YOUR SAFETY is very important to us. Outdoor activities such as canoeing, kayaking, and tubing are assumed risk sports, which by their very nature, include inherent risks and dangers that can cause bodily injury and even death to participants. CHILDREN AND WATER: Children under the age of 5 are not permitted on these trips. Children 5 and older are permitted in canoes with adult paddlers who are experienced. If you are a beginner paddler leave the kids at home until you feel comfortable with your paddling abilities. Another thing to keep in mind with children is the width of the river. If you capsize your boat will your child understand and have the ability to swim to shore? What if you end up on one shore and your child on the other side? Are you skilled enough to paddle across the river against currents or even up stream if need be to reach them? If you do not feel you have that ability yet, then leave the children at home. It will be much safer and more fun in the long run. Children must be 8 to tube and 12 to paddle a kayak.

PLAN AHEAD: Prior to your trip educate yourself in basic water safety and canoeing/kayaking/tubing techniques so you understand the inherent risks involved with these outdoor activities. The Great Miami River is constantly changing. At times the river flows gently, at other times the river rushes with swift currents. Obstacles in river currents such as fallen trees, large rocks, and bridge piers can be extremely hazardous and must be avoided. DO NOT TAKE CHANCES, if necessary, walk around river obstacles. Paddlers should properly wear life vests when in and around the river, it is state law all persons under 12 years of age wear a life vest. NO LIFEGUARD(S) ARE STATIONED ALONG THIS SELF GUIDED ROUTE, and county emergency medical services may be difficult to access. Participants should be aware of these facts and schedule their outing according to weather and river conditions best suited to their abilities. We have a link on the home page at the bottom to the USGS to receive current river conditions. Our max. operating river flow level is 5500cfs. If the river flow rate is greater that this we will be closed until the river is below this level.

ALWAYS wear a life vest, we will provide you with one. Our river is nothing like the Little Miami or Whitewater rivers. Our currents are swift and the water can be quite deep in sections. You will be going through solid class I sections of the river. No one evers plans to roll their boat but sometimes it happens so don't take any chances with your life.

Time spent in preparation for your outing, combined with a sincere respect for the river, will help ensure your outdoor experience will be safe and enjoyable.