Canal Lands
Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail
THE TUSCARAWAS COUNTY CANAL LANDS COMMITTEE IS MAKING IMPROVEMENTS
TO THE CANAL TOWPATH. THE EARTHEN SURFACE IS APPROPRIATE FOR HIKING,
MOUNTAIN BIKING AND HORSEBACK RIDING. YOU MAY LEAVE YOUR CAR AT THE
CANAL LANDS PARK ON DOVERZOAR RD, IN THE PARKING LOT BY THE ZOAR
BALLFIELDS, FT. LAURENS, OR LEAVE A SECOND CAR AT THE CANOE LIVERY
AT THE WEST END OF THE TRAIL IF IT IS OPEN.
You will see a Modern bridge that crosses I-77 and a Historic
Iron Bridge crossing the river. In the future, the trail will
also connect to the Historic Fink Iron Truss Bridge also known as
the Old Zoarville Station Bridge.
When you travel the northern section of the trail you will
see Ft. Laurens, the Brick Factory, Power Station, Slackwater Dam,
Fish Hatchery and Zoar. Connected to this portion of the trail you
will find the Zoar Wetland Arboretum. This casual 3 mile
trail follows the level ground of the canal towpath for most of its
route. Walking is easy, though at certain times high water, mud,
overgrown vegetation or mosquitoes could impede your progress. If
you walk at a moderate pace, pausing to see points of interest, you
should allow 3 hours.
When you travel the southern section you will find railroad
trestle and a more natural trail surface. You may find this segment
a bit rougher to hike. There are plans to extend the trail to Route
800 with a trail head. Other sites in this area include Ehler’s
Store, the Zoarville Station Bridge and Camp Tuscazoar. This
segment is part of the Buckeye Trail (which continues east from
Zoarville) as well as the Boy Scouts’ Zoar Valley Trail.
On
your visit you may wish to just hike the trail, or to make the hike
a portion of visiting one or both of the Ohio Historical Society
sites adjacent to it. These sites include Ft. Laurens and
Zoar Village. You can now hike the Bolivar Trail from Ft.
Laurens into the Village of Bolivar.
Lodging in the area ranges from a modern motel to bed-and-breakfasts
located in historic homes. (For more information, phone the
Tuscarawas County Convention & Visitors Bureau at 800-527-3387).
Contact:
JANE CLAY, PARK COORDINAToR
125 E. High Avenue Room 205
New Philadelphia, OH 44663
Phone: 330.365.3278
Fax: 330.602.7481
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