The Ohio and Erie Canal comes to life in Coshocton County as history to see and experience. Historic Roscoe Village is a restored 19th-century village that was once a busy canal port. At Triple Locks Park, visitors can walk into part of the canal bed and see the masonry of the restored locks. The seasonal, horse-drawn canal boat Monticello III offers a different perspective: the 45-minute ride travels more than a mile along a restored section of the original canal and includes commentary on life on the canal. Check the boat’s operating dates before your trip.
Garden Trails and Expansive Waters
Clary Gardens combines botanical diversity with a variety of landscape features. The 20-acre botanical garden includes rolling hills, a woodland trail, sandstone outcrops and ponds, as well as native and exotic plants. A Storybook Trail runs between the garden paths and natural landscape features. Botanical discoveries and a walk through the garden come together here, without having to focus on just one theme.
At Wills Creek, the scale shifts: the area lies south of Coshocton, is accessible via Routes 83 and 93, and includes 900 acres of water and 2,830 acres of land. Wills Creek offers hunting and fishing opportunities in Coshocton and Muskingum Counties. The Conesville and Simco Wildlife Area offers a different focus: it has more than 100 lakes and ponds for fishing, as well as an area with bridle trails.
Trails, Water and Activity
For a range of activities, Lake Park Recreation Complex offers walking and biking paths, hiking trails, fishing opportunities, camping, an Aquatic Center and a playground. Check which facilities are open before your trip. The Three Rivers Bikeway adds 1.2 miles of paved trail to the Towpath Trail in Lake Park and connects downtown Coshocton with the Lake Park District. The bikeway adds a paved section to the Towpath Trail; Lake Park Recreation Complex also includes other trails and amenities.
The Coshocton Ring Trail offers a different way to explore a route, with a free, family-friendly geocaching activity. It is available year-round and includes 45 caches in the county. Since the number of caches can change, it’s worth checking the latest trail details in advance. The Three Rivers Ride, meanwhile, offers 105 miles of unpaved roads throughout Coshocton County for drivers and motorcyclists. The Three Rivers Ride is for drivers and motorcyclists; biking trails are available at Lake Park Recreation Complex.
Regional History at the Museum
The Historic Ohio exhibit at the Johnson-Humrickhouse Museum covers the history of the Coshocton region, from its first contact with Indigenous peoples through the 1860s. The Native American Exhibit includes prehistoric tools and projectile points found directly in Coshocton County. It is on view year-round; its contents may change following future renovations.
The museum also offers an interactive cave experience for young explorers. Modeled on Nicholas Miller’s cave shelter, it includes hides, games and hands-on tools. Alongside exhibits featuring regional collection pieces, this experience also focuses on hands-on elements.
Landmarks, Memorials and Theater
Helmick Covered Bridge was built in 1863 and restored in 1996. Coshocton County Courthouse was built by county residents in 1875. Each structure links its date to a different chapter of local history. The Coal Miners Memorial honors all coal miners, their families and the companies involved in past and present phases of coal mining in Coshocton County, Ohio.
The 65-foot-tall Gospel Hill Lighthouse was built by Gospel Hill Ministries and is considered the largest inland lighthouse in the country. It stands on a hill along County Road 24, overlooking the surrounding valleys and woods. The lighthouse is open Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.; visits outside these hours are available by appointment, and admission is free. Check opening hours before your trip. For the performing arts, Triple Locks Theater in Historic Roscoe Village offers music and theater performances year-round. Individual productions and dates vary.
Festivals, Cheese and a Route Through Wine Country
The Coshocton County Fair has been a local tradition since 1851. It features agricultural exhibits, livestock barns, traditional racing programs, evening entertainment and a midway. Check the annual dates and program if you want to plan your visit around the fair. The free, family-friendly Coshocton County Fall Foliage & Farm Tour is scheduled for October 17 and 18, 2026. Held annually, this self-guided tour combines agricultural themes with fall colors; check for future details before your trip.
The Apple Butter Stirrin’ Festival is scheduled for October 16–18, 2026. It features copper kettles of simmering applesauce, live music, children’s activities, and arts, crafts and food vendors. Check the program details before your trip. At Pearl Valley Cheese, visitors can watch cheesemaking on weekday mornings and sample different varieties of Pearl Valley cheese before buying. Since weekday access details may change, it’s a good idea to confirm them before your visit.
The Three Rivers Wine Trail stretches for 60 miles; driving from one end to the other takes about an hour.
Discover more destinations: Coshocton, Guernsey, Gallia County, Pike County, Clark, Warren, Lawrence, Stark.
For the main travel overview: Ohio.
