Follow America 250-Ohio’s Lake Erie to Ohio River Trail

Before the United States took to the rails, skies and highways, our waterways were how people and goods reached far-off places. Many Ohio towns trace their roots to the roles they played in Great Lakes shipping or their connection to the canal systems that opened the interior of the state to trade during the 19th century.

America 250-Ohio’s Lake Erie to Ohio River Trail has over 150 stops that celebrate how Ohio’s waterways contributed to the evolution of the state. It spans lighthouses, canal locks, maritime museums and other destinations that have a tie to our rivers, canals and Lake Erie. These waterways were not just integral to the development of Ohio. They also helped support westward expansion and were vital to the success of abolitionists who helped freedom seekers make their way to freedom in Canada along Ohio’s portion of the Underground Railroad. 

Those who explore America 250-Ohio’s Lake Erie to Ohio River Trail will hear stories of the people and places that shaped our nation. These destinations along the route offer a flavor of the rich history found at sites recognized as part of this trail. 

National Museum of the Great Lakes 
This museum in Toledo highlights the impact the Great Lakes have had in shaping the United States. From fur trading done by water in the 17th century to the modern ships that cross the Great Lakes today, the story is a long and rich one. Explore more than 300 artifacts and interactive exhibits year-round, and step aboard the 617-foot Col. James M. Schoonmaker freighter that is docked outside from May 1 through Oct. 31. nmgl.org

Monticello III Horse-Drawn Canal Boat Rides
A trip to Roscoe Village whisks visitors back to the heyday of the Ohio & Erie Canal. Summer visitors can even experience a ride aboard the Monticello III, a horse-drawn canal boat that floats down a restored section of the Ohio & Erie Canal. Two draft horses, Tim and Diesel, pull the boat from the towpath as the captain shares details of life along the canal in the 1830s. visitcoshocton.com

Fairport Harbor Marine Museum and Lighthouse 
Shining a light over Lake Erie from 1825 to 1925, the Fairport Harbor Marine Museum and Lighthouse started as a 30-foot beacon beside the lake. The lighthouse was rebuilt in 1871 into the 60-foot-tall structure travelers can visit today. Climb the 69 steps to the top for spectacular Lake Erie views. The on-site museum, which was founded in 1945, shares the stories of the lighthouse and Great Lakes maritime history. fairportharborlighthouse.org

Magee Marsh
The marshland along Lake Erie draws scores of visitors each May for the Biggest Week in American Birding, a time during which brightly colored warblers and other bird species descend on the area as part of their spring migration. Spanning 2,202 acres just north of Oak Harbor, Magee Marsh has an accessible boardwalk that provides a perfect vantage point for bird-watching, while the visitor center offers insightful exhibits and information. ohiodnr.gov

John Rankin House
Explore Ohio’s connection to the Underground Railroad at the John Rankin House, located along the Ohio River in the village of Ripley. It is estimated that more than 2,000 freedom seekers passed through the Rev. John Rankin’s home on their journey along the historic network. Today, visitors can take a tour of the 1825 Rankin home and learn how the home’s owner contributed to the abolitionist movement. ohiohistory.org

Historic Fort Steuben & Scenic Byway Visitor Center
Step into Ohio’s early frontier days at Historic Fort Steuben, a reconstructed 18th-century fort that protected government surveyors mapping the Northwest Territory. Located just above the banks of the Ohio River, the Visitor Center features exhibits on river navigation and the Lewis and Clark Expedition, whose early journey passed through the Ohio River Valley. oldfortsteuben.com

Learn more about the Lake Erie to Ohio River Trail by visiting america250-ohio.org.

Q&A With Brewster Rhoads
Since moving to Cincinnati in 1980, Brewster Rhoads has been paddling the Ohio River — sometimes more than 250 days a year. He founded the Ohio River Paddlefest and the Great Ohio River Swim and serves as chair of the Ohio River Way, an organization that promotes recreation on the Ohio River. 

How do you help people find their personal connection to the Ohio River?
What we’ve done with the Ohio River Way and with Ohio River Paddlefest is give people a personal experience. We help make the river accessible and bust the myths that keep people away from using it.

The Ohio River Way was recently designated as a National Water Trail. Why is that designation important? 
It’s a reason for people to live in our region, and it’s a way to attract visitors and potential new residents by celebrating this beautiful river.  The designation was tremendously gratifying. It’s a lifetime accomplishment.

Why do you think it’s important to encourage people to connect with the river?
We’re basically giving people an opportunity to have a personal experience with the Ohio River, after which most people say, “Wow, I had no idea the Ohio River was so beautiful.” You learn more by doing something than by reading about it. 

For more information on the Ohio River Way, visit ohioriverway.org.

The America 250-Ohio publication was created in partnership with the America 250-Ohio Commission. For more information on America 250-Ohio, visit america250-ohio.org.