EXPLORE
Monticello III Canal Boat Ride
Memorial Day Weekend through October 18
Friday–Sunday
(Weekends only after Labor Day)
Experience the Ohio & Erie Canal from the Water
Ride a horse-drawn canal boat along a working section of the Ohio & Erie Canal. One of the few places in Ohio where you can still do this.
On your 45-minute ride, a captain will spin tales of canal life, including a little something called “canal rage”, while two draft horses named Diesel and Tim do the work.
Plan Your Visit
- Location: Canal Boat Landing, Lake Park (minutes from Roscoe Village)
- Duration: ~45 minutes
- Season: Memorial Day Weekend (Fri-Sun and Memorial Day) through October 18
- Days: Friday–Sunday (after Labor Day: weekends only)
- Departures: 1:00 • 2:00 • 3:00 • 4:00
Arrive 15 minutes early. Weekend rides fill quickly.
Step Aboard
The Monticello III is a working historic canal boat pulled by draft horses along the towpath, exactly as it was done in the 1830s.
The ride runs about a mile along the canal and back, covered, comfortable, and open to all ages. Ohio’s canal once stretched more than 308 miles across the state through 146 hand-built locks. An engineering phenomenon of its era, dug entirely by hand and completed in 1832. It moved people and goods across the region and helped transform Ohio into the third most populated state in the nation by 1850.
Most of Ohio’s canal system today is trails and dry land. Historic Roscoe Village is one of the few places where it still operates on the water.
Before or after your ride, explore beautiful Lake Park on foot. Walk the towpath, take in the scenery, and discover the remnants of Locks 26 and 27.
Your canal boat captain brings the history to life — how the boats moved, how crews lived, and what it really meant to build and ride the canal.
Make It a Better Visit with the Canal Experience
The canal boat shows you how it felt to travel the canal.
The Canal Town Discovery Walk shows you how the village worked, through the buildings, trades, and people who made the canal possible. This self-guided tour opens the doors to nine historic spaces, including live Blacksmith demonstrations and a canal-lock model.
Do both, and it all connects.
Themed Rides & Special Experiences
- Sunset rides
- Lantern light rides in the fall
- Youth-focused educational rides
Check current offerings when booking
School & Youth Programs
Group rate: $250 per ride
Hands-on educational programming designed for school groups and youth organizations.
Students experience how the canal system worked on the water, while learning about transportation, trade, and daily life in the 1800s.
Group rate: $250 per ride
Private Charters
Prices Vary
Reserve the boat for:
- Corporate and team outings
- Family celebrations
- Donor and community gatherings
Charters run for 45 to 60-minute ride.
Celebrate America 250 with us!
FREE Canal Boat Rides on Sunday, July 19th to celebrate America 250.
The Monticello III has carried more than 300,000 passengers since 1990.
Ongoing restoration keeps the boat operating and preserves this experience for the future. Major restoration is scheduled for Fall of 2026.
Every ticket supports that work. This is a legacy project, please consider supporting.
- Adult Canal Boat Ride | $10 per person
- Senior Canal Boat Ride | $9 per person (Ages 60 +)
- Student Canal Boat Ride | $8 per person (Ages 6-18)
- Children Canal Boat Ride | FREE (Ages 5 & Under)
- Adult Canal Experience | $23 per person
- Senior Canal Experience | $21 per person (Ages 60 +)
- Student Canal Experience | $18 per person (Ages 6-18)
- Children Canal Experience | FREE (Ages 5 & Under)
IMPORTANT NOTE: Please complete your Discovery Walk by 3:15 PM if you have reserved the 4 PM Boat Ride for the Canal Boat Experience.
Canal Boat Landing – Lake Park
23140 State Route 83 North
Coshocton, Ohio
Free parking • Restrooms on site • Accessible (call ahead)
Ride a Piece of History
Spots are limited. Reserve your spot today.
*A small per-ticket booking fee is added at check-out to help cover ticketing costs.