Kayak Camping the KOKOSING RIVER

The Kokosing River, located in Mount Vernon Ohio, is a 28 mile State Scenic River and in June of 2005, the Kokosing River was designated as the first water trail in the state of Ohio by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.
Kokosing Valley Camp and Canoe is the perfect place to stop if doing an overnight as most of the banks along the Kokosing is private land. For shuttle service or rentals check out Kokosing River Outfitters.
The Kokosing joins up with the Mohican River forming the Walhonding River which flows into the Muskingum River near Coshocton and eventually flows all the way to the Ohio River.

[@jasonwish-]

Please note that there is no public camping along the riverbanks of the Kokosing River except at Kokosing Valley Camp and Canoe or Caves Campground. Camping on private property even along the banks, sand bars and islands on Ohio Rivers is illegal because property owners own the land to the center of the river. The only way to legally camp on Ohio rivers that are bordered by privately owned land is to get permission ahead of time. We went into this kayaking trip under prepared and thought there was public land to camp on. After returning home I contacted the property owner who owned the land of the sandbar we camped on to let him know what had happened. This is obviously not the proper way to go about this and I don’t condone what we did but thought I should comment on our sand bar camping along the Kokosing and how we handled it.

[@ChavsADV]

IL is the same way which is a bummer. There are people who camp on the islands and low water line thinking it's legal and don't really get bothered but technically it is illegal. Oddly we have random sections of rivers that have easments so I believe there is some grey area there.

[@sammcdonald3443]

Thanks for this clarification Jason. It’s important to understand this. You are a good person for adding this.

[@R.S.G879]

Been camping on sand bars and dry land along the river for years.leave it like you found it ain't no one gonna say anything.

[@jasonwish-]

@@R.S.G879 I totally agree, but I have to be careful what I do and film with so many new kayakers out there looking for information...the last thing I want is to be a bad example for to those trying to learn how to legally kayak camp.

[@OzarkMediaCo]

Excellent trip! Those esrly morning sounds with breakfast on the campfire has me fired up for another season of yakking!

[@jasonwish-]

Definitely one of my favorite rivers in Ohio! It stinks there aren't more legal camping areas along that river. I'm looking forward to exploring some new rivers in 2024!

[@jaxcoop1511]

Jason finally got himself a new pair of board shorts 😉

[@jasonwish-]

Haha! Yep, unfortunatley they're not as comfy as the old light blue ones...a little snug around the thighs 😂

[@whiterhino742]

Love your kayak camping man……starting to light a spark in me

[@jasonwish-]

Its addictive and very relaxing!

[@billmitchell7731]

Like number 108 . Awesome video Jason. No Maters 😮😂😂

[@jasonwish-]

Thanks Bill...maters next time for sure, and sweet corn!

[@ltbo6781]

Thanks for taking the time to make and share these videos. I really enjoy them. Looking forward to my first trip.

[@jasonwish-]

Thanks so much for watching! Hope you have a successful first trip!

[@OldGoatintheWoods]

Nice outing there! That section after the Factory Rapids reminded me of sections of Shawnee National Forest bluffage. Very pretty section there on the river.

[@jasonwish-]

indeed, I've seen pics of Shawnee NF but have never been in person yet...soon!

[@OldGoatintheWoods]

​@@jasonwish- Cool beans! That's down in my neck of the woods. Shoot me a note when you have plans & what you'd like to do. It'd be cool to hook up!

[@ripvanrevs]

If you are in the Mt Vernon area, one of the best 5 mile sections of bike trail is the Kokosing Gap Trail between Mt Vernon and Gambier. That section crosses the Kokosing twice. You showed one of the crossings at 8:21.

[@jasonwish-]

Yes, it looked like a great biking trail!

[@FrankD518]

I know a small segment of this river. Growing up in the early 80's we'd go up to mt vernon for an annual "camp meeting" and have a picnic lunch at least one day by the river in a park. Its been a long time since I've been there. But it thinking of it brought back pleasant memories going up there with my mom and grandmother both who have passed. So thank you.

[@jasonwish-]

Glad to hear that this brought back some good memories. Thanks so much for watching and commenting!

