Paddling Guide for the Ohio River Way

The Ohio River Way is a 308-mile water trail spanning sections of Indiana, Kentucky, and Ohio. This route connects Appalachian wilderness, small towns, and metropolitan centers. Beyond its natural beauty, the trail is steeped in cultural heritage—from Lewis and Clark's expedition to the Underground Railroad and the flatboats and steamboats that helped shape the region.

On a big river with numerous tributaries to explore, the Ohio River Way is distinctive as a water trail. The river's width varies from a quarter-mile to a mile, with an average depth of 26 feet. The trail is loved by adventure-seekers ranging from folks on half-day paddles to enthusiast thru-paddlers camping along the way.

If you’re planning a trip, you’re more than welcome to download and print the segment maps below. We also recommend checking out these resources:

The Ohio River Way’s 308 miles begin in downtown Ashland. Appalachian wilderness borders the river on both sides as the westward route begins.

This is one of the wildest stretches of the Ohio River Way. Before reaching Manchester, where you can explore the two islands that are part of the Ohio River Islands National Wildlife Refuge, continue to enjoy the feeling of being alone in the wilderness.

While most of the Ohio River Way includes wilderness, this stretch begins to welcome small charm. Maysville and Ripley have revitalizing Main Streets. Augusta, in particular, has beautiful views of the river with a thriving, historic Main Street.

This section includes the rich history of locks along the river, starting with the Chilo Lock House 34 which is now a museum. From here, you can experience going through the Meldahl Locks yourself. By the end of this stretch, there’s the Thomas More Biology Field Station in a former lock house across from New Richmond.

Before reaching the Cincinnati area, this section offers a final stretch of wilderness before the cityscapes. Enjoy paddling up the Little Miami River and visiting its Magrish Preserve.

Home of the nation’s largest paddling event, the annual Ohio River Paddlefest, in this stretch you can appreciate Cincinnati’s skyline from the water’s level. Make sure to explore the Mill Creek and Licking River.

Leaving Cincinnati, this section winds through steep, forested hills before reaching its northernmost point at North Bend. From here, the route hugs the Indiana shoreline for the first time.

As the Ohio River flows south towards Warsaw, this section offers various tributaries, including Tanners Creek in Lawrenceburg, the North and South Hogan Creeks, and Laughery Creek in Aurora. For those seeking smaller waterways, Arnold and Grant’s Creeks near Rising Sun provide scenic paddling adventures.

Between Warsaw and Madison, stop in Carrollton where there’s the confluence of two rivers with the Ohio: the Kentucky and Little Kentucky Rivers. Once you reach Madison, you’ll be treated to one of the most vibrant Main Streets along the Ohio River Way.

With only one access point between Madison and Westport, in Bethlehem, this is the longest stretch without an access point along the Ohio River Way. This wild stretch of river was the home of Anna and Harlan Hubbard who lived off the land in Payne Hollow on the Ohio.

Again, the Ohio River Way’s route leads towards urbanity. Beforehand, though, there are islands to explore: Eighteen Mile, Twelve Mile, Six Mile, and Towhead Islands. While not technically an island, you can check out the ruins of the Rose Island Resort.

Louisville exists because of the Falls of the Ohio, the only major obstruction on the Ohio River’s 981 miles. This obstruction persists today. Paddlers and boaters are not allowed downstream of Louisville’s 2nd Street Bridge unless going through the McAlpine Locks. The Falls of the Ohio, upstream from New Albany, is still hazardous.

With this concluding section of the Ohio River Way, you pass from the urban core and suburbs of Louisville before returning to a truly wild stretch of river - like at the the Ohio River Way’s beginnings. The route concludes at the historic river town of West Point.