Muskingum River State Park - Zanesville, OH - Ohio State Parks

Camping
Ellis Lock #11
20 non-electric sites
Located at 1390 Ellis Dam Road, Zanesville, OH
Water, picnic tables, fire rings and latrines are provided
Pets are permitted in this camping area
Luke Chute Lock #5
8 boaters only, primitive campsites

Boating
Boats with unlimited horsepower motors, house boats, pontoon boats, canoes and rowboats travel the river. It is suggested that prior to departing for a boat trip on the Muskingum River, boaters contact the park office to check on river and lock conditions. Public launch ramps are provided at Locks 4, 5, 6, 7 and 11. Private ramps are located near Locks 2, 7 and 10. The Muskingum River is navigable from Dresden to Marietta. However, Lock #11 Ellis is closed until further notice and the river channel from Dresden to Ellis is unmarked and difficult to follow. Information on navigation charts can be obtained at the parkway office. Some of the tributaries which empty into the Muskingum River are also navigable for short distances and provide excellent fishing. The Licking River, which joins the Muskingum River in Zanesville, is navigable only by canoe or rowboat.

Fishing
All three species of black bass (largemouth, smallmouth and spotted), saugeye and various species of catfish swim the river. Bass are also found in several tributaries. Fishing is permitted from boats and at each of the lock sites. However, fishing is prohibited from the lock walls. A valid Ohio fishing license is required.

Picnicking
There are 10 picnic areas with picnic tables, grills, latrines, and drinking water available at most locks except Lock 9 at Philo in Muskingum County. There is a picnic shelter between Locks 6 and 7 along State Route 376, which is first-come, first-served. Visitors are requested to build fires only in the grills provided and to dispose of all litter properly.

Lock Operation
A trip on the Muskingum River Parkway is not complete without going through one of the ten locks. These manually-operated locks are similar to those built throughout the United States before the turn of the century. Contact the park office for current fee rates when planning your trip. When approaching the locks, boats must stay between the red and green buoys which mark the river's navigable channel. Boats approaching the lock must give a signal of one long whistle blast followed by one short blast at least 800 feet away from the lock. Boats must stay at least 300 to 400 feet clear of the lock until signaled by the lockmaster that they may enter. When entering or departing a lock, speed should be reduced to produce no wake and possible damage to other boats. After entering the lock, boaters must secure their craft to mooring cables on the lock walls. The lockmaster will assist this procedure. Boaters must stand by to take in or let out the mooring line in relation to the water level. Each boater must provide their own mooring line of at least 75 feet. The lowering or raising of the pool level will begin only after all lines are secure. By opening the upriver valves, water is allowed to flow slowly into the lock chamber bringing the water and boats up to the required height. When opened, the downriver valves allow the pool level to drop slowly. After the lock pool has reached the desired level, the lock gate is opened. The lockmaster will signal that all is clear and the pilot may move his boat from the lock. The lockmaster is in complete charge of the operation and control of the locks and may determine the number of watercraft to lock through. Arrangements to turn the railroad bridge at Zanesville Lock #10 can be made by calling (740) 622-7390, or (740) 662-0090 if there is no answer.