[{"Title":"Ohio River Way","Agency":"Nonprofit","TrailType":"National Water Trail","States":"Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio","Counties":"Adams, Boone, Boyd, Bracken, Brown, Campbell, Carroll, Clark, Clermont, Dearborn, Floyd, Gallatin, Greenup, Hamilton, Hardin, Harrison, Jefferson, Kenton, Lawrence, Lewis, Mason, Meade, Ohio, Oldham, Pendleton, Scioto, Switzerland, Trimble","Allowed Uses":"Boating, motorized, Boating, human-powered, Swimming, Dogs, off leash","Length":308,"Loop Trail?":false,"Elevation High":515,"Elevation Low":383,"Elevation Cumulative":132,"Tread Width Average":null,"Tread Width Minimum":null,"Tread Width Running Length":null,"Trail Grade Average":null,"Trail Grade Maximum":null,"Trail Grade Running Length":null,"Trail Cross-slope Average":null,"Trail Cross-slope Maximum":null,"Trail Cross-slope Running Length":null,"Surfaces":"Water, slow moving","Longitude":-82.63876,"Latitude":38.48125,"Short Description":"The Ohio River Way is a 308-mile water trail spanning sections of Indiana, Kentucky, and Ohio. This route connects Appalachian wilderness to small river towns and dynamic metropolitan centers. Beyond its natural beauty, the trail is steeped in cultural heritage—from Lewis and Clark's expedition to the Underground Railroad and the flatboats and steamboats that helped shape the region.\n\nThe fact the Ohio River is a big river with numerous tributaries to explore makes the Ohio River Way stand out as a water trail. The river's width varies from a quarter-mile to a mile, with an average depth of 26 feet. The trail is loved by adventure-seekers ranging from folks on half-day paddles to thru-paddling enthusiasts who camp along the way.","Long Description":"The Ohio River Way is a 308-mile water trail winding alongside Kentucky, Ohio, and Indiana. For paddlers, the scale of the river is immediately striking. With widths reaching up to a mile, the Ohio River presents a vast and varied landscape. In some sections, you’ll feel a sense of seclusion as the water meanders between forested bluffs and ancient mountains. In other portions, paddlers are treated to the towering urban skylines of Louisville and Cincinnati. That’s not to mention the humbling perspective of going through the four locks on the Ohio River Way, designed to accommodate massive 15-barge tows.\n\nIn addition to its diverse landscapes, the Ohio River Way is known for its variety of adventures. The river is loved by everyone from those seeking a serene afternoon paddle – perhaps with a fishing pole in hand – to those embarking on multi-day wilderness excursions. With the river’s average depth of 26 feet and varying widths, conditions can shift quickly from calm, glassy water to more challenging waves of up to three feet. Thick fog can blanket the river in the morning, and paddlers must be watchful of the recreational and commercial boat traffic.\n\nThis water trail is more than just a paddling route. It’s a journey through the cultural and historical heart of the region. The Ohio River has long been a lifeline, starting with the many Indigenous peoples who lived along the river. Indigenous archaeological sites are accessible along the Ohio River Way, such as the Tremper Mound and Earthworks built by the Hopewell culture and the Portsmouth Earthworks made by the Adena and Ohio Hopewell cultures. As European explorers and colonists arrived, the river was home to flatboats and, later, steamboats, facilitating industrialization and westward expansion. The river was also a key landmark in the Underground Railroad, serving as a boundary between slave states and free. As you paddle along the Ohio River Way, these stories echo in the landscapes, towns, and landmarks you pass. \nFor those planning a trip, the Ohio River Way has resources to ensure a more safe and enjoyable experience. The Ohio River Way’s award-winning Interactive Map offers 28 layers of detailed information on amenities, access points, and navigation, including live barge traffic. Additionally, the Ohio River Way has segment guides published on its website that provide more detailed narratives as you plan your trip.\n\nOf course, safety is always the top priority. There are special considerations on the Ohio River since it’s a multi-use waterway that supports both recreational and commercial traffic. The Ohio River Way has an On-Water Safety Guide developed in collaboration with key agencies like the U.S. Coast Guard and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Additionally, there are two safety videos supplementing this guide, providing visual safety instructions and information on how to go through the locks. It’s important that paddlers always make a plan and check conditions, and the Ohio River Way’s safety page includes links to information about weather conditions, water quality, and other factors that might affect a paddler’s trip.\n\nThe Ohio River Way is home to a number of paddling events. The Ohio River Paddlefest in Cincinnati, the largest paddling celebration in the U.S., draws over 2,000 participants annually, with canoeists, kayakers, and paddleboarders converging on the river for a day of fun and camaraderie. There are plenty more paddling events too: the M2M paddle between Manchester, OH, and Maysville, KY; Portsmouth’s P-Town Float; and Hike, Bike, and Paddles in Carrollton and Louisville, KY. While unconventional, there’s the annual Cardboard Boat Race in New Richmond, OH, too! Other events go beyond paddling: Fishing tournaments, regattas, and riverfront festivals showcase the Ohio River’s ability to connect locals and visitors to vibrant river communities and the region’s natural beauty. \n\nThe Ohio River Way itself began with the efforts of a dedicated group of volunteer paddling enthusiasts. The idea came about during a 30-hour trip from Cincinnati to Louisville, paddling by starlight, as these volunteers began envisioning how the Ohio River Way could make this stretch of the river an accessible water trail. Since then, the commitment of these volunteers has grown into a coalition of communities and organizations, all united in helping people find adventure along the Ohio River Way. Today, this collaborative effort ensures that the trail remains a vibrant and sustainable resource for paddlers and river communities alike.