On Thursday at Ohio River Way’s annual summit in Ironton, Ohio, a 167-mile stretch of the Ohio River was designated as the State’s 18th Ohio Water Trail by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources—the longest water trail in the state.

This month, we completed the third and final stretch of the Ohio River Way Challenge (which was postponed in May due to weather). We covered 189.5 miles, spotted 36 eagles, camped on an Ohio River Island, and grew relationships with communities along a new stretch of the Ohio River Way.

Speaking of getting people together, our annual Summit in Ironton, Ohio, is only two weeks away! There's still time to register—and we'd love to see you there.

Click here to get caught up on everything else that's been happening along the Way.

After the final leg of the 2026 Ohio River Way Challenge was postponed due to high river levels and unsafe weather conditions, the crew picked the mission back up in September 2026 to complete the paddle from Huntington, WV, to Evansville, IN. Click here to view the news coverage of the voyage’s completion in Evansville!

In July, the Ohio River Way, River City Paddle Sports, and Catfish Williams hosted the inaugural “Artists Adrift,” a musicians’ float in voyageur canoes from Madison to Louisville. Along the way, musicians had the chance to slow down, get to know the mighty Ohio, find inspiration to tell her story through new music. Click here to learn more and to see their night at Payne Hollow on the Ohio.

Thank you to Kentucky Educational Television for joining us on the first leg of the 2026 Ohio River Way Challenge, a 488.5 mile expedition down the Ohio to raise awareness for river recreation and restoration. Learn more and watch their coverage here!

Come work with us! Through a planning grant from ServeOhio, the Ohio River Way is hiring a part-time, hybrid Program Development Manager to design an AmeriCorps program focused on building natural-surface trails along the Ohio River. The ideal candidate has a background in federal grant management and a passion for the outdoors. This position, beginning fall 2026, has the potential to extend to a full-time role starting in August 2027. To learn more and apply, visit bit.ly/OHRcorps (case sensitive).

Happy August! Whether you’re happily sending your kids back off to school or settling into a new rhythm, we hope you’re still finding time to savor these long days along the river. We’re currently prepping for one of our biggest gatherings of the year: the Ohio River Way Summit. From September 30–October 2, around 200 partners, community leaders, outdoor enthusiasts, and river advocates from across the region will come together in Ironton, Ohio, to share ideas, make connections, and talk about what’s next for the Ohio River.

As the United States marks 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence, Ohio River towns are celebrating their own role in the country’s history. The river has long reflected the complexity of the American story as a channel for commerce, culture, migration, conflict, and change through the heart of the country. As the United States marks 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence, Ohio River towns are celebrating their own role in the country’s history. The river has long reflected the complexity of the American story as a channel for commerce, culture, migration, conflict, and change through the heart of the country.  From fireworks on the riverbank to paddling and passport trails through historic towns, we rounded up some celebrations to partake in the action.

One year ago, the Ohio River Way was officially designated a National Water Trail, recognizing 308 miles of the Ohio River and its communities as a nationally significant destination for outdoor recreation, conservation, and river-based travel. Since then, we’ve continued working with partners across Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, and West Virginia to explore, protect, and promote recreation along the Way.

We completed two weeks of our longest Ohio River Way Challenge yet — and while the journey has been incredible, Mother Nature had other plans for the final stretch. After carefully reviewing the last week’s forecasted conditions, we made the difficult decision to postpone the third leg of the 2026 Ohio River Way Challenge — from Louisville, KY, to Evansville, IN — until September.

The Ohio River Way Challenge has taken us through some of the region’s most vibrant river towns, where we’ve met with elected officials, environmental leaders, researchers, tourism partners, and community champions who share a vision for a healthier, more connected Ohio River. Along the way, local media outlets have helped shine a spotlight on the people, places, and progress powering this movement.

The Ohio River is an incredible place to paddle, but it’s also a working river with changing currents, commercial traffic, shifting weather, and plenty of conditions that can change quickly. To prepare, we encourage you to brush up on some boating and paddling safety tips before the busy summer season begins. 

It’s finally the spring equinox, and while we don’t want to jinx it, maybe — just maybe — we’re in the clear for warmer days ahead. Like many of you, we’re more than ready to trade gray skies and extra layers for longer days, greener views, and more time outside.

Women have played an important role in shaping Ohio River history and continue to shape its future. Though it would be impossible to name all of the incredible women who have advocated and led the charge on its currents, here are just a few stories in honor of Women’s History Month.

We’ve spent the first part of February doing a lot of the same thing you have: watching a frozen Ohio River. It wasn’t the coldest stretch on record, but it has been a while since we’ve seen frozen layers of ice form across its banks. Weather aside, we’re prepping for an epic Challenge season, exciting events, like the CORA Bike & Trail Expo, and a whole lot of positive momentum on new initiatives. Float on in.

Despite the deep freeze, January is already off to a strong start: new faces joining the team, a fresh strategy guiding the next 3–5 years, committees mapping out what’s ahead, and some exciting events on the horizon. Dive in.

The Ohio River Way is proud to announce the winners of its inaugural 2025 Fall Photo Contest! The winning images capture the beauty, character, and everyday moments that make the Ohio River corridor shine…

Ohio River Way is pleased to announce the hiring of Molly Pope as its new Deputy Director, effective February 9, 2026. The new position marks a significant milestone in the organization’s continued growth and capacity to support recreation-based economies throughout Ohio River towns.