COLUMBUS, OH - The 28-mile Kokosing State Scenic River in Knox County has been designated as Ohio’s first water trail by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR). The Kokosing River Water Trail is part of a new Ohio Water Trails initiative aimed at promoting and providing access to streams and rivers that offer excellent opportunities for boating and fishing.
ODNR Director Sam Speck was joined Saturday by representatives of the Knox County Park District and other local officials at a dedication ceremony along the new trail near Gambier. Following the ceremony, attendees enjoyed a short canoe float on the new water trail.
“Our goal with trails such as this is to provide paddlers and anglers with safe and convenient access points to enjoy the state’s thousands of miles of rivers and streams,” Speck said. “The Kokosing River Water Trail and similar trails that we hope to designate through future partnerships will improve public access to some of Ohio’s finest outdoor recreation opportunities.”
According to Speck, the department hopes to designate additional water trails in the future. A water trail is similar to a hiking or biking trail with one critical difference - the trail already exists and access just needs to be provided.
The Kokosing Water Trail features nine public access points, some of which are still under development. Several access improvements have been made in recent years with the support of ODNR funding, including the Waterway Safety Fund, Clean Ohio dollars and the Ohio Scenic Rivers License Plate Fund.
Beginning in Mount Vernon, the trail features long deep pools, riffles and short rapids as it passes scenic sandstone cliffs and tree-lined riverbanks. The river supports a variety of aquatic plant communities, including water willow, cattail and arrowhead. More than 40 species of mammals, 70 species of fish, and nearly 80 species of breeding birds have been documented along the forested corridor. The river maintains its natural quality as it winds eastward through mostly wooded and rural portions of Knox County.
Paddlers and other users are encouraged to follow the newly published Kokosing River Water Trail Guide, which features a narrative listing of river access points and fishing opportunities, as well as boating safety tips.
As a new ODNR initiative, the Ohio Water Trails program is led by the ODNR Division of Watercraft with support from the divisions of Natural Areas & Preserves, Real Estate & Land Management, Ohio State Parks, and Wildlife. Outside organizations that serve on the Ohio Water Trails workgroup include the Ohio Parks and Recreation Association (Ohio Greenways), the National Park Service’s Rivers & Trails Program, the League of Ohio Sportsmen and the Ohio Smallmouth Alliance.