Admission to Muskingum River State Park is free.
- Open daily dawn to dusk
- Location: (Map It) Various locations along the Muskingum River from Ellis, Ohio to Devola, Ohio
- Phone: 740-674-4794
- Web: click here
Muskingum River State Park and its 160-year-old navigation system were designated a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark by the American Society of Civil Engineers in July 2001. Along with such majestic institutions as The Empire State Building and the Golden Gate Bridge, the Muskingum River’s 10 hand-operated locks are now recognized as one of America’s great engineering accomplishments. In its day, the system of locks and dams that extends 112 miles through southeastern Ohio, helped open the Midwest to development. Today, it serves more than 7,000 boaters each year who come to fish, picnic, and play in the scenic Muskingum Valley. A camping area is provided at Lock 11. There are 20 campsites off State Route 60 and County Road 49 in Muskingum County. Water, picnic tables, fire rings, and latrines are provided. There are eight boaters-only, primitive campsites at Lock #5, Luke Chute. Prior to departing for a boat trip on the Muskingum River, boaters should contact the park office to check on river and lock conditions. Boats with unlimited horsepower motors, houseboats, pontoon boats, canoes, and rowboats travel the river. Public launch ramps are provided at Locks 4, 5, 6, and 11. Private ramps are located near Locks 2, 7, and 10. The Muskingum River is navigable from Dresden to Marietta. Some of the tributaries emptying into the Muskingum River are also navigable for short distances providing excellent fishing. The Licking River, which joins the Muskingum River in Zanesville, is navigable only by canoe or rowboat.
