clements canoes outdoor center canoe and kayak trips- day tours

We did tube trip 8 through Turkey Run State Park. The trip on the creek was nice, although the water was very low and we had to walk/pull ourselves through several sections. The experience was lovely, but since this is a review of the business and not the natural river, I must say there is room for a number of improvements here. My general impressions are below.1. The website is a bit outdated, but the reservation process went relatively smoothly. 2. When arriving at the Turkey Run livery, the staff in the office/registration area was not very friendly. They found our reservation quickly, but didn't provide clear instruction on where we should go to start the tour. We also had to ask a few times for clarification on what to expect at the end of the tour.3. We waited for 15 minutes at the life jacket stand for some assistance before an employee came to help. When he did arrive, there was a lot of confusion as to where we should go next for the shuttle. A few simple signs that displayed where people should be waiting for the shuttle for each of the different trips would easily remedy this.4. The shuttles to the drop off point could use some improvements. The school bus that most people used for transportation needs a new paint job at least. We were in a 15 passenger van, which had several tubes inside. The ceiling was falling down and the van seats were dirty. The van was pulling a trailer with tubes and at one point a tube popped. We had to pull over so the driver could get it and then he handed the dirty tube to us inside the van to "hold on to" for the remainder of the ride. This gave us a very negative impression of how the business is run. Having professional looking vehicles inside and out would greatly improve customer experience.5. At the drop off point there weren't enough cooler tubes. We had reserved one, and so they found a tube with a bottom we could use, however they don't provide anything to harness the cooler to another tube. This wasn't clear during the reservation process and we would have needed to hold on to that tube for the entire trip or have our cooler float away on us. Thankfully, another group had an extra bungee cord that they let us use. This is another simple improvement that would have made our experience more enjoyable.6. Once on the creek it was lovely, but crowded - we went on a Saturday in August and there were a lot of other canoe/kayak/tube tours going through at the same time. Everyone was friendly and had a good time, but if you are looking for solitude or tranquility, this is not the place for you. Even though the water level was very low, we had a nice time on the creek.7. When we returned, we got our deposit back easily - even though we were late. We didn't stop along the route, but our 2-3 hour trip still took over 4 hours due to water conditions.8. Two of the three toilets in the ladies room were backed up. There is a small changing area also in the bathroom, but no privacy curtains, so the modest members of our groups had to wait in line to change in a stall with a nasty toilet. A few hooks in the changing area would be another simple, but effective improvement.

Canoes were well kept, river was a little low, but we never had to get out and carry the canoe. Staff were not overly friendly, but the canoe trip fun didn't really depend on them. Previous reviews complained about carrying canoes back without staff help. We did not have that experience at all. We simply pulled up to the shore, and there were two very helpful workers that carried the canoes up. We did the 4 mile journey at the jungle livery.

We did two trips with Clements...the first day was a five-mile trip, since it took us 2 hours to get there from home. Day two we did 15 miles. The first trip was through Shades Park and the second trip was through Turkey Run. Both trips included us canoeing back to our vehicle, which meant we were transported to our input locations beforehand. The creek was quite low during our visit, and doing a 15-mile trip required us to bust butt to get in by 5:00 pm. We knew the creek was low...believe we wouldn't of taken this long of a trip if we had known about how shallow the water really was and all the dragging we did...in and out of canoe a lot. We did see lots of wildlife doing the longer trip, which made our trip worthwhile. Lots of deer, eagles, hawks, snakes, geese, ducks, herons. For a couple of miles through Turkey Run SP, it overlaps with another canoe livery. During this stretch it became very busy with inner tubes and canoes everywhere. Way too crowded during this part of trip & unpleasant. I'd highly recommend this trip during the fall months, it's really beautiful when the leaves change.

This should have been a 2 1/2 - 3 hour canoe trip, turned into a 5 hour canoe trip (we were some of the first ones back) because we had to walk with our canoes & trying to not slip on rocks in very little water....it was quite a struggle!! We were taking our children on their first canoe trip, it's not fun for children (or adults) to drag their canoes on what's supposed to be a canoe trip (a little is expected, but this was ridiculous.... Unacceptable). Instead of being greedy, Clements should have put their customers safety, fun & memories into consideration. The kicker was the last portion of the trip was all rocks, impossible to canoe... Employees could care less.... They could have at least helped women & children obviously struggling with their canoes the last 1/2 mile ( all rocks!!!!.... A little water trickling over them. Next day saw an ad for canoeing less than half the price of Clements.... We will be checking them out next time!!!! This place should not have allowed people out for safety & health reasons. Disappointed!!!!! Upside.... Scenery was beautiful & time with my family! Cabin was over priced, too.