[@kenlodge3399]

Boy I'm telling ya, there's something different, really different about these slow moving rivers I'm recalling, memories rich in a transfixing mellow I either forgot or which is just so subtle in its gentle movements it is slowly bringing up a sort of neuromuscular memory that maybe I didn't appreciate when I ran these river types... way back when and am watching now. I started catching it when saw that first river run on the Manistee, a river am deeply familiar with. You know with each river video am getting a deeper feel and recollection of that rich green, chlorophyllic enclosure watching when you are surrounded by woods, trees of so many types being on the river moving actionless across the water or with just the movement of your paddles. The rivers out west are so much more dynamic, its more about having fun or excitement or admiring the geoglyphic formations, the deep trenches and steep stone walls. This here is much more trance like and is about peace and/or being serene almost becoming a part of all that surrounds you... Huh? Has a lot more to do with rhythm and something secret like - spiritual. Like when hiking in the deep woods and your mind disappears, that thing they call - Being One with, but on the river its that but a more alive that, like am in a dance with the water and land and trees while it's slowly, maybe imperceptibly slowly moving all around you. Boy I tell ya I miss it!

[@jasonwish-]

great comment! Thanks!

[@AJKPenguin]

Thank you Jason for the tour. This kind of reminds me of the Mohican, and the its sibling. Where the bends and hills are, it looks like the Clarion and Allegheny, so WOO on the Allegheny 100! Aside: I get why the islands and sandbars are illegal to camp on, for it's quite dangerous during flooding. Yet, the rise of rivers doesn't happen all year long. The better policy would be to prohibit camping on river during Flood Watches and Warnings, similar to how burning cannot be done with Red Flag Warnings or Fire Weather Watches.

[@jasonwish-]

I agree! and you are right, some of the landscape did remind me a little of the Clarion. Thanks for checking out the vid!

[@losborne5]

25:53 In the morning when it's just me in nature, that is my favorite time. Before anyone else is awake. Love the drone angles. There is a lot of work that goes into having this kind of fun. 😊

[@jasonwish-]

Yes, it is a lot of work but it doesn’t feel like work when it’s something you really enjoy, and you are right, It was so peaceful in the morning with the fog coming off the water and all the birds chirping.

[@rickcotc]

Honey Run Falls is one of the prettiest waterfalls in Ohio. Lots of good trails. You should’ve stopped.

[@jasonwish-]

Yes, I’ve also heard this from others, and really kicking myself for not stopping

[@SeniorHiker77]

Very quick shots and camera angles. Very nice editing Jason. ✌

[@jasonwish-]

Thanks! 2.5 hrs of footage on an overnight trip…lots of cuts, but would rather have too much than not enough 😁

[@joelcarminati7822]

I love your kayaking videos. But can’t wait till your backpacking videos. Was that who I thought it was ? 😂

[@jasonwish-]

Once I get this final FKT out-of-the-way, it’ll be all backpacking! I can’t wait! Who did you think it was?

[@joelcarminati7822]

The colonel😂

[@jasonwish-]

@@joelcarminati7822 Colonel didn't make it on that trip unforunately. I feel like I'm missing something here??

[@joelcarminati7822]

Oh crap I responded to wrong video. My bad. I was talking about your new video. Sorry🤪😂

[@jasonwish-]

@@joelcarminati7822hahahahaha! I kina thought that's what hapened 🤣🤣yes, that was the peculiar fellow himself!

[@JourneyontheTrail]

Awesome trip bud! I hate that it’s so hard to do overnighters off of rivers in Ohio. Down here the Little Muskingum goes through a National forest which should be nice but due to erosion and lack on manpower to maintain the camping is getting tough. Thanks for sharing!

[@jasonwish-]

Yeah that's the main reason I haven't been on it yet, everytime I see it I notice the muddy banks and it doesn't look easy to get in and out. Guess I'll just keep having to head out of state, thanks for watching AJ!

[@haroldsams-hs]

i think you can get a tarp that goes with the bivy, i think the hooks on it are to connect it to a tarp, not 100% sure, but pretty sure i seen that somewhere lol, ive been using fozzils snapfold, you can get a cup, bowl and plate you may have seen them, i think they would work great for kayaking, thought id throw that in there, great video as always, thanks for sharing

[@jasonwish-]

Yes, I had a tarp I just wanted to try it without that night. And now that I've set it up several times I do hook the mitten clips and shock cord right to the D ring or ridgeline of the tarp, it works perfect! Thanks so for much for watching!

