Kayak Tours

Underground Kayak Tour Details

Hop On A Kayak

Feeling adventurous? Paddle your way through a 100-year-old limestone mine on this unforgettable one-hour Red River Gorge kayaking tour. Explore the incredible subterranean paths and learn the history of the area as our expert guides lead the way illuminating the unique features of the Gorge Underground. There are new discoveries to be made around every corner of this one-of-a-kind mountainside cavern.

If you’re seeking a truly extraordinary experience that combines exploration, natural beauty, and the thrill of the unknown, try underground kayaking in Kentucky for your next adventure. Our tours are perfect for families with children 5 years of age or older, school groups, couples, and anyone looking for a memorable time. Contact us to arrange your Red River Gorge cave kayaking expedition. Your underground adventure begins here.

What's Included:
  • Kayak, Paddle, PFD, Helmet & Headlamp
  • Tandem kayaks are available upon request at arrival
A family poses side by side in clear-bottom kayaks inside The Gorge Underground

Kayak Tour

Adult (Age 13+)
Youth (Age 5-12)

$55 Mon-Thur, $65 Fri-Sun
$55 Mon-Thur, $65 Fri-Sun

FAQs

The Gorge Underground Kayak and SUP tours are fine for beginners. There is no wind, waves, or current in the mine, so it is a gentle, easy paddle. It is very dark, but everyone will have a helmet with a headlamp, and the guides will have a spotlight to highlight different features of the mine. There will be a quick intro to paddling given for each craft before departure.

It’s 50 degrees underground, so dress in light athletic quick drying layers (you may get a bit damp depending on your paddling skill), extra pair of socks (no shoes allowed in clear kayaks), gloves (great idea) and comfortable shoes. Kids tends to get colder, so dress them warmly. We rent neoprene socks and mitts on the deluxe tours for $2.00 if needed.

We try our best to keep you dry, but there are times when you may get a little wet. There may be a little bit of water in the bottom of your kayak, and sometimes the seats are a bit wet. Some people also get wet from the water dripping off their paddles, but if you hold your paddle low this should not be a problem. There are also a few places in the mine where the water drips from the ceiling, but your guides will direct you around these places.

The mine stays a constant temperature of about 52 degrees year round, and the water temperature stays about 40 degrees.

No, it really doesn’t. The entire tour is underground in the mine, so our tours go out rain or shine! (In fact, some people prefer to go on a rainy day so they can do other activities when it’s sunny.)

Yes, we do have some tandem kayaks. If you would prefer to use a tandem with someone in your group, simply let the guides know when you get there, and they will pull out a tandem for you to use. Pricing is still by person.

We provide all necessary equipment.

Kayak Tours: Kayak, Paddle, PFD, Helmet & Headlamp

Clear Bottom Kayak Tours: Kayak, Paddle, PFD, Helmet & Headlamp

SUP Tours: NRS Inflatable Stand Up Paddle Board or Hylife Sit & Stand Hybrid Board, Paddle, PFD, Helmet & Headlamp.

Boat Tour: Boat, PFD, Helmet & Headlamp

Ride Along Child Ticket: PFD, Helmet & Headlamp

The cave boat tour is probably the best choice if you have small children. All children need to be at least about 40 lbs. and able to wear a PFD and helmet and sit still for the full hour-long tour.

The Gorge Underground is dark, but everyone will have a helmet with a headlamp, and the guides also have spotlights to point out various features in the mine.

We’re sorry, but we cannot accommodate children under 3 years of age.

We have had a few, but it doesn’t happen very often at all. The kayaks are relatively stable and are safe even for beginners. The Stand Up Paddle boards are also very wide and stable. A guide with rescue training goes on every tour, just in case.

30 minutes prior to your tour time

Yes! We highly recommend booking tours in advance. In the busy season many of our tours will fill up, and during the slow season, we need to know what tours are going out so that we have guides available.

The tours last one hour, but you will need to arrive 30 minutes prior to your tour time for check in and to put on gear.  Deluxe Tours last 90 minutes for extra time to explore.

The Gorge Underground does not allow any pets on tour.

The Gorge Underground is open year round! We have more tours during the summer and fall, but we have tours available during every season! (The mine stays about 52 degrees year round, so the water in the mine never freezes!)

If you are coming with more than 12 people, we highly recommend our cave boat tour which can accommodate up to 20 people.

We limit our kayak tours to 12 people and our SUP tours to 10 because it becomes very difficult to hear the guides when you are spread out in a bigger group. For larger family groups or church/scout groups, we occasionally make exceptions to this rule at the manager’s discretion.

We understand that sometimes plans change. Please read our policy fully. 

Due to the specialty nature of our events and our limited availability we DO NOT OFFER REFUNDS. Tickets can be rescheduled NO LESS than 7 days before event! A change fee of $10 will be applied per reservation. If you need to reschedule the week of the event you will be charged 50% of your booking as a rescheduling fee. Changes made less than 48 hours prior to tour are not allowed. Ensure you arrive a minimum of 30 minutes prior to your tour time.

No shows are not eligible for rescheduling, gift card, or refund.

We reserve the right to decline any person as a tour participant if the person’s behavior, health, or mental condition impedes the operation of the tour.

Got a Group?

We’ve Got Ya Covered

Gather up your friends, family, even uncle Gary, or some co-workers and we’re here to show you how adventure is done.

Need a place to stay in the Gorge?

Red River Gorge Cabin Rentals - 70 Cabins and Luxury Yurts for rent throughout the Red River Gorge. Small families to large groups we have something for everyone.

We’re Right in the Heart of Red River Gorge

Convenient for groups coming from:
Lexington, KY: 1 hr
Louisville, KY: 1 hr 59 mins
Ashland, NC: 2 hrs 4 mins
Cincinatti, OH: 2 hrs 2 mins
Nashville, TN: 4 hrs 3 mins