Pumpkin Paddle 2026
Paddle Little Bay. Explore Rockport from the Water.
Saturday, October 24, 2026 | 8:00 AM–12:00 Noon
Little Bay, Rockport, Texas
1495 E. Laurel St., Rockport, TX — before the Rockport Beach entrance
Presented by Rockport Trailways Club (AVA-0966) and Aransas Pathways
Experience Rockport from a different perspective during Pumpkin Paddle, a beginner-friendly recreational paddle through the calm, scenic waters of Little Bay.
Part of the Pathways in Motion initiative, Pumpkin Paddle brings together outdoor recreation, wellness, nature, and community through an officially sanctioned AVA: America’s Walking Club event.
This is not a race. Paddle at your own pace, enjoy the coastal scenery, watch for local wildlife, and spend a morning connecting with the waterways that are an important part of the Rockport-Fulton experience.
Choose Your Route
Participants may choose between two recreational paddle routes:
Short Route
2.66 km / 1.65 miles
Long Route
4.35 km / 2.7 miles
Both routes are beginner-friendly and designed to be completed comfortably during the event period.
Event Schedule
8:00–9:00 AM
Participant check-in and registration
9:30 AM
Welcome and safety briefing
Following Safety Briefing
Pumpkin Paddle begins
12:00 Noon
Event closes
Participants should arrive early enough to unload equipment, prepare their paddle craft, and complete check-in before the safety briefing.
What to Bring
Pumpkin Paddle is a bring-your-own-paddle-craft event. Participants should come prepared with:
- Kayak, canoe, paddleboard, or other appropriate paddle craft
- Paddle
- Properly fitted personal flotation device (PFD)
- Drinking water
- Sun protection
- Appropriate clothing and footwear
- Any additional personal safety equipment needed for paddling
All participants must follow event safety instructions and respect local wildlife, shoreline habitats, boat traffic, and other water users.
Safety Comes First
Before heading onto the water, remember:
Paddle Smart. Wear a life jacket. Check conditions. File a float plan. Watch for wildlife and boats.
The event is subject to safe weather and water conditions. Routes may be adjusted and the event may be delayed or canceled if conditions are considered unsafe.
Registration & IVV Credit
Participation in Pumpkin Paddle is free, but registration is encouraged.
Participants who would like AVA/IVV achievement credit may purchase optional IVV credit for $4.
What Is AVA?
AVA: America’s Walking Club is the United States member organization of the International Federation of Popular Sports (IVV). AVA promotes noncompetitive physical activity and opportunities to explore communities through walking and other approved recreational events.
Pumpkin Paddle expands that spirit of fun, fitness, and friendship onto the water.
Rockport Trailways Club
The Rockport Trailways Club (AVA-0966) connects residents and visitors through recreational experiences that showcase the natural, cultural, and community stories of Rockport-Fulton and Aransas County.
Through traditional events and year-round opportunities, the club encourages people of different ages and abilities to get outside, stay active, explore new places, and become part of a welcoming recreation community.
Pumpkin Paddle is part of the club’s growing calendar of Pathways in Motion experiences.
More Than a Paddle
Little Bay is more than a recreational setting. It is part of a living coastal landscape shaped by wildlife, people, history, and water.
As you paddle, take time to observe the shoreline and birds around you, appreciate the bay’s role in the Rockport-Fulton community, and help protect the places that make our coast special.
Explore responsibly. Leave only ripples behind.
Be Part of the Pathways Story
Pumpkin Paddle celebrates what Aransas Pathways is all about—connecting people with place through:
Birding. History. Kayaking. Trails.
Come paddle Little Bay, meet fellow outdoor enthusiasts, experience Rockport from the water, and discover another way to be part of the Pathways story.
Saturday, October 24, 2026
8:00 AM–12:00 Noon
Little Bay | Rockport, Texas
Free participation | Registration encouraged | Optional $4 AVA/IVV credit