The BEST Indiana Kayak Trip

When we visited Hamilton County, they set us up with a fun outdoor adventure. We enjoyed our Indiana kayak trip, though it helps to know what to expect. Some links in this article are affiliate links that may earn me a commission if you purchase through them.

The White River Canoe Company is a family owned and operated business that has been in the industry for over 30 years. They are located on the banks of the beautiful white water of the White River, just outside Noblesville, Indiana.

They offer self-guided trips down the river from a drop off point returning to their home base. In addition to the kayaks we used, the company also offers rentals of canoes and tubes, as well as floating coolers to enjoy the relaxing trip.

We spent just over two hours on the river, but you don’t have a strict time limit. My son enjoyed racing and going as fast as he could, so we spent less time chilling that we might have otherwise.

In addition to kayaking, White River Canoe Company also provides river tubing and canoe trips. No matter what you choose, there are day trips perfect for you.

How Does the White River Canoe Company kayaking trip work?

First of all, make sure to book your trip in advance. And when you book it, be sure you book everything you want and need then, as you can not add additional items to your reservation once you arrive.

It is possible to do a walk in reservation, but there may not be spots available, so avoid potential disappointment. In addition, there is a $3 surcharge for walk in reservations, so book online.

There are also a couple longer trips that do not allow walk in reservations, so be aware before you walk in.

Each person must fill out their own waiver as part of the online booking process. Parents can fill out a single one for them and their kids, however.

If you visit without reservations, they will have a waiver on site for you to fill out. Note that you must be 18 years old to reserve a kayak, canoe, or tube.

Be sure to arrive at least 30 minutes before your scheduled time. We assumed that there would be “some” people kayaking at the same time as us, but we were very wrong.

White River Canoe Company transports all kayak and canoe customers at the same time to the same location, and everyone enters at about the same time.

Those who do the float trip have a different drop in point and ride a separate bus. Most customers are there for float trips, so make sure to listen when customers get called for transportation.

We found it best to hang back and let everyone get into the water before we did, which avoided much of the chaos. As few people planned to kayak, there was no risk of not getting the kayaks we wanted.

You must carry your own tube, canoe, or kayak to the water and enter it yourself, so be prepared for that. At the end of the day trip, you may get a little assistance to return to shore, but thankfully you don’t have to haul anything but yourself and your life vest to the top of the ridge.

Once we got into the water, we didn’t feel surrounded by people, as I had feared we would. Our kayaks go faster than the tubes, so we passed people along the way, but it was always an easy process and never felt crowded.

Can I bring my own equipment?

You must rent equipment even if you want to bring your own. You are allowed to bring a floating cooler up to 55 quarts, but aside from that, you must rent every tube and cooler and strap from White River Canoe Co.

If you have your own canoe or kayak, you can reserve a spot to transport your canoe or kayak in advance. The fee ranges from $20 for the short trip per boat to $35 for the longer trips.

Their landing is private property, and they turn away any private tubes, and any canoes or kayaks they didn’t transport. I did not inquire about how you get your private canoe or kayak up the steep embankment to the meeting spot.

The livery where you land is not public access, and it’s definitely easiest to do your kayak and canoe rentals directly through them.

This vendor is perfect for those who want a no stress experience and someone to provide everything for them. That describes my family to a T.

You are welcome to bring food for a picnic and drinks (including alcohol if you are of age) to enjoy on the river, but glass is not allowed. We didn’t bring anything but our water bottles and regretted it.

How old do you have to be to reserve a kayak or tube?

To make a reservation, you must be 18 years or older.

If you are under 18, your parent must be present when you check in, though they do not have to go on the trip. And yes, that is each person’s parent if there are multiple kids under 18 going.

While kids are welcome, they must be able to walk on their own. And if they are under 30 pounds, you need to bring your own US Coast Guard Approved Type II vest.

