Downtown Defiance Maumee River Boat Tour Itinerary

Begin your tour by launching your boat at the Pontiac Park boat dock located on East River Drive, a portion of the old US24. The boat launch is easy access and has a gentle slope when backing into the water. There is plenty of parking for trucks and trailers.

Once your boat is launched and you are ready to get underway, decisions need to be made as to whether to go up river or down river on the Maumee River or to head south at the confluence on the Auglaize River.

Up River Tour (West on the Maumee River)

Heading up river on the Maumee, boaters pass by the Defiance Public Library on the south side of the river. What do you see as you approach the downtown area? The Defiance Public Library is a beautiful Carnegie architectural structure and worth the glance. On the north side of the river, Pontiac Park is now visible and then you will pass under the Clinton Street Bridge. Boaters need to pay attention to the Defiance Boat and Ski Club’s painted notations on the bridge, making sure to go under the bridge between the piers as marked. 

Continuing up river, you will approach the historic homes of Holgate Avenue on the south. These homes have very large trees and backyards and remind you of yesteryear. Often times you will see fires lit in the evening with neighbors roasting marshmallows and hot dogs.

Tiffin River Boat Tour

Beyond the historic homes boaters will reach a fork in the river. On the south bank of the river is the Defiance Water Treatment Plant. Taking the fork to the north side, boaters are now on the Tiffin River. To motor boat on the Tiffin River, the water levels need to be high so spring time can be much better that fall. The Tiffin River is narrow and is perfect for jet skiing, canoeing or kayaking. When navigating on the Tiffin River, boaters get the feeling of Huckleberry Finn and Tom Sawyer. The River is lined with very large trees and vines creating a shady retreat.

Down River Tour (East on the Maumee River)

Heading down river on the Maumee, boaters pass Kingsbury Park on the south side of the river. At this little league park, current major league ball players Chad Billingsley and Jon Niese began their boyhood dreams.  Kingsbury Park is certainly a fine field to look at and visit with spring and summer activity.

Continuing down river, trees line the north side as boaters approach a small island in the center of the river. Preston Island was once the location for a small amusement park in the early 1900’s. Oh to imagine life back then when a Ferris wheel and entertainment drew in crowds. Nature lines the north side of Preston Island while homes line the south banks.

Boaters continue down river and go under the State Route 281 Bridge. Trees line both sides of the river for miles and nature can be seen all around. The river is wider now. Homes start to line the north side and just beyond the homes, another boat dock can be found at the Independence Dam State Park.

Auglaize River Boat Tour Itinerary

Begin your tour by towing your boat or jet skis south of the City of Defiance on State Route 111 to ODNR’s Five Mile Creek boat launch. The Five Mile Creek dock is located in Defiance County, a few miles north of the Defiance Paulding County line. The boat launch is not steep and has a mild grade when backing into the water. There is plenty of parking for trucks and trailers. Once your boat is launched and you are ready to get underway, a decision will need to be made as to whether to go up river or down river.

Up River Tour (South)

Heading up river, the boat is heading south on the Auglaize River from Defiance County to Paulding County. What do you see as you gaze on either side of the boat? The Auglaize River has many bends and curves as you head up river, allowing boaters to look at nature and bridges.

Approaching on the west side of the river, boaters will see a small arch bridge that is shallow and narrow enough to allow jet-skiers to navigate to an area that was once used as a reservoir to feed a section of the Miami-Erie canal. This century-old structure now allows jet-skiers to go under the arch to a no-wake area that is very quiet and serene. Occasionally jet-skiers will come up on fishermen along the shore in a very tranquil area that is just behind the Auglaize Country Club golf course.

Continuing up river, boaters will go under the Five Span Bridge which is in Paulding County, then shortly come upon a small island in the water. A sandbar lies north of the island where boats frequently line up in summer months and the boaters get out in the knee-deep water throwing footballs, eating and drinking with fellow boating friends.  The west side of the island is lined with cottages while the east side of the island is mostly natural with no structures. Continuing in Paulding County, boaters encounter more sights of nature and bridges to Charloe.

Down River Tour (North)

Heading down river from the boat launch, the boat is heading north on the Auglaize River. What do you see as you navigate toward the old Power Dam? Boaters see houses that line both sides of the river, with decks and back yards that boast outdoor living. Most homes have docks in the river with one or more watercraft attached.

This area is a busy one and residents and boaters enjoy watching the adventurous on knee boards, wake boards, skis and tubes. As boaters approach one another, the “boater’s wave” flies high in the air.

Continuing down river past the houses that line the river banks, boaters approach a few choices for a respite from time on the water. On the west side of the river, Scotty’s has a dock for boaters to anchor to so that boaters can dine and rehydrate. Scotty’s is known for their ribs and fish, and offers sodas as well as spirits. On the east side of the river, a dock is provided by Power Dam Express, known for their food, spirits and dancing. Just beyond these restaurants, boaters see a large brick building to the northeast. This building is the Power Dam, a functioning dam that generates electricity. Prior to the Power Dam is signage and buoys that denote boaters are in close proximity to the dangerous area of the dam and to turn around.