🌉🐾 Exploring Zanesville's Historic Y-Bridge + Lock #10 - Dog-Friendly Ohio Outing with Simba the Adventure Pup ⚙️🌊

Hey everyone! Ash here — and this week, Simba and I traded steep trail climbs for something a little different: a scenic city walk through Zanesville, Ohio, packed with history, riverside charm, and one very unusual bridge. 🐶🌉

We set out to visit the Historic Y-Bridge, one of only a handful of Y-shaped bridges in the world, and ended up discovering the nearby Lock #10, part of the old Muskingum River navigation system that once helped move boats across Ohio’s inland waterways.

It was the perfect low-key afternoon outing: educational, relaxing, and of course, full of golden retriever joy.

📍 Our Route at a Glance

Location: Zanesville, Ohio (Muskingum County)

Stops: 

The Historic Y-Bridge and Lock #10 and river trail area
Activity Type: Urban walk + historical exploration
Dog-Friendly: Yes — Simba was welcome (and admired) everywhere 🐾
Trail Style: Paved sidewalks, bridge walk, riverside green space
Time Needed: ~1–1.5 hours depending on your pace

🏗️ The Historic Y-Bridge: A Unique Piece of Infrastructure

The Y-Bridge is exactly what it sounds like — a bridge with three ends, where the Licking and Muskingum Rivers meet. Built originally in the early 1800s and rebuilt multiple times since, today’s version dates to 1984 and offers both vehicle and pedestrian access.

Simba and I walked along the sidewalk portion, stopping to admire:

🚗 Cars flowing through the unusual 3-pronged layout
🌊 River views in every direction
🐕 Simba’s nose taking in every breeze and brick

It’s the kind of place that makes you pause and wonder how many people drive across it without ever realizing they’re on a Y?!

⚙️ Lock #10 + Riverside Explorations

Just a short stroll from the bridge, we found Lock #10 — part of the Muskingum River navigation system that once connected cargo boats across southeastern Ohio.

Though not operational today, this preserved lock area includes:

• Interpretive signs
• Stonework and metal remnants
• A nice open riverside space for photos, squirrel-watching, and biscuit breaks 🐿️🍪

🐶 Simba’s City Stroll Recap

✔️ Tail wags: Constant
✔️ Favorite part: Grass patches near the lock and watching the birds by the river
✔️ City rating: 🐾🐾🐾🐾 “Cool bridge, chill vibes, 10/10 walk”

🚐 RV Tips for Visiting

• Parking: We found a good spot near downtown Zanesville — lots of street parking and nearby public lots for smaller rigs
• Bathrooms & Amenities: Available nearby at parks, cafés, and gas stations
• Combine this outing with a stop at Mission Oaks Gardens or a scenic drive along the river for a full half-day of adventure
• Best time to visit: Late morning or early evening for golden light and fewer crowds

🎥 Watch Our Adventure


In this week’s video:

🎬 Strolling the Y-Bridge
⚙️ A look at Lock #10 and riverside scenery
📷 Historical tidbits + Simba posing like a statue
💛 A relaxed, scenic outing perfect for RV travelers

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📲 Follow our journey: @lifeonpawsandwheels

✨ Final Thoughts

This wasn’t a wild mountain hike or hidden waterfall — but it was a reminder of why we love RV life: simple, scenic, surprising stops that tell the story of America in unexpected ways.

If you’re passing through Zanesville, OH, take the time to walk the Y, say hi to Lock #10, and enjoy a calm moment by the river — with or without a biscuit-obsessed pup.

Until next time — happy bridges, local history, and tail-wagging wanderings,
– Ash & Simba 🐾🌉⚙️

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