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.