Tennessee RiverLine

08/28/2026

The summer may be winding down, but there’s no shortage of fun happening along the RiverLine! September is full of opportunities to get outside and connect with the river, from music festivals and 5K runs to kayaking programs and educational events exploring the health and ecology of the Tennessee River.

Explore what’s happening this month ⬇️
September 5 - Ten Mile, TN Lakeside 5k Run (Meigs Co, TN)
September 12 - MSNHA Biotic Index (The Shoals, AL)
September 12 - Horseshoe Riverbend Music Festival (Clinton, TN)
September 19 - Paducah Paddle (Paducah-McCracken Co, KY)
September 19 - MSNHA Kayak Classes (The Shoals, AL)
September 19 - Ditto Dash (Huntsville, AL)

Be sure to check the event calendar for more information on the events above and to learn about new opportunities that may be added between our monthly event update posts!

https://www.tnriverline.org/events-schedule

UT Extension | University of Tennessee, Knoxville | Tennessee Valley Authority

08/27/2026

Congratulations to Tennessee State Parks on the dedication of Clinch River State Park, Tennessee’s newest state park!

The Clinch River is a tributary of the Tennessee River and part of the larger river system that shapes our region. We’re excited to be working with Tennessee State Parks on the park’s master plan and to help envision its future as a place for outdoor recreation, conservation, and memorable river experiences.

We’re proud to celebrate this milestone with our partners and look forward to what comes next!

08/25/2026

It was another fun and exciting weekend on the RiverLine!

The Chattanooga Paddle Parade in Chattanooga, TN, was a HUGE success! With over 100 attendees and support from the Tennessee Valley Canoe Club, the Tennessee River Gorge Trust, Outdoor Chattanooga, the City of Chattanooga’s Fire Department, and Sequatchie River Outfitters, it was amazing to see so many people enjoying a beautiful August morning paddle on the Tennessee River. Lewis and Clark, minions, pirates, mermaids, bananas, sharks, tigers, the three blind mice, Shrek and Lord Farquaad, and many more all made an appearance at the Paddle Parade.

In Calloway County, KY, 24 kayakers enjoyed a 2.5-mile morning kayak on Kentucky Lake. The paddle offered a great opportunity to slow down, take in the scenery, and experience the river from a new perspective. Days like these are a reminder of how the Tennessee River brings people together and connects communities to the water.

Check out our event calendar in our bio and join us at the next RiverLine event!
https://www.tnriverline.org/events-schedule

UT Extension | University of Tennessee, Knoxville | Tennessee Valley Authority

08/24/2026

Well done Calloway County, KY for hosting such a wonderful paddle event this past weekend! Thank you for all that you do to celebrate and share what makes your unique stretch of the Tennessee River so special.

08/18/2026

We’re proud to see another group of paddlers gaining the skills and confidence to safely get out on the Tennessee River! A big thank you to Oakville Indian Mounds Park & Museum for hosting our ACA Level 1 Introduction to Kayaking Skills Course and to everyone who joined us on the water in Lawrence County, AL. We can’t wait to see where these new skills take you!

08/18/2026

Even with the summer heat in full force this past weekend, communities across the RiverLine are finding ways to come together, get on the water, and make the most of the river!

In Loudon County, TN, River Fest kicked off with a 9-mile morning paddle, bringing people together to experience the river before the evening festivities began. The night featured food trucks, inflatables, fireworks, a petting zoo, and plenty of fun—and was also a great opportunity to share conceptual designs for improving river access throughout Loudon County.

Over in Paducah-McCracken County, KY, the community came together for its monthly paddle, kayaking from Clarks River Landing to the Foot of Broadway in downtown Paducah. Events like these are a great reminder that the river is more than a backdrop—it’s a place to connect, explore, and spend time together. Be sure to mark your calendars for their next free paddle on September 19!

Finally, the RiverLine programs team hosted two ACA Level 1 Kayaking Skills Course trainings in Jackson and Lawrence Counties, equipping 14 LLT and community members with the skills and knowledge to plan and enjoy safe paddling trips. A big thank-you to everyone who participated and to our hosts, Jackson County Parks & Recreation at Jackson County Park and the Oakville Indian Mounds Education Center and staff!

Check out our event calendar in our bio and join us at the next RiverLine event!
https://www.tnriverline.org/events-schedule

UT Extension | University of Tennessee, Knoxville | Tennessee Valley Authority

08/12/2026

As we celebrate five years of the Tennessee RiverLine and ten years of research and studying the river, we wanted to hear from someone who has been involved with the RiverLine since its very early days, in various capacities. Check out our recent blog post with Dr. Carrie Crawford, assistant professor of public history at the University of North Alabama, a local leadership team member for the RiverLine in The Shoals, AL, and lead author on our interpretation and storytelling plan, which guides how we share the natural and cultural heritage of the Tennessee River.

Learn what has surprised her the most in the last decade, why the river's history is such an important part of our region's story, and why we must rebuild our relationship with the river.



UT Extension | University of Tennessee, Knoxville | Tennessee Valley Authority

Dr. Carrie Crawford has been involved with the Tennessee RiverLine in various capacities since its very early days. She shares her reflections on how it has changed, why the Tennessee River is important, what is most memorable to her, and what she has learned along the way.

08/06/2026

You know it's never just one more cast. But who's counting? Shhhhh...we won’t tell.

The RiverLine is home to some of the country’s–and we’ll say it–world’s best lakes for fishing. Fill up that thermos of coffee and see what you got.

Our Plan Your Journey Interactive Map makes it easy to find boat launches, access points, campgrounds, and hundreds of other river amenities to help you plan your time on the "line". Find the link in our bio, and happy fishing!



UT Extension | University of Tennessee, Knoxville | Tennessee Valley Authority

07/31/2026

August is packed with exciting ways to get out and enjoy the Tennessee River! Enjoy a lively festival, join a paddle or paddle parade, or soak in live music by the water this month, and experience each community's unique stretch of the river.

Explore what’s happening this month ⬇️
August 8 - Explore Paddle (Hardin Co, TN)
August 11 - Summer Concert Series (Huntsville, AL)
August 15 - Paducah Paddle (Paducah-McCracken Co, KY)
August 15 - RiverFest (Loudon, TN)
August 22 - Chattanooga Paddle Parade (Chattanooga, TN)
August 28 - Outdoor Enthusiast Expo (Maryville, TN)
August 29 - Chatt Town Cool Down (Chattanooga, TN)

Be sure to check the event calendar for more information on the events above and to learn about new opportunities that may be added between our monthly event update posts!

https://www.tnriverline.org/events-schedule

UT Extension | University of Tennessee, Knoxville | Tennessee Valley Authority