Congressman Ralph Regula Towpath Trail
Enjoy 26 miles of the iconic Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail in Stark County connecting north to downtown Cleveland through Summit County and the Cuyahoga National Park or south to Tuscarawas County through Bolivar and Zoar! Begin your hiking or biking adventure at a variety of trailheads. The shady, flat terrain parallels the Tuscarawas River through deciduous forests and rural and urban landscapes.
Stop for a picnic at Lock 4, Lake Ave., John Glenn Grove, or Craig Pittman trailheads. Fish along the canal at Lock 4, at Wooster St., or in the nearby Tuscarawas River.
Ride your horse along the parallel Olde Muskingum Trail for 5.7 miles to Forty Corners to Cherry St. in Canal Fulton. Equestrians are not permitted on the Massillon portion of the trail. Horseback riders may use the Southern Section of the Towpath Trail between John Glenn Grove and the Tuscarawas county line. Bikers and hikers can connect with the Sippo Valley Trail in Massillon at Tremont Ave. and head west to Dalton. The Sippo Valley Trail travels under Tremont Ave. and then uses a sidewalk to cross over the Tuscarawas River. Make an immediate left on the SW corner of Tremont Ave. and 5th St. where the trail will pick up next to the railroad tracks and river before heading west.
The Towpath Trail and bordering park lands follow the historic route of the Ohio & Erie Canal through what once were three thriving canal villages, now the cities of Canal Fulton and Massillon and the Village of Navarre. This Stark County section is part of the 110-mile Ohio & Erie Canalway National Heritage Area which extends north all the way to Cleveland and south to New Philadelphia.
Canal Fulton & Massillon (Northern Section)
Lake Lucerne Trailhead
7975 Erie Ave. NW
Canal Fulton, Ohio 44614
- This trailhead offers a small parking lot.
This portion has been adopted by the Northwest High School National Honor Society. The club sponsors cleanup projects during the year.
St. Helena Heritage Park
125 Tuscarawas St NW
Canal Fulton, Ohio 44614
- On Cherry St. (Rt. 93) in the city of Canal Fulton.
- This City of Canal Fulton park includes a Canalway Visitors Center open seasonally, canal boat rides, covered picnic shelter, restrooms, parking, and access to the Towpath Trail. Restaurants and other amenities are one block from the trail in downtown Canal Fulton. This portion of trail has been adopted by the Canal Fulton Rotary Club. The club sponsors cleanup projects during the year.
Lock 4 Trailhead
6575 Erie Ave. NW
Canal Fulton, Ohio 44614
- From Rt. 21 heading north, take a right onto Lake Ave. in Massillon and a left onto Erie Street. Lock 4 trailhead is located on the west (left) side of the road before you reach downtown Canal Fulton.
- Lock 4 features a bridge over the historic canal lock (the fourth lock south of Summit County). Lock 4 also features a mill raceway, picnic tables and grills, accessible fishing dock, and a portable restroom. Parking is available inside the park and along Erie Ave. Parking directly off Erie Ave. provides flat trail access without steps to the Towpath Trail just south of the Lock. The trailhead also features a bike repair station.
Butterbridge Trailhead
5513 Butterbridge Rd. NW
Canal Fulton, Ohio 44614
- Two parking areas exist on Butterbridge Rd. On the east side of the Tuscarawas River there is a small parking lot directly next to the Towpath Trail. On the south side of the road and the west side of the river a larger parking lot is next to the Olde Muskingum Trail. This parking area can accommodate equestrian trailers as well as vehicles.
Crystal Springs Trailhead
4503 Erie Ave. NW
Massillon, Ohio 44647
- This trailhead marks the location of the once-bustling town of Crystal Springs that grew up along the Ohio & Erie Canal. The town’s proximity to the canal allowed farmers and industries to ship crops and coal to larger cities. The area was once a hub of activity with docks for canal boats, mills, warehouses, a saloon, and a co-op grocery. A short brick and natural surface trail with picnic tables and interpretive signs about the old Rt. 21 roadway that ran next to it connects at the back of the trailhead.
Forty Corners Trailhead
9197 Forty Corners St. NW
Massillon, Ohio 44646
- The trailhead features a bike repair station and several parking spots. It also offers an opportunity to loop over the Olde Muskingum Trail on the west side of the Tuscarawas River.
