This state scenic river and designated water trail spans approximately 50 miles across portions of Morrow, Knox and Coshocton counties. Its gentle Class I, and one set of Class II rapids, make the tree-lined river highly suitable for paddlers of all levels of experience. The Kokosing River supports some of the highest water quality in Ohio and smallmouth bass anglers will delight in its rock stream habitats.

Located an hour’s drive northeast of Columbus, paddlers will want to begin their float trip at Mt. Vernon as the North Branch of the river is impassible due to logjams. From Mt. Vernon the lower portion of the river flows through a spectacular sandstone gorge where it eventually meets the confluence of the Mohican River in northwest Coshocton County. This confluence of the Kokosing and Mohican rivers creates the Walhonding River that flows east to Coshocton.

The Kokosing River offers several public launch ramps and one canoe rental facility. Canoe access sites include Riverside Park off Ohio Route 229 in Mt. Vernon, Memorial Park in Mt Vernon, the Layman Road Bridge in Gambier and the bridge located on Ohio Route 36 and Knox County Road 35 just south of Howard. Two new access sites, funded in part by the Division of Watercraft and managed by the Knox County Park District, are located at Big Run Road and Pipesville Road. The Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District manages another access site at the confluence of the Kokosing and Mohican rivers off Ohio Route 715.

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