Geocache paddle option coming soon
8921 big run road, gambier 43022

Kokosing State Scenic River
Big Run Road River Access #5

This site provides great river access on an old bridge right-of-way. It is an excellent location for smallmouth bass fishing upstream and downstream. Big Run enters the river immediately below the access. To the left of the river are the remains of the last water-powered grain mill in Knox County. Beyond a large horshoe bend in the river, short rapids lead to strainers and deep pools along a series of sharp bends.

Bridges are located at Newcastle Road, Zion Road, Killduff Road, and Stull Road. The Zion Bridge can be seen from 0.5 mile upstream. Fishing is excellent near this bridge. The historic bridge located at site 5 is a one-span, 190 foot long, river connected Warren through truss bridge. The bridge, built in 1915 was manufactured locally by the Mount Vernon Bridge Company. The bridge was rehabilitated by the Knox County Engineer and was awarded the 2011 Historic Bridge Award by the Federal Highway Administration, ODOT, and Ohio Historic Preservation Office. All lands between sites 5 and 6 are privately owned, except Indianfield Bluffs Park. The park is located nearly five miles downstream of Big Run Access and contains several two-hundred year old Sycamore trees. There have been many bird sightings at this location and we encourage you to download the list above to use as a reference.

Did you know there are over 50+ fish species located in the Kokosing State Scenic River? Many of those include; various Chubs such as the Creek and Bigeye Chub, various Redhorse species from the Smallmouth Redhorse to the Golden Redhorse and typical Sunfish from the Redear Sunfish to the Bluegill. The Kokosing River is known primarily for the abundant amount of smallmouth bass throughout the entire main stem of the river from Mount Vernon to the confluence at Walhonding. For more information on the species found throughout the Kokosing River, click on the link above and download the Fish ID checklist specific to the River Access points and their locations. This checklist was a collaborative effort with Brian Zimmerman, OSU Research River Ecologist and the Knox County Park District.