Ohio Erie Canal Park: Cleveland's Park for Family, Fun and Adventure

The Ohio Erie Canal Park weaves throughout Cleveland, Ohio. It is a park that is actually multiple locations connected by a large towpath. A large part of this park is in Cleveland, but a large part of it also extends outside of Cleveland and even into other Ohio counties. Visitors can travel this Cleveland park by foot, bike, train, bus or trolley.

The Bike Path

The scenic bike path will span about 100 miles once it is finished. It will extend from Cleveland at Lake Erie to Dover, Ohio which is just north of New Philadelphia, Ohio. A large portion of the trail is asphalt and what is not asphalt is firmly packed, finely crushed stone. When the weather has been dry for a while, the trail can be quite dusty so if dust is bothersome to you, you may want to wait until after it rains to help wash away some of the dust.

Accessibility

Visitors can access the Towpath Trail 24 hours a day. When you visit the national park areas of the trail, it is hard-packed and level making it disability accessible. When I was having to use a wheelchair I was able to easily wheel along on the chair. Strollers can be easily pushed and you can also ride a bike or walk. Cross-country skiing is permitted in winter, but the Towpath Trail is not plowed.

Other Activities

There is of course walking, running and biking, but there are other activities as well. As you make your way down the trail you can enjoy scenic views of the lake, river and canal, local wildlife and other historic Cleveland sites. You will also find several museums, recreational opportunities, historic sites, dining, shopping and other entertainment.

Weather

When flooding occurs in areas where the canal normally has water, there is a chance the trail will be temporarily shut down for flooding. The Cleveland areas of the Ohio Erie Canal Park tend to flood most often during the spring when heavy rains are most common and when we are experiencing melting of our last heavy snows. During the spring when flooding has been occurring, it is a good idea to call ahead to check and see if any of the trail is shut down for flooding before you take off. It is also a good idea to do this in the winter after a heavy snow because the trails are not plowed.

Resources

Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath Trail