Now open for the 2023 season!
Spring Hours:
Rentals available Tuesday and Wednesday Afternoons and all day Thursday-Sunday
Private Tours available Tuesday-Sunday at 9am
Public Tours available Thursday-Sunday at 1pm
Sunset Tours available Friday-Sunday (Start time varies)
2023 Calendar of Events
Pink Moon Paddle
April 5th, 6:30pm-8:30pm
Join us on our Full Pink Moon Paddle. The Pink Moon symbolizes the sprouting of seed and the explosion of spring flowers particularly the wild ground phlox or pink moss phlox which is one of the first flowers to bloom with the arrival of the spring. Kayak the Cache wetlands and hear the swamp come alive with the sounds of spring peepers, southern leopard frog and so much more night.
We will meet at 240 Dean Lane, Ullin Illinois, 62992 fifteen minuets before the paddle. We recommend bringing a flashlight and drinking water.
$38.00 per adult
$21.00 teen
$18.00 youth
Blossom Moon Paddle
May 5th, 7:00pm-9:00pm
The Blossom Moon marks the arrival of high spring. Come Join river guide Mark Denzer for a night paddle around the Cache River Wetlands canoe trail. Listen along the way for the sounds of spring, and watch the moon rise over the water.
We will meet at 240 Dean Lane, Ullin Illinois, 62992 fifteen minuets before the paddle. We recommend bringing a flashlight and drinking water.
$38.00 per adult
$21.00 teen
$18.00 youth
Mothers Day Paddle Sunset Paddle
Sunday, May 14 6:00-8:00pm
What better way to spend Mothers Day than being greeted by sounds of wildlife of the Cache at sunset. We will launch from the boathouse at 6pm and returned at Sunset. We paddled for about 2-3 hours, stopping along beaver lodges, ancient cypress groves and hearing about the rivers historic past.
Location: 240 Dean Lane, Ullin Illinois, 62992
Cache Bayou Outfitters office
Prices $38.00 Adults
$21.00 Teen
$18.00 Youth
Registration coming soon
Frog Moon Paddle
June, 3rd, 7-9pm
The Frog Moon paddle dived into the life of night time creatures in the Cache River wetlands. We will learn about frog habits, life cycles, what creatures are currently active during this time of year within the Cache River watershed. In addition, we learn about the history of the Cache River, its ecological significance and its unique history.
Location: 240 Dean Lane, Ullin Illinois, 62992
Cache Bayou Outfitters office
Prices $38.00 Adults
$21.00 Teen
$18.00 Youth
Registration coming soon
Fathers Day Sunset Paddle
Sunday, June 18th 6:30pm-8:30pm
The perfect Father’s Day activity. Kayaking/canoeing on the swamp with family and friends! What better way to spend Father’s Day being greeted by sounds of wildlife of the Cache at sunset. We will launch from the boathouse at 7pm. We’ll paddle for about 2hrs, stopping along beaver lodges, ancient cypress groves and hearing about the rivers historic past.
Location: 240 Dean Lane, Ullin Illinois, 62992
Cache Bayou Outfitters office
Registration coming soon
$38.00 per adult
$21.00 teens
$18.00 Youth
Registration coming soon!
Kayaking and Yoga at Horseshoe Lake State Fish & Wildlife Area
Miller City, Illinois
June 24th 9am-1pm
Cache Bayou Outfitters ( Mark Denzer) & Healing Traditions (Anne Discepolo) are joining together to bring you an truly unique outdoor adventure! We will begin the morning at 9:00am with outdoor yoga, including sun salutations, and yummy deep stretching. Our yoga practice will be followed by a brief meditation to help attune ourselves to the subtle energies of the natural environment around us. Then an enjoyable light and healthy breakfast together in the pavilion at 10:00am, followed by a few hours of kayaking on beautiful horseshoe lake. Our guide, Mark Denzer of Cache Bayou Outfitters will be kayaking with us and is happy to answer questions regarding the local ecology and wildlife. Also if you have never kayaked before Mark will provide you with basic instructions to get you started. This is a fantastic opportunity to have some outdoor fun with a great group, or maybe a chance to try something new. Those that have never practiced yoga or haven’t tried kayaking are encouraged to join us. To provide a personalized experience we are limiting this outing to only 10 individuals. $65.00 price includes yoga class, light breakfast, and 3 hour kayak tour (including paddle and life jacket).
