Free camping on the Muskingum River draws a certain kind of camper to Luke Chute Lock #5, a drive-in site managed by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources within Muskingum Lock & Dam 5 State Park. It costs nothing to stay. Pets are welcome, and alcohol is permitted, which keeps the rules light for those pulling in after a day on the water. Campers looking for places to camp near Muskingum Lock & Dam 5 State Park will find this site sits close to the river itself, making it a reasonable base for anglers or anyone following the Muskingum corridor through Waterford.
Description
Sites 1 and 2 are for RVs
The lock keeper will ask you to fill out a form to stay but it is free to camp. The lock keeper also can turn on water if requested.
The locks help boats safely bypass ten dams on the Muskingum River from Zanesville south to the Ohio River at Marietta. These locks are operated at no charge for recreational boats. Ten of the eleven locks still function— the northernmost lock, Ellis #11, is no longer in operation but offers a campground. The remaining locks have a variety of amenities and many communities along the Muskingum River offer recreational and sight-seeing opportunities for boaters and non-boaters alike. Visitors may enjoy watching the river from the park's picnic shelter south of Lock #7 on State Route 376.
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsLuke Chute Lock #5 is located in Ohio near Clifton
Address
1144 Luke Chute Road
Waterford, OH
Coordinates
39.53728772969364 N
81.72062264786362 W
Connectivity
T-MobileNo Coverage
VerizonLTESome CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 7/29/26
AT&T5GGood Coverage
Connectivity
- T-MobileNo Coverage
- VerizonLTESome CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 7/29/26
- AT&T5GGood Coverage
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
Features
For Campers
- Alcohol
- Pets
FREE established camping
Enjoy camping on government land. Limited or no services at this camping area.
PERMIT might be REQUIRED
We curate permit requirements across the US for our PRO members. Try PRO to see if Luke Chute Lock #5 — Muskingum River State Park needs a permit.
Drive Time
- 42 min from Parkersburg, WV
- 1 hr 34 min from Wheeling, WV
- 1 hr 37 min from Columbus, OH