My family has been taking tours on Sugar Creek for almost 20 years and we now only use Clement's. We have never had a bad experience, and routinely feel that they go out of their way to get your canoe and gear all set up and launched quickly and as easily as possible. They also get you and all your stuff out at the end, provide a fun atmosphere on the bus back to their building. I've taken many friends out on the lower scenic tour and now they are all sold on Clement's. $40 per canoe (i believe similar for kayak) is a bargain for all day fun on the river. My suggestion is to stay at Shades, which is only about a 5 minute drive to Clement's, where you start on the lower scenic and where they'll bring you back. This way you can get back to your campsite after having all-day fun without being tired or over-indulging. If you are from Indy, it's between an hour and 90 minutes to get there, which is not bad at all. Clement's is legit, check 'em out!

When you are in the service industry and your business is to provide a safe, family activity you work your business to make the service you provide a cut above the rest. Please know when you make a reservation and you call to find out how the creek is and you say low…know that for Clemet’s; they do not know how the creek is. We were told the creek was low and low is an understatement. We were traveling with our family, four adults and two kids. We paid for a 10 mile adventure and boy did we ever get it. The creek was low in SEVERAL places. We counted and we were out of the canoe over 30 times porting over the shallow parts. And, by shallow I mean the water did not cover your ankles. At first we didn’t mind the adventure, but the creek is a sandy, rocky, a shallow hazard. No one should have been canoeing out there. They did tell us the creek was low and that we would have to port in a couple of places…out of the 10 miles we probably walked 2 of those miles. It wasn’t terrible, but when you have kids who could slip and fall on the shallow rocks and currents that drive you into the rocks and tip you over….it isn’t that fun anymore. The day was filled with getting in and out of the canoe and watching your footing so you didn’t fall and hit a rock. I have climbed Duns River Falls and that was way safer than the creek we “sailed” down. The staff at Clemet’s did not care in the slightest when we expressed our concern. They do not get out and check the water. They do not care about the safety of their customers because some of their customers are “ok” with the conditions. As a service provider, they should be more open with their customers. Clemet’s also charges $40.00 a canoe. There is another provider near Turkey Run that cost less than half of their cost. They claim it is because they have better canoes. After seeing the staff throwing the canoe’s around after we left, did not make me feel better about riding in one of their canoes. The staff after watching customers walk the last ¼ of a mile with their canoe did not offer to help you out of the water or in any other way. They just stand there waiting for the canoe. POOR CUSTOMER SERVICE. They even make you carry the paddles and jackets back to the paddle shack. On the positive side, the creek scenery was beautiful. We did stay in a cabin at Clemet’s and it was rustic and nice, not sure it was worth $125.00 a night…especially after we visited Turkey Run. The camp space was clean and met the basic amenities. However, we will NOT be canoeing with Clemet’s in the future. They need a crash course in customer service and instead of making the same excuses as seen in other Trip Advisor posts…they need to improve vastly.

My very large family went on this canoe trip yesterday.. ages 4-65. For a Saturday it did not seem overly crowded. The registration went smooth. The staff were very young but knowledgeable and polite. The restrooms were clean. We took a short crowded busride (we didnt mind) to where we got on the canoes. The staff pushed the canoes down the hill for you so you only had to drag the canoe into the water. The ride itself was so fun and the scenery was beautiful. I had never been on a canoe before so it would have been nice to get some basic instructions on how to paddle. My canoe would occasionally get turned around and it was a little difficult to get it straightened up. The hardest part was trying to avoid the tubers that were floating down the river. Sometimes the current would run you right into them and there was nothing you could do about it. There was a clearly marked sign along the river showing you where to get out. The staff took our canoes for us and we were done. Bring a small cooler with some sandwiches and drinks. Where some type of shoes or sandles that you dont mind getting wet and are slightly rugged. Where sunscreen. Where comfortable clothes. I would recommend this facility. There is another one fairly close with cheaper prices. We chose Clements because the other place was booked. I heard a few other people say that the other facility was a little dirtier and they were rude but the ride is the same.

We stayed at the paddlers cabin at 250.00 per night. Cabin was very dirty with dead bugs all around floors. Floors looked like had not been cleaned in months. Cabin had a mouse problem that the owners knew about but did not warn us, so the mice helped themselves to our food. Beds where dirty and smelly. The whole house smelled awful.. Price should be 100 or less a night for the quality .. We would of been better off in a tent.

We've been kayaking on the Sugar Creek twice now and we can't wait to go back. Clements Canoes has a lot of options, so you can find the perfect trip - be it kayaking, canoeing, or tubing down the river. I would recommended making reservations in advance (they sometimes sell out!), and checking on the level of the water. Low water levels mean you could end up dragging your canoe or kayak through shallow areas, which is decidedly less fun than floating and rowing.

