Plan Your Trip

The first 25 miles of the Cuyahoga are an Ohio Scenic River. The gentle current makes this an excellent choice for beginners. Map 1 shows the water trail’s uppermost section south of Burton, Ohio. It covers River Mile 88 to 71 and has three access points.

MAP 1

Know the river flow before you go. Check river gauges.
Kinsman road ohio department of natural resources

Kinsman Road

Ohio Department of Natural Resources
This primitive site allows access to a river section that is suitable for beginners.
Things to Know
  • No amenities
  • Gravel parking lot on the west side of SR 87, just north of the bridge
  • Dropoff/pickup close to the water’s edge
  • Class I downstream paddle to Eldon Russell Park can involve river-wide strainers at low water levels.
Kinsman road ohio department of natural resources
eldon russel park geauga park district

Eldon Russel Park

Geauga Park District
Part of a county park, this site has some amenities and allows access to a river section that is suitable for beginners.
Things to Know
  • Paved parking, pit restroom, picnic shelter, play area, and hiking trail
  • Dropoff/pickup at the water’s edge
  • Slow-moving water enables upstream paddling, eliminating the need for a shuttle.
  • Class I downstream paddle to White Oaks involves one relatively easy passable dam.
eldon russel park geauga park district

Hazard

Know the river flow before you go. Check river gauges.
  • Small passable dam below River Mile 75.
Kinsman road ohio department of natural resources

White Oaks

City of Akron
This primitive site allows access to a river section that is suitable for beginners.
Things to Know
  • No amenities.
  • Gravel parking on the northside of SR 82, just west of the bridge
  • Chain lock sometimes blocks driveway to dropoff/pickup, which then requires a relatively long carry to water’s edge.
  • Class I downstream paddle to Buchert Memorial Park involves no permanent hazards.
Kinsman road ohio department of natural resources

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