Destinations and Stops Along the Way

08/19/07

The Ohio River

Help...  Our experience with these locations is dated back to 2001.  If you have more current information, please send it to us via the "Feedback" page.

The notes below are our thoughts on marina's, fuel stops, and restaurants we're familiar with from Franklin Furnace, Ohio to the Smithland Dam in Hamletsburg, Illinois.  We've only included those we've personally had experience with.  If you have thoughts/advice to add, email us and we'll include them.  Let us know if we can display your name with the comments you provide.

RDB = Right Descending Bank, LDB = Left Descending Bank

Note:  Make sure you click on the pictures of the Marinas for a link to their web sites.

Mile 339 RDB  Holiday Point Marina - Franklin Furnace, Ohio.  This is a nice marina, off the river in a protected creek.  We stayed here for a few days in October, 2002.  I had injured my calf when we were locking at Greenup Dam and radioed Holiday Point to inquire if there was an urgent care facility nearby.  When we arrived at their dock, there were several people there to help tie the boat and a couple spending the winter there in a houseboat drove us to town to the urgent care.  Check out the restaurant.  Huge portions and excellent food.  Update 2004!!  They have made a few improvements, and have a new web address.  They added a pump-out station at the fuel dock.  They also now sell snacks, drinks and ice from their fuel dock office.  The cafe is still there with new items on the menu.  The cafe is only open seasonally and on the weekends, since that is the prime boating time.   Try Holiday Point for a weekend or a week.  Great people and great service!

Mile 363 RDB  Shawnee State Park Marina - West Portsmouth, Ohio.  Good stopping point.  Shawnee State Park golf course is up the hill.  Apparently many people find Indian artifacts (arrow heads, etc.) along the river here.  The harbor is protected, off river with electric and water hookups and fuel.  From Theresa F. (June 2007) IF YOU CALL AHEAD AND GET A ROOM AT THE SHAWNEE STATE PARK LODGE THEY WILL GIVE YOU FREE SHUTTLE FROM THE MARINA AND BACK.

Mile 423.7 RDB  White Oak Creek Marina - Higginsport, Ohio.  Off river with good transient facilities, fuel, small store, etc.   The river in this area is especially nice and there are a number of attractions for boaters.  Click on the marina picture for a link to Higginsport's main page.

Mile 464 RDB  Four Seasons Marina - Cincinnati, Ohio.  This was our home marina on the Ohio River.  We were very happy with the facilities, upkeep and services.  There are 3 restaurants, one that's open air with live music in the evenings.  A swimming pool, sand volleyball courts, laundry and shower facilities, fuel and pump out services, etc.

Mile 467 LDB  Watertown Yacht Club - Dayton, Kentucky.  We used to have a slip here but moved to Four Seasons.  Depth can get pretty low in both the entrance and in some slips.

Update March 2007  Chris and Michelle of Infinity sent the following:  "They are working like crazy on the whole marina. They have dredged everything over the winter (they even moved out the head boat and the reef). There are new restaurants going in and the whole place seams to be going through a revitalization. Just thought you should know."
 

Mile 470.5 LDB  Mike Fink's Restaurant - Covington, Kentucky.  Great food and a good view of the new Reds ballpark.  No radio but you can call them on a cell phone at (606) 261-4212.  Good padding on the dock.

Mile 493 RDB  Captain Mike's Riverwatch Floating Restaurant and Bar, Lawrenceburg Indiana. 

Mile 498.7 RDB  Lighthouse Point Yacht Club - Aurora, Indiana.   Our good friends Frank and Diane give this marina rave reviews.  Sitting off the river in a protected basin, they have 12 feet of water at the end of their covered slip.  Diane says the marina is extremely well kept and the facilities are always clean.   Frank tells me that because of the way the marina is protected by the river, they never have issues with debris and Deb and I can vouch for the fact that the river is very nice in that area. 

