Open for the season!​
Online reservations only, walk-ins welcome after May 9th
240 Dean Lane, Ullin, Illinois 62992
2026 Calendar of Events
Horseshoe Lake Eagle Tour
(Sat) March 14, 2026 10am-2pm
​Join the staff of Cache Bayou Outfitters for another adventure exploring the science and lore of America’s first national symbol the bald eagle. Our Bald Eagle Kayak/Canoe Tour is offered only during the months of March and November when paddling conditions are suitable, and visibility and abundance of eagles is at its greatest. Up close encounters with eagles are common as they swoop down from cypress trees and catch fish.
Horseshoe Lake is a 2,007 acres natural oxbow lake in Alexander County, Illinois. It is the site of Illinois's Horseshoe Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area, a state park 10,645 acres in size. It has a 20 miles shoreline and a depth of 4 ft, with a maximum depth of 5–6 feet
Don't forget to bring your camera to capture this unique wilderness experience. The still waters of Horseshoe Lake make this tour easy for all ages. Meet at the Horseshoe Lake Dam south end of the lake
Canoes, single and tandem kayaks are available.
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$65.00 Adults (18+)
$35.00 Kids (5-17)
​Sap Moon Paddle
March TBA, 2025
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Join us as we kick off the year with a paddle in the Cache River Wetlands under the full moon. At this time of the year, the ground begins to soften enough for earthworms to become active, inviting the returning summer birds to feed—a true sign of spring. Roots also begin to stir and push their way up through the soil, as the Earth awakens from its winter slumber. The sap begins to run and time for harvest in southern Illinois.
The Ojibwa share this teaching.....
"Ziizaabaakwaadoke Giizis (Sugar Moon)
The third moon of Creation is Sugar Moon, is when the sap of Ninaatigoo Mitig (Maple Trees) starts to flow (ziigwang) as the maple sap begins to run, we learn of one of the main medicines given to the Anishinaabe which balances our blood and heals us.
During this time, we are encouraged to balance our lives as we would our blood sugar levels
Some also say; Aandekgo Giizis (Crow Moon).
Watch the skies as the Crows start to play, gather and sing as they group up and also partner up as they get twitterpated as most do in Spring / Ziigwang / In the Time of Flowing."- Barbara Wright (Ojibwa)
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$65.00 Adults (18+)
$35.00 Kids (5-17)
Pink Moon Paddle
(Wed) April 1, 2026 6pm
​​Join us on our Full Pink Moon Paddle. The Pink Moon symbolizes the sprouting of seed and the explosion of spring flowers particularly 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 frogs and so much more.
We will meet at 15 minutes before the paddle at 240 Dean Lane, Ullin, Illinois, 62992 . We recommend bringing a flashlight and drinking water.
$65.00 Adults (18+)
$35.00 Kids (5-17)
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The Blossom Moon marks the arrival of high spring. Come Join river guide Max Hooten 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 15 minutes before the paddle at 240 Dean Lane, Ullin, Illinois, 62992. We recommend bringing a flashlight and drinking water.
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$65.00 Adults (18+)
$35.00 Kids (5-17)
Blossom Full Moon Paddle
(Fri) May 1, 2026 6:30pm​​
​Does mom have enough mugs and pajamas? Are you looking for something special to treat her to on Mother's Day? Take her out for our Mother's Day Sunset Paddle and bring the whole family along.
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Sharing a unique nature experience on the gorgeous Cache Bayou will be the best gift she has ever received. She'll be serenaded by the songs of frogs, feel the May evening breeze through her hair, experience the beautiful sunset on the water, and maybe even see a few beavers heading out for their nightly activities. Make it a Mother's Day she won't forget and book this tour for her today!
We'll meet 15 minutes before the paddle at 240 Dean Lane, Ullin, Illinois, 62992. We recommend bringing a flashlight and drinking water.