Over 30 pounds, White River Canoe Co has life vests for participants. And yes, everyone needs to have a life vest whether plan to kayak, float in a tube, or canoe.

That said, if you are a strong swimmer, they do not require you wear it the entire time, just that you have it on the vessel with you.

Can you stop along the river?

You can absolutely take breaks and either rest or picnic. There are sandbars and spits all along the river that work well for this.

Depending on the water level of the river, there may be more or fewer spots available to stop, so be aware of the flow before you go.

If you want to stop, just paddle your kayak, canoe, or tube to the edge. Be sure to pull it up far enough that it won’t float away and ensure everything is secured.

From there, you can enjoy a rest and eat the food you brought. There are no garbage cans available, so be sure to take your trash with you.

Pro Tip: Bring a garbage bag to either place in your cooler or hold on your kayak or canoe.

You can stop more than one time, if you like, as the kayaking isn’t timed. The only restriction is that you must return to the landing by 6:30pm, or you face additional fees.

How long is the trip?

The typical float trip is approximately 3.5 miles and goes from Potter’s Dam to the initial meeting point. Depending on how quick the current flows and how much you stop, expect the trip to last anywhere from 2 1/2 to 4 hours.

For kayaks and canoes, the typical trip is around 6 miles and lasts two to three hours. Again, this varies based on how quickly you paddle and how much you stop along the way.

I definitely suggest you bring a picnic lunch and pull up to a gravel spit to enjoy it. I regret that we didn’t do this.

There are also longer kayaking and canoeing trips. You can reserve a 10 mile trip that lasts 3 1/2 to 4 1/2 hours. This requires portage around a dam, so be prepared to carry your canoe or kayak and anything else you bring with you.

Where do I store my valuables?

This was the tricky part. I wish the White River Canoe Company offered lockers, but they do not.

You need to lock everything into your car, which always makes me a little nervous, or bring it with you.

This includes your car keys. They suggest you store them in a magnetic box under your car or in your gas cap, neither of which feels very safe to me.

We locked my purse in the trunk and chose to bring our phones and the car keys with us. I had a waterproof float bag I use for diving where we stored towels, the keys, etc.

I feel like this is a better and safer option than leaving everything onsite in an unsecured location. If my float bag falls off the canoe, I have it securely closed to it doesn’t leak, and it floats.

What is there to do besides kayaking?

In addition to kayaks, White River Canoe Company also offers canoe rentals and tube trips. Choose what works best for your family and your interest level.

Canoes seat two adults, and you can also have a third and fourth passenger so long as they are under 100 pounds. There may be some exceptions based water level or weather conditions where instead only two people may ride in a canoe.

Kayaks allow one person, though they also offer tandem kayaks that hold two people. All kayaks are open kayaks where you sit on top for safety.

In addition, you can also rent seat cushions, bungee straps to hold things onto your kayaks, and straps to link tubes and coolers in addition to 55 quart coolers. Note that if you have a cooler, you must rent a strap to secure it to your river tube.

Can I bring my pets?

Dogs are allowed on canoe and kayak trips, but not if you plan to do a floating trip. That said, all dogs must be leashed, and you must pick up after them.

If you choose a busy day, they may require a separate transport for your pet at an additional cost. My suggestion? Don’t bring your dog along.

What should you bring on the kayaking trip?

You don’t need to bring much, but you definitely have some items you want for your Indiana kayak trips.

You need to wear shoes, even if you just plan to do a float trip. They will get wet, so make sure you either wear water shoes or shoes that can get wet and will dry easily.

We brought water bottles to enjoy along the way, but you can bring coolers with your favorite beverages (including alcohol if you’re 21+) or food so long as they follow the size requirements. You may not bring any glass, however.

Pro tip: Don’t buy your own floating cooler, as there’s no good way to carry it, nor do they stay cold as well as traditional coolers. Instead, bring your rolling cooler and rent a floating cooler.

In addition, bring sunscreen and a hat to protect yourself from the sun. While some of the river is shaded, much of the time you are in the open, and the sun reflects off the water, as well.

