Staff members were wonderful and all very friendly. We had a wonderful time on our trip from refuge bridge.
Bookings for the 2026 season will open January 5, 2026!
Perfect for Experienced Paddlers
Diverse Wildlife
Full Day Adventure
Explore & Experience the Best Kayaking In Indiana With Our Long Expedition from Refuge Bridge
Welcome to our second-longest kayaking adventure, an exhilarating 13-mile expedition designed for experienced paddlers and those seeking a full-day adventure. Begin your journey at the Refuge Bridge, a public launch site upstream of our office, for a truly immersive river adventure.
Paddle through a long, curvy, and wooded section of the river, witnessing diverse wildlife and a spectrum of river views, from narrow curves to a wide-open millpond. This adventure reaches its pinnacle as you navigate the Mongo millpond, followed by a shortportage around the Mongo Dam, ensuring an unforgettable return to the Trading Post Indiana riverside.
Discover our longest trip, see the full extent of the river’s beauty, and enjoy an unforgettable full-day kayaking adventure.
Why Choose This River Trip?
Accomplish a long trip, the perfect choice for experienced paddlers
Navigate through a rich variety of wildlife and enjoy diverse river views
Experience the unique beauty of the Mongo Millpond
Immerse yourself in a full-day kayaking experience and explore the river’s beauty and wildlife in-depth
Click the tabs to find out more
Trip Details
Trip Details
PRICING
Rates vary based on your preferred style of adventure. We use dynamic pricing that takes your boat choice, trip date, and availability into consideration. Just click “Book Now” and select your date and boat type to see real-time pricing and availability—no hidden fees or surprises!
Looking for a deal?
Plan your next adventure Monday through Friday, or visit during the shoulder season (before Memorial Day or after Labor Day) for the best savings and promo opportunities.
Got a large group?
Special rates are available for groups of 12+ Sunday through Friday. Please contact our office for more information or help planning a large group outing.
DEPARTURE TIME
| Days | Prime Season | Shoulder Season |
|---|---|---|
| Monday - Thursday | 9 am – 11:00 am | 9 am – 11:00 am |
| Friday | 9 am – 12:00 pm | 9 am – 12:00 pm |
| Saturday | 8 am – 12:00 pm | 8 am – 12:00 pm |
| Sunday | 8 am – 11:00 am | 8 am – 11:00 am |
Seasons/Availability
- Prime Season: May 23 – Sept 1
- Shoulder Season: April 21 – May 22 & Sept 2 – Dec 1
Meeting point
The Refuge Bridge trip starts with a shuttle departing from
our main office outpost. Our staff will then transport you upstream to the put-in, at Refuge Bridge. Please arrive at least 30 minutes before your scheduled departure time for a smooth check-in.
Duration
The trip covers 13 miles and typically takes around 5 hours, depending on the water level and your paddling speed. Feel free to take it leisurely with stops or paddle straight through.
Group size
1-30+ (Contact our office for large group offers & availability.)
Included
- Boat rental
- Life jackets
- Paddles
- Shuttle service
What to bring
For a comfortable experience:
Shoulder Seasons:
- Dress in layers to accommodate weather changes.
Prime Summer Season:
- Don’t forget sunscreen and bug spray.
- Wear comfortable shoes.
- Bring snacks or lunch for longer outings.
- Ensure you have plenty of water, especially on warmer days.
Participation requirements
The minimum age and weight requirement for children on all river trips is 3 years old and 30 pounds.
Reservation, Cancellation & Weather Policy
- FULL payment is required at the time of reservation.
- Trip changes and cancellations may be made up until 10 days prior to your reservation.
- Cancellations made more than 10 days prior to arrival will qualify for a credit for a future date.
- NO REFUNDS unless you have purchased Trip Cancellation Protection
- If Trading Post cancels the trip due to river or weather conditions, you will be offered a credit for a future date.
- Once you are on the river or parked at your campsite, there are no refunds or credits. Please keep in mind that heat, wind, cold, rain, insects, and ever-changing river conditions are part of the activity!
- If for any reason you need to cancel all or a portion of your reservation, the following guidelines will apply:
- 11 days or MORE prior to your arrival date – you can reschedule for another date within the same season or receive a credit for a future date.
- 10 days or LESS prior to your arrival date – No Refunds or Credits are issued, unless you purchased Trip Cancellation Protection.
- Failure to check-in or contact us on the date of your scheduled arrival may forfeit your site, boat reservation and seat on the bus.
- No refunds or credits are issued for dropping boats or changing trips less than 10 days prior to your trip date & time, unless you purchased Trip Cancellation Protection.
- No refunds or credits are issued for no call/no shows. You MUST contact us prior to your trip time to take advantage of the Trip Cancellation Protection.
- If inclement weather or river conditions show significant risk, Trading Post Outfitters reserves the right to issue a credit for a future paddle trip, offer a similar trip instead, or issue a refund. (Refunds issued ONLY if Trip Cancellation Protection has been purchased).
See Why Our Loyal Customers Keep Coming Back
Great way to spend a whole day outside with family and friends. We do the Refuge Bridge trip and pack a lunch. Couple of nice sandy places to pull over and stretch.
…exceeded all expectations. From the meticulously upkept canprground with it’s fishing pond, river and majestic trees, to the campground facilities that were clean, easily accessible, and smelling fresh. This place is a gem. My girlfriend and I did the 13mile Refuge Bridge kayak trip…The staff is friendly and knowledgeable. The campground is very family friendly…Just an all around wonderful experience. We will be back.
Beautiful campground, right on the river. Clean facilities. Friendly and kind staff. I did the kayaking trip from Refuge Bridge, and it was spectacular. The water is clear, good flow, there are lots of bends and turns to keep you on your toes. It is a well maintained section. Lots of birding along the way…
We put in at Refuge Bridge, what an awesome day! The water was great, nature scenery was beautiful, and it was absolutely quiet! Loved it.
Staff is very kind from the front office to the helpers when you arrive back at the post. The bus ride to the Refuge Bridge was a blast as the driver interacted with our group and prepared us for a great day on the water! The equipment we rented was in great shape and we had an amazing time on the river! Took us about 7 hours to complete the 13 mile paddle but there was plenty of shallow areas to stop and converse as a group.
…If you make a reasonable request before you go I’m sure they will do their best to provide for you! The river is also a great trip, me and 5 others went on their Refuge Bridge trip and it was fantastic! I highly recommend them to anyone who is interested in doing something like this.
I booked a trip for July 11, 2020, Saturday, 0800. 1 canoe, 2 adults, Refuge Bridge. My dad (73 years old) and I had a wonderful time! Excellent customer service. The weather was perfect. I’d recommend bringing bug spray.
…We did the Refuge Bridge kayaking trip and it was quite enjoyable. Especially as staff takes the time to make sure the river is clean. I will definitely go back again the next chance I get!
The staff here are always friendly and helpful! They help you into the water at your put-in and help you out when you get to their beach landing area. Their equipment is always in good shape with a good selection of choices…We had 17 boats on the water and 25 people. They were awesome all the way around. This is why they have become our favorite boating destination!
We had such a great experience here! The staff was so friendly and accommodating every step of the way. We spent one night camping here and kayaked down their river… Kayaking from Refuge Bridge was very pleasant, it’s an excellent river for slow paced kayaking…
We have done this trip the last 4 years with the guys from the office. the ladies at the office have everything ready for you, they walk you though if your a newbie. the guys loading and driving you there are great and friendly, everyone has smiles. then at the end of the long fun day, they are there to help you out of the river. Great time…
