The river miles used in this report are those established by the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (OEPA) and adopted by the Division of Natural Areas and Preserves of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. The river miles begin (0.0) where the Little Miami River empties into the Ohio River and proceed upstream. All OEPA river mile locations are presented in red. Background research produced two other sources that provided river mile information.

In June of 1977 the Dan Beard Council, Troop 858, of the Boy Scouts of America produced a map of "The Little Miami River Canoe Trail." It began at the Grinnell Road bridge which was designated as river mile 0.0 near John Bryan State Park and ended at the Kellogg Ave. bridge (river mile 85.4) adjacent to the Magrish Recreation Center in Cincinnati.

The second source of river miles was produced by the Miami Conservancy District, 38 E. Monument Ave., Dayton, Ohio 45402, (937) 223-1271 [MCD 34132-34134, 11/95]. The river miles placed on topographic maps begin in the middle of the Ohio River (0.0), which is the Kentucky-Ohio border, and proceed upstream.

These three sources attempted to accurately measure river miles. However, the river miles presented are somewhat different. For example, for the river distance from the mouth of the Little Miami River to the Grinnell Road Bridge, near John Bryan State Park, the mileage presented is:

OEPA                         85.4 miles

Troop 858                   86.9 miles (85.4 + 1.5 to mouth of river)

Miami Conservancy     82.4 miles (82.6 – 0.2 to mouth of river)

It is not know which of the three river mile measurements is the most accurate. The OEPA river miles were used for this report because they are the ones used by the Division of Natural Areas and Preserves of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. There are also signs with river miles indicated hanging under some bridges. These river miles do not correspond with any of the above sources and the origin of the signs is not known. The river mile discrepancies may be attributed to measurement error, changes in the path of the river, as well as the use of different (e.g. old versus updated) United States Geologic Survey (USGS) topographic maps.

The Global Positioning System (GPS) data in this report was collected with a Garmin GPS 12 Personal Navigator. This unit used WGS 84 map datum. Bridge measurements were taken in the middle of the upstream side of each bridge. Launch site measurements were taken at the launch site at river’s edge. Ninety percent of the site measurements were checked on a second or third day to insure accuracy.

Canoe liveries paddle most river miles and attempt to keep the river clear of dangerous strainers. However, there are three sections of the river that are not routinely paddled by liveries. Appropriate precautions should be taken before paddling these sections:

1. John Bryan State Park (86.4) to Fairgrounds Road Bridge (77.7) – 8.7 mile segment:

The section from John Bryan State Park to Jacoby Road Launch (83.1) has the Grinnell Mill Race Dam (4 feet high, portage right) at river mile 85.6 and typically has a number of strainers and some trees down all the way across the river. This section can provide seasonal canoeing for skilled canoeists, however, it is too low for continuous paddling (much dragging due to shallow water) during dry periods.

	Grinnell Mill Race Dam (4 ft)

Log Across River - Strainer	Log Across River - Strainer

The section from Jacoby Road Launch (83.1) to Fairgrounds Road Bridge (77.7) normally has strainers and may have trees down all the way across the river. There is a 2 foot dam at river mile 80.5 (portage right). This section can provide recreational paddling for skilled canoeists.

Log Across River - Strainer	Dam (2 ft) near US 68 Bridge

2. RiversEdge Canoe Livery (60.1) to Harveysburg Hill Road Bridge in Corwin (54.4) – 5.6 mile segment:

This segment has a 4-foot dam at river mile 55.3, portage left. The short portage is not obvious and has brush, trees, and rocks to negotiate. This section can provide recreational paddling for skilled canoeists.

Dam (4 ft) 1 Mile N of Corwin

3. Bass Island Access (8.1) to Mouth of Little Miami River (0.0) – 8.1 mile segment:

This segment provides easy paddling, however, for the last mile, there are marinas that have large powerboats that do not always adhere to the no-wake zone. Also, there is no take-out point at the mouth of the Little Miami River and it is dangerous to canoe on the Ohio River due to large waves caused by power boats and barges. Therefore, it is suggested that the final take-out be at Magrish Recreation Center (1.5).

Ohio boating law requires that there be a properly maintained Coast Guard approved personal flotation device (PFD) for each person on board. The PFD must fit the person for whom it is intended and children under 10 MUST wear their PFDs at all times. It is recommended that all paddlers wear their PFDs whenever on or near the water.

