First Saturday Paddle - July 2025

First Saturday Wolf River Paddle

Rossville, TN to Piperton, TN

Saturday July 5, 2025

Launch time: 09:00 End Time: 4:00 (approx.)

This program is free to WRC members. Non-members will be charged a paddle fee of $25.00 which can be paid on registering. Please register on-line by Noon on Thursday July 3.

Continue your holiday weekend with a paddle trip down this 6.4 mile section of the Wolf river between the Fayette County cities of Rossville and Piperton, Tennessee. Participants on this trip will be paddling a wide, unchannelized portion of the river. Individuals will experience a natural un-cluttered class one river with meandering curves and bends. The channel is clearly visible through the entire section and participants rarely become disoriented or venture off course. WRC has intentionally not placed any of the familiar blue and white canoe trail signs, thereby helping to keep this section as natural as possible. Downed trees and strainers are present and can be easily avoided by individuals with minimum paddling skills.

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/lunch, 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 needed medicationa and notify your river guides of any medical conditions prior to launch.

Minor children must be accompanied by a Parent(s) or legal guardian.

Our River Guides will share the trip leader responsibilities on this paddle. They are a great bunch of volunteers and will ensure you have both a safe and enjoyable adventure. If you have questions about the trip, please contact Jim Gafford (jim.gafford@wolfriver.org / 901.573.2353). Jim will be happy to discuss the particulars of the trip with you.

Online pre-registration for the event is required. To assist with planning, please register early. Registration will close at noon on Thursday July 3. To assist with planning, please register early for the paddle.

For Those Renting Boats: Our recommended outfitter for this trip is Mike Dawkins. If you need to rent equipment, contact Mike at dawkinsjm01@gmail.com (email) or cell/text at (901) 485-2531. Please contact Mike as soon as you complete your event registration to discuss equipment rental options and other trip arrangements. Mike will provide further details on meeting with the group.

For Those Bringing boats: You will meet our Guides at the river access ramp on the east side of Highway 194 and just north of the City of Rossville, TN. Please arrive around 8:00 AM to unload your gear and participate in the frontend vehicle shuttles. The last shuttle will leave at 8:30. We will also run a shuttle at the end of the trip as needed.

Parking Disclaimer: Both the access and takeout parking areas are relatively safe but are unmonitored. You should be able to leave your vehicle in either of these parking areas. Please note that the Wolf River Conservancy is not responsible for loss of or damage to private property.

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. There are no exceptions to the PFD requirements. Please note that they must also be properly worn and 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 Keyword William B Clark State Natural Area

Google Maps Keyword William B Clark State Natural Area

Google Maps Keyword (Input)            William B Clark State Natural Area

Google Maps Keyword (Take-out)      Boat Access – Piperton, TN

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