Celebrating One Year as a National Water Trail
Here’s What’s New Along the Ohio River Way
There’s nothing quite like seeing a trail blaze and knowing: Yep, I’m in the right place. Over the past year, we’ve been updating signs along the Ohio River Way with a new National Water Trail blaze. The marker helps paddlers, boaters, cyclists, road-trippers, and river town explorers recognize that the Ohio River Way is part of the National Trails System.
Ohio River Way Challenge participants celebrating new National Water Trail signs. Photo by John Nation
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.
And it’s been a busy first year.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony in Covington, KY, during the 2026 Ohio River Way Challenge, celebrating the first thru-paddle of the Ohio River Way since its designation as a National Water Trail.
A new way to plan your Ohio River trip
To make planning a paddling trip easier than ever, the Ohio River Way and Terrain360 launched a new interactive map designed to help more travelers navigate the River. The platform combines practical USGS and ORSANCO data and trip-planning tools, safety guidelines, and 360-degree imagery for much of the river, including an overview of 246 access points and riverfront areas across six states. Explore the new Ohio River Way interactive map.
For the multi-day adventurers, we even have segmented maps to help plan and execute overnight paddling trips!
Traveling by car? Explore multiple river towns in a weekend with these travel itineraries that include places to dine, history that ties into America’s 250th, and of course, the best ways to experience the Ohio River.
We’ve even launched a better way to book campsites. Ohio River Way has partnered with Hipcamp to make it easier for travelers to find unique outdoor stays near the Ohio River. The Ohio River Way camping collection makes it easy to find campsites along your route.
You can also check out our latest Visitors Guide for a deep dive into outdoor recreation on the river.
Advice from people who know the river
Of course, a trail is only as strong as the people who use it. Get insights from the people who have experienced the National Water Trail first-hand.
Meet the first paddlers to experience the Ohio River Way as a National Water Trail
Q&A: What it takes to thru-paddle 981 miles of the Ohio River
The trio of cyclists who have explored the Ohio River Way by bike
What comes next
The National Water Trail designation was an important milestone, and we’ve strived to continue that momentum. In the year since the designation, the Ohio River Way has continued to grow as a connected route for paddling, boating, cycling, road-tripping, community exploration, and environmental stewardship.
With new signs, new resources, ongoing research, and more stories from the river, we’re helping people discover the Ohio River safely, responsibly, and with a deeper appreciation for the communities and landscapes along the way.
Stay tuned for much more adventure to come.