Last updated: December 3, 2025
Article
Green River Ferry Navigational System Repairs
NPS Photo/ J. Cooper
Project Overview
NPS Photo/ D. Spillman
Status: In Progress
The Green River Ferry is a vital link for visitors, staff, and local communities to cross the Green River. The Green River Ferry’s navigational system and support towers sustained extensive damage during a historic flooding event in April 2025.
Mammoth Cave National Park coordinated with the National Park Service’s Washington and Southeast Region offices to expedite a project design and repair plan for the navigational system with the intent to resume ferry service as soon as possible. Repair work began in October 2025 and will include:
- Replacement of navigational cables that guide the vessel across the river.
- Stabilization of the four 20-foot-tall towers which hold the navigational cables in place.
- Replacement of the 15.5-ton concrete anchor damaged and partially dislodged from the riverbank.
Current Project Status
Frequently Asked Questions
The Green River Ferry day use area is open. River paddlers can continue to use the canoe and kayak ramp. Visit our Canoeing, Kayaking and Boating page for more information about river recreation.
The Green River Ferry day use area is open. Trail users can access the Echo River Spring Trail and picnic area. Discover similar recreation opportunities on our Accessible Activities page.
Green River Ferry Road North is open to all vehicles to Maple Springs Campground, including recreational vehicles and vehicles with trailers. Only passenger vehicles are permitted past Maple Springs Campground. Find more information on our Directions and Transportation page.
Damage from Flooding
NPS Photo/ M. Schroer
Traditionally during the month of April, the water level at the Green River Ferry crossing averages between 15 feet to 22 feet with a water flow just under 5,000 cubic feet per second. In April 2025, flood waters crested at 59.54 feet with a waterflow of just over 55,000 cubic feet per second at the ferry crossing. This high volume of water caused a portion of one of the concrete anchors to be physically pulled from the riverbank and moved 20 feet downhill. It also caused extreme stress on the four support towers which are now leaning slightly. Until the cable system and towers are repaired, the ferry cannot operate.
NPS Photo/ J. Cooper
Additional Maintenance and Certification
Status: Completed ✅
The United States Coast Guard (USCG) certifies the Green River Ferry for operation and sets standards for operator experience and training, vessel specifications, and inspection schedules. The Green River Ferry is on a five-year cycle for drydock hull inspection by USCG which ensures the vessel maintains safe operational condition.
The vessel was last removed from the water for maintenance, inspection, and repainting in 2020 and was scheduled to be removed from the water for inspection in late 2025. Park officials coordinated the inspection along with other routine maintenance work to occur while the ferry was inoperable to avoid further disruption to service once repairs to the navigational system is complete.
Completed work:
- The USCG completed the required inspection while the ferry was drydocked.
- Contractors sandblasted the vessel’s hull and repainted various components.
-
Park staff replaced the vessel’s generator and engine.
NPS Photo
History
The Green River Ferry began operating in 1934 and is the only active river ferry inside Mammoth Cave National Park. It provides shuttle service for thousands of vehicles, hikers, and bikers across Green River every year.