Towpath Trail in Cuyahoga Valley NP

We arrived early at the KOA in Streetsboro, OH! Now we have plenty of time for a bike ride on the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail—a scenic 101-mile route stretching north and south through the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Starting at the Boston Mill Visitor Center, we pedaled all the way to the Ira Trailhead, a solid 16 miles round trip. Not bad for a couple of pedal-pushing adventurers looking to get lost…

The Boston Mill Visitor Center, nestled in the heart of the park, is in the village of Boston, established in the early 1800s.

As we cycled along the trail, we passed several dried-up canal locks that once helped boats navigate the 395-foot elevation change between Lake Erie and Akron’s summit. Back in the day, mules trudged alongside the canal, towing boats behind them. Then the railroad arrived in the 1880s and the mules had to retire—probably off to a well-deserved pasture somewhere. It was great to see so many of the old locks still in place, albeit very weathered.

Ohio had a beaver-free century until the 1970s, when these industrious critters made a comeback. A former auto salvage yard was flooded and transformed into Beaver Marsh, now a bustling habitat for beavers, great blue herons, and otters. Talk about an extreme makeover: wildlife edition!

At our halfway point, we stopped at Szalay’s Farm & Market for a refreshing slushie. Don went for red, while Beth opted for blue. The result? Don’s tongue looked like he’d been licking a fire engine, and Beth’s like she’d made out with a Smurf. Quite the colorful duo!

We thoroughly enjoyed our ride, soaking in both the history of the area and the beauty of the park. Until next time, happy trails!Read more