Ohio whitewater, Kokosing River Coshocton Knox county, Gambier to Walhonding River section whitewater kayaking, rafting, and paddling information.   CLASS I-II     12 miles   7/28/19 this weekend I and some friend traveled Kokosing in kayaks. I was amaze at the number of fresh fallen trees (6 at very least) in the water and further amazed at the number of existing strainers in the water. All I got from the Kokosing is what a great time it is for all. What I saw was frightening. Small children may be 10 in kayaks tubes and canoes ''no life jackets''. Adult ''no life jackets as well'' hugging outer sweeping turn     with swift currents, laden with dead trees. I myself had to rescue a small girl of about ten years old in a kayak who was separated from her parents hanging on a small branch. As I passed, she moved and fell out of her boat then hanging on to the boat headed for the base of the tree. This because the father had rolled his boat in a traffic jam hit his head under water (single file around hazarded people!) and the others were saving him. The girl failed to realize she had paddle 100 yards ahead. All was safe, but my friend and I were the only one there. It could have been very different. I was shaken after the fact. This is insane. All around me were   people acting like they were in a ride at a water park. In short the serenity of this river and beauty is great, BUT understand that there are very real dangers. Wear your vest. It's not a badge of shame. It may save your life, and for God's sake learn how to maneuver your craft around strainers before going on this river. I don't want to discourage people from the experience. Just wake them up to the reality of doing so. I would rather not have to paddle up stream to save anybody because I didn't speak up. Contact ''River Ranger'' on line to report trees in the water. They can only do so much so; it's up to you to recognize dangers and avoid them. Please spread the word. It is a matter of life and death. If you think this is just a rant check, the number of rescues and deaths on the Kokosing. Thank you. Sincerely. Says Vance Glidden I Have been paddling the Kokosing for 15 years and have lived in the area all my life.  I have started in Millwood and landed at Zuck in 7 minutes. Water level was at 13ft mark on bridge at Millwood. I have also canoed across the field at riley chapel clear up to 715 to take our boat out.   My ex-husband and I spent every weekend on the river.  I have photos in February at the cave falls off hazel dell rd. also would like to know where the name grove falls came from? The kokosing changes every year, my father worked at the sand plant for 35 years it used to be white sand bottom and full of snakes.  There is a lot of history to the area, we also made it a yearly event to go down the river on new years day to ring in the new year.  I have been to Kentucky on the elk horn creek, class 5 white water, they knew of the Kokosing river. Says Cheryl The Kokosing is a great scenic river. You can put in at the beginning of the bike path in MountVernon in the spring. I would not put in here at low or midsummer water levels. You can put in at summer levels at Laymon road or Big run road bridge access. The water is still thin but worth the trip. The best place is to put in at Millwood and take out a Riley chapel road . When you put in at mill wood look back up stream and you will see someone has marked the water levels on the left bridge support. At summer low levels the water thins and you will have to get out a few times until you get under state route 36. If you hit the river at the 2-1/2 mark on the old bridge in Millwood you are in for a fast scenic trip. The rocks at the rapids will be covered just enough to be very fun but dangerous. After the rapids the you are in the gap. Sand stone cliffs 20 feet high are on the left and right. At the end of this narrow part of the gap across from the water fall on the left coming from the sand plant take out. Walk to the top of the cliff, turn away from the river and you will see that you are on the top of a ridge. The drop off is 15 feet on one side 20 to the left. Keep going away from the river and you will come to wear it has fallen over. Go over this and once you get to flat ground again look down to your left and you will see a small stream. Go down the cliff and follow the stream to Grove falls. This is a beautiful water fall. After you're done admiring the falls get back on the river . You are approx. 3-4 hours depending on how fast you paddle to Riley chapel road. Do this trip one time and I guarantee you will be back. I would like to than Knox county parks and recreation.. Especially Kim and Doug. They and there crew have made the access points very nice. If you have any questions or want some to go with you down the river E-mail me mkbnr@yahoo.com Have a great trip. Says Mike Take out is on Zuck Road, off of S.R. 715. River left side. A good place to surf is ''Turtle Rock.'' Only ''Rapids'' is ''Factory Rapids.'' Left side in low water and either right or left in higher water. Natural flow river. Good bass fishing. Says Julie Kokosing River, Gambier to Walhonding River road map Printable road map with the put-in and take-out locations clearly marked.     Map Detailed Map Stats Stats for this river stretch Weather Local weather forecast These outdoors activities are available near Kokosing River.   Whitewater Near Kokosing River: Kokosing River, Coshocton/ Knox County, 8 miles away       Class I-II - 12 miles long (Gambier to Walhonding River) Rocky Fork, Licking County, 12 miles away       Class I - 10 miles long (Hickman to Licking River) Clear Fork of Mohican, Ashland County, 14 miles away       Class II - 4.9 miles long (Pleasant Hill Reservoir to Black Fork) Licking River, Licking County, 17 miles away       Class I - 8.6 miles long (Newark to Rock Haven Park) Wakatomica Creek, Muskingum County, 17 miles away       Class II+ - 12 miles long (to Muskingum River) Licking River, Licking/ Muskingum County, 24 miles away       Class II - 4.2 miles long (Ridgely Tract to Dillon Falls)   Ski Areas Near Kokosing River: Clear Fork, Ohio , 15 miles away, 300 foot drop, 6 lifts, 10 runs Snow Trails, Ohio , 20 miles away, 300 foot drop, 7 lifts, 15 runs Boston Mills, Ohio , 69 miles away, 240 foot drop, 7 lifts, 8 runs Brandywine, Ohio , 70 miles away, 240 foot drop, 9 lifts, 10 runs Spicy Run Mountain, Ohio , 93 miles away, 600 foot drop, 4 lifts, 9 runs Alpine Valley, Ohio , 93 miles away, 230 foot drop, 7 lifts, 9 runs Mad River Mountain, Ohio , 97 miles away, 300 foot drop, 12 lifts, 24 runs   Hotels Near Kokosing River: Holiday Inn Express MT. VERNON, Mount Vernon , 11 miles away Super 8 Mt. Vernon, Mount Vernon , 12 miles away Comfort Inn Mount Vernon, Mount Vernon , 14 miles away Russell-Cooper House, Mount Vernon , 14 miles away The Mount Vernon Inn, Mount Vernon , 15 miles away   Campgrounds Near Kokosing River: Kokosing Valley Camp and Canoe, Howard, 2 miles away Whip-poor-will Hills, Danville, 5 miles away Mohican Wilderness, Danville, 5 miles away   Public Lands Near Kokosing River: Cuyahoga Valley National Recreation Area, Brecksville - OH , 67 miles away Mohican State Forest, Ohio , 15 miles away Malabar Farm State Park, Ohio , 17 miles away Dillon State Park, Ohio , 19 miles away   Golf Courses Near Kokosing River: Apple Valley Golf Course, Howard , 6 miles away Mt Vernon Country Club, Mount Vernon , 13 miles away Hiawatha Golf Course, Mount Vernon , 13 miles away   Lakes Near Kokosing River Apple Valley Lake, Knox , 5 miles away Pleasant Hill Lake, Ashland , 14 miles away Odell Lake, Holmes , 19 miles away