Sunday, Check-in at Noon, Racing Begins 1PM
Start Location: Muskingum Boat Ramp @ Indian Acres Park
Finish Line: Harmar Bridge

This epic build your own raft race will take place on the Lower Muskingum River. The event is a great team building exercise, creative summer project, and/or a great way to promote your business/organization.

The race was started in the 70s by a local United States Junior Chamber group and continued on as a highlighted event during RTA for several years. The race hasn't been held for many years but RTA now officially runs the event!

There is a singles category for 1 rider boats and a group category for boats of 2 or more riders. Prizes will be awarded to the winner of each category.

Check out https://www.eventbrite.com/e/mighty-muskingum-river-raft-race-2025-tickets-1384629196199 for additional details including how to register.

The gnomes are once again hiding at one of their favorite spots - the Ohio River Islands Wildlife Refuge!

There are multiple family friendly trail options from .1 miles to 2 miles. A small paved trail that is handicap accessible and is also perfect for small children or those just looking for a quick leisure stroll. An upland trail taking you through some elevation and winding trails through the woods. And a trail near the river that snakes through different local flora. Or combine all the trails for close to 2 miles of fun. Along these trails you're bound to see all kinds of local wildlife flora. Be sure to keep an eye out for gnomes as well! The hike is self-guided, but leaders will be on-site to provide information and trail maps are on-site and trails are marked.

Also at this location is the headquarters for the Ohio River Islands Wildlife Refuge. Multiple exhibits are located inside including mussels, local fish, birdlife, and flora. Refugee HQ hours are M-Sat 8:00am - 4:30pm (note the refuge will not be open to visitors for the Sunday @ 1PM hike only the trails will be available).

Note: Please arrive a few minutes early to check in with hike leaders."

📍3982 Waverly Rd. Williamstown, WV

43 mile route: SR821 to Germantown to Dalzell to Stanleyville and back on SR26 (https://ridewithgps.com/routes/27734851).

Group rides are free, but all riders must register at the festival grounds prior to the start of the ride. Group rides have several ride leaders but are unsupported. Please bring all water, food, and repair items that you may need.

All group rides leave the festival HQ in Marietta Ohio. If you prefer to head out on your own, stop by to pick up a free queue sheet for route directions.

Head out for a trail run on the Marietta City Trails! Meet at the festival HQ to sign up and then head out for a 9:30 a.m. departure. This will be ~ 3-5 mile run supported by our local Marietta Trail Runners group.

Free to participate!

8:30am arrival 9:00 departure

Paddling, Hiking, and Island living right here in the MOV! Join us for our first ever joint Rivers and Trails event as we explore Buckley Island! What was once a crossing on the Underground Railroad, a farm and even an amusement park is now home to one of the newest events of the RTA Fest.

Learn about the history and wildlife of the Island while exploring one of the most mysterious sites in the the Mid-Ohio Valley and becoming a part of it's rich history.

3982 Waverly Road, Williamstown, WV

Explore Broughton's Nature & Wildlife Education Area with a hike leader on a 3 to 4.5 mile hike. Hikers will have the option of exploring the Broughton Nature & Wildlife Education Area or the new Rudolph Family Park trails on each day as well as learn about other uses and recreation opportunities on these properties.

Depending on the length, hikes will last 1.5 to 2.5 hours. Participants are urged to wear comfortable footwear or hiking shoes/boots, carry drinking water, and be prepared for the physical challenges posed by hiking on uneven trails and elevation changes.

As an added bonus, hikers may bring their own leashed well-behaved dogs as well to enjoy this beautiful hike.

Note: Please arrive a few minutes early to check in with hike leaders..

Meet up at the GWB Complex #1 picnic shelter (639 SR 821).

An RTA tradition sponsored by the River Valley Mountain Bike Association !

Two-person teams on bicycles face off! One team member travels as fast as possible while the other travels as slow as possible. The "turtle" on each team is restricted to a small area and once started, cannot put their feet on the ground. The "hare" will simultaneously race around a short circle track with obstacles while riding a children's bike!

Teams are eliminated if the Tortoise puts their foot down or leaves the Tortoise box. Time is restricted to a maximum on 3 minutes. If teams make it to 3 minutes than those with the most laps wins!

WORLD championship starts immediately following the bike parade.

Stop by the festival HQ to sign up --- Space is limited!

Trophy goes to the World Champions.

