 Little Miami River
Ohio’s first designated state and national scenic river, the Little Miami River is a highly popular destination area for paddlers throughout Ohio and the Midwest. Of its 105 river miles, approximately 86 miles are navigable by paddlers beginning in an area below a lowhead dam on the campus of Antioch College in Yellow Springs, just south of John Bryan State Park. Map
The state’s 8th longest river finds its headwaters located in Greene County near the village of South Charleston. In then flows generally in a southwesterly direction through the village of Clifton and the remarkable Clifton Gorge as it enters John Bryan State Park near Yellow Springs. Boating is not permitted in this upper section of the Little Miami River.
The navigable portion of this Class I river begins at the Grinnell Road Bridge. There are a number of lowhead dams located on the river where caution must be used and portages are required. The average river flow is 1,280 cubic feet per second, but can range as high as 84,100 cubic feet per second during periods of high water and extreme flooding. The average gradient is 6.5 feet per mile.
This scenic river is a paddlers paradise and passes through agricultural lands, isolated woodlands, small cities and increased suburban developments. There are at least 12 commercial canoe liveries that offer watercraft rentals during the paddling season, which generally is April through October. Some rental businesses offer limited camping facilities along the river and overnight lodging generally can be located a short distance away.
Another unique feature of this waterway is the Little Miami State Park -- a corridor park that averages 66 feet wide and extends for 50 miles along the Little Miami River and its popular bicycle path.
After passing through Waynesville and Corwin, the river enters a more highly developed area as it approaches Loveland and Milford. The last safe takeout spot for paddlers is located 1.5 miles upstream from the confluence with the Ohio River at the Magrish Recreation Center.
The Little Miami River offers a high quality paddling experience and provides enough amenities and services nearby to satisfy those on a day-trip, a weekend trip or for an extended week of paddling. The river is well suited for novice as well as experienced paddlers. The Little Miami River is located in portions of Greene, Warren, Clermont and Hamilton counties.
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