Many access points are in secluded areas. Be sure to lock all valuables in your trunk or take your vehicle to a secure area before launching your boat. There have been many documented vehicle break-ins at access points along the river - so take reasonable precautions.

This report describes waypoints as of July 2000. Keep in mind that, over time, bridges, dams and/or access points will be constructed as well as removed from the river.
 

Note - River Miles, that is, water distance from mouth of river to each waypoint, are given in red
 

86.4 John Bryan State Park at bend below lower picnic area, 0.1 mile carry, access river right (seasonal paddling)
GPS – N 39^o 47.134   W 83^o 51.780
Parking Lot
Restrooms
Camping - fee
Picnicking
Water

nbsp; 85.6 DAM (4 foot) for start of Grinnell Mill Race, portage river right
GPS – N 39^o 46.969   W 83^o 52.327
 

85.4 Grinnell Road Bridge, steep access river left downstream side of bridge
GPS – N 39^o 46.965   W 83^o 52.510
Pulloff

The Grinnell Mill Race enters on river right just below bridge. Yellow Springs Creek empties into the Little Miami on river right at River Mile 85.2. There is a covered bridge about 0.1 mile up Yellow Springs Creek in Glen Helen Nature Preserve of Antioch University.

 

83.1 Jacoby Road Launch, Morris Bean Reserve, Greene County Park District on river left. SR-72 to Clifton, 4 miles SW on Clifton Road, 0.5 mile NW on Jacoby Road to access. Also, US-68 to Clifton Road (4 miles south of Yellow Springs), 2 miles NE on Clifton Road,0.5 mile NW on Jacoby Road to access.
GPS – N 39^o 45.834   W 83^o 54.12
Parking Lot
Restrooms
Camping - permission required, fee
Picnicking

Primitive camping by permit at least one day in advance from Greene County Park District, 651 Dayton-Xenia Road, Xenia, OH 45385, (937) 562-7440, $10/day, 3 day limit.

 

80.8 Little Miami Scenic Trail Bridge (Yellow Springs–Xenia bike path over old railroad bridge)
GPS –  N 39^o 44.832   W 83^o 55.714

Little Miami Scenic Trail Bridge

 

80.6 US-68 bridge north of Xenia, roadside access river left
GPS –  N 39^o 44.889   W 83^o 55.858
Roadside Parking

Sign under US-68 states mile 82.3
 

80.5 DAM (2 foot) - portage river right
GPS –  N 39^o 44.731   W 83^o 56.006
 

80.0 SR-235 Bridge
GPS –  N 39^o 44.451   W 83^o 56.197
 

77.7 Fairgrounds Road Bridge, access river left under bridge
GPS –  N 39^o 43.450   W 83^o 57.822
Pulloff

Sign under Fairgrounds Road Bridge states mile 78.4
Downstream – foot bridge between houses  N 39^o 43.038   W 83^o 58.161
Look for very large red, white, and blue tires on left (end of Kil-Kare drag strip) at River Mile 76.4 Downstream, bear right to avoid strainer
 

75.6 Trebein Bridge, intersection of Old Dayton-Xenia Road and Hilltop Road, emergency access only
GPS –  N 39^o 42.454   W 83^o 59.261
 

74.9 Creekside Trail Bridge (Dayton-Xenia bike path, also called the H connector bike path, over old railroad bridge)
GPS –  N 39^o 42.418   W 83^o 59.931
 

74.5 Glenn Thompson Reserve, Jacobs Landing, Eagle Pass Canoe Launch, Greene County Park District, access river left just before US 35-Bridge, 3 miles W of Xenia at intersection of US-35 and North Valley Road
GPS –  N 39^o 42.086   W 83^o 59.954
Parking Lot
Picnicking
 

72.3 Indian Ripple Road Bridge
GPS –  N 39^o 41.498   W 84^o 01.710
 

72.2 Narrows Reserve Canoe Launch, Greene County Park District, 0.1 mile downstream from Indian Ripple Road Bridge, river right. US-35 to Factory Road, S to intersection at Indian Ripple Road. Miami Scenic River Interpretive Center and camping with permit 0.75 mile from launch.
GPS –  N 39^o 41.396   W 84^o 01.739
Parking Lot
Restrooms
Camping – with permit 0.75 mile from launch, fee
Picnicking
Water

Primitive camping by permit at least one day in advance from Greene County Park District, 651 Dayton-Xenia Road, Xenia, OH 45385, (937) 562-7440, $10/day, 3 day limit.
 

