Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail

 

Riding the Towpath Trail.

NPS / DJR

Discover the heart of Cuyahoga Valley National Park by bicycling, running, or strolling on the Towpath Trail. Here you can travel the historic route of the Ohio & Erie Canal on the same path that mules walked to tow canal boats loaded with goods and passengers. From the trail, you can make connections to many natural and historic sites, as well as to Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad. Beyond the park, you can continue your journey on the Towpath Trail further along the Ohio & Erie Canalway.

 

Things to know

• Map of the Towpath Trail
• Open 24 hours
• Multiple access points (see below)
• Wheelchair, bike, and stroller accessible
• Flat surface of compacted, crushed limestone with some paving
• 20 miles within the national park
• Please note: If you planning a multi-day Towpath Trail ride, contact our Communications Center at 440-546-5945 to inform staff where you parked your vehicle. This will ensure our law enforcement rangers do not tag your vehicle as "abandoned."

Visit our Alerts page to check for potential Towpath Trail closures.

 

Towpath Safety and Etiquette

The Towpath Trail is a shared recreational trail. It is open to walkers, joggers, bicyclists, and (in some sections) horse riders. To ensure an enjoyable trail experience for all users, please observe some basic trail courtesy.

• Travel at a safe speed and keep to the right except to pass others. The speed limit for bicycles is 15 mph.
• Bicyclists yield to ALL users.
• Don't risk a head injury. Always wear a helmet when cycling.
• EVERYONE yields to horses. Horses can be startled by sudden movements, so use caution. Make sure the rider knows in advance that you are passing.
• Give a clear warning before passing on the left.
• Travel single file when passing and being passed.
• Pets must be kept on a leash which is six feet or less. We recommend a shorter leash to prevent bike accidents. Keep you and your pet on the right side of the trail.
• Avoid walking in cross-country ski tracks.
• Move off the trail when stopped.
• Class 1 and 2 e-bikes are allowed on the Towpath Trail within the national park. Other motorized vehicles are not permitted as stated in the Superintendent's Compendium.

 

History of the Towpath

The Towpath Trail follows the historic route of the Ohio & Erie Canal. Before the canal was built (1825-1832), Ohio was part of America's frontier. Travel was difficult and getting crops to market was nearly impossible. The canal provided a successful transportation route across the state, connecting the Ohio River at Portsmouth and Lake Erie at Cleveland. The canal opened up Ohio to the rest of the eastern United States. Learn more about the Towpath Trail at Ohio & Erie Canalway.

Shuttle by Train

Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad offers one-way shuttle service for Towpath bikers, hikers, and runners. Purchase single Explorer tickets at the baggage car. For frequent users, we recommend buying a seasonal Explorer pass. Arrive 10 minutes before departure and flag down the train by waving both arms over your head. Cash is preferred; exact change is appreciated. Make sure to have trailers detached and all items removed from bikes before boarding. Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad has a 40-pound weight limit for bicycles.

Check the train's Explorer page for the current days of operations, prices, and schedule. The page also has a map and answers to frequently asked questions.

 

Distance Between Points

The following table lists the distances in miles between national park trailheads and other points of interest along the Towpath Trail. For distances outside the national park, visit Ohio & Erie Canalway.

	Lock 39	Canal Expl. Ctr.	Frazee	Station Rd.	Red Lock	Boston	Peninsula	Hunt House	Beaver Marsh	Ira	Botzum
Lock 39 Trailhead	-	1.8	3.6	6.3	8.8	10.7	13.1	16.4	17.5	17.8	19.8
Canal Exploration Center	1.8	-	1.8	4.5	7.0	8.9	11.3	14.6	15.7	16.0	18.0
Frazee House	3.6	1.8	-	2.7	5.2	7.1	9.5	12.8	13.9	14.2	16.2
Station Road Bridge Trailhead	6.3	4.5	2.7	-	2.5	4.4	6.8	10.1	11.2	11.5	13.5
Red Lock Trailhead	8.8	7.0	5.2	2.5	-	1.9	4.3	7.6	8.7	9.0	11.0
Boston Trailhead	10.7	8.9	7.1	4.4	1.9	-	2.4	5.7	6.8	7.1	9.1
Peninsula: Lock 29 Trailhead	13.1	11.3	9.5	6.8	4.3	2.4	-	3.3	4.4	4.7	6.7
Hunt House	16.4	14.6	12.8	10.1	7.6	5.7	3.3	-	1.1	1.4	3.4
Beaver Marsh Viewing Area	17.5	15.7	13.9	11.2	8.7	6.8	4.4	1.1	-	0.3	2.3
Ira Trailhead	17.8	16.0	14.2	11.5	9.0	7.1	4.7	1.4	0.3	-	2.0
Botzum Trailhead	19.8	18.0	16.2	13.5	11.0	9.1	6.7	3.4	2.3	2.0	-

 

Bike Rentals

Several local businesses offer bicycle rentals along this section of the Towpath Trail, including:

• Blimp City Bike & Hike in Merriman Valley
• Eddy's Bike Shop in Peninsula
• Outspoken E-Bike Rentals in Merriman Valley
• And others