Mile 529 RDB  Turtle Creek Harbor - Florence, Indiana.   We tried this marina for 4 nights (June 2003).  It's owned and operated by two of the nicest people you'll meet on the Ohio River.  They are in a protected harbor formed by Turtle Creek.  They have both gas and diesel fuel, a pump out station, power and water at the slips, a couple of shelter houses, and showers and rest rooms.  The owners, Bob and Agnes Wheeler advertise this as "the most beautiful place on the Ohio River", and we have to agree it's certainly one of them.  Check out our trip photos in the boats and trips section under our Doral or just click on this picture to be sent there.  If you have a dinghy, you can get under the highway bridge and up Turtle Creek like we did.  Early one morning we saw a Doe and Fawn swimming across the Creek.  Just beautiful.  This marina is worth the weekend trip from Cincinnati or Louisville.  If you go, tell them Jeff and Debbie of the Get~Aweigh II  said hello!  For reservations call them at (812) 594-2387.

Mile 530 LDB  Smuggler's Cove - Warsaw, Kentucky.  This update from Jennifer S. (June 2007)  Dan's Marina is under new ownership and is now called Smuggler's Cove. They have made many improvements, including remodeling the restaurant (good food), constructed a small ship store, cleaned up the camping areas and have also added watercraft rentals as well. If you haven't been there in a while it is worth the trip as you will be surprised at how different and how much nicer the area is now. (P.S. owners of Everything But Water in Indy are who purchased this and changed it into Smuggler's Cove about 2 years ago.).  And from Theresa F. (June 2007) NOW CALLED SMUGGLER'S COVE. PH 859-567-7601 FAX 859-567-7600 SMUGGLERSCOVEMARINA.COM WE STAYED HERE ON OUR WAY TO LOUISVILLE AND ALSO ON THE WAY BACK. RESTAURANT/BAR ACROSS THE ROAD HAS VERY GOOD INEXPENSIVE FOOD. 

Our original comments when it was Dan's Marina:  Good fuel stop before locking through Markland.  Also a good transient  stop.  There is a nearby NASCAR track, Belterra riverboat casino, and good boating areas.  Watch for some shallow water areas after you come under the highway bridge.  Best bet is to stay to the left and go straight to the fuel docks.  Slip registration is across the highway at the main office.  Clean and well run.

Mile 559 RDB  Rivercrest Marina - Madison, Indiana.  This marina provides off river slips in a protected harbor.  Fuel, electric, water are available.  It provides one of the best transient stops between Markland and Louisville.  This update from the Crew of the Coconutz. (July 2007)  We would like to thank you for a great site with much needed information. It helped us in constructing our plan for a great trip. We went down river from Cincinnati, Ohio to Madison, Indiana for the 2007 Madison Regatta. It was a fantastic run with fantastic views and great water. We locked thru Markland without waiting more than 10 minutes each way. We tied up at Rivercrest for four days during the Regatta weekend and had a great time. The marina is shallow and silts up very bad so you need to be watch your depth close when you come in or out of the harbor. They have added new showers and restrooms that make your stay much more pleasant. The owners also provided a shuttle bus to run us to the race or to town as needed. The marina is only staffed on the weekend so call ahead for a slip. The fuel pumps will take a credit card so they can be used 24/7. The phone number for Rivercrest is 1-888-240-6900 and 812-265-5285. The local taxi service, Hilltop Taxi, phone number is 812-265-3337. Thanks again for the great info. The crew of the "Coconutz" . Live life go boating!

Mile 590 LDB  Heather's on the River - Prospect, Kentucky.  We spent the night here a few years ago on our way to Kentucky Lake.  They're a fuel dock and restaurant located on the river.  They offer some transient docking on the inside of their barge with power and water.  It was surprisingly quiet and calm considering it was a Saturday night and the restaurant was busy but after dark the river traffic was minimal and we had a good stay.  Click the logo to the right.  They have a good web page with all the details. 

Update July 2007 from Ed:  I am sending you this note for the up-date information in reference to marina's on the Ohio River.  We took a trip down river starting from Four Season's Marina and went to Louisville the week of 7-14-07. We stayed at Heathers on the River the first night.  When we arrived the only thing they had to offer was gas and over night dockage.  The restaurant and Tiki Bar are closed.  The nearest restaurant by land is approximately 5 miles away.  I would recommend the public docking in downtown Louisville.  From the public docks you can walk to some restaurants.  From what I understand the public docking is free of charge.  One thing to keep in mind is the public has access to your boat.  Docking overnight at Heather's on the River the gate on the over head bridge from the shore to the docks can be locked at night.  This will block public access.