69.8 Upper Bellbrook Road Bridge, emergency access only
GPS –  N 39^o 39.726   W 84^o 02.421

Sign under bridge states mile 70.6
 

68.5 Mill Bridge Launch, Greene County Park District, river right just before Washington Mills Road Bridge. SR-725 to Bellbrook, 2 miles N on Washington Mills Road, access just off Graf Mill Road
GPS –  N 39^o 38.710   W 84^o 02.571
Parking Lot
Camping – with permission, fee
Picnicking

Sign under bridge states mile 69.3
Primitive camping by permit at least one day in advance from Greene County Park District, 651 Dayton-Xenia Road, Xenia, OH 45385, (937) 562-7440, $10/day, 3 day limit.
 

67.5 Bellbrook Canoe Rental (formerly Fyffe’s) access river right with permission. SR-725 to Bellbrook, N 1mile on Washington Mill Road
GPS –  N 39^o 38.538   W 84^o 03.474
Parking Lot
Canoe Rentals
Restrooms
Picnicking
Water
Food – Snacks

Bellbrook Canoe Rental, 3234 Washington Mill Road, Bellbrook, OH 45305, (937) 848-4812
 

66.6 Lower Bellbrook Road Bridge, emergency access only
GPS –  N 39^o 37.985   W 84^o 03.097
 

65.6 State Route-725 Bridge, emergency access only
GPS –  N 39^o 37.260   W 84^o 03.023
 

63.3 Little Miami Reserve Launch, Sparr’s Landing, Constitution Park, Greene County Park District, access river left. US-42, N 0.25 mile on SR-725.
GPS –  N 39^o 36.370   W 84^o 00.838
Parking Lot
Restrooms – Across street
Camping - with permission, fee
Picnicking

Primitive camping by permit at least one day in advance from Greene County Park District, 651 Dayton-Xenia Road, Xenia, OH 45385, (937) 562-7440, $10/day, 3 day limit.
Restrooms across SR-725 at Walton Park (Spring Valley City Ball Fields)
 

63.0 US-42 bridge, emergency access only
GPS –  N 39^o 36.122   W 84^o 00.833

Sign under bridge states mile 63.7
 

60.8 Ohio Spring Valley Wildlife area launch site just E of Roxanna-New Burlington Road bridge, bridge is just E of Roxanna off US-42, access river left 0.1 mile past bridge
GPS –  N 39^o 34.961   W 84^o 01.777
Parking Lot
 

60.1 RiversEdge Canoe Livery, access river right with permission, 4 miles N of Waynesville on US-42
GPS –  N 39^o 34.505   W 84^o 01.937
Parking Lot
Canoe Rentals
Restrooms
Picnicking
Water
Food – Snacks

RiversEdge Canoe Livery, 3928 St. Rt. 42 S., Waynesville, OH 45068, 1-800-628-2319 or (937) 862-4540,
 

55.3 DAM (4-foot), portage river left. Access from New Burlington Road 1 mile N of Harveysburg Hill Road bridge in Corwin
GPS –  N 39^o 31.900   W 84^o 03.845
Pulloff

The short portage is not obvious and has brush, trees, and rocks to negotiate.
 

54.4 Harveysburg Hill Road Bridge in Corwin, access river left just before bridge. Facilities 0.25 mile E in Corwin along Little Miami Scenic Trail. US-42 to Waynesville, 0.5 mile E on Harveysburg Hill Road.
GPS –  N 39^o 31.632   W 84^o 04.802
Parking Lot
Restrooms
Picnicking
Water
Food

Bowman Park Warren County, 0.25 mile W, picnicking and restrooms
 

53.8 SR-73 Bridge, emergency access only
GPS –  N 39^o 31.506   W 84^o 05.268
 

51.2 Caesar Creek Access, Little Miami State Park, access river left just before Middletown Road covered bridge.
GPS –  N 39^o 29.890   W 84^o 06.031
Parking Lot

Covered Bridge Caesar Creek Access Little Miami State Park

50.9 Caesar Creek enters Little Miami
 

47.7 Oregonia Road Bridge in Oregonia, emergency access only
GPS –  N 39^o 27.299   W 84^o 05.888
 

45.9 Little Miami Canoe Rental Old Mill Base (formerly Gordon’s), access river left with permission. I-71 Exit 36 (Wilmington Road), 1 mile W to Mathers Mill, 0.1 mile N on Corwin Road.
GPS –  N 39^o 25.917   W 84^o 06.144
Parking Lot
Canoe Rentals
Restrooms
Camping - fee
Picnicking
Water
Food – Snacks

