Muskingum River Parkway State Park

Muskingum River Parkway State Park This is the official page for the Muskingum River Parkway State Park. The Muskingum River Parkway was designated as an Ohio State Park in 1958.

The Muskingum River Parkway State Park has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places and is recognized as the Muskingum River Navigation Historic District. Because of its size and location, the Muskingum River played an important role in Ohio’s history. Its watershed drains 8,036 square miles, which is an area equal to one-fifth of the state. The Muskingum is the longest continually navigable river traversing Ohio, due to the river’s locks and dams. In 2001, the Muskingum River locking system was designated as a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark. This designation recognizes the lock system as one of the nation’s great engineering marvels, along with the Golden Gate Bridge, Empire State Building, and Hoover Dam. In 2007, the Muskingum River Parkway was placed on the National Register of Historic Places as part of the Muskingum River Navigation Historic District. The locks help boats safely bypass ten dams on the Muskingum River from Zanesville south to the Ohio River at Marietta. These locks are operated at no charge for recreational boats. Ten of the eleven locks still function— the northernmost lock, Ellis #11, is no longer in operation but offers a campground. The remaining locks have a variety of amenities and many communities along the Muskingum River offer recreational and sight-seeing opportunities for boaters and non-boaters alike.

09/09/2026

Park & Watercraft Manager, Ron Mingus, of the Muskingum River Parkway uses this fascinating model to demonstrate how the historical lock and dam system works on the mighty Muskingum River!

What a beautiful day Saturday turned out to be at the Muskingum Valley Park District Riverfest in Zanesville! Lock Techn...
09/06/2026

What a beautiful day Saturday turned out to be at the Muskingum Valley Park District Riverfest in Zanesville!
Lock Technician, Danny Yinger, did a great job operating the double locks, as the pontoon tours moved thru.
Sara Gudorf, Assistant Park Manager for the Muskingum River Parkway, captained the pontoon rides, where many people were able to experience going thru the historical locks firsthand!

08/15/2026

With the river currently reaching depths of 8.8 feet on the Stockport gauge, we are unable to open the Stockport Lock at this time.

Due to degradation of the timbers on the lower lock gate, the lock cannot safely be opened until the river level drops below 7.5 feet.

We appreciate your patience and understanding as we prioritize safety and the protection of the lock.

With more rain expected, we urge boaters to be mindful of the conditions of the weather and water. We will provide another lock update as river levels change.

It was a fun morning at the Muskingum River Parkway, in Beverly, at the Rivers, Trails and Ales Festival! Nick Pugh, Loc...
08/08/2026

It was a fun morning at the Muskingum River Parkway, in Beverly, at the Rivers, Trails and Ales Festival!
Nick Pugh, Lock Technician, provided a fascinating demonstration of the how the hand-operated locks work!

08/07/2026
Naturalist Aide, Dominic Brooker, demonstrated how the Muskingum River Lock and Dam System works, with this fascinating ...
08/07/2026

Naturalist Aide, Dominic Brooker, demonstrated how the Muskingum River Lock and Dam System works, with this fascinating model, at Front Street Fest in Malta yesterday evening!

08/06/2026
Despite the heat, these anglers met at the Beverly Lock for some hands-on fishing instruction, including how to tie a st...
07/03/2026

Despite the heat, these anglers met at the Beverly Lock for some hands-on fishing instruction, including how to tie a strong polymer fishing knot, how to rig up a pole, and ways to keep the river cleaner. They also enjoyed a hike and learned fish handling techniques.

LOCK UPDATES: Lowell Lock will reopen Friday, July 3rd. The canal is a bit shallow at Cat's Creek, but the majority of b...
07/01/2026

LOCK UPDATES:

Lowell Lock will reopen Friday, July 3rd. The canal is a bit shallow at Cat's Creek, but the majority of boaters can navigate by keeping to the sheet piling side.

Stockport Lock will reopen by appointment only as long as the upper gate gauge is below 7.5 feet. Call (740) 249-5048 to schedule.

01/05/2026

Address

698 East Riverside Drive
McConnelsville, OH
43756

Telephone

+17404534377

Website

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