Dayton named Best Paddling Town by Canoe & Kayak
Dayton has been named one of the best paddling towns in the nation by Canoe & Kayak magazine.
Dayton named Best Paddling Town by Canoe & Kayak
Photo credit: Jordan Hart, Five Rivers MetroParks
If you're into kayaking or canoeing, you already knew we have one of best paddling towns around. It will, therefore, come as no surprise to learn that Canoe and Kayak Magazine, the International digital authority for recreational paddlers, has just named Dayton among the "Best Paddling Towns" in the country.
The article, published earlier this week, credits the Wright Brothers for laying the foundation for Dayton to become the Outdoor Capital of the Midwest.
"With their eyes set on the sky, the Wright Brothers may not have realized the ground they laid to launch Dayton into a future of recreation tourism, from on-water adventures along the Great Miami Riverway to trails across the land and the open sky above."
Recognizing that a great paddling town is more than the sum of its parts, the magazine touts the Great Miami Riverway, which spans 99 miles from Sydney to Hamilton, highlighting the presence of trails and many recreational amenities around the river that attract hikers, cyclists and paddlers alike.
Declaring Dayton "a great place to get your feet wet and start your paddling adventure", Canoe and Kayak were also clearly impressed with River Run, the new outdoor recreation amenity in downtown Dayton.
"If you’re looking to get on the water for just a few hours, rent a kayak from Whitewater Warehouse and paddle the seven miles through downtown from Eastwood Metropark on the Mad River to Carillon Historical Park. The city of Dayton retrofitted a low dam on a downtown section of the Great Miami River into a whitewater park called River Run with two passageways, one for novice paddlers and one for more experienced paddlers."
If you're not ready to get wet, the magazine suggests watching kayakers do tricks and flips in the rapids can be just as much fun. We agree.
For more ideas on how to enjoy the region's waterways, see local Canoe & Kayak Rentals.