Made possible by Lang Financial - New this year! Send the kiddos over to Angela for her "fun, fast, and fabulous face painting!" FREE for kids during the beer fest/adventure expo, we're excited to have Angela's Misfits add some color and sparkle to this year's festival! If you're interested in booking your own event, email angelasmisfits@yahoo.com

The Rivers, Trails, and Ales Festival marks its fifteenth year in 2025. The Ales side of RTA is an ever-growing part of the festival’s overall interest. As this segment continues to grow, we are once again hosting Marietta, OH’s largest beer fest!

This year’s beer fest will be open to 500 attendees and lots of great beer! Participants can look forward to beer from the following breweries from around our part of the state (breweries subject to change without notice):

77 Brew House
Devil’s Kettle
Dutch Creek Winery
Guernsey Brewhouse
Happy Hollow
Black Diamond Brewery & Distillery
Double Edge
Old Bridge
Rice Family

Check out the RTA Adventure Expo to learn more about local clubs, recreation areas, national forests, community activities, and more!

Participating groups will include:

- Friends of the Ohio River Islands
- Humane Society of the Ohio Valley
- Memorial Health System
- Marietta Main Street
- Ohio River Islands National Wildlife Refuge
- Qdoba Mexican Eats
- Marietta Trail Sisters
- Washington County Health Department
- Wayne National Forest
- And more!

The Family Fun Ride departs from Festival HQ. The ride will take a loop on the river trail, a 4-mile paved double-lane bike path (full loop is 8 miles, or stop after half loop).

This ride is suitable for kids on two wheels who can navigate a few small hills along the way. Less experienced riders (toddlers with training wheels, tricycles, or Striders) may prefer the Tots and Trikes Mini Trail Ride (Friday at noon).

Meet at HQ at 2 p.m. with your bikes and helmets!

If you've ever wanted to test your skills as an agile hare or slow and steady tortoise, now is your chance!

Kids and adults alike can try their hand at the Tortoise and Hare World Championship course before watching the event unfold live on Saturday night!

New this year! From the amazing folks at Barbells and Mommas, this is a fun, no-equipment workout for kids of all ages, designed to help them move like their strong, superhero moms! Through playful exercises, teamwork, and imagination, kids will build strength, coordination, and confidence - all while having a blast!

📍North of Festival HQ between the Start Westward Monument and the Gazebo in Muskingum Park.

The epic gravel ride returns! Come explore our many beautiful back country roads. You never know what you may come across, but you can be guaranteed some of the most amazing views you'll ever see.

Ride will depart at 10:00 a.m. with other MTB rides from the RTA HQ.

Base equipment:
- No tires smaller than 32c.
- Gravel and cyclocross bikes are preferred, but hard tail mountain bikes will also work.
- There will be moderate climbing with one loose and chunky descent (capable of shaking bottles out of their cages).
- Riders are encouraged to bring the normal set of tubes, plugs, CO2s, and other gear that one might need on an unassisted ride.

Washington County boasts some of the most scenic road riding in the state! Cruise out and enjoy scenic farms, hilly wooded landscapes, and nicely paved roads.

Group rides are free but all riders must register at the #RTAFest HQ prior to the start of the ride. Group rides have several ride leaders but are unsupported. Please bring all water, food, and repair items that you may need.

All group rides leave the #RTAFest HQ in Marietta Ohio. If you prefer to head out on your own, stop by to pick up a free map and route directions.

Road Rides:

-15 miles mostly flat: River rd to Rainbow rd and back
***616 feet of climbing. Pleasant, easy ride.

-24 miles and hilly: Huck Road/River rd west side loop
***1217 feet of climbing. Huck road is the main set of hills on this route. Other than that it is rolling.

-34 miles and rolling hills: Churchtown/Lowell Hill/River rd loop
***1865 feet of climbing. For a less strenuous start, Pearl street is a possible route change. Talk to ride leader before doing this.

Head out for a trail run on the Marietta City Trails! Meet at the festival HQ to sign up and then head out for a 9:30 a.m. departure. This will be ~ 3-5 mile run supported by our local Marietta Trail Runners group.

Free to participate!

Stop by HQ to learn about local high school rowing and see how far you can row in a 30 second challenge.

Awards will be provided across different age brackets!

Local National Interscholastic Cycling Association (NICA) team, River Cities Singletrack Serpents, coaches will conduct a skills clinic based on the NICA "On The Bike 101" training program.

Event will also include helmet adjustment guidelines, bike safety check, and a short ride on the Marietta River Trail.

AGES 10 - 110!

