fallen trees. There were plenty of tight spots when I traveled down the river, but I managed to get around all obstacles. I had to limbo under a few.

Downed trees on the Nolin River in Mammoth Cave National Park

I am glad I didn’t have to get out to portage around a tree because the banks of the Nolin River are very muddy (slippery and deep mud at that) and quite steep. I went down a river in Congaree National Park under similar circumstances and had to portage around trees dozens of times. When I got back, if I said I had just gone down a river, nobody would have believed me. If I said I had just been in a mud wrestling match, everyone would have believed that. I got the feeling that portaging on the Nolin River would have been a similar experience.

Typical terrain along the bank of the Nolin River in Mammoth Cave National Park

At 17.55 feet on the water gauge, there is generally enough water in the Nolin River for paddling, but I did scrape bottom a few times. There is also the risk of getting hung up on a tree limb that is just below the surface, one that wouldn’t be a problem at all with another foot of water in the river.

Tree stumps and limbs are common on the Nolin River within Mammoth Cave National Park

I generally found the Nolin River to be prettier and more interesting to paddle than the Green River, with the interesting aspects stemming from having to navigate around so many downed trees. For some people, this just leads to unwanted anxiety, but for me the downed trees made the trip more of an adventure.

Nolin River within Mammoth Cave National Park

As for neat physical features on the Nolin River, there is a rock shelter about two miles from the launch point. If it rains, this is certainly the place to be. Of course, with higher water levels there may not be any shelter.

Rock shelter on the Nolin River, Mammoth Cave National Park

Paddling with a friend of mine in a two-seat inflatable kayak, we made it to the Green River in 2.5 hours. As mentioned, we headed downriver (right at the Green River) towards Brownsville. That trip took us another hour. Total distance covered was 10.75 miles.

Confluence of the Nolin and Green rivers west of Houchin Ferry in Mammoth Cave National Park

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