Is Ellis Lock #11 Campground first-come first-served or reservation?

Ellis Lock #11 Campground accepts online reservations. We recommend booking in advance, especially during peak season (typically summer weekends). Use campsite alerts to get notified when spots become available.

Can I see photos of campsites at Ellis Lock #11 Campground before I book?

Yes! Ellis Lock #11 Campground has 10 campsite photos on Outdoorithm, contributed by campers who've stayed there. Browse real photos of individual sites to see what to expect before you reserve. You can also add your own photos after your trip to help the next family plan theirs.

What is the best time to visit Ellis Lock #11 Campground?

Ellis Lock #11 Campground is open Camping at closes for the winter season, Nov 1- Mar 31 each year.. The best time to visit depends on your preferences—summer offers the warmest weather and most activities, while spring and fall provide fewer crowds and milder temperatures. Check current conditions before your trip.

Are there showers at Ellis Lock #11 Campground?

Ellis Lock #11 Campground does not have shower facilities. Plan accordingly—nearby alternatives may include day-use areas or towns.

How many campsites does Ellis Lock #11 Campground have?

Ellis Lock #11 Campground has 20 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Check availability online to find the best site for your needs.

Are dogs allowed at Ellis Lock #11 Campground?

Yes, pets are allowed at Ellis Lock #11 Campground. Dogs must typically be kept on a leash (usually 6 feet or shorter) and under control at all times. Be sure to clean up after your pet and check for any breed or size restrictions.

What amenities are available at Ellis Lock #11 Campground?

Ellis Lock #11 Campground offers: Pets Allowed. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at Ellis Lock #11 Campground?

Popular activities at Ellis Lock #11 Campground include Hiking, Fishing, Biking, Boating, Wildlife Viewing. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Ellis Lock #11 Campground

3.23

11 reviews

Zanesville, OH (no street address found on listed sources)

CReport Card

Featured in:Best Campgrounds Ohio

Quick Facts

Price

Varies

Booking

Reservable

Sites

20 campsites

Season

Camping at closes fo...

Cell

No Service

Pets

Pets Allowed

Book on Ohio State Parks (Ohio Department of Natural Resources)Official Website

Get Directions

Quick Facts

Price

Varies

Booking

Reservable

Sites

20 campsites

Season

Camping at closes fo...

Cell

No Service

Pets

Pets Allowed

Book on Ohio State Parks (Ohio Department of Natural Resources)Official Website

Get Directions

Ellis Lock #11 Campground

No fees available

Campsite Fees

No campsite fee categories listed.

Get Notified When Available

We'll monitor this campground and alert you the moment sites become available.

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Ohio State Parks

Provider

(866) 644-6727

I manage this campground

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Campground Map

Zanesville, OH (no street address found on listed sources)

Ellis Lock #11 Campground

Zanesville, OH (no street address found on listed sources)

Nearby places

Zanesville (nearest city)

other Muskingum River corridor towns include Dresden and Marietta.

Nearby supplies

Zanesville (nearest city for full services and supplies)

Weather at Ellis Lock #11 Campground

Best Time to Camp at Ellis Lock #11 Campground

Spring through early fall brings Ellis Lock to life—wildflowers carpet the forest floor, frogs and toads fill evenings with their chorus, and the historic lock operates for passing boaters. Summer days are warm and perfect for riverside relaxation, though you'll want bug spray for those mosquito-heavy evenings near the wetlands. Winter transforms the campground into a quiet retreat, but check river conditions before planning a cold-weather visit, as access can be limited.

Best

Spring(Mar-May)

4.0 / 5

Spring wildflowers, frogs and lock activity enliven the river corridor; good seasonality.

Planning Tips

Operating Season: Camping at closes for the winter season, Nov 1- Mar 31 each year.

About Ellis Lock #11 Campground

Nestled along the banks of the Muskingum River, Ellis Lock #11 Campground invites you to step back in time at a working historic lock and dam. This peaceful primitive camp is a riverside haven where anglers cast their lines, wildlife watchers settle in at dawn, and the gentle rhythm of the river sets the pace for your stay.

Primitive lock-site camping within the Muskingum River Parkway (river-accessible lock sites).

Historical Significance

The Muskingum River corridor is part of the Muskingum River Navigation Historic District and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places for its series of hand-operated locks and dams. Lock #11 (Ellis) is one of the historic locks that contributes to this 19th-century navigation system and is a focal point for visitors interested in canal-era engineering and lock-through experiences.

Weather and SeasonsSpring through early fall brings Ellis Lock to life—wildflowers carpet the forest floor, frogs and toads fill evenings with their chorus, and the historic lock operates for passing boaters. Summer days are warm and perfect for riverside relaxation, though you'll want bug spray for those mosquito-heavy evenings near the wetlands. Winter transforms the campground into a quiet retreat, but check river conditions before planning a cold-weather visit, as access can be limited.

Natural Features and SceneryTowering sycamores, walnuts, and cottonwoods frame your riverside camp, their branches arching over dense pawpaw thickets that hug the shoreline. The Muskingum's waters teem with life—from sport fish that draw anglers year after year to rare freshwater mussels hidden in the river bottom. Birdwatchers will find themselves rewarded throughout the day as herons stalk the shallows, songbirds flit through the canopy, and deer emerge from the low rolling hills that embrace the floodplain.