The Gnomes of the Rivers, Trails, & Ales Festival are returning to Beverly Island giving participants a chance to attempt to find all of the different gnomes along the trails on the island. While there, enjoy playing in the natural playground or checking out all kinds of rocks by the river.

8:00am arrival, 9:00 departure

The Muskingum may be mighty, but her water is not particularly quick. Be ready for a steady paddle throughout the trip. Beer Fest awaits at the end of your journey!

Paddle one of Ohio's largest rivers and experience the thrill of locking thru the only hand operated lock system left in the world.

* Bring plenty of water, snacks, and sunscreen.
* This paddle is unsupported.
* No transportation is provided.

Volunteers will be out paddling on the river, but this paddle is at your own pace. You may paddle in groups or on your own.

This event is a great chance to see the historic Muskingum Lock and Dam System which is the only remaining hand-operated lock system in our country! The Muskingum River Parkway and its 160-year-old navigation system were designated a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark by the American Society of Civil Engineers.

Starting Location: Boat ramp and shelter house on a property with a large mowed field on Muskingum River Road approximately 18 minutes from Festival Headquarters and halfway between the Lowell and Devol's Dam Locks (5010 Muskingum River Rd. Lowell, OH 45744)

Bathrooms located at Devol’s Dam (mile 5) and Indian Acres Boat ramp (mile 9).

RTA is excited to partner again with B&W GRO to provide an opportunity to explore the trail system on Beverly Island located in Beverly Ohio. Fun for both adults and children, the event will include activities such as a local historian talk "History of Muskingum River Improvements & Dam System" at 10am, demonstration of the newly restored Beverly Lock at 10:30am, self guided hikes, a natural playground, and beautiful sites of the Muskingum River.

In addition, the Gnomes of RTA have been sited on Beverly Island giving participants a chance to find all of the different gnomes along the trails on the island.

Join Natalie for an all-levels yoga class focusing on injury prevention for this weekend of hiking, biking, and paddling! This class will be a fantastic warm up for the weekend. Postures will help to improve flexibility and identify strength imbalances in the low back and leg muscles as well as open up the chest wall and shoulders.

- Please bring your own mat and a beach towel (for the morning dew).
- All RTA Yoga events are FREE

Drop-in at Indian Acres Boat Ramp (147 Linwood Avenue)

Grab your friends, kayak, and lights to help us light up the Muskingum!

We will paddle roughly 2 miles to the takeout at Boathouse BBQ in Harmar Village side of the river.

Arrive at the Indian Acres Boat ramp at 8:30PM for the group launch at 9.

NOTE: All kayaks must have a white light that is visible from 360⁰ and PFDs are required.

Meet at the gravel lot just off of Mill Creek Road in Marietta. There are a couple of ways to get here so just put 100 Mill Creek Road, Marietta OH 45750 in your GPS.

This is a night ride, meaning BRING LIGHTS! Helmets also required for all rides.

Group rides are free to participate in. All rides are unsupported. Bring your own water, gear, flat repair kit, etc. There will be several ride leaders but the group may become spread out. Check in with the ride leaders before you depart, and if you leave early from the ride, please let someone on the ride know.

Download the MTB Project app for access to the full maps of the Marietta City Trail System.

https://www.mtbproject.com/

*Mountain bike rentals are available from Marietta Adventure Company

Gnomes have been spotted at one of their old stomping grounds: The Broughton Nature & Wildlife Education Area. Events leaders will be taking hikers on the blue trail which follows a creek bed showing participants one of the many beautiful trails in the wildlife area and exploring some of the flora and vegetation.

Participants will need to see if they can find all of the gnomes along the trail along with having fun jumping between rocks and seeing what kind of wildlife they can find. This trail is rated as a fairly easy trail with little elevation changes. The trail does follow a creek bed so participants will want to prepare for the possibility of wet or muddy feet.

Please remember to stay on the trails, three leaves stay away, and practice ""Leave No Trace"", and finally have a great time exploring one of the areas best trail systems!

Meet at 619 SR 821 (Complex #1)

A leisure paddle on one of our areas calmest waters. Enjoy paddling with the group or on your own. You're sure to encounter some of natures finest on this paddle as we paddle into tributaries, among the Giant Lilly Pads and beneath the wings of Cranes, Hawks, Osprey and (if we are lucky) Eagles.

Paddlers meet at the Veto Lake wilderness area boat ramp (can be found on Google Maps with this name).

***A restroom will be available onsite.***