I brought beach towels – I love the microfiber towels that take up barely any space and dry you off really well – because I knew we planned to get wet at some point. Those I stored in my dry float bag, which also allowed me to keep my keys and other valuables safe.

If you don’t own a dry bag and spend any amount of time on the water, I highly recommend purchasing one!

The only other things you may not think to bring are straps for your sunglasses just in case they fall into the water and possibly insect repellent, though we didn’t need any on our trip.

Aside from that, you don’t need much. White River Canoe Company provides the tubes, canoes, or kayaks, as well as any paddles and floatation devices.

How do you get to the kayaks?

The good news is that wherever possible, White River Canoe Co has the canoes, kayaks, and floats already at the drop site. You don’t need to haul them with you or transport them when you go.

After you check in, they provide a shuttle service to bring you from the livery to your drop point.

Our shuttle was an old school bus, and it was completely full. They also have smaller vans to shuttle people, which was more what I had expected, but they did not use them the day we visited.

What if you don’t want to ride the shuttle?

The shuttle provides a one way trip from the livery where you leave your car to the drop point in the White River. You then paddle or float back to the livery where you retrieve your car.

However, if you wish to drive yourself, you can do that if you have multiple cars in your party. Simply drop a car at the livery and then follow the shuttle to the drop off point and park your car there.

Once you return to the livery, use the car you parked there to return to the drop off point.

Note that the half day trip from Rusty Oar to Wapahani Landing does not allow anyone to create their own transportation options. If you choose this trip, you utilize the shuttle service.

Do you need to wear a life jacket?

Everyone on the trips, whether a kayaking experience or a day float trip must have an approved flotation device. White River Canoe Co provides them for anyone over 30 pounds.

If you have a child under 30 pounds, you must provide your own USCG Type II vest.

That said, if you do not wish to wear the life jacket during the trip, you do not have to, though they certainly encourage you to do so. You must keep it on your canoe or kayak or float, and you must turn it in at the end of your trip.

My whole family consists of strong swimmers, and the river was barely waist deep and flowing smoothly when we took our trip. My son chose to wear his floatation device, while the rest of us kept it within reach on your kayaks.

Can you picnic during your trip?

You absolutely can enjoy your paddling trip with an added picnic. You must bring your own food and beverages, as the White River Canoe Company does not provide any catering options.

Remember that you may not have any glass on your trip.

Either store your food and beverages in a floating cooler no larger than 55 quarts or rent one from the company.  If you have a cooler, you must also rent a strap to attach it to your tube, etc.

Along the White River, you will see many places available for you to stop and pull ashore (make sure you pull up high enough!) to picnic. There are no picnic benches, so utilize towels or just sit on the sand to relax.

You can stop multiple times along the way, as this is an entirely self guided paddling trip. You can also enjoy your picnic on the river while floating if you choose.

Is there a bathroom anywhere?

Yes, you will be able to find a bathroom, but they are not plentiful.

At the livery (where you check in and depart), they have port-a-potties. They are not plentiful, but there isn’t much of a wait, even when we first checked in with a very full waiting area.

On the river, you obviously do not have a restroom available.

However, Potter’s Bridge provides a rest stop of sorts. I recommend stopping here regardless for a break.

This location offers restrooms up the trail, as well as a good place to take a break in general.

Where do I change after the day trip?

This was another place where I was slightly disappointed. My kids were wet from splashing water into their kayaks and from getting into the river as they exited the kayak at the end.

To be honest, I wasn’t fully dry either. I do not like getting into my car with wet clothing, so we all wanted to change before we left.

The only option was to use a port-a-potty, which my husband did, or to create towel barriers and change near your car, which the rest of us did. (Thank you growing up on a lake where I’m used to this process).

I would love to see even 4 or 5 rough wooden changing closets. No plumbing or anything fancy needed. I know we aren’t the only people who would like to change before we depart.