Upon arrival with my 5 yo there were no signs telling you where to register and no employees in sight. People waiting to depart on a trip kindly told me where to register and pay. As we entered we were greeted accordingly. After I filled out my waiver, one of the girls behind the counter said it was $45 but no length if trip was specified. In my confusion I asked about the rates I had researched online which were considerably less. After a moment I realized I was thinking of Sugar Valley canoe trips. When I mentioned that, one of the girls said not to go there because there because their canoes were bad and we "would sink and you don't want to do that with him with you, he's too cute" refering to my Son who heard the whole thing and was then concerned about sinking on his first canoe trip. On our way out to go back to the car to get some additional cash he decided he didn't want to sink :(. I talked to 3 vehicles full of people in the parking lot and relayed my story and the prices. Subquently we all left and went to Sugar Creek, got a canoe for $16, had a great 2.5 hr trip and didn't sink. It was very well run as I expect a PROFESSIONAL business to be. I hope this review helps.

By far the worst livery I have ever seen. the staff are terrible. They provide no instruction. When I asked what to do in case of a storm or emergency they treated me like I was stupid and made grunting noises then with additional questioning they said call the state park. they dropped us at the bottom of the hill and drove off before we could get in the kayaks. my life jacket didn't fit-might have been a child sized life jacket. the kayaks are in poor condition-parts were missing. They are way over priced other livery were charging $20 for what cost us $70. where you have to dock at the end of the trip is full of clay and mud and they don't help you get out of the water. You have to porter your kayaks uphill in the mud. There is no place to wash your feet. I will never use them again!

I've stayed in the Canyon Cabin over Memorial Day weekend. While it wasn't horrible, it wasn't good either. It is way too pricey. For the 3 nights(7 person) $50 dollars per person is too much at this place. The cabin is very old and smelled really bad. There were dead bugs all around the floor. The mattresses looked like they were taken from a dumpster and they squeaked. At night if someone woke up to go to the bathroom the whole cabin woke up. The fireplace was not cleaned and was very rusty. The promised river view is not really a view unless you look through trees and you see the river at 500 feet away. The other cabin was way to close to ours and we had some really loud and drunk neighbors. On a good note the bathroom and shower facilities were pretty close and decent. If you go here it is worth camping in tents since they have campsites right next to the river, about 10 feet away. Fishing wasn't very good, maybe because water was too murky, but I had no luck in the 4 days I spent here.

Took wife, daughter, and niece on five mile trip that terminates at the covered bridge. Water depth and temp was just right. Billed as a 3-hour ride but we finished at about 1 hr 30 mins. Staff very friendly, canoes and flotation gear were in good shape, overall a very enjoyable experience. This 2014 trek was similar to what my work colleagues and I did back in 1978 and then as now, very good value for the cost. As pretty a trek, too, as you'll find in "outback Indiana." Lovely limestone formations, greenery, changing smells, just a nice family friendly outdoors experience. Will be back.

We rented a canoe from Clements Canoes by Turkey run in Marshall, Indiana on July 27, 2013. What an awful experience! The ONE woman who was working there (very understaffed) was unfriendly and said we would leave in five minutes. We really left and hour and fifteen minutes later ---75 minutes later, not five minutes as she said. They were very understaffed. Men to move the canoes were very late to arrive. Many customers arrived and waited....and waited....and waited...no workers presents, only paying customers. Then Clements Canoes tried cramming all of the people onto ONE bus! There were enough customers for TWO busses, but they did not have enough staff to drive two busses. On this former school bus converted to a canoe travel bus, they tried to cram three adults per seat AND have adults standing in the aisle. This was completely unsafe and illogical. I had to stand up and tell the bus driver to stop loading additional people onto the bus, as it was so unsafe. I called the owner and operations director, JASON SEWARD, today to discuss the problems with his canoe rental operations. He offered no resolution and did not plan on changing anything. In fact, he told me that I had the option to get off the bus if I felt it was unsafe! He took no ownership of the problem and has no plans to rectify their terrible operations. AVOID CLEMENTS CANOES! YOU MAY NOT SURVIVE THE UNSAFE SITUATIONS WITH CLEMENTS CANOES! Go to Sugar Valley Canoes instead.

The two story cabin needs to be renovated or tore down. Creepy, dirty and naturally damp. Wish I would have known I would have packed my tent. Planned on staying a few nights, buying groceries, cooking meals. This place ruined it for me. I believe the fact that few people were renting from the livery by the park should have tipped me off of the lack of customer service. I am sure they focus on weekend travelers