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Bluegrass River Run

  • Fort Boonesborough State Park 4375 Boonesboro Road Winchester, KY, 40391 United States (map)

Event Overview

This summer grab a kayak, paddle board, or canoe and join EKI & friends for the fifth annual Bluegrass River Run (BRR), one of the largest paddling event in Kentucky.

The 19 mile Boonesborough to Valley View Challenge and the 6 mile Clay Ferry’s Run are for paddlers who want a fitness challenge. All race courses start at Fort Boonesborough State Park paddling along pool 9 of the Kentucky River, which is located just south of Lexington. The journey allows participants to take in the incredible beauty of the 60+ ft cliffs of the palisades and the socially distanced camaraderie of regional paddlers.

3 Great Things to do before or after hitting the water

  1. Tour Fort Boonesborough State Park. Fort Boonesborough was founded by none other than the legendary Daniel Boone and his men following their crossing of the Kentucky River 1775. The settlement they founded, known as Boonesborough, Kentucky, is Kentucky’s second-oldest European-American settlement. The fort has been reconstructed as a working fort complete with cabins, blockhouses and furnishings. Resident artisans perform craft demonstrations and give modern-day visitors a true sense of what life was like for pioneers in Kentucky.

  2. Visit the Red River Gorge —just 45 minutes away by car. The Red River Gorge National Geological Area and adjacent Clifty Wilderness Area is 40,000 acre + swath of land known for its sea of hemlock, beech, pine trees, patches of wildflowers, miles of limestone cliff line carved out by the once-mighty Red River. The Red is Kentucky’s top outdoor playground with miles of hiking trails, front & backcountry camping opportunities, contains the state’s only National Wild and Scenic River, and is an international destination for rock climbing.

  3. Tour the Bourbon Trail. 95% of the world’s Bourbon is produced in Kentucky. In 1999 The Kentucky Distiller’s Association created the road trip-style experience for bourbon lovers to visit the Bluegrass State’s signature distilleries. We suggest starting at Town Branch Distillery in nearby Lexington, KY.

Prices

TBA

Host

The Explore Kentucky Initiative

Bottom Out Risk

No

Body Of Water

Kentucky River

Earlier Event: May 15
Red River Canoe Race
Later Event: June 12
Expedition Frankfort