Clear Fork River in Ohio

Trip Overview

A quick trip down the Clear Fork after a heavy rain made this a fun, fast and enjoyable trip!

Put-in was in at the Richland B&O Bike trail (old Train Depot) in Bellville, Ohio (24 Bell St, Bellville, OH 44813) with parking next to the old train depot. The river is 75 feet from the parking area and down a slight slope and easy access to the water (grass and a very slight angle of entry to the water makes this entry point very easy).

In June, the Clear Fork of the Mohican can run a bit low and you may drag in a few places if the river is less than 2.5 feet. However on this day, there was a significant rainfall in the water level spiked to 4 feet. At put-in time, the level was at 3.01 feet and was running very quickly. Even in the low areas, such as near the beautiful "Gatton Rocks" area of steep sandstone cliffs, where we usually drag bottom, was high and fast Class 1's. Further down towards Butler and the State Route 97 bridge crossover we met a series of Class II's with wave trains that were approx. 100 feet long. This area of the river is all rock bottom and is the funnest portion of the river when water is high (above 4 feet).

Take-out was in Butler at 6363 State Route 95 NE, Butler, OH 44822, where there is a roadside place to park. The take out can be a bit tricky if the water is high, but typically you will only be wet up to your ankles. Take out is river-left; and up a short narrow path to the parking area. This is a 6.09 mile trip that we did in 1:42. Avg speed=4.1, max speed 7.9.

Of all the locations I've paddled, this is one of the best kept secrets in all of Ohio. I've never encountered any other boaters the 20+ times I've ran this river! The only areas will you will most likely see people is near the Swank Gold Claim (The Swank Claim is located on Gatton Rocks and Cutnaw Rd. in Beliville, Ohio. It covers approximately 1 mile of the Clear Fork river on the upper claim and 1 mile of Clear Fork River on the lower claim). When the water is high it is a great place to get wet and a low water it is a slow and easy excursion. You can take this all the way to Pleasant Hill Lake for a nice 20 mile trip.

Accommodations:

Rest room and water at the Richland B&O Bike trail facility.

Fees:

None

Directions:

Put-in at the Richland B&O Bike trail (old Train Depot) in Bellville, Ohio, 24 Bell St, Bellville, OH 44813, with parking next to the old train depot.
Take-out in Butler at 6363 State Route 95 NE, Butler, OH 44822, where there is a roadside place to park.