2026 Challenge

Spanning 488 miles over 23 days, the Ohio River Way Challenge is an interdisciplinary expedition of "common adventures." Through paddling, storytelling, community engagement, and shared adventure, our crew celebrates the beauty history, and culture of the Ohio River and its communities. This year is our most ambitious route yet! We'll travel from Huntington, WV, to Evansville, IN, and paddlers can join for one or more of the trip’s three week-long segments.

Our crew will be journeying in one 26-foot and two 30-foot voyageur canoes from the nonprofits Paddle Perry and River City Paddle Sports, respectively. Our Floating Lab," an interdisciplinary research hub for our student interns, will be onboard a volunteer-captained, 55-foot houseboat. Plus, we have a small onshore support team. Along the way, we camp in all sorts of places—including riverfront parks, Hipcamp sites, and islands! We typically have one meal per day in a river town, and members of the public are welcome to join us onshore. You can find our float plan here. 

This year, in the wake of our National Water Trail designation, we're especially excited that the National Park Service is sending a documentary filmmaker on the entire expedition!

The logistics of the Challenge are supported through sponsorships, while funds raised by our paddlers go to support the Ohio River Way's broader work. Our mission is to help people find adventure, to inspire care for the land and water, and to grow the economies of Ohio River communities. 

Thank you for your interest in the Challenge and for supporting our paddlers! If you would like to learn more, you're welcome to check out our 2025 Trip Report. If you have any questions, would like to join us onshore, or are interested in partnering in another way, please email challenge@ohioriverway.org.