U.S. Army Corps Of Engineers, Kokosing Dam, created the 154 acre North Branch Kokosing River Lake, which is located 1.5 miles northwest of Fredericktown, Ohio. The Kokosing Dam, completed in 1972, was created to provide flood control to the region and creates recreational lands and wildlife habitat. The dam is an earth fill and rip rap rock structure with an impervious waterproof core, and an unregulated outlet. This means that inflow and outflow is usually equal, except when inflow exceeds the capacity of the outflow structure, causing water to back up into the lake and prevent downstream flooding. North Branch Kokosing River Lake recreation and wilderness areas are open all year round.
The Corps lake has a campground run by a local municipal recreation association that accommodates overnight RV camping. The Kokosing Lake Campground provides lakefront campsites, a boat launch, restrooms, and a picnic area. The lake supports recreational fishing and boating and is limited to 10hp motors or less.
Rent an RV to take advantage of the lakeside campground and amenities and explore the area at Ohio RV Rentals. While enjoying the North Branch Kokosing River Lake, you can also visit nearby state parks, Malabar Farm State Park and Mohican State Park, both approximately a ½ hour drive away.
Just 1.45 miles northwest of the town of Fredericktown, Ohio, and a 15-minute drive from Mount Vernon, Ohio, visitors will find the North Branch Kokosing River Lake. Traveling from the nearby town of Fredericktown, you can access the dam by traveling State Route 13 north to Waterford Road. Continue north on Waterford Road for about two miles. The dam is located on the east side of Waterford Road, and accessible by an unnamed, paved access road. There are no recreational amenities at the dam site, but there is a small paved parking lot that does not accommodate tow vehicles or large RVs.
To access the Kokosing Lake Campground where picnic areas and a boat launch are located, on the west shore of the lake, continue up Waterford Road to the access road on the right, just over ½ mile north of the dam.
Roads in the campground are gravel and subject to weather conditions. Access roads and highways are paved and can be traversed in wet or dry weather by RVs and tow vehicles without encountering muddy or dusty conditions. Ohio winters do produce sub-freezing weather, snow, sleet, and freezing rain, which can make even paved surfaces treacherous. RVs and tow vehicles are particularly susceptible to icy surfaces. Winter tires and cautious braking and turning will provide more control when inclement winter weather impairs traction.
The Kokosing Lake campground is managed by the Fredericktown Recreation District, a municipally funded organization on the west shores of North Branch Kokosing River Lake, and provides 48 campsites for overnight camping that can accommodate medium to large RV units. The campground has a public picnic area and a two-lane concrete boat launch located on-site. Most sites have 30 amp electric hookups, and there are water sources available in the campground. Water sources are not in operation during the winter months.
Amenities at the campground include an RV dump site, showers, restrooms with flush toilets and baby changing stations, vault toilets and a playground. Facilities are ADA accessible, and pets are permitted. The campground center has ice, snacks, and firewood for sale. Campsites are located in an open area along the lakeshore with mowed grass and gravel accesses and have picnic tables and fire rings available at each spot.
Motorboats on North Branch Kokosing River Lake are limited to idle speed and 10 hp motors or less. Car top, human-powered watercraft are permitted on the lake. The lake provides 154 acres of surface, but is shallow, with an average depth of 6.5 feet. The Kokosing Lake Campground site has a concrete, two-lane boat ramp, past the picnic area where a large lighted parking lot that accommodates vehicle and boat trailers is situated. Please note, due to the shallow water and hazards like submerged tree stumps, boaters should proceed with caution on the lake and ensure they have life preservers for all passengers on board.
Game fish available in the 154 acre North Branch Kokosing River Lake include northern pike, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, crappie, bluegill, channel catfish, and bullhead. The composition of the lake bottom, which includes cover from deadfall and tree stumps, creates an excellent habitat for sport fish. You can fish from the shoreline or the lake surface on small motor boars at low speed but must have a valid State of Ohio fishing license, and obey rules and regulations.
There are individual and group picnic sites available at the Kokosing Lake Campground near the boat launch. A large, lighted parking lot located here accommodates boat tow vehicles and RVs. Amenities at the site include picnic tables, cookers, garbage cans, a water fountain, and a vault style restroom with no running water. The site is open all year round. However, outdoor meals are best enjoyed in the warmer summer months or late spring and early fall.
Enjoy spectacular fall colors while hiking in the area. Although there are no developed trails at the lake’s recreation areas, visitors enjoy walking across the top of the dam and around the campground. The Kokosing Wildlife area to the north of the lake has natural trails for hiking, and there are excellent hiking trails in state parks about ½ an hour's drive northeast. These include the Lyons Falls Hiking Trail and Mohican State Park Hiking Trails. South of the lake, in Mount Vernon, the 14 miles Kokosing Gap Hiking Trail is a beautiful, paved multi-use trail along an old rail line. Cooler autumn temperatures are less strenuous for hiking, and there are fewer biting insects.
The Ohio Division of Natural Resources leases large portions of the lands around North Branch Kokosing River Lake for fish and wildlife management. The ODNR manages the 154-acre lake, and 959 acres of public hunting area around and extending to the north of the lake. The hunting grounds are woodland and open agricultural areas that provide cover and food for white-tailed deer, grouse, rabbits, and waterfowl. Hunting in season occurs during recreational off-seasons. Make sure you obey all rules and regulations and have necessary permits and licenses for the State of Ohio.
A short 20-minute drive north of the lake, a winter resort which offers downhill skiing, snowboarding, and snow tubing is within easy reach of the Kokosing COE Lake site. The resort is located in the Possum Run Valley, which is known for having colder temperatures which aides in making and maintaining snow on the recreational runs situated here. Beginner areas, rentals, and indoor facilities where you can warm up and grab a meal make this an excellent nearby venue to enjoy Ohio winter fun.