[@zakkmiller8242]

Another awesome video! Im taking my first outdoor adventures this year and all your videos help me so much as far as planning goes. You are a true gem sir, thank you! Id love to adventure along side you one day brother!

[@jasonwish-]

Thanks Zakk, glad they have been helpful. Where are you from?

[@WVWes]

Good video. I laughed when you pulled out that subway sub on the river!

[@jasonwish-]

Sometimes when you start a river in the middle of the day when you’re hungry it’s just easier to grab something before getting on the water 😁

[@gurbains4139]

Such a Nice and peaceful place., I am watching from india

[@jasonwish-]

Wow from India! Thanks so much for watching!

[@georgedouglas9342]

Awesome video! Well narrated with the minimal info you had. They need to work on informative signage along the river for sure if it's considered a float trail. Been wanting to yak that very section but haven't been able to squeeze it in, yet. Some friends did it a few weeks ago. Also wanting to do an over nighter, somewhere. Information about the camping most useful. Where or how does one obtain info on water levels (CFS) on rivers in Ohio? Great vid, very useful info, thanks for posting! 👍✌😎

[@jasonwish-]

Yes I agree with you about the signage for sure. waterdataUSGS.gov. Thanks! waterdata.usgs.gov/monitoring-location/03136500/#parameterCode=00065&period=P7D

[@georgedouglas9342]

@@jasonwish- Thanks! Ironically I did a search on water levels/cfs for Ohio waterways and found a site. Think it's the same link you forwarded 👍 Much appreciated.

[@kellydtth2749]

Great video Jason. Looks like a beautiful river. Thanks for the trip. Just curious how you go about finding the land owner to even ask permission? Also curious if you happened to have checked out the Suwannee wilderness trail when you were hiking that portion of the Florida trail?

[@jasonwish-]

Hey thanks Kelly! There are several ways to find landowners...first I check the public county records and if that doesnt work there are numerous realtor apps and hunting apps that can provide this information but sometimese there is an app purchase. I have not checked out the Suwannee wilderness trail, I didn't get past Gibson County Park. Looks like a great place though!

[@jasonjohnson3164]

Me and my float club were up there just about 2 weeks later the 19-21! We stay at Kokosing Valley Camp & Canoe! We do from the campground down to one of the bridges, can't recall the road name, will update when I find out, then shuttle back up river to a barn on private property and float down to the campground. Honey Run Falls is a pretty waterfall a short hike back from the river, definitely worth checking out!

[@jasonwish-]

That's a nice float. I'll have to check out Honey Run Falls next time I'm in the area, thanks!

[@ItsGoodintheWoods]

About time for you to get a canoe isn't it?🤣It's getting harder and harder to find waterways that have campsites along the way. Makes you realize just how little wilderness we have left.

[@jasonwish-]

I was actually talking with my wife about doing a day float on our canoe on the local river soon. We have an aluminum canoe on our pond that we’re gonna try out. But I think I’m still a kayaker at heart, we will see lol.

[@jasonwish-]

Definitely not much wilderness in Ohio except in the national forest, but the rivers there are not great

[@jdela1576]

Haven't got do this this year. My prob

[@mowerparts3824]

Nice! Perfect early season trip. What sunglasses did you have on? They look great. Jet boil coffee is right now. Didn't appear to have any obstructions to slow ya down.

[@jasonwish-]

just some cheapos from TSC! Hate spending money on expensive glasses just to scratch or break them haha. I love my coffee on the river! And yes, it was smooth sailing all the way!

[@user-cr2uy4jc8n]

Honey Run Falls is a small but nice waterfall about 200 ft from the river. It used to not have signage or anything. I can't remember what the roads name/number is but its right off US 62 Close to where it crosses US 36 In Millwood.

[@jasonwish-]

Dang, now I wish I would have gotten out and investigated, didn’t realize it was so close to the river.