Geological RegionMuskingum River floodplain in the Appalachian foothills / low, rolling hill country

Scenic ViewsMany campsites are adjacent to or overlook the Muskingum River and provide direct or near-direct views of Lock #11 and the dam. The nearby Muskingum Recreational Trail and river corridor offer views of rock formations, wetlands and river wildlife.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Tents

Tents are not allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are not allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Reservation PlatformsOhio DNR reservations (UseDirect) / by phone (866) 644-6727

Total Campsites20 campsites

Best CampsitesNo authoritative source lists preferred site numbers. In general, sites closest to the river offer the best views; tree-covered sites provide more shade and privacy where available.

Need help booking Ellis Lock #11 Campground?

Reservation tips, booking windows, and free cancellation alerts.

Ohio State Parks Guide

Booking tips & windows

When to Book

Find your booking window

Cancellation Alerts

Free alerts for this campground

Amenities available

19 primitive sites (no electric) Water, picnic tables, fire rings and latrines are provided Pets are permitted

Fire rings

I manage this campground

Activities you can enjoy

Riverside primitive camping focused on boating, fishing, wildlife viewing, and trail-based recreation along the Muskingum River corridor and Muskingum Recreational Trail.

Hiking

Fishing

Biking

Boating

Wildlife viewing

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsMosquitoes can be heavy in spring and summer near the river and wetlands. Boaters should be cautious: some reaches of the Muskingum (including the channel approaching Ellis) are reported as unmarked and can be difficult to navigate without local charts or guidance.

No Potable WaterThis campground does not have potable water on-site. Bring all the water you need for drinking, cooking, and cleaning.

No Cell ServiceCell phone service is not available at this campground. Plan accordingly for emergencies and download offline maps before arriving.

No Flush ToiletsFlush toilets are not available at this campground. Expect vault or pit toilets only.

No Electric HookupsElectric hookups are not available at this campground. RV campers should arrive with a full battery and plan for off-grid power (generator hours/quiet rules permitting).

No Water HookupsSite-level water hookups are not available. RV campers should fill freshwater tanks before arrival; check the No Potable Water note above if applicable for drinking water.

No Dump StationThere is no dump station at this campground. Plan to use a dump station along your route or at a nearby facility before or after your stay.

Trip Planning Tools

Set an AlertGet notified when sites open up Check WeatherHistorical weather data Gear for This TripMatched gear recommendations Packing ListCustomizable checklist

Questions & answers

Researching this campground? Ask anything — other campers and our team will weigh in. No visit required.

Tips from campers

Short heads-ups about the road in, gear quirks, timing, and more. You don't have to have been here to share what you know.

Reviews

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From Booking Sources

3.2

11 reviews

Mixed Reviews

Ellis Lock #11 Campground has mixed reviews, placing it in the bottom 85% of campgrounds based on reviews

Visitor sentiment is mixed-to-positive: many reviewers praise the scenic riverside setting, historic hand-operated Lock 11, and quiet atmosphere; common criticisms focus on very limited amenities, restroom closures/port-a-pots, mosquitoes, and the small size of the campground.

Review Summaries

Based on 11 reviews

What Campers Love

Scenic river and lock views; historic working lock experience; quiet, low-use campground with good wildlife viewing and opportunities for boating and fishing.

Based on 11 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Expect primitive conditions: bring your own water, supplies, insect repellent, and pack out trash. Confirm current restroom and water availability with Ohio DNR before arrival. Boat/paddle users...

Based on 11 reviews

Camper Quotes

“Small but historical and scenic park.”; “No water, electric, or dump.”; “Great place to listen to nature.”

Based on 11 reviews

Outdoorithm Community

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Ellis Lock #11 Campground

No fees available

Campsite Fees

No campsite fee categories listed.

Get Notified When Available

We'll monitor this campground and alert you the moment sites become available.

Free to start · paid plans add 2-min scans

256,000+ sites monitored · Email alerts to start; SMS and in-app with an account

Learn more about alerts →

Share this campground

Ohio State Parks

Provider

(866) 644-6727

Go if

Tent campers who haul their own water and want direct river access for fishing or paddling will get the most from this place. The historic hand-operated lock is genuinely worth seeing, and low-traffic evenings here are hard to beat for wildlife.

Skip if

No hookups, no dump station, and reviewers report restrooms sometimes reduced to porta-pots. Confirm water availability with Ohio DNR before you leave home, and pack serious bug spray for anything May through August near the wetlands.

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Campgrounds

Muskingum River State Park

Ellis Lock #11 Campground

Camper Report Card

How campers graded it

Rated higher than 30% of graded campgrounds

Graded on what 71 campers actually wrote - graded on 14 things that make or break a trip. Each topic is graded against every other campground on it - A is among the best, C about average. No star ratings.

Strengths

Grade A+.Value
Grade A.Belonging
Grade A.Safety

Watch-outs

Grade C-.Getting there
Grade C-.Booking
Grade C-.Cleanliness

Every grade - tap to see what campers said

Each topic is graded against every other campground on it; a topic campers liked never grades below C−. ± shows the 95% confidence range from the sample size.

How we grade →See how Ohio grades overall

About Ohio River - McAlpine Pool

Context for the broader area surrounding Ellis Lock #11 Campground, sourced from the federal Recreation.gov rec-area record.

Provides a navigational channel between Louisville and Cincinnati that is an integral part of Ohio River navigation.

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