We're Taking On the 2026 Ohio River Way Challenge
A nonprofit fundraiser supporting
Ohio River WaySupport Destinee and Rose's journey from Cincinnati to Louisville on the Ohio River Way Challenge!
$1,175
raised by 15 people
$1,500 goal
Rose & Destinee are paddling from Cincinnati to Louisville on the Ohio River!
Yep, you read that right.
We're joining the Ohio River Way Challenge. Spanning 488 miles over 23 days, the Ohio River Way Challenge is an interdisciplinary expedition. 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 the most ambitious route yet with paddlers traveling from Huntington, WV, to Evansville, IN, on one or more of the trip's three week-long segments.
You guys are doing the whole thing?! Not this go round. We'll be joining the adventure for Leg Two/Week Two. We depart Cincinnati on May 17 and will paddle, paddle, and paddle until we reach Louisville on May 23.
Is it just you two in a canoe? No way. Our crew will be journeying in one 26-foot canoe, two 30-foot canoes, and a 55-foot "Floating Lab," a houseboat and research hub for student interns.
Where do you sleep? Along the way, we camp in all sorts of places—including riverfront parks, Hipcamp sites, farms, 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.
How can we support you? The logistics of the Challenge are supported through sponsorships. We'd love your support to help fuel Ohio River Way's broader work and mission to help people find adventure, to inspire care for the land and water, and to grow the economies of Ohio River communities. Any donation and encouragement truly means so much to us. We're so excited (and a bit nervous) to take on this adventure and we really appreciate your support!
Thank you for your interest in the Challenge and considering supporting our journey!
You can follow Ohio River Way on social media for updates on our journey. If you have any questions, would like to join us onshore, or are interested in partnering in another way, please email challenge@ohioriverway.org.