Family Fun Paddle on the Wolf River June 2025
Family Fun Day on the River
Germantown Parkway to Walnut Grove Rd
Sunday, June 22, 2025Arrival Time: 12:30 PM End Time: 5:00 PM (approx.)
Join us for the initial Family Fun Day of 2025 on the section of the Wolf River from Germantown Parkway to Walnut Grove Road. This is a surprisingly pleasant three and half mile section of the Wolf River that parallels the Shelby Farm trails on river right and the Wolf River Greenway on river left. The forests along the north bank consist of fully mature hardwood trees that conceal the hiking and biking trails of Shelby Farms. The south bank provides a lush buffer between the river and the commercial establishments along Wolf River and Humphrey Boulevard in the bustling communities of Germantown and Memphis, Tennessee. We will stop at various points during the trip to stretch our legs on the sandbars, play in the river and enjoy the company of others on the adventure.
The put-in at Germantown Parkway bridge is primitive but not very difficult to negotiate. Recent work in the area by the Wolf River Conservancy and Shelby Frames Conservancy has greatly improved access. Prior paddle experience is not required but paddlers must be old enough and be physically able and willing to paddle this section.
Air and water temperatures are expected to be hot and humid.
Paddlers should wear quick dry clothing (no cotton please) and come prepared to enjoy the coolness of the river water .Bring snacks, bug spray and sunscreen for everyone and ensure that you have plenty of water for each person on the trip .A full liter per person would not be too much for this time of year.Be sure and protect every portion of your head and body from the hot, Memphis afternoon sun during the entire length of the trip. Bring any required medications and notify river guides of any medical conditions prior trip start. Minor children must be accompanied by a Parent(s) or legal guardian. Online pre-registration for the event is mandatory. To assist with planning, please register early. Online registration will close at noon on Thursday, June 19.Your trip leader will be WRC River Guide Mike Dawkins. A cadre of other river guides will be along to ensure you have a safe, enjoyable and exciting afternoon. If you have questions about the trip, please contact Jim Gafford ( jim.gafford@wolfriver.org or cell/text 901-573-2353). Jim will be happy to discuss the particulars of the trip with you.
For those bringing boats: You will meet our river guides in Shelby Farms on the northwest bank of the river and Germantown Parkway. Turn west from Germantown Road into Gate 19 of Shelby Farms Park and continue along the Lucius Burch Trailhead road. As the road turns east, continue south onto the dirt and gravel road and under the transmission lines to the gravel parking area paralleling the river. The parking area is concealed from the road until the very last minute. If conditions are wet or rain isexpected, park near the Trail Head paved road and portage your boat over to the put-in. Vehicle shuttles will be arranged both before the paddle and after. Arrive at the put-in by noon if you would like to shuttle your vehicle prior to the Walnut Grove boat ramp prior to the paddle. For those needing boats: Contact Mike Dawkins (email: dawkinsjm01@gmail.com or cell/text 901-485-2531) regarding equipment rental for this event. Mike will ensure you have the necessary equipment and provide adequate instructions to ensure an enjoyable experience. Please contact Mike as soon as you complete registration for the event. Parking Disclaimer: You should be able to leave your vehicle in the Put-in and Take-out parking areas, relatively safe environments but WRC cannot guarantee conditions at the time of the launch. WRC is not responsible for loss or damage to private property, on or off the water.
SAFETY and PFD requirement: Participants in Wolf River Conservancy on river programs will be required to wear a US Coast Guard approved Personal Flotation Device (PFD) while on the river. Children must wear child size approved PFD’s. If you are renting a craft, the outfitter will provide you with an approved PFD as part of the rental package. Those using boats provided by WRC will be supplied PFD’s and paddles as well. There are no exceptions to the PFD requirements. Please note that they must also be securely fastened at all times. Please do not use the “belt type” units that are popular with the SUP community. These are single discharge units and cannot easily be reloaded once deployed.
Section launch site Google Maps Link: 35°07'03.3"N 89°48'08.6"W
Section Take-out site Google Maps Link: 35.134782, -89.851624
