Ohio River Way Embarks on Biggest Challenge Yet: 23 Days, 488.5 Miles

Over 23 days, a volunteer crew of paddlers will paddle 488 miles from Huntington, WV, to Evansville, IN.

Photo provided.

(Undated) - On May 10, 2026, the Ohio River Way will launch its most ambitious Challenge to date: Over 23 days, a volunteer crew of paddlers will paddle 488 miles from Huntington, WV, to Evansville, IN. As the first thru paddle of the Ohio River Way since its designation as a National Water Trail, the 2026 Ohio River Way Challenge celebrates both ecological restoration and river recreation. 

“This is our biggest Challenge yet—not just in miles, but in scope,” said Forest Clevenger, Executive Director of Ohio River Way. “We’re bringing together paddlers, students, artists, community partners and a filmmaker to celebrate the beauty, history, and culture of the Ohio River.”

In its sixth year, the 2026 Challenge will be featured in a documentary project co-produced by the Ohio River Way in partnership with the National Park Service. Ian Vorster, a filmmaker and Experienced Worker with the National Park Service’s Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance Program, plans to paddle the full expedition. 

“Through our partnership with the Ohio River Way, we’ll document the river's cultural history, ecological importance and outdoor recreational value,” said Vorster, also a former guide on South African rivers. “There are so many incredible stories to share about the Ohio River, and my hope is that this film will positively shift public perception of this vital waterway.”

Volunteers on the Challenge will paddle between 15 and 35 miles each day. They voyage in two 30-foot and one 26-foot voyageur canoe. Along the way, the paddlers will stop in river communities to share meals with local elected officials and community members. Each evening, they camp on the river’s bank—in river communities, on islands and at campsites. The volunteer crew of paddlers applied to join the Challenge, and they’re each raising funds to support the Ohio River Way’s mission. 

In addition to the canoes, the Ohio River Way’s Floating Lab will set sail for the second year. This interdisciplinary research hub is aboard a volunteer-captained, 55-foot houseboat. Student interns will conduct multidisciplinary research throughout the expedition, and this year’s lab will also include an artist in residence, adding a creative dimension to the exploration and interpretation of the river. The Floating Lab’s interns hail from the University of Cincinnati, Hocking College, Kenyon College, the University of Louisville, Marshall University, and the University of Oxford.

One of the interns on the Floating Lab, Florence Baker Masters, brings prior experience with riparian research from New Zealand and is joining from the United Kingdom. As part of the Challenge, she will lead participatory science projects including biodiversity assessments. “From the water, you see the river differently,” explained Masters. “It’s something alive, shaped by the communities, wildlife, and landscapes along its course.”

Josie Mays, a psychology major at the University of Cincinnati, plans to research “litter hotspots, providing guidance on where cleanups are most needed to help make the Ohio River a more accessible and enjoyable recreational area.” According to Mays, “Opportunities like this are vital for students, offering hands-on learning and skills that are transferable across fields.”

The Ohio River Way’s primary partners for the 2026 Ohio River Way Challenge include the National Park Service, River City Paddle Sports, and Paddle Perry. The logistics of the Challenge are supported through sponsorships, including from: Visit Southeast Indiana, OKI Regional Council of Governments, Indiana Trails, North American Stainless, ORSANCO, the Foundation for Ohio River Education at ORSANCO, Waupaca Foundry, National Wildlife Federation, and Kentucky Waterways Alliance. 

“If you live in an Ohio River community, we hope to see you along the way. We’re so grateful for the incredible hospitality of our river communities as we work to raise awareness for river recreation and restoration," explained Clevenger. “Experiencing the beauty of this big river is a humbling experience, and we can’t wait to get on the water.”