Fall 2023 season open for bookings!
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Rentals Tuesday- Sunday 8:30-3:30pm
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Private and Public Tours 6 days a week 9am-1pm
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Sunset Tours- Tues, Friday, Sat, and Sunday
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.
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$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.
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$38.00 per adult
$21.00 teen
$18.00 youth
Mothers Day Paddle Sunset Paddle
Sunday, May 14th 6:00-8:00pm
What better way to spend Mothers Day than being greeted by sounds of nature of the Cache at sunset. We will launch from the boathouse at 6pm and returned at Sunset. We paddled for about 2 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
$38.00 Adults
$21.00 Teen
$18.00 Youth
Frog Moon Paddle
Saturday, 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. 7pm launch time
Location: 240 Dean Lane, Ullin Illinois, 62992
Cache Bayou Outfitters office
$38.00 Adults
$21.00 Teen
$18.00 Youth
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
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Full Thunder Moon Paddle
July 2nd 7:00-9:00pm
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.
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Adults (18-up) $38
Teens (12-17) $21
Youth (5-11) $18
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Location: Office Cache Bayou Outfitters
240 Dean Lane, Ullin Illinois 62992
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Green Corn Moon Paddle
July 29th & August 30th 7:00pm-9:00pm
Two moons fall under the moon of August. We will hold the first moon on July 29th (2 days before the actually full moon) to offer our guest a full moon paddle on the weekend. The second tour will take place on a Wednesday when the moon will be completely full. 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. Please bring a headlamp, bug spray, and water. This is a family event so we are discouraging alcohol.
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
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Location: 240 Dean Lane, Ullin Illinois 62992
Cache River Days Tour September 9th
Join us for a once a year offering of a free guided tour on the Lower Cache River as we celebrate the river with the town of Ullin, Illinois! Open to the public on a first come, first serve basis. This tour is a 1.5 hour paddle through the Button Land Swamp, eagle pond and the main channel of the Cache River! We will be sharing its rich history from its prehistoric Native American past, through its French inhabitant's, to its American settlement and more. Additional, we will share its rich ecological significance as Americas Northern most Cypress/ Tupelo Swamp ! This a free tour offered to the public, however tips and donations to our non for profit 501c3 are excepted, but are not mandatory! 100% donations go to the Eagle House a facility for outdoor education for local and regional youth ! When you register it will give you the option of a costume amount. So please consider helping us! Please bring water, hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen. Arrive 10-15minutes early for registration.
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9pm Tour
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3pm Tour
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Harvest Moon Paddle
September 29th 2023
6:00-9:00pm
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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
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Ancestral Earth Skills Paddle & Atlatl Making
September 30th 9am-5pm
$75.00 per Adult
$55.00per teen
9-5pm
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 traditional Atlatl (spear dart thrower), 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.
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Hunters Moon Paddle
October 27th 5-7:30pm
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.
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Location: 240 Dean Lane, Ullin Illinois, 62992
Cache Bayou Outfitters office
$38.00 Adults
$21.00 Teen
$18.00 Youth
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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.
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Location: Cache River Visitors Center
Call to Register 618-657-2064
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Solar Eclipse Tour 2024
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The Cache River is in the path of totality for the Great American Eclipse! Observers there will see (appx.) 2 minutes 28 seconds of totality! Come join us for a Cache River Canoe Solar Eclipse Tour like no other! We will set out on the swamp in the early morning- the perfect time to witness dozens of warblers, great blue herons, ospreys, cormorants, egrets, kingfishers, and eagles. Southern Illinois is at the apex of the area of longest duration for viewing the eclipse which will occur at 12:42 pm on the Cache River. What better way to experience it by canoeing through an ancient cypress swamp! During the tour a presentation will be given from our professional naturalist guides about solar cycles and lunar eclipses. Additionally, we will share stories from around the world pertaining to beliefs and customs surrounding these solar and lunar events. Followed by a catered meal of BBQ pulled pork sandwiches or veggie option,. The trip will be for the duration of 4-5 miles.
Pricing & Info
Itinerary (11:30am – 3pm)
Dates: April 8th Time:
Dress- weather appropriate clothing,
Directions – Google Map 240 Dean Lane, Illinois 62992
Early bird registration. Pricing $150.00/per adult, $85.00/per teen 12-17, $55.00/11 ages & younger, include choice of single kayak, canoe, special eye glasses, life vest, snacks, water bottled water, catered meal & professional naturalists. 75% refund if its a raining day.