Schedule a Group Tour Today!
We love having groups come to our park to enjoy and learn about life in the past. The dedicated volunteers at the Wabash & Erie Canal are very pleased that you are interested in visiting our facilities along a preserved stretch of the historic canal. In order to ensure that you have a pleasant visit, we offer important information about the different venues, the amount of time involved, and various services available. We are pleased to work with you to provide the combination of services that meet your interests and time schedule.
About Our Tours
Canal Boat
The canal boat tour takes approximately 40 minutes, but please allow time for boarding and exiting. The Delphi can accommodate about 25 adults or 30 children on each trip. She operates from mid-May into October and will operate during rain but not during lightning. Passengers in wheelchairs can be accommodated if notified in advance. Wheelchair access creates a reduction in standard seating. To achieve typical tour schedules, a maximum of 4 wheelchairs can be accommodated per trip. Boat operation is subject to conditions beyond our control. If we cannot operate the boat on the day of the tour, we will notify the contact person named in the contract as soon as the decision to cancel boat operations has been made.
Historic Pioneer Village
Our 18th century trades people and buildings in the Village are available for demonstrations and cabin tours. All docents and trades people are volunteers, so specific trades or cabins are subject to availability. Docents and trades people include: the Blacksmith, Broom/Basket Maker, School House, Loom House, Fouts Cabin, Cooper and Papermaker. Pets are welcome in the Village but not in the cabins. Visitors are also welcome to walk through Pioneer Village on their own.
Trails
A mile of Tow Path trail runs through the park and connects to several additional miles of trails beyond park grounds. A guided tour by a knowledgeable docent can be arranged to explore the various historical points on the trail through the park. Visitors can also walk the trails on their own and enjoy the interpretive panels along the way.
Interpretive Museum
The tour of our national award-winning Interpretive Museum will be led by a knowledgeable guide who can tell the history of the Canal’s development and explain the displays in the Museum. It takes approximately 45 minutes with a group of 10 people at a time. The museum can also be visited without a guide. No pets are allowed.
Reed Case House
The tour of the1844’s fully furnished Federal style house takes approximately 45 minutes and is led by an historical interpreter. For those with disabilities, only the first floor is accessible.
Canal Boat Playground
Children, of all ages, are welcome to play on the replica canal boat playground without charge.
Speece Picnic Shelter
The Speece picnic shelter is located in the center of Pioneer Village. If no one is using the picnic shelter, you are welcome to use it. The shelter may be reserved for a small fee.
Food
There are no restaurants on the Canal grounds. Refreshments, lunch or dinner with local caterers or restaurants in the area can be arranged. A list of local caterers is available. You are welcome to bring your own lunch and use the Speece picnic shelter.
Group Tour Options
Our boat tour includes an interpreted cruise of the Wabash & Erie Canal aboard The Delphi, our replica canal boat.
The Canaler’s Tour is a guided tour through our national award-winning Interpretive Museum. A knowledgeable guide will highlight the motivations for building the canal, the construction of the canal and the canal’s effects on Indiana.
Our Hoggee (pronounced "hoagie") Tour includes an interpreted cruise of the Wabash & Erie Canal aboard The Delphi, our canal boat, and a tour of the beautifully restored 1844 Federal style home of Reed Case, canal builder. A docent interprets the original owner of the home, Mr. or Mrs. Reed Case. A guided tour of the award-winning Wabash & Erie Canal Interpretive Center Museum is also included.
The Bowman Tour includes an interpreted cruise of the Wabash & Erie Canal aboard the canal boat, The Delphi, and a tour of the beautifully restored 1844 Federal Style Home of Reed Case, canal builder. A docent interprets the original owner of the home, Mr. or Mrs. Reed Case. A guided tour of the award-winning Wabash & Erie Canal Interpretive Center Museum is also included. PLUS, your group will be able to tour the Pioneer Village including the one-room schoolhouse, and several log cabins. Watch old-time crafters demonstrate their arts.
The Captain’s Tour includes an interpreted cruise of the Wabash & Erie Canal aboard our canal boat The Delphi; a tour of a beautifully restored 1844 Federal Style Home conducted by a docent interpreting the original owner of the home, Mr. or Mrs. Reed Case. A guided tour of the award-winning Wabash & Erie Canal Interpretive Center Museum is also included. PLUS, your group will be invited to tour the Pioneer Village including the one-room schoolhouse and several log cabins. Watch old-time crafters demonstrate their arts. AND, you will enjoy a hearty Canaler’s Lunch consisting of a delicious beef stew, homemade cornbread, coleslaw, yummy apple crisp, coffee and other drinks.
The Steersman Tour includes an interpreted cruise of the Wabash &Erie Canal aboard The Delphi, our replica canal boat. A tour of a beautifully restored 1844 Federal Style Home conducted by a docent interpreting the original owner of the home, Mr. or Mrs. Reed Case. A guided tour of the award-winning Wabash & Erie Canal Interpretive Center is also included.
PLUS, your group will have access to miles of trails with interactive exhibits with a knowledgeable guide. Groups may walk or bicycle the more than 10 miles of trails and view the many historic and natural sites along the trails. Groups are also welcome to canoe or kayak the nearly three miles of navigable canal. We do not offer bicycles, canoes or kayaks.
Reserve Your Tour
We look forward to hearing from you!
Group Tour Planning Your Group’s Visit
We would like to make your group’s visit to the Canal as pleasant as possible. To help you plan your visit, here are some things to consider:
Accessibility
- The facilities at the Canal complex are handicap accessible, including the boat, but we must be notified of this need at least two weeks in advance of the visit. Benches on the boat must be removed to accommodate wheelchairs. Due to typical time constraints, only four wheelchairs can be accommodated on the boat at one time. Wheelchair accommodation on The Delphi creates a reduction in standard seating. People in wheelchairs that can navigate steps with assistance, will not require a reduction in standard seating.
- Walking is the common mode of travel around the park. There is considerable distance between the various facilities and must be taken into account for the travel time required to reach each venue. If mobility is an issue travel times will naturally increase.
- Well-behaved, on-leash pets are welcome on the Canal grounds. Only service animals/therapy dogs with registration documentation are allowed in the Interpretive Center, Reed Case House, boat and Museum.
- Firearms are not allowed on Canal grounds.
Reservations for Groups
- To make a reservation, call (765) 564-2870 or send an email to [email protected].
- Reservations for groups (minimum) 12 people must be made at least two weeks in advance of your visit.
- You will be sent an invoice for a $100 deposit to reserve the date. The remaining balance will be due at the time of the visit. Payment will be made for the entire group and may be made by check or any credit card.
- If the group must cancel, please notify the Reservation Manager at least two days prior to the visit at: (765) 564-2870, otherwise the deposit will be forfeited.
- The Wabash & Erie Canal is on Eastern Time.
- In planning your trip, please allow 5 to 10 minutes between each venue for embarking/disembarking from the boat, walking time and restroom breaks. If two boat rides are given, there will be a 15-minute break between rides.
Restrooms
Restrooms are available in the Interpretive Center and in the Pioneer Village.
Food & Water
- Fresh water is available via drinking fountains. Cold bottled water is available at the desk in the Interpretive Center.
- Food is not available at the Canal except during Canal festivals. We can provide you a list of restaurants downtown or, if you have a group, we can provide a list of local caterers.
Canal Boat Availability
There are times when The Delphi is not able to operate due to weather or mechanical issues. These are rare occasions but if it is necessary to cancel, the Reservations Manager will notify the group’s contact person as soon as possible and refund the fee for the boat.
See the Interactive Map!
Get a closer look at Canal Park with our Interactive Map!
