Bluegrass river run.

paddle. Music. Festival.

Event Date
6.6.2026

Registration Deadline

5.29.2026

Location
Fort Boonesborough State Park + Kelley’s Landing

Float: $25 (Adult+ Youth) Includes Explore Kentucky Hat
Race: $55 (no race for 2024)
Includes Shuttle & Explore Kentucky Hat
Paddlecraft Rentals
Paddlecraft Rentals are available with paddle(s) and personal flotation devices (PFD). (Please note: Your registration does NOT automatically include a rental boat.) Rental boat quantities are limited.
RENTAL RATES
Single kayak $35, seats one
Two-person canoe $45, seats two with space for a child passenger
Tandem kayak $45, seats two
Stand up paddle board $35, stands one
When they’re gone, they’re gone. Register and reserve your rental early to ensure boat selection
Technical Details + Rules
All participants must wear a properly fitted PFD (inflatable ones are acceptable).
The use of alcohol or mind-altering drugs prior to and during the event is absolutely prohibited.
All participants are required to adhere to all current U.S. Coast Guard, U.S Forest Service, and KDFWR regulations for waterways.
We recommend carrying a signaling device (whistle), communication device (phone), and wearing clothing appropriate for the weather.
Safety paddlers and river patrol will be staged along the course. Please note their presence is just for emergencies and not a bailout option.
Event coordinators reserve the right to refuse entry to any participant who does not comply with these rules.
Participants are STRONGLY discouraged from using anything such as headphones that may prohibit them from communicating with support personnel, hearing water traffic or possibly hearing a request from another racer. If you need tunes, Bluetooth speakers are amazing.
The event launches from the beach at Fort Boonesborough State Park

This summer, take the chance to paddle through the stunning landscapes of the Kentucky River Palisades by joining #ExploreKentucky and friends for the 9th annual Bluegrass River Run (BRR)—a vibrant celebration of the Kentucky River, the waterway that defines the Commonwealth.

This year, the event will start and conclude at Kelley’s Landing, Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government’s first river park, managed by its Natural Areas Division. Participants can enjoy a scenic 3 mile out and back float trip, perfect for a leisurely paddle beneath the towering 60+ foot cliffs of the river’s palisades. For those looking for a little competition, the same course will also host a paddle race, giving paddlers a chance to test their speed while still taking in one of Kentucky’s most beautiful river corridors.

Don’t have your own boat? No problem! We’ll have a variety of canoes, kayaks, and stand-up paddleboards available for rent.

2026 PARTNERS

Kelley’s Landing Fundraising Taskforce

Float the Kentucky River

The main event of this year’s Bluegrass River Run is a scenic 3 mile out and black Float Trip that starts and concludes at Kelley’s Landing, offering a leisurely paddle with stunning views of the 60+ ft cliffs along the Kentucky River Palisades. It’s a perfect way to enjoy the natural beauty of the area while exploring the future site of Lexington’s first river park.

10:00 AM: Float Trip Check-In
- Location: Kelley’s Landing, 8949 Old Richmond Rd, Lexington, KY 40515
12:00 PM: Proud Mary BBQ Opens
- Enjoy a delicious meal at Proud Mary BBQ, just a short distance away

Liquid Shred the Kentucky River

Bring your SUP, kayak, canoe, tandem, or prone and race 6 miles on one of the prettiest courses in the country!

8 AM: Race Check-In
- Location: Kelley’s Landing, 8949 Old Richmond Rd, Lexington, KY 40515
12:00 PM: Proud Mary BBQ Opens
- Enjoy a delicious meal at Proud Mary BBQ, just a short distance away