The River Cruise Boats are Coming!

One of the fun experiences of living close to the Mississippi River is to watch the boat traffic. On the riverfront at Keokuk, Iowa, there are several places where you can park your vehicle and easily have a close-up view of the many tug boats pushing their barges, fishing boats, pleasure craft and the mighty cruise boats that enter and exit Lock #19. Victory Park along the riverfront is one of those places. Another is the Observation Deck – the old bridge that crossed the Mississippi River at Keokuk. Parking is near the old toll booth. This walkway above the river is such a unique experience in itself!  One of the most exciting boat-watching experiences is to see the cruise boats from the American Cruise Line and the Viking River Cruise Line lock through. Passengers of these cruise boats wave to the bystanders as the locals and visitors shout out greetings! So, when can you see these boats? Below is the 2025 summer schedule with approximate lock-through times as they travel southbound. Now, what about those of you that are not here in person? Fortunately, the City of Keokuk and the Keokuk Area Convention & Tourism Bureau have partnered to bring you that experience via a live webcam! You can view the lock-throughs at Lock #19, 24/7! The live webcam is on YouTube at Mississippi River Lock 19 | Keokuk, IA, USA | StreamTime LIVE

The 2025 Southbound Schedule: with approximate lock-through times at Keokuk, Iowa

(For a printable copy, click here)

06/18/2025 – American Melody – 9:00 p.m.;

07/09/2025 – American Serenade – 2:30 a.m.;

07/10/2025 – Viking – 8:30 p.m.;

07/23/2025 – American Serenade – 9:00 p.m.;

08/06/2025 – American Serenade – 9:00 p.m.;

08/14/2025 – Viking – 8:30 p.m.;

08/20/2025 – American Serenade – 9:00 p.m.;

08/28/2025 – Viking – 8:30 p.m.;

09/03/2025 – American Serenade – 9:00 p.m.;

09/10/2025 – American Melody – 9:00 p.m.;

09/11/2025 – Viking – 8:30 p.m.;

09/16/2025 – American Heritage – 2:30 a.m.;

09/17/2025 – American Serenade – 9:00 p.m.;

09/24/2025 – American Melody – 9:00 p.m.;

09/30/2025 – American Serenade – 2:30 a.m.;

10/08/2025 – American Melody – 9:00 p.m.;

10/16/2025 – Viking – 8:30 p.m.;

10/22/2025 – American Melody – 9:00 p.m.