260-367-2493
QUESTIONS? WE'VE GOT ANSWERS
From our understanding, the DNR is trying to get more money from the state to keep up with the property. To do that, they need to get an idea of how the property is being used and where they should allocate funding. If you are paddling/camping with us, we will provide you with everything you need to be on the Pigeon River Fish and Wildlife property. If you are not using our services, you can sign in and get your permit cards at the following locations…
Current Locations:
Rainbow Pit – LOT D2: Located on 400N just West of 390E
Pigeon River Fish & Wildlife Barn: 8310E 300N Mongo, IN 46771
Bird Refuge – LOT L2: Located on 300N just East of 1100W
Future Locations:
LOT B5: Located on 450N, East of Ontario Dam
LOT L6: Located on State Road 327, North of US 20
When booking online, in the final checkout screen you will enter your payment information & it will ask you for any additional notes. This is where you will make your specific site request. We do our best to accommodate all requests, but if there is a conflict – you will receive an email back from us about your placement.
Check-in time is at 2PM on the day of your arrival. If you would like to request an early check-in, this request must be placed with our office PRIOR to your arrival. We attempt to fill all reasonable requests, but early check-in times cannot always be granted.
The trip time that you book is your time of DEPARTURE. In order to depart and get on the water on time, you will need to arrive at least 30 minutes prior to that trip time. We recommend at least 45 minutes on a Saturday or holiday. Arriving later than this can result on a change in trip time/availability.
We use top of the line brands (Wenonah, Old Town, Jackson Kayak, Ocean Kayak & Mad River Canoe.) We have canoes and tandem kayaks that will accommodate two paddlers. We have single kayaks, both sit-in and sit-on-top styles for individuals. Our canoes can accommodate a child as a middle rider, if the child is UNDER 70 lbs. There is a fee for middle riders.
The minimum age & weight for any paddler or middle rider is 3 years old & 30 lbs. The maximum age & weight for child middle riders in a canoe is 10 years old & 70 pounds.
Vaccinated, socially friendly pets are welcome in our campground & must be kept on-leash. Pets are NOT ALLOWED in any of our boats or on any of our buses to/from river trips. If you arrive for your trip with your pet, you will not be able to paddle with us.
Yes, you can bring your own canoe or kayak! You will also need to bring your own paddle & life vest, we do not provide any gear without the rental of one of our boats. We do provide transportation service for personal canoes & kayaks Sunday – Friday, which includes your launch/takeout, transportation of your boat & gear, & parking on our property. Transportation is available for all of our trips, see available time slots while making a reservation (which we HIGHLY recommend.) We do not allow launching or parking only at our business if you don’t need transportation from us. Please see the Pigeon River Fish & Wildlife Area Map for details of where to launch/park for free in public DNR lots. If you are a registered camper with us, you may bring/launch/take out your own personal kayak or canoe on our property without using shuttle service.
We recommend a West Trip for families or first timers. This is a little wider section of the river which makes it easier to learn and requires less maneuvering. The first trip (Nasby Dam), which is only 4 miles is great for families with little ones and there is not any portaging required. The 7 mile (Curtis Creek) trip is about an hour extension of the short trip and becomes a little more curvy and bendy and has beautiful rocks and hills with great scenery. It is important know that Saturday is our busiest day of the week, so for the best family experience we always recommend visiting Sundays-Fridays.
We offer 6 different river trips ranging from 4 miles to 16 miles.
Our East trips are 10 and 13 miles. On these trips, you will paddle through some winding, bending, beautiful wooded sections of the river. They can be a little more technical, so these trips are usually most fun for the go-getters or the return visitors.
Our West trips are 4 and 7 miles. These trips take you through some pretty wide & scenic sections of the river. Our West trips are fit for almost anyone who wants to get out on the river!
Reservations are highly encouraged but not required. Saturdays & Sundays are our busiest days, time slots often fill up & we do run out of canoes & kayaks at times. Making a reservation secures your departure time & boats & also results in a much speedier check-in process to allow for more time out on the water!