Little Miami Canoe Rental, 219 Mill Street (St. Rte 123), Morrow, OH 45152, 1-800-634-4277 or (513) 899-3616, http://www.littlemiamicanoe.com
 

45.7 Mathers Mill Access, Little Miami State Park, access river left at Wilmington Road Bridge. I-71  Exit 36 (Wilmington Road), 1mile W to Mathers Mill.
GPS –  N 39^o 25.765   W 84^o 06.315
Parking Lot
 

44.7 I-71 Bridge
GPS –  N 39^o 25.185   W 84^o 06.235
 

43.7 Fort Ancient Access, Little Miami State Park, access river left just past SR-350 bridge. I-71 Exit 32, SR-123 0.25 mile S to SR-350 E, 3 miles to bridge. Parking lot and canoe access. Morgan’s Fort Ancient Canoe Livery located adjacent to Access
GPS –  N 39^o 24.385   W 84^o 06.017
Parking Lot
Canoe Rentals
Restrooms
Picnicking
Water
Food

Morgan’s Ft. Ancient Canoe Livery, 5701 State Route-350, Oregonia, OH 45054, 1-800-932-2663 or (513) 932-7658, http://www.morganscanoe.com
 

41.5 Strout Road Bridge, Morgan’s Riverside Park, access river right just before bridge with permission
GPS –  N 39^o 22.753   W 84^o 05.569
Parking Lot
Canoe Rentals
Restrooms
Camping - fee
Picnicking
Water
Food
 

38.6 Little Miami Canoe Rental, at SR-123 bridge (Mill Street) in Morrow, access river left just past bridge with permission.
GPS –  N 39^o 21.383   W 84^o 07.744
Parking Lot
Canoe Rentals
Restrooms
Camping - fee
Picnicking
Water
Food – Snacks

Little Miami Canoe Rental, 219 Mill Street (SR-123), Morrow, OH 45152, 1-800-634-4277 or (513) 899-3616, http://www.littlemiamicanoe.com
 

38.5 Morgan's Canoe Livery Access, with permission - river right
Todd Fork enters Little Miami - river left
 

37.0 Halls Creek Access, Little Miami State Park - river right. Entrance on Mason-Morrow-Millgrove Road (CR-38) just E of intersection with Halls Creek Road
GPS –  N 39^o 21.944   W 84^o 09.330
Parking Lot
 

36.0 Stubbs Mill Road Bridge, emergency access only
GPS –  N 39^o 21.796   W 84^o 10.434
 

33.4 Roger’s Ball Park at Hobart and High in South Lebanon, access river right just upstream of Main Street Bridge
GPS –  N 39^o 22.056   W 84^o 12.932
Parking Lot
Picnicking
 

33.3 Bruce’s Canoe Access off Main Street in South Lebanon, access river left just past Main Street Bridge with permission
GPS –  N 39^o 22.093   W 84^o 13.116
Roadside Parking – Customers Only
 

32.9 SR-48 Bridge, emergency access only
GPS –  N 39^o 22.126   W 84^o 13.492

Sign under bridge states mile 33
 

32.1. Old Penn Central Railroad Bridge
 

30.7 Grandin Road Bridge at Kings Mills, emergency access only
GPS –  N 39^o 21.108   W 84^o 14.554
 

28.2 Old 3C Bridge in Foster - facilities river left
GPS –  N 39^o 19.315   W 84^o 15.143
Parking Lot – Hamilton Township
Restrooms
Picnicking – with permission
Water
Food

Train Stop Restaurant river left just before bridge.
 

