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Mill Creek Public Access

The Mill Creek runs 28.4 miles through 37 jurisdictions in the heart of Cincinnati’s Tri-State area. It is at the heart of the Mill Creek Watershed, a 166 square mile drainage area, and ends in the Ohio River. Most of the property along the creek is owned private land owners and the Millcreek Valley Conservancy District, but there are publicly accessible places on properties owned by jurisdictions or businesses along the creek that you can use to access the creek.

paddle with the Mill creek yacht club

If you don’t have a lot of experience paddling or your own equipment, we invite you to paddle on one of our urban stream adventures with the MCYC. Public paddles are scheduled at least 4 times per year. See our website calendar of events to see upcoming dates.

boat owners

If you own your own equipment, are an experienced paddler, and you have an adventurous spirit, you can access the Mill Creek using one of our paddle maps.

• Paddle Map: West Chester to Sharonville

• Paddle Map: Sharonville to Reading

• Paddle Map: Reading to Carthage

• Paddle Map: Carthage to Millvale

• Paddle Map: Millvale to Ohio River

Non boat owners

Beginning in summer of 2025, a new kayak rental opportunity was developed in collaboration with Cincinnati Recreation Commission and a private kayak rental company called Schack’s Yaks.

• Download & Install the Koloni app to your cell phone. Create an account (you will need to add your phone, email, and credit card information) and have blue tooth accessible to unlock the kiosk door.

• Scan the QR code on the kayak kiosk, or select the kiosk location on the app’s map.

• Choose from the available kayaks and pay the fee before you embark. The cost is $15 for the first 60 minutes, and an additional $10/hr after that.

• Carry your boat and paddle to the creek, fasten your PFD (personal flotation device) and paddle around the area (both up and down stream). Please note, there is a riffle about 1/4 mile downstream that would be very hard to get back up, so unless you are up for the time, effort, and cost of paddling through it, do not pass the riffle.