Great Miami River (North Section) in Ohio

Trip Overview

My husband shuttled me to the State Route 235 bridge just on the edge of Quincy and parked off County Rd. 255 that intersects right at the SR 235 bridge. This is an ideal place to put in just down stream from a stoney dam.

The footing at the bridge is stone and gravel and therefore stable to wade in the river and get in the kayak without sinking in mud. The wildlife was beautiful with Cedar Waxwings and Blue Herons as well as a doe and her spotted fawn drinking in the middle of the river. I passed a Horse camp and horses were crossing the river.

The current was steady and only two places where the river widened and got shallow enough to get out and walk about 5 yards. Every turn offered beautiful mature trees and wildlife. The Sycamore trees near Quincy had to be well over 60 feet high. Just above Port Jefferson an owl flew over in the middle of the afternoon.

I took out at Port Jefferson just behind Huzzys Resturant were my husband had parked in their parking lot and the riverbed becomes stoney and perfect for taking out. We carried the kayak to the car and went into Huzzy's Resturant to eat a delicious meal. The trip was probably about 6 miles and took about 3 hours.

Accommodations:

Huzzys Restaurant

Fees:

None

Directions:

Put in were State Route 235 intersects with County rd. 255. There is no parking lot and just room to park off to the side. Take out at Huzzys Restraunt in the middle of Port Jefferson which is a very small town and easy to find. "Canoeing and Kayaking Ohio's Streams" suggests taking out at Route 47 rest stop just north of Huzzys but we scouted this out and the rest stop was closed and very muddy and overgrown with a steep bank. We asked permission at Huzzys before our trip.

Resources:

Ohio Dept. of Natural Resources Map of Southwestern Ohio Streams Map as well as "Canoeing and Kayaking Ohio's Streams" by Rick Combs and Steve Gillen.