Ohio River Way Fall Photo Contest

This season, show us the river through your lens

From lively river towns to quiet stretches of backwater, the Ohio River is full of stories. We’re launching our first-ever Fall Ohio River Way Photo Contest to celebrate the people, places, and natural beauty that make our river unique.

Winning photos will be credited and featured in the 2026 Ohio River Way Guide, across our newsletter and social media, and winners will also receive a certificate and prize package including an Ohio River Way hat, t-shirt, poster, and other swag.

Deadline to enter: November 15, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. (ET)

Ohio River in the fall

Categories

Submit up to 10 of your best shots in one (or more) of the following categories:

  • River People – paddlers, anglers, river angels, volunteers, and everyday life on the water

  • River Towns – main streets, festivals, architecture, and communities along the Ohio

  • Flora, Fauna & Wildlife – herons, mussels, otters, fish, flowers, and everything wild

  • Abstractions – creative compositions, textures, light, and patterns inspired by the river

  • Fall Scenic & Natural Features – landscapes, waterways, and the Ohio’s changing seasonal moods

How to Enter

Deadline: November 15, 2025

  1. Make sure your photos qualify

    • Photos must be taken along the Ohio River or within an Ohio River Way community. (View complete list of river towns).

    • Submit up to 10 photos per person.

    • Photos must be in JPEG or PNG format.

  2. Include the following with each entry

    • Your name

    • Title/caption of the photo

    • Location (town, river mile, or landmark)

    • Category (from the list above) 

    • Email address

  3. Submit your photos using this form by November 15, 2025, 11:59 p.m. (ET). *Applicants should submit one form per category. No more than 10 submissions total. 


Disclaimer:
By entering, you grant Ohio River Way permission to use submitted photos in our publications, online platforms, and promotional materials (with credit to the photographer). You retain all other rights to your work.