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

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!

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!

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.

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!

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

Friday 9 & 11AM
Armory Lawn, 241 Front St., Marietta

Join event leaders on a guided walking tour of downtown Marietta and learn some of Marietta's deep history, available trails, memorials, varities of trees, sternwheelers, the Underground Railroad, butterfly garden, historic houses & churchs, and more!

Plan to meet at the Marietta Armory front lawn a few minutes early to check in with event leaders. Expect the walk to be approximately 1.5 miles and be sure to bring water. The walk will end at Muskingum Park at the Festival Headquarters (within walking distance of the starting point of the Armory).

Friday 9 & 11AM
Armory Lawn, 241 Front St., Marietta

Join event leaders on a guided walking tour of downtown Marietta and learn some of Marietta's deep history, available trails, memorials, varities of trees, sternwheelers, the Underground Railroad, butterfly garden, historic houses & churchs, and more!

Plan to meet at the Marietta Armory front lawn a few minutes early to check in with event leaders. Expect the walk to be approximately 1.5 miles and be sure to bring water. The walk will end at Muskingum Park at the Festival Headquarters (within walking distance of the starting point of the Armory).

Join Erin for a relaxing morning session of yoga by the river.

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

The Galley will be serving craft beers from Ohio and the surrounding area across their 20 taps and 40 different can selections.

Stop by to help kick off the weekend in style. You can pick up some sweet RTA merch and visit with friends to make plans for the weekend..

The gnomes are making an appearance on their home trails of the Kroger Wetlands. Family friendly, this hike has options for a .6 mile or 1 mile. While on the trail be on the lookout for different types of local wildlife and flora (along with some Gnomes!).

The hike is self guided but leaders will be on-site to provide information and trail maps.

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

80 Acme Street, Marietta, OH

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 8:30 a.m. departure. This will be ~ 3-5 mile run supported by our local Marietta Trail Runners group.

Free to participate!

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.

The Rivers, Trails, and Ales Festival marks its fourteenth year in 2024. 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
Brewery 33
Devil’s Kettle
Dutch Creek Winery
Guernsey Brewhouse
Happy Hollow
Little Fish
Nobleman Brewing
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:

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

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!

The Memorial Health System presents Tai Chi Qi Gong (Tai Chi Easy) for this year's RTA Fest. Instructor Debbie will lead a a FREE class that uses simplified Tai Chi based on the four recognized styles of Tai Chi.

Tai Chi can improve quality of life for all individuals, whether well or unwell, including those dealing with:

- Chronic pain and health conditions
- Limited mobility
- Anxiety or depression
- Deficient immune systems