Mile 600.5 RDB  Kayrouz Marina - Jeffersonville, Indiana.  Update April 2007 from Mark:  Kayrouz Marina in Jeffersonville, IN has closed. It has been bought and is re-opening under the name Marina Belle Rio. There are NO facilities there now and it looks like it will be at least a year before something gets going. Happy boating...

Mile 646 LDB  Brandenburg Marina - Brandenburg, Kentucky.  This is primarily a fuel stop but like Heather's offers limited transient docking with power and water hookups.  These folks are nice, helpful and go out of their way to make you feel welcome.  Convenient fuel stop between Louisville and Owensboro.  Update from Laura N. The Brandenburg Marina has not been open this year (2006). I think they may have had a fire on board last year. The boat ramp is open though. The next fuel after Jeffersonville is Leavenworth, IN approx. 15 miles down river from Brandenburg.

Mile 719 RDB  Rocky Point Marina and Campground - Cannelton, Indiana.     New Comment from Pat:  when I went to rocky point it was great. I had ice brought right to my boat for my cooler. I had water and electric. I also got a fuel tank of gas. Friendly atmosphere. This is a great spot just to get away. You can dock over night. They now have food there so you can get all kinds of assorted foods. Chicken and Pizza. Rocky Point was recently remodeled and it is no longer like it used to be you have what ever you want and you have friend customer service. it is great. i loved it there. I think anyone who just wants to sit back and relax and listen to the waves splashing up against the boat. Rocky Point is a great place. 

Got this update from Jared...  First of all I would like to say that I really enjoy your website and all of the useful information that you have posted. I would like to give you some new feedback on Rocky Point Marina in Cannelton.  It has just recently been re-purchased and has undergone some major changes.  The store has completely been re-modeled, all new docks have been placed at the mouth of Deer creek with water and electric hookups, the gravel area around the boat ramp has all been paved, and a boat dealership, service shop has been opened in a big brand new building.  In the store you can get pizza and chicken now, with a new restaurant currently being completed. Also 2 new air conditioned portable cabins have been added by the fuel barge and dock slips able to sleep 4 people each. A stage has just been completed overlooking the river for live music. liked your website and thought that I would give you some updates on the marina. thanks.  So that's two recent (09/2004) favorable comments on Rocky Point.  Glad to hear of the improvements.  I've removed my earlier criticisms.

Mile 757 LDB  Executive Marina of Owensboro - Owensboro, Kentucky.  This is a nice overnight stop.  The Executive Inn is on the hill above and offers both hotel accommodations as well as a nice restaurant and entertainment.  The people who own and run the marina are very helpful and courteous.  New Info!!  Dave Howerton who owns and runs the marina is adding fuel service and more transient slips for those of us passing through.  These are great folks and this is a convenient place to spend the night or a few days.  If you stop by, please be sure to tell them Jeff and Deb of the Get~Aweigh II said hi!  To contact them, telephone (270) 748-2842.

Mile 765.5 RDB  French Island Marina and Boat Club - Rockport, Indiana.  This is a private boat club that offers some docking space for transients complete with power and water hookups.  They have fuel and some limited food service.  The docks are new and they're tucked in behind the French Islands so you're in a fairly calm area of the river.

Mile 797 RDB  NU Plaza Yacht Club - Evansville, Indiana.  Good fuel stop.  Behind Dutch Island.  Come in from the lower end of the island. 

Mile 889 RDB  E-Town River Restaurant and Fuel Dock - Cave In Rock, Illinois.  Quimby's is wrong on this one.  No fuel.  So if you're Northbound and need fuel, the next stop is 90 miles away at NU Plaza. 

Mile 902 RDB  Golconda Marina - Golconda, Illinois.  Just as the ad says, this is an Oasis on the Ohio.  The river is really nice from Cave In Rock to here and the marina is full service.  Great slips, some transient slips are covered, a small store, etc.  The local pizza store delivers to the marina.

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This site was last updated 08/19/07