28.1 New 3C Bridge (SR-3 & US-22) in Foster
GPS –  N 39^o 19.215   W 84^o 15.144
 

27.9 Carl A. Rahe Access (formerly Glenn Island Public Access), Little Miami State Park, access river right 0.2 mile past new 3C Bridge in Foster. Entrance on Old 3C highway under new 3C Bridge.
GPS –  N 39^o 19.096   W 84^o 15.114
Parking Lot
Restrooms
Picnicking
 

23.9 Bishop City Park in Loveland, access river right just past West Loveland Ave. Bridge, restrooms/water/food across bridge.
GPS –  N 39^o 16.105   W 84^o 15.662
Roadside Parking
Restrooms
Picnicking
Water
Food
 

23.7 Bruce’s Loveland Canoe Rental at Carl Brown and Crutchfield Place in Loveland, access river left, just past railroad bridge, with permission.
GPS –  N 39^o 15.987   W 84^o 15.634
Parking Lot
Canoe Rentals
Restrooms
Camping - fee
Picnicking
Water
Food

Bruce’s Canoe Rental, 200 Carl Brown Way, Loveland, OH 45140, (513) 683-4611 or 683-4604
 

21.5 Branch Hill-Guinea Road Bridge, emergency access only
GPS –  N 39^o 14.801   W 84^o 17.691
 

20.9 I-275 Bridge
 

20.6 Lake Isabella Park, Hamilton County Park District, access river right 0.25 mile past I-275 Bridge. I-275 Exit 52, 0.5 mile S on Loveland Road, nominal fee required.
GPS –  N 39^o 14.150   W 84^o 17.964
Parking Lot
Restrooms
Picnicking
Water
 

18.1 SR-126 Bridge, Remington Rd, access river left
GPS –  39^o 12.502   W 84^o 19.116
 

17.7 Kelley Nature Preserve, Clermont County Park District, canoe launch just W of Miamiville off SR-126
GPS –  N 39^o 12.547   W 84^o 18.385
Parking Lot
Restrooms
Picnicking
 

17.0 SR-126 Bridge (Miamiville Road) and bike path bridge
GPS –  N 39^o 12.647   W 84^o 17.602
 

15.0 Access at end of Lincoln Road off SR-126 just E of Camp Dennison, DAV Ballfield just S of put-in
GPS –  N 39^o 11.679   W 84^o 16.909
Roadside Parking
 

13.5 Access river left just N of American Legion Ballfield in Milford with permission
GPS –  N 39^o 10.685   W 84^o 17.671
 

13.0 Canoe Launch at Jim Terrell Park, City of Milford, just S of US-50 and SR-28 Bridge in Milford, access river right. Also site of Little Miami River Excursions Company (formerly Bruce’s).
GPS –  N 39^o 10.224   W 84^o 17.900
Parking Lot
Picnicking
 

11.5 Confluence with East Fork of Little Miami River
 

10.9 Scenic River Canoe & Kayak at intersection of Roundbottom and Mt Carmel roads S of Milford, access river left with permission
GPS –  N 39^o 08.984   W 84^o 18.795
Parking Lot
Canoe Rentals
Restrooms
Picnicking

Scenic River Canoe & Kayak, 4595 Roundbottom Road, Cincinnati, OH 45244, (513) 831-5552
Check Clermont County map for directions
 

8.1 Bass Island Access, Hamilton County Park, southside of Newtown Road Bridge just S of intersection with US-50 about 2 miles E of Mariemont, access river left, nominal fee.
GPS –  N 39^o 08.226   W 84^o 21.282
Parking Lot
Restrooms
Picnicking
 

6.9 Norfolk and Western Railroad Bridge
 

3.5 SR-125 (Beechmont Ave.) Bridge
GPS –  N 39^o 06.561   W 84^o 24.092

Sign under bridge states 3.3 mile
 

1.5 Magrish Recreation Center Access at US-52 (Kellogg Ave.) Bridge just S of Cincinnati Municipal Airport (Lunken Field). Take Canoe Lane to parking lot, access river left.
GPS –  N 39^o 05.132   W 84^o 25.262
Parking Lot
Restrooms
Picnicking
Water

Sign under bridge states 0.9 mile. This is the last public take-out point on the river. Harbor Towne Yacht Club and Shelter Cove Marina (private) 0.25 mile S of Magrish Recreation Center, access river left with permission, River Mile 1.2
 

0.0 Mouth of Little Miami River where it empties into the Ohio River
GPS –  N 39^o 04.680   W 84^o 25.910

Four Seasons Marina on Ohio River, US-52 (Kellogg Ave.) just S of Cincinnati Municipal Airport (Lunken Field), just W of Kellogg Ave. Park.  Fuel Dock river right 0.75 mile downriver from confluence with Little Miami River. GPS -  N 39^o 05.244   W 84^o 25.868, access with permission. It is dangerous to canoe on the Ohio River due to large waves from watercraft (e.g. barges)