Location: Horseshoe Lake Spillway, Miller City Illinois
$65.00 Adults
$35.00 Teens
Registration coming soon!
July 13th,
Full Thunder Moon Paddle
7:30-9:30pm
Join us as we paddled through the ancient wetlands of the Cache River at night and hear the call of this ancient wild place. We will be paddling under the first full moon of the summer sometimes referred to as the Thunder Moon. The guides will share their knowledge of beavers, bats and owls of the Cache River.
Adults (18-up) $38
Teens (12-17) $21
Youth (5-11) $18
Location: Office Cache Bayou Outfitters
Registration coming soon
Green Corn Moon Paddle
August 27th & 30th
The August full moon is referred to as the Ripening Moon, Sturgeon Moon or Green Corn Moon. Come join us as we will set out from the docks of Cache Bayou Outfitters and paddle out to Button Land Swamp and enjoy the peace and sounds of Illinois Hidden Bayou under moonlight.
No prior canoe experience required.
Please come early and get a lesson if needed.
$38.00 for Adults 18-up
$21.00 for Teens 12-17
$18.00 for Youth 5-11
Harvest Moon Paddle
Dates TBA
Come join us as we will set out from the docks of Cache Bayou Outfitters and paddle out to Button Land Swamp and enjoy the peace and sounds of Illinois Hidden Bayou under moonlight. Referred to as the Harvest Moon. This month special theme reflects an ancestral time of the year where cultures sing, dance and celebrate a bountiful harvest.
No prior canoe experience required. Please come early and get a lesson if needed.
$38.00 for Adults 18-up
$21.00 for Teens 12-17
$18.00 for Youth 5-11
Registration coming soon
Hunters Moon Paddle
October TBA
The full moon that appears in October is called the Hunters Moon, so named as the preferred month to hunt summer-fattened deer and fox unable to hide in now bare fields. Like the Harvest Moon, the Hunters Moon is also particularly bright and long in the sky, giving hunters the opportunity to stalk prey at night. Probably because of the threat of winter looming close, the Hunters Moon is generally accorded with special honor, historically serving as an important feast day in both Western Europe and among many Native American tribes. We will discuss and share some of the history and lore surrounding the Cache river and surrounding areas. Please come early and get a lesson if needed.
Location: 240 Dean Lane, Ullin Illinois, 62992
Cache Bayou Outfitters office
Prices $38.00 Adults
$21.00 Teen
$18.00 Youth
Registration coming soon
Full Harvest
Moon Paddle
November TBA
We will set out from the docks of Cache Bayou Outfitters and paddle the Cache Wetlands and enjoy the peaceful sounds of Illinois Hidden Bayou under moonlight. Referred to as the Harvest Moon, Septembers special theme reflected an ancestral time of the year where cultures sang, danced, and celebrated a bountiful harvest.
$38.00 Adults
$21.00 Teens
$18.00 Youth
Registration coming soon!
Earth Skills Paddle
Dates to be Announced!
Mark Denzer (primitive technologist) led us on a paddle through the river and talked about traditional Native American uses of plants, trees, animals and other resources of the area. We learned how to make plant cordage from local sources, friction fire from local native woods, explored and gathered food plants and heard about how local Native Americans once lived from the land on the Cache river through stories passed down to Mark from local Native people. A display with locally made items was present for participants to ask questions about.
Mysteries of Fire:
Methods, History, & Our Ancient Connections
November 5th
Sponsored by Friends of the Cache River! Join Mark Denzer, Primitive Technologist, and Professional Wilderness River Guide, as he takes you on a journey through the lens of human’s ancient, complex and romantic relationship with the technologies of fire. This lecture will cover how fire was and still is used by humans for cooking, heating, rituals, festivals and transforming landscapes. Following the lecture, a demonstration and hands-on workshop will be given on the various methods of creating fire from friction and percussion, including flint and steel, hand drill and bow drill. Mark's knowledge of fire comes through study and teaching primitive technologies for over 25 years, including academic research though experimental archeology and attending and working for various wilderness programs throughout the country.
Location: Cache River Visitors Center
Call to Register 618-657-2064