Bridgeport Quarry Trailhead & Rivers Edge Campsite
3455 Erie Ave. NW
Massillon, OH 44646
- This trailhead features a primitive campsite with space for several tents right next to the Tuscarawas River, a picnic table, fire ring, and a portable restroom. Camping is available on a first-come, first-served based for Towpath Trail hikers and cyclists. Drive-up camping is not permitted. Check in with the Park Ranger upon arrival at 330-353-2377
- This portion has been adopted by Massillon Animal Hospital. They sponsor cleanup projects during the year.
Lake Ave. Trailhead
135 Lake Ave. NW
Massillon, OH 44647
- This trailhead is home to Ernie’s Bike Shop with bike rentals and repair, Second Sole Footwear, a canoe livery with rentals, the Blue Heron Deli, and a permanent restroom facility.
Massillon Recreation Center
505 Erie St. N
Massillon, Ohio 44646
- This trailhead is located on the east side of Rt. 21 at Cherry Rd. with an at grade crossing to downtown Massillon. Continue south on the Towpath Trail along the levee south through Massillon. A bridge crosses over Rt. 21 at Lincoln Way (Rt. 172) also providing access to downtown Massillon. A switchback approach climbs to Tremont Ave. Take the south side of the Tremont viaduct sidewalk west. At 5th St. there will be two options. Make a hard turn and travel under Tremont to head west on the Sippo Valley Trail or use 5th St. to travel through a neighborhood and Oak Knoll Park to Walnut Rd. Cross back over the Tuscarawas River using the sidewalk where the Towpath Trail picks back up on the levee.
John Glenn Grove Trailhead
8000 Warmington Road SW
Massillon, Ohio 44646
- This trailhead features parking and a bronze bust of former U.S. Senator and Astronaut John Glenn reaching for the stars. The landscape of the trail in this area is more rural compared to northern Stark County. This peaceful section offers nearby views of the Tuscarawas River with benches to take in the sights and sounds of nature. The trailhead also features a bike repair station. Travel north and during the first mile it will be more of the same before traveling under Rt. 30 and eventually along Rt. 21.
Navarre (Southern Section)
Wooster St. (Waterworks Park) Trailhead
338 Wooster St. NW
Navarre, Ohio 44662
- Several parking spots and a fishing dock over the canal are present. Cross over Wooster St. and get some speed going down a decline, traveling under a railroad track, until climbing back up to cross Rt. 62 and Rt. 21. Take a picture spot with a piece of bike art and read about the namesake of the Congressman Ralph Regula Towpath Trail with a plaque on sandstone rock at Rt. 21.
- Catch the scent of baking bread from Nickles Bakery as you continue around the Village of Navarre and behind the bakery as the river comes in and out of view again. Just before Craig Pittman Trailhead there is a vehicle crossing to drop off and pick up kayaks and canoes from the river. Please stay alert for crossing vehicles.
Craig Pittman Trailhead
8218 Hudson Dr. SW
Navarre, Ohio 44662
- This trailhead features ample parking for vehicles and horse trailers along with tie lines and mounting blocks. A portable restroom is present and a permanent restroom across Hudson Dr. in Navarre-Bethlehem Park may be another option using the connector trail. Travel for nearly 6.50 miles of peaceful surroundings following the Tuscarawas River as it flows south toward Bolivar. After crossing Riverland Ave., it is just you and your thoughts in a serene landscape before a tunnel under the railroad. Enjoy the cooler temperature and the echo!
- You may encounter horses or signs of horses on southern portions of the trail. Please approach slowly and ask verbal permission for the best way to pass, no matter if approaching from ahead or behind.
Canal Bend Trailhead
6997 Dolphin St SW
Bolivar, Ohio 44612
- After traveling through the railroad tunnel a short distance south is a trail split. Continue straight to the Canal Bend Trailhead, a small gravel parking lot with a portable restroom or “bend” left and up the asphalt pavement to stay on the Towpath Trail towards Tuscarawas County. After following the edge of a farm field, cross Shepler Church Ave. before crossing the Aqueduct Bridge into Tuscarawas County. The actual county line is near the middle of the bridge. Take a minute to read about how an aqueduct worked during the canal era on the interpretive sign before the bridge. Continue in Tuscarawas County to Bolivar or turn around and enjoy the same route again while you think about where to get ice cream as a reward for your trip down the Towpath Trail!
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