Cuyahoga Valley: the Towpath Trail Gets a Makeover, Two Sections Closing in Phases

The Towpath Trail, the flat canal path that runs along the old canal and forms the backbone of Cuyahoga Valley, is heading into construction. Nothing to worry about, it's just resurfacing and access improvements. But two sections are closing one after the other, on different dates, and it's worth knowing before you lock in your itinerary.

The first section is the stretch between the Hunt House Trailhead and Beaver Marsh, one of the park's most photographed corners for its beavers and waterfowl. It's closed from August 17 to September 18, but weekdays only. Good news if you're traveling from France and plan your trip around a weekend, since the path reopens on Saturday and Sunday. In other words, a weekend lets you walk where a Tuesday would force you to turn back.

The second section, farther north, is the stretch connecting the Boston Trailhead to Lock 29, in the village of Peninsula. Here the closure runs longer and splits into two windows, August 24 to November 20, 2026, then March 29 to April 21, 2027. Since Peninsula is a handy starting point, with its parking lots and shops, plan a backup access if your walk was set to begin there.

Here's our advice. If the Towpath is central to your visit, favor the weekend for the south end of the park, and keep the spring 2027 windows in mind for the north. The park's scenic railroad and the other trails are still good ways to connect the highlights during the closures. Before you go, cross-check these sections against the stops we lay out in the Cuyahoga Valley park guide, so you can build a route that holds up despite the work.