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$65.00 Adults (18+)
$35.00 Kids (5-17)
Mother's Day Sunset Paddle
(Sun) May 10, 2026 4:30pm​​
​Blue Moon isn't just an Elvis song--it's also a rare extra calendrical full moon that only occurs every 2.5 to 3 years. On top of that, this one is also a micromoon! This is when the full moon is at its apogee--the point in the moon's elliptical orbit farthest from Earth. Come check out this remarkable event on a guided tour that starts at sunset, and ends with paddling in the Blue Moon's glow.
We will meet 15 minutes before the paddle at 240 Dean Lane, Ullin, Illinois, 62992. We recommend bringing a flashlight and drinking water.
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$65.00 Adults (18+)
$35.00 Kids (5-17)
Blue Moon Paddle
(Fri) May 29, 2026 6:30pm​​
​​​​What is the spiritual meaning of the Strawberry Moon? The Strawberry Moon's spiritual meaning is tied to the fact that it represents a time of new potential, renewal and abundance in line with ripening fruits. Join us for the beautiful summer paddle when wild fruits are in abundance. Guided tour includes choice of kayak, double kayak, or canoe, life jackets and paddle. Instruction for first timers is available by coming a half hour early. Join us for another Full Moon adventure!
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Location: Cache Bayou Outfitters
240 Dean Lane, Ullin, Illinois, 62992
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$65.00 Adults (18+)
$35.00 Kids (5-17)
Strawberry Moon Paddle
(Wed) June 28, 2026 6:30pm
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Join our guide Sam for a sunset tour learning all about how butterflies and moths play an integral role in the ecology of the Cache River. Stay afterwards and we will have a moth light set up to attract moths so we can see them up close. The tour will run approximately from 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM. Afterward you can stay to watch moths until midnight.
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$65.00 Adults (18+)
$35.00 Kids (5-17)
Moth Sunset Paddle
June TBA
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Join our guide Max for a sunset paddle along the Cache River and learn all about the beavers in the area. We will paddle past lodges, chewed logs and scent mounds. Beavers have historically been a very important component of the bottomland forests surrounding the Cache and remain a prominent member of the swamp community. Participants will need to be able to be quiet for 20 minutes so the group can potentially see some beavers emerging from their lodges
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$65.00 Adults (18+)
$35.00 Kids (5-17)
Beaver Sunset Paddle
July TBA 6:00 PM
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Join us as we paddle 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. Your guides will share their knowledge of beavers, bats and owls of the Cache River.
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$65.00 Adults (18+)
$35.00 Kids (5-17)
Full Thunder Moon Paddle
(Tues) July, 28, 2026 6pm
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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.
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Location: Cache Bayou Outfitters
240 Dean Lane, Ullin Illinois 62992
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$65.00 Adults (18+)
$35.00 Kids (5-17)
Full Green Corn Moon Paddle
(Wed) August, 26, 2026 5:30pm
Cache River Days FREE Paddle
September 6th 9:00am
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In honor of Cache River Days, Ullin Illinois' annual festival, we are offering 1 FREE tour to the first 20 people to register. If this tour is booked we are offering 15% off tours the whole weekend using the coupon code "CacheRiverDays25" This also applies to the Full Moon Paddle on September 6th
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Location: Cache Bayou Outfitters
240 Dean Lane, Ullin Illinois 62992
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Come join us for September's Harvest Moon. We will set out from the docks of Cache Bayou Outfitters and paddle out to Buttonland Swamp, enjoying the peace and sounds of Illinois's hidden bayou under moonlight. Referred to as the Harvest Moon, this month's special theme reflects an ancestral time of the year where cultures sing, dance and celebrate a bountiful harvest.
No prior canoe experience required. Please arrive early and get a lesson if needed.
$65.00 Adults (18+)
$35.00 Kids (5-17)
Harvest Moon Paddle
(Sat) September, 26, 2026 5pm
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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, 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.
$65.00 Adults (18+)
$35.00 Kids (5-17)
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Hunters Moon Paddle
(Sat) October, 24, 2026 5pm