What is the White River like?

The White River is great for daytime trips. It’s a relatively calm river that’s wide enough to enjoy without being too large and overwhelming.

Weather always plays a role, as heavy or extensive rains can strengthen the current and flow. At the same time, dry weather causes the river to become more shallow.

A shallower river means there will be more sandbars available to stop and rest at, as well as shallower water, which may mean you have to do short portages or restrict the number of people in a canoe.

The river contains no rapids, at least nothing even close to resembling one when we did our Indiana kayak trip. It was calm, and we felt very safe, but it is a natural body of water and conditions can always change.

We found it to be a scenic river, and I took a ton of photos of everything from my kids kayaking to turtles on the banks of the river, and more. The river tended to be surrounded by forest on both sides, which meant lots of opportunity to observe wildlife. 

How much does it cost?

The boat rental varies by the type of rental you do and the length of your trip. Prices are current as of the 2021 season.

For kayak rentals:

• Rusty Oar to the Livery (6 mile trip) is $25 for single kayaks and $55 for tandem kayaks
• White River Campground to the Livery (10 mile trip) is $30 for single kayaks and $65 for tandem kayaks
• The Livery to Wapahini Landing half day trip (10 mile trip) is $30 for single kayaks and $65 for tandem kayaks – check to see if this is operating, as it was not when I last checked
• Lafayette Trace to White Water Campground (5 mile trip) is $30 for single kayaks and $65 for tandem kayaks. Note that you must have a campground reservation to book this kayak day trip.
• Perkinsville or Lafayette Trace to the Livery (15/18 mile trip) is $32.50 and $72 for tandem kayaks. This is a full day trip lasting 5 1/2 to 8 hours.

 For canoe rentals (note that this is per canoe for two people):

• Rusty Oar to the Livery (6 mile trip) is $50
• White River Campground to the Livery (10 mile trip) is $55
• The Livery to Wapahini Landing half day trip (10 mile trip) is $55 – again, check to see if this is operating, as it was not when I last checked
• Lafayette Trace to White Water Campground (5 mile trip) is $55. You must have a campground reservation to book this kayak day trip.
• Perkinsville or Lafayette Trace to the Livery (15/18 mile trip) is $65. This is a full day trip lasting 5 1/2 to 8 hours.

For tube floats:

• Potter’s Bridge to the Livery (3.5 miles) is $25 per tube and $25 per cooler tube. The cooler tubes are a raft to hold the cooler that you bring; they are not for people to float in.
• Forest Park to the Livery (1 mile) is $20 for each tube and cooler tube.
• If you choose to use a cooler tube, you must also rent a tube strap to tie the cooler tube to a river tube that someone rides in. You can also rent the same tube strap to attach the river tubes to each other so you can easily float together and not worry about anyone drifting away. They cost just $0.89 apiece and are well worth it.

What is the cancellation policy?

Sometimes things come up, and you need to cancel or reschedule your trip. They may also run on days when the weather is iffy, and if you do not show up when they run, you do not receive a refund at all.

If you need to change or cancel your reservation, you have until 4pm Eastern two days prior to your trip to do so, and you will receive a full refund. Do not cancel within that window, or you receive no refund.

If there is high water or persistent rain, White River Canoe Company may determine that they cannot run, in which case they will provide you with a voucher so you can rebook on a future date. Contact them to ensure they are offering them before you don’t show up, however.

To cancel, email them at reservations@whiterivercanoecompany.com with your full reservation information, and make sure you do it at least two full days in advance of your scheduled trip.

Would you book an Indiana kayak trip after learning how it works?

We definitely enjoyed our trip, and we would do it again. Kayaking and day tubing float trips both would be fun.

We likely the go at your own pace of it, and we definitely plan to bring a picnic next time in addition to our water bottles.

The nature was lovely, and we enjoyed seeing turtles sunning themselves, herons searching for fish, and more.

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