don’t be up the creek without a paddle

arrival

Sugar Valley is on Eastern Standard time. One hour before Illinois. Please be signed up 45 minutes before your departure time to allow time for registration, instructions, and other preparations. Buses leave on time. Be aware that if you miss your bus, there's a chance you will not get on the trip you want. At times, weekend trips can book many days in advance. Weekends may be extremely busy at times, you may want to sign up even earlier than 45 minutes.

deposit info

Additional deposit ($20 minimum or $5 per canoe/kayak) required. Lost deposit and additional fees charged for missing your pick-up time. Lost deposit and additional fees charged for lost, destroyed, abandoned or lodged equip. An additional $50 cash deposit or credit card physically help at office if taking alcohol. If card is physically left as deposit, rental fees must be paid with that same card.

personal equipment

We haul personal canoes and kayaks only from Memorial Day through Labor Day, since we have a shortage of staff during the school season. Minimum length: 11 ft. It is the same price as our equipment everyday. We will load and unload your equipment just south of the red dumpster (South West of office building). We do not haul personal inflatables.
Minimum 24 hour Advance reservation required for private equipment. 

Sugar Valley’s property at Narrows, Coxford, and Jackson Covered Bridge are privately owned and cannot be used for personal use unless through Sugar Valley. Anyone using or parking at these locations will be trespassing and towed at the owner’s expense.

be prepared to carry equipment

Any trip taken with Sugar Valley requires some extent of physical labor. Customers are responsible for carrying their equipment at the end of the trip to the loading zone. Sugar Valley staff does not carry equipment up the hill.

Jackson Covered Bridge trips do have approximately 10 stairs that equipment must be carried up at the end of your trip.

family friendly zone

No tolerance for profane language.

No profanity or rude behavior allowed.

Do not trespass onto private property.

Be courteous and respectful to others.

Be knowledgeable of your trip pick-up location and times.

no inflatables allowed on creek

No inflatables of any kind are allowed to bring on your trip. 

weight limits

Weight limit for canoe: 600 lbs

Weight limit for kayak: 300 lbs

Weight limit for tandem kayak: 500 lbs

Weight limit for tube: 400 lbs

cancellations

Cancellations must be called in 5 days before date for deposit return. We run Rain or Shine. Cancelled trips due to high water. Trips are not charged in advance.

Liability waiver

Liability waiver must be signed by all adults' minors must be signed for by guardians. Liability waivers are available on our website or at our office during check in.

Deposit return

1. Dock at designated bridge within time limit.

2. Empty paddles, preservers, & misc. out of boat/tube.

3. Carry ALL equipment to top of steps at pick-up bridge.

4. Present form to SV staff for initial.

5. Carry preservers to storage area.

6. Present initialed form at office for deposit return.

rules for bringing your cooler

No Styrofoam coolers allowed.

No inflatable coolers allowed.

No glass allowed.

No large coolers. All coolers must comfortably sit on your lap in the bus.

alcohol

We enforce a no tolerance policy with alcohol. Any profane language or inappropriate behavior will result in loss of deposit and loss of public transportation privileges.
Be aware of Alcohol Rules & Regulations

Limited amount of alcohol allowed on trips. Public intoxication and under-age drinking will not be permitted and laws will be enforced. We enforce a no tolerance policy with alcohol. Failure to comply with our policy with result in loss of deposit and loss of SV public transportation privileges. Sections of Sugar Creek are subject to state park regulations.

Alcohol policy agreement must be signed by all participants.

Additional $50 deposit or credit card physically held at office required when taking alcohol on the trips.

4 drinks per person.

No hard alcohol.

No glass bottles.

No alcohol allowed on the last departing Tubing Trip. No alcohol allowed on the last departing Canoe and Kayak Trip.

doctor note required for pregnant women

Pregnant women must have a written doctor's consent to go on any trip.

age restrictions

When creek level is normal, children must be old enough to independently walk/run on their own. Older age restrictions are enforced when creek levels are high. Please be aware this can happen unexpectedly, call in advance or check our Facebook page for current creek levels/restrictions. Children under 6 must always have one adult per child. Sugar Valley has the right to refuse service if employees deem conditions or individuals unsafe for trips at any time.

Payment info

We accept cash, apple pay, and all major debit/credit cards. There is a 3% processing fee for credit card transactions.

discount

10 % Group discount for 10 or more canoes reserved in advance.

CLOSINGS

Mature nature does not always cooperate. Trips can be cancelled last minute for flooding. Please check our facebook and forecasts before making your drive here.