[@user-cr2uy4jc8n]

@@jasonwish- Its got a short trail that runs through there, we used to go out there a lot when I was in high school. Cool place.

[@thomasc7332]

Another great video Jason! Thanks for sharing. In this video you discusse flow rate. I was going to kayak the Mad River putting in at West Liberty. Will the flow be ok? It has been so dry lately.

[@jasonwish-]

Yes, you should be fine on the Mad River, the way it is fed through Springs and other creeks that never dry up so it always has a pretty constant flow, no matter how dry it is, you may just drag in a few spots but should not be bad at all.

[@cheezy-rider]

Hammock camping is a pain in the butt and severely limits where you can stay. I'll stick with a tent.

[@jasonwish-]

Along a river I absolutely agree unless you want to beat down the bush and deal with spiderwebs and poison ivy. Tent is definitely way to go on a river because of the sandbars. but I’ve hammock camped for nearly 5 years and if you got your system dialed in, it’s not that big of a pain in the butt and it’s kind of fun.

[@triohoward3658]

What kind of GPS do you use when your kayaking

[@jasonwish-]

I use Gaia. I also started recently using the GoPaddling app.

[@triohoward3658]

@jasonwish- Thanks man.

[@DMllr66]

Can you do a short on water management and and what works for you

[@DMllr66]

We just attempted mad river after our full day paddling we were all cooked, granted it was last weekend when it was 90’s the entire time

[@jasonwish-]

Are you referring to river depth gauges and CFS (flow rate)? Or are you referring to treating river water for drinking? i’d be happy to make a video about something like this, but need a little more detail.

[@jasonwish-]

Yeah, it was brutally hot this weekend, great to be on the water, but almost too hot

[@DMllr66]

@@jasonwish- we just got dehydrated, so just like how to pace water intake, also a short on how you use the water infographics would be awesome too

[@bilbodiggins4274]

re-do the little Miami

[@jasonwish-]

Maybe but there are so many new rivers to explore!

[@AddictedCrewCatfishing]

Did it seem like there was much depth in the section you paddled?

[@jasonwish-]

Yes there was plenty of depth when we paddled it… I mentioned the CFS in the video I think it was 220 But it gets really low in the summer and fall when there’s not enough rain. I would think there would be quite a bit of dragging and walking below 150 cfs.

[@jason3064]

Do you kayak back up stream to head out, or is there a pick-up point?

[@jasonwish-]

Heavens no, that would be completely impossible on the rivers that I’ve paddled. There are numerous ways to do this, the easiest way is to have two vehicles with one at your takeout location. Another way is to stage your kayak at your starting point and then drive your vehicle to the take out location and Uber back to your kayak. Another option is to use human power to get back to your starting point by either walking or biking. If none of those options work you can use an outfitter or a livery to be your shuttle, they can drop you and your kayak off at the beginning and leave your vehicle at the end for you.

[@jason3064]

@@jasonwish- thanks for the reply

[@davidel-khouri549]

how big was Daves canoe that he solo paddled?

[@jasonwish-]

I believe he said it was a 16 footer.

[@christinaianno8920]

😢

[@jasonwish-]

Is there something sad about this?

[@cheezy-rider]

It's getting to the point that unless you have lots of money to pay to stay you aren't going to be able to leave the house. SMH

[@jasonwish-]

I guess I’m a little unclear on what you are referring to here…

[@cheezy-rider]

A lot of these campgrounds are charging almost as much as motel costs not to mention the logistics. So if you don't have deep pockets or in some cases as you said no primitive sites on public waterways you will have no choice but to break the law or not do over-nighters. Paddlers really should get together to start co-ops to buy some private land to start some or this way of life might be over for future generations. I also ride bicycle a lot and find the same problem there. Thanks for the vidoes and info.@@jasonwish-

[@jasonwish-]

@@cheezy-rider gotcha, and yes I completely understand and agree. I stealth camp all the time and most of the time it’s probably illegal so I don’t normally film those. I RV camp with my wife a lot too and it’s ridiculous how much campgrounds cost these days, so we only stay at state parks, army corps or national forest campgrounds that normally don’t cost as much.

[@user-vl4sq8uq3p]

Another trip, another excuse to buy gear.

[@jasonwish-]

Oh Yeah!