Trail notes
- About 20 miles of the Towpath Trail lie within Cuyahoga Valley National Park, on a flat surface of compacted crushed limestone with some paving.
- The park sets a 15 mph speed limit for bicycles on the Towpath, and bicyclists yield to all other users.
- Class 1 and 2 e-bikes are allowed on the Towpath within the national park.
Between 1825 and 1832, Ohio dug a canal across the state to connect Lake Erie at Cleveland with the Ohio River at Portsmouth. Mules walked a path beside the water, towing boats loaded with goods and passengers. That path is now the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail, and its stretch through Cuyahoga Valley National Park is one of the best free outdoor days within reach of Cleveland, Ohio. It is flat, open year-round and easy to do in pieces.
The trail in numbers
- Length in the park: about 20 miles. The park’s pages give 19.5 and 19.7 miles for different measurements.
- Surface: compacted, crushed limestone with some paving.
- Access: wheelchair, bike and stroller accessible, with 10 trailheads that have parking.
- Elevation change: about 135 feet over the whole park section, according to the park’s trail table.
- Hours: the park says the Towpath is open 24 hours.
Distances along the trail
The park publishes a distance chart between trailheads. Measured from Lock 39 Trailhead at the north end, these are the miles to each stop:
| From Lock 39 Trailhead to | Miles |
|---|---|
| Canal Exploration Center | 1.8 |
| Frazee House | 3.6 |
| Station Road | 6.3 |
| Red Lock | 8.8 |
| Boston | 10.7 |
| Peninsula | 13.1 |
| Hunt House | 16.4 |
| Beaver Marsh | 17.5 |
| Ira | 17.8 |
| Botzum | 19.8 |
That makes it easy to plan a ride or walk of any length. Boston to Peninsula, for example, is about 2.4 miles each way by the same chart, and the park names the Hunt House to Peninsula section as especially scenic.
Sharing the trail
The Towpath is shared by walkers, runners, cyclists and, in some sections, horse riders. The park asks everyone to follow a few rules:
- Keep right except to pass, and give a clear warning before passing on the left.
- The speed limit for bicycles is 15 mph.
- Cyclists yield to all users, and everyone yields to horses.
- Wear a helmet when cycling.
- Keep pets on a leash six feet or shorter, on the right side of the trail.
- Step off the trail when you stop.
- In winter, avoid walking in cross-country ski tracks.
Class 1 and 2 e-bikes are allowed on the Towpath within the national park; other motorized vehicles are not, under the park’s Superintendent’s Compendium.
Where to start when lots are full
Weekends can be crowded, and the park says the stretch between Boston Mill Visitor Center and Hunt House is often the busiest. Lock 29 in Peninsula, Boston Trailhead, Hunt House and Ira are among the busiest lots. The park suggests arriving early or starting from Canal Exploration Center, Rockside Road, Station Road or Botzum instead.
Tip: A northern start at Canal Exploration Center or Station Road usually means an easier time parking and a quieter first few miles. Ride south as far as you like, then turn around.
Stops worth slowing down for
Beaver Marsh
About a 10-minute walk north of the Ira Trailhead, a boardwalk crosses a wetland where the park says you can look for beavers, otters, muskrats and waterfowl. It is designated an Ohio Watchable Wildlife Area and is accessible for strollers and wheelchairs. Wildlife is most active early in the morning and late in the evening.
Boston and Peninsula
Boston Mill Visitor Center has exhibits, restrooms and year-round drinking water, and the village of Peninsula has places to eat. Bikes can be rented from businesses in Peninsula and other nearby communities, the park notes.
Riding the train back
The Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad runs an Explorer program that lets you bike, hike or paddle one way and ride the train back. The park lists the 2026 Explorer season as June 1 to September 7, so check the railroad’s site for the next season’s days, prices and schedule. The ticket is the one part of this day that costs money.
How it works, according to the park: arrive at a boarding station 10 minutes before departure and flag the train down by waving both arms over your head. Buy single Explorer tickets at the baggage car; cash is preferred and exact change is appreciated. Detach trailers and remove all items from your bike before boarding, and know that the railroad has a 40-pound weight limit for bicycles. Bikes are arranged by stop, so know your destination before you get on.
Water and restrooms
Many of the park’s fountains are seasonal. Boston Mill Visitor Center, the restrooms at Boston Store Trailhead and Kendall Lake Shelter have water year-round. On a hot day carry more than you think you need; the trail is open and the river valley can be humid.
Questions people ask
Can I ride the whole trail in a day?
The park’s trail table estimates about 2.75 hours to bike the national park section one way and up to 10 hours to hike it. Many riders do an out-and-back on part of it instead.
What if I am planning a multi-day ride?
Call the park’s Communications Center at 440-546-5945 to say where your car is parked, so rangers do not tag it as abandoned.
Does the trail continue beyond the park?
Yes. The Towpath continues along the Ohio & Erie Canalway beyond the park boundaries. For a full first day in the valley, see Cuyahoga Valley National Park for Beginners: A Free Day Next to Cleveland.