Styrofoam of any kind, glass bottles, and illegal drugs are not allowed on the river. Please leave no trace & carry out anything you take on your trip. Using prohibited items or leaving trash of any kind on the river can result in fines.
Pets are NOT permitted in any of our boats or on our buses to/from river trips. If you arrive for your river trip with your furry friend, you will not be able to paddle with us.
Weight limit differs depending on if you are canoeing or kayaking.
For our single kayaks, the total weight capacity is 300 lbs.
For tandem kayaks, the total weight capacity is 450 lbs.
For canoes, the total weight capacity is 500 lbs.
These limits include the weight of the paddler(s) plus any gear in your boat with you. If you are nervous about reaching these capacities, please contact us prior to booking your trip.
* FULL payment is required at the time of reservation.
* Trip changes and cancellations may be made up until 10 days prior to your reservation start date.
* Cancellations made more than 10 days prior to arrival will qualify for a credit for a future date.
* NO REFUNDS unless you have purchased Trip Cancellation Protection.
* If Trading Post cancels the trip due to river or weather conditions, you will be offered a credit for a future date.
* Once you are on the river or parked at your camp site, there are no refunds or credits.
Please keep in mind that heat, wind, cold, rain, insects, and ever-changing river conditions are part of the activity!
* NO pets allowed on the boats or buses.
* NO Styrofoam coolers or glass bottles on the river.
If for any reason you need to cancel all or a portion of your reservation, the following guidelines will apply:
* 11 days or MORE prior to your arrival date – you can reschedule for another date within the same season or receive a credit for a future date.
* 10 days or LESS prior to your arrival date – No Refunds or Credits are issued, unless you purchased Trip Cancellation Protection.
* Failure to check-in or contact us on the date of your scheduled arrival may forfeit your site, boat reservation and seat on the bus.
* No refunds or credits are issued for dropping boats or changing trips less than 10 days prior to your trip date & time, unless you purchased Trip Cancellation Protection.
* No refunds or credits are issued for no call/no shows. You MUST contact us prior to your trip time to take advantage of the Trip Cancellation Protection.
We’re not afraid of a little rain here at TPO, so we will run trips in the rain. However, if river levels aren’t fit for paddlers or if there is a chance of high winds, thunder/lightning that we feel to be unsafe for our customers, we may postpone your trip to a later date or time. If you’re thinking the weather looks questionable, please always check our social media pages & website homepage for news & updates, or give us a call at the office.
Trading Post Outfitters has always placed safety as a priority. There are times will pose is a challenge, but usually this is only temporary and doesn’t last long. TPO reserves the right to delay the start of your trip due to weather. We try to keep delays to a minimum, but safety is our first concern.
If inclement weather or river conditions show significant risk, TPO reserves the right to issue a credit for a future trip, offer a similar trip instead, or issue a refund. (Refunds issued ONLY if Trip CANCELLATION PROTECTION has been purchased.)
The type of boat, sit-inside or sit on-top, does not determine the stability of the vessel. The stability is determined by the length and width of the boat. All TPO boats are similar in length and width, therefore they are all very similar in stability. The majority of our fleet consists of sit on-top kayaks.
Sit-Inside Pros: element protection
Sit-Inside Cons: holds water
Sit On-Top Pros: doesn’t hold water and easy entry/exit
Sit On-Top Cons: exposed to the elements
Trip Cancellation Protection allows you to cancel at any point before your trip and receive a full refund for your trip minus the Trip Cancellation Protection cost. This can include partial or full cancelation. Trip Cancellation Protection is 15% of your total trip cost. You MUST contact us before your scheduled trip time to take advantage of the Trip Cancellation Protection. No credits or refunds are issued to no call/no shows. No refunds or credits will be issued once parked at your site or on the river. Only choose one per reservation.
