Campus Recreation & Wellness Calendar

On this overnight trip, you will experience 8 miles of canoeing and riverside camping in Mammoth Cave National Park. Pack up your canoe at the Dennison Ferry Boat Access site and point your stern down river to be carried past dramatic bluffs, majestic trees, and wildlife.  The green river opens up to 200 ft wide and averages 10 ft deep. Experience nature as it existed when the early frontier was being discovered. Keep your eyes out for turkey, deer, beaver, all kinds of birds and reptiles as we make our journey downstream.

Even though the park is known for their caves, the surrounding park forest has an extraordinary density and diversity of plant life. Test your brain by identifying some common flora seen around the area such as the American Beech tree, rattlesnake fern, false aloe, and much more. Mammoth Cave National Park is a World Heritage Site and Biosphere reserve – allowing for a very divers ecosystem.  The dark cyan waters flow over hale and hearty populations of bass, sunfish, catfish and a bunch of turtles.  The Green River in Mammoth Cave National Park contains the most diverse population of freshwater mussels in North America, and one of the most diverse populations in the world.

ORAC will provide all camping and canoeing equipment, as well as transportation to and from the location.  All you need to worry about is your own clothes, foods, good attitude!  The route itself is very beginner friendly while still throwing in a few places to test your skills.

Tentative Trip Itinerary

Saturday, September 29^th:

1. Leave Preston Center Early A.M.
2. Arrive at Dennison Ferry Boat Launch
3. Paddle
4. Paddle some more
5. Eat Lunch
6. Paddle again
7. Someone will inevitably flip…
8. Set up camp, eat dinner

Sunday, September 30^th:

1. Eat breakfast and pack up camp
2. Paddle to Green River Ferry
3. Load canoes
4. Return to Preston Center

Spend a beautiful autumn day at Land between the Lakes. Trek among a forest nestled between two of the largest fresh water lakes in the U.S.  Keep your eyes and ears open for elk and bison preparing the annual rut.  Nervous about getting too up close and personal?  Don’t worry, much of the wildlife viewing will take place along a designated route in the van.  Make sure you bring a camera to capture photos of the wildlife and fall colors that should be starting to make themselves known.

ORAC will provide all equipment, transportation, guiding, and fun.  All you’re responsible for is water, snacks, and food.  Invite a friend and experience a relaxing day viewing some of the largest mammals in the U.S. only a short 2 hour drive from Bowling Green, KY.

Tentative Trip Itinerary

Saturday, September 29^th:

1. Depart Preston Center early A.M.
2. Arrive at Land Between the Lakes
3. Start Hike
4. Eat Lunch
5. View wildlife
6. Head back to the Preston Center