Mother’s Day Paddle on the Wolf River

Mother’s Day on the River

Germantown Parkway to Walnut Grove Rd, Memphis, TN.

(A public event, membership not required)

Sunday, May 11, 2025

Arrival Time: 12:30 PM End Time:  5:00 PM (approx.)

Surprise Mom, Mother, Meemaw or even Granny with a very special gift this Mother’s Day, a trip down the Wolf River. Our river guides will accompany your loved one on a paddle down one of the most relaxing sections of the suburban Wolf River.  Come experience at water level the river that you pass over almost daily without paying it very much attention. Your gift will be a new appreciation for one of the great adventures in the midsouth.

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 Trail 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 natural 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 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 Park 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 most likely will be comfortable. 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 body from the hot, Memphis afternoon sun during the entire length of the trip. Minor children must be accompanied by a Parent(s) or legal guardian.

Registration for the event is required. To assist with planning, please register early. Registration will be closed on Thursday, May 8 at noon.

Your trip leader will be WRC River Guide Mike Dawkins. Assisting Mike will be a cadre of other WRC River Guides. Our guides will ensure a safe, enjoyable and entertaining trip.

For those equipped with boats: Arrive at noon to unload your equipment and participate in the vehicle shuttle to the take-out. Vehicle shuttles will be arranged both before the paddle and after.  The last pre-float shuttle will leave the Germantown Parkway put-in by 12:30 pm.

For those not equipped with 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: 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. Remember to take precautions to secure or hide any valuables that you may leave in your vehicle. 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.