As an aspiring Hospitality Management student hoping to work in Outdoor Recreation, I never expected to find my place—or my passion—right in the heart of the American Midwest. I’m so grateful to have been proven wrong.

Get updates for the American River Roots celebration, get your hands dirty (in a good way!) at one of our upcoming island cleanups, plus, a list of summer events, job opportunities, and other ways to stay connected to the Ohio River Way and the amazing communities along it.

In honor of Great Outdoors Month and National Trails Day, both in June, the Department of the Interior designated five trails in six states as National Recreation Trails. The Ohio River Way was born on a starry evening in 2019. During an overnight paddle from Cincinnati to Louisville, the volunteer crew of a 30-foot voyageur canoe started to splash around the idea of linking up sites along this stretch of river.

June brought historic momentum for the Ohio River Way and our partners, from proudly supporting the release of a landmark Ohio River Basin restoration plan to celebrating our official designation as a National Water Trail. We've also opened our call for proposals—for presentations, field trips, exhibitions, and more—for Ohio River Basin Confluence, our joint summit this fall. Submissions are due by July 1.

Lea and Chris set out from Portsmouth, Ohio, expecting to paddle, unplug, and spend time in the small towns tucked along the riverbanks. But halfway through their trip, the news came in: the Ohio River Way had just been named a National Water Trail. Without planning it, they had become the first paddlers to experience the route under its new designation.

The Ohio River Way, a trail connecting communities across Indiana, Kentucky, and Ohio, has officially been designated as a National Water Trail at the recommendation of the National Park Service. This rare recognition marks the largest addition to the National Trails System this year—out of 387 miles designated nationwide, the Ohio River Way accounts for 308 miles. 

The Ohio River Way proudly supports today's launch of a landmark restoration plan titled "Healthy Waters, Healthy Communities, Healthy Economies: A Collaborative Plan to Restore and Protect the Waters of the Ohio River Basin." This effort aims to significantly improve environmental health, community wellbeing, and economic vitality throughout the Ohio River Basin.

We've completed the 2025 Ohio River Way Challenge—paddling nearly 300 miles from Ironton, OH, and Ashland, KY, all the way to Louisville, KY! From start to finish, this journey was nothing short of incredible. We were moved by the warm welcomes in every town, energized by the paddlers who joined us on the water, and inspired by the beauty of the river and the wildlife that call it home.

he Ohio River Way is proud to announce the return of the Ohio River Way Challenge, a remarkable 11-day paddling expedition taking place May 5–15, 2025. Now in its fifth year, the Challenge invites participants to paddle nearly 300 miles in 30-foot voyageur canoes, beginning near Ashland, KY, and Ironton, OH, and concluding in Louisville, KY.

Our hearts are with our Ohio River communities who are facing the devastating aftermath of historic flooding. The damage is extensive, and the cleanup efforts are immense—but so is the resilience of those affected. We’ve been inspired by the strength, compassion, and determination we’re seeing from residents, volunteers, and local leaders.

The Ohio River Way is proud to announce the election of three new Vice Chairs to its Executive Committee, representing Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana. Councilwoman Mary Allen of New Richmond, OH; Christy Noll, Executive Director of the Boone Conservancy; and Mike Perleberg,

Officially set for May 5-15, we're looking forward to paddling 286 miles in this year's Ohio River Way Challenge. Our guide has grown in page count and distribution, and we're still accepting a few final ads for our upcoming guide. Finally, at our next Coalition Meeting on Feb. 20, we're excited to host Chris Schack to discuss how to implement kayak rental lockers in your community. Read all about these updates.

As we step into 2025, we're filled with excitement for the possibilities ahead—new adventures, stronger communities, and an even greater connection to the beautiful Ohio River region. 

It's been a year of exciting growth at the Ohio River Way! As we take stock of all that we've accomplished over the past year, we want to express our sincere gratitude to our partners and members who have helped us along the way.

As the year winds down, we want to take a moment to thank everyone who joined us at our coalition meeting last month. This season of gratitude reminds us how fortunate we are to have such a dedicated group of individuals working together to support river communities and protect our waterways. 

We've been busy installing new water trail signs to help guide and welcome visitors along the Ohio River Way! These signs are an exciting step forward in enhancing navigation and promoting the unique beauty of our river communities. With each new marker, we're making the Ohio River more accessible and enjoyable for everyone—from weekend paddlers to seasoned adventurers.

Autumn has always been synonymous with change. As the leaves transform into fiery hues it reminds us that growth often comes through adaptation and renewal.  At the Ohio River Way, we embrace that same spirit of change in our mission to enhance communities along the Ohio River. Whether creating new recreational opportunities, fostering environmental stewardship, or promoting economic vitality, we're committed to building a brighter, more sustainable future for the region. 

Thank you to those who were able to join us last week at the 2024 Ohio River Way Summit! The enthusiasm and energy throughout the event and in our breakout sessions were truly inspiring. It’s clear that everyone is as passionate as we are about making our river communities thrive.

Whether you're attending this year’s Ohio River Way Summit or one of our many upcoming partner events along the river, you are contributing to a powerful connection between our communities and the river that unites us all.

We're excited to announce that our 2024 Ohio River Way Summit will be in Maysville, KY, Sept. 11-12. We would love to see you there, and we will be sharing more details about the program soon.

"Now is the time for the Ohio" is a recurring theme in Morgan Atkinson's new documentary, This Is The Ohio. With advocacy for a restoration initiative and $152M in Ohio, it couldn't be truer.

Free to join us as we paddle through your community during the 2024 Ohio River Way Challenge? 🛶