Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath Walk Boston Mills to Botzum Trailhead

9.1 miles (14.7 km)

Begin your walk or cycle at Boston Mills in the historic village of Boston, where the Towpath Trail runs south through Cuyahoga Valley National Park. The trail surface is hard-packed limestone and mostly level, making it accessible for walkers, cyclists, wheelchairs and strollers. Facilities at the start include parking, restrooms and the Boston Store Visitor Center, which offers a snack kiosk and exhibits about the canal and the valley’s history.
Following the canal south, the path passes Red Lock Trailhead, about two miles from the start. Here, an original canal lock remains beside the trail. Further along is the site of the former Jaite Paper Mill, whose land is now undergoing environmental restoration. Shortly after, the route continues to the village of Peninsula, where Lock 29 is located. This lock and its associated aqueduct once carried the canal over the Cuyahoga River and have been preserved as historical features. The trailhead at Lock 29 provides restrooms and parking, and nearby Peninsula offers places to eat and shop.
South of Peninsula, the route passes Deep Lock Quarry. This area includes Deep Lock, the deepest of the original canal locks at 17 feet, and an old sandstone quarry that can be viewed from a short side trail. Further along is the Hunt House Trailhead near the village of Everett. The historic Hunt House, dating to the 1830s, now houses exhibits about life in the rural valley and serves as an educational stop on the trail.
Near Hunt House, Indigo Lake is accessible via a short route off Riverview Road. This small lake is popular for birdwatching and fishing. Closer to the end of the route, the trail crosses Beaver Marsh on a raised wooden boardwalk. This wetland is rich in wildlife, including frogs, turtles, herons, and active beaver lodges, and is considered one of the best wildlife viewing areas in the park. The boardwalk is accessible and offers views across cattail and lily-covered waters.
The trail ends at the Botzum Trailhead near the historic Conrad Botzum Farm. The farmstead, which includes preserved 19th-century buildings such as a large bank barn, sits on a terrace above the valley. The Towpath Trail runs directly in front of the property, marking the end of this scenic and historically rich section of the Ohio and Erie Canal route.

Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath Walk Boston Mills to Botzum Trailhead Open Street Map - view and print off detailed map

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