Canoeing in Ohio

The Scioto
I’ve paddled the Scioto from the O’Shaughnessy dam to downtown at the confluence between the Scioto and Olentangy rivers. I agree with Arkay’s comments - not the most interesting paddle in central Ohio, and little opportunity for streamside camping.



For day trips, Big Darby Creek, Salt Creek, Kokosing R., Mad River, all were enjoyable and modestly challenging. I haven’t done it, but the Little Miami is supposed to be a great float with camping opportunities. The Muskingum and Licking Rivers are very nice, but I’ve only done day trips. I have a new friend in Athens, Ohio, and will welcome the opportunity to paddle with her and Arkay on the Hocking and some other Southeastern streams. Perhaps Frank will chime in as well.



Look at Columbus Outdoor Pursuits since they organize trips on all these rivers.



http://outdoor-pursuits.org/



Doc



Doc

Ohio hot spots
One of the topics at the Adventure Summit in February is paddling hot spots in Ohio. It takes place in Dayton and admission is free:

http://www.theadventuresummit.com/

Muskingum Water Trail
I have paddled or boated much of the Muskingum - it is probably more suited to the tripping you are considering. Here’s a link to the Muskingum River Water Trail established last year:

http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/Watercraft/MainNav/BoatingAreas/OhioWaterTrails/FindaWaterTrail/tabid/2899/Default.aspx

They offer an excellent trail map. As stated earlier, if you are boating through on the water trail you are allowed to camp at any of the locks. The trail map offers other opportunities. Longer trips are possible starting on either of the two rivers that join to create the Muskingum, the Walhounding and the Tuscarawas. These three rivers, though not remote, have a more interesting shoreline structure than the Scioto. If you’d like more info just email me. I’m located in Zanesville and would like to paddle more rivers in southeastern Ohio. Frank

Sorry, but that link
is a parked domain. No useful info there for the Adventure Summit. Not your fault - someone obviously reserved the domain and probably intended to load a “real” webpage but never did. It might still happen…



Try this:



http://www.metroparks.org/_fiveRiversOutdoors/AdventSummit.aspx

Cambridge, Ohio based group
This Cambridge, Ohio based group paddles the Tusc, Licking, and Walhonding frequently:



http://groups.yahoo.com/group/seop/