\n\nFrom its wilderness stretches to its bustling urban ports, the Ohio River Way invites paddlers of all skill levels to engage deeply with the history and landscapes that define the Ohio River. Whether you’re an experienced paddler seeking a multi-day adventure or a beginner looking for an afternoon on the water, the Ohio River Way offers an unforgettable experience on a big river. The Ohio River Way’s combination of majestic beauty, cultural significance, and river town hospitality makes it a truly unique water trail.","Log #":null,"Date Certified":"2025-06-08","Manager URL":{"urlSuffix":null,"target":null,"title":null,"class":null,"id":null,"rel":null,"ariaLabel":null,"download":false},"NRT URL":"https://www.nationalrecreationtrails.com/trails/ohio-river-way"},{"Title":"Great Pinery Heritage Waterway","Agency":"Nonprofit","TrailType":"National Water Trail","States":"Wisconsin","Counties":"Lincoln, Marathon","Allowed Uses":"Boating, motorized, Swimming, Other","Length":20.8,"Loop Trail?":false,"Elevation High":null,"Elevation Low":null,"Elevation Cumulative":null,"Tread Width Average":null,"Tread Width Minimum":null,"Tread Width Running Length":null,"Trail Grade Average":null,"Trail Grade Maximum":null,"Trail Grade Running Length":null,"Trail Cross-slope Average":null,"Trail Cross-slope Maximum":null,"Trail Cross-slope Running Length":null,"Surfaces":"Water, slow moving","Longitude":-89.675105,"Latitude":45.175744,"Short Description":"The Great Pinery Heritage Waterway (www.greatpinery.com) is an overarching water trail encompassing 108-miles of the historic Wisconsin River.  The trail flows through old growth pine and hardwood forest, paralleling portions of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail on its journey.  The trail cuts through natural wildlife areas and flows past historical dams and once thriving mill towns, where White Pine was once king.  It also passes urban and industrial areas, earning the river the well-deserved name the “Hardest Working River in the World.”  The uniqueness of the trail is expressed in the storytelling at each of its 35 landings and portages.","Long Description":"The Great Pinery Heritage Waterway (www.greatpinery.com) is an overarching water trail that is in North Central Wisconsin.  The trail is 108-miles in length starting at the Hat Rapids Dam in Oneida County and ending in Portage County at the Lake DuBay Dam.  The trail holds scenic wonders as it flows over rapids and rock outcroppings, through old growth pine and hardwood forest, paralleling portions of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail.  The trail crosses natural wildlife areas, and state parks, and flows past historic dams, CCC camps, and once thriving mill towns, where White Pine once was king.  \nThe trail beckons us back to a time when the Ojibwa called the great river Meskonsing.  It was our state’s first superhighway, where European explorers, fur traders, missionaries and frontiersmen transferred goods for furs and, more importantly, traded ideas between cultures.  \nThe great river is never far from our imagination, fast flowing, scenic in its northern segments to urban and industrial as it flows south through cities that once had names such as Jenny Falls, Big Bull, and Little Bull Falls.  The river has always been a gateway to the north, to the “Great Pinery”, the great white pine forest that blanketed the lands to the great lake the Ojibwa called Gitchi Gami.  \nIn the 1870’s the river earned a new name as the “Hardest Working River in the World” when the river was put to work sawing lumber for the cities and homes of the Midwest.  In 1907 a group of private interests, called the Wisconsin Valley Improvement Company, was established to manage and regulate the flow of the Wisconsin River so that hydroelectric energy and the papermaking industry could develop and flourish.\nToday, the Wisconsin has returned to its beginnings offering the paddler an adventure not soon forgotten!\nThe trail’s uniqueness lies in the storytelling at 35 landings and portages on its journey south.  The Great Pinery Heritage Waterway is more than a river trail, it is a storytelling trail of the people, events, and geology of this historic river from ancient times to the mid-twentieth century.  Each landing and portage have kiosks with storyboards that tell those stories in a unique way from its geology and wildlife to its legend and lore of rivermen such as, “Whiskey Jack”, wilderness pioneer Bill Cross, and fur trader, John Baptiste DuBay.  The trail connects new generations to that distant past from which we arrived and offers insights into where we are going.  By integrating QR codes into the trail signage, additional insights and stories can be accessed to enhance one’s journey and connection to the river.  \nTrail amenities such as restrooms, parking, typical paddle time between landings, parks, and camping have been included along with paddle guides on each segment of the trail.  An interactive map and downloaded trail maps take the drudgery and fear out of trip planning, making a family trip on the Great Pinery an exercise in fun.  Additionally, a paddler’s journey is enhanced by the incorporation of technology such as paddle apps that help with trip planning, safety and weather to GIS locators that give the exact locations to each landing and portage. We live in a social world where we want to share experiences and our adventures in real time with friends and family.  For that reason, Wi-Fi connectivity has been mapped along the trail offering instant communication if one so desires.  \nSpecial docks and launches have been incorporated into the trail at heavy use areas so that the fear of entering or exiting a kayak or canoe is minimized.  A number of these are ADA approved launches which open the trail to people with disabilities.  The long-term goal is for each heavily used paddle area to have an ADA approved launch.      \nJohn Muir once said, “The rivers flow not past, but through us.”  The Great Pinery Heritage Waterway is one of those special rivers connecting communities, connecting time to place, and people to events.","Log #":null,"Date Certified":"2025-06-08","Manager URL":{"urlSuffix":null,"target":null,"title":null,"class":null,"id":null,"rel":null,"ariaLabel":null,"download":false},"NRT URL":"https://www.nationalrecreationtrails.com/trails/great-pinery-heritage-waterway"},{"Title":"Elizabeth River Trail","Agency":"Nonprofit","TrailType":"Urban Trail","States":"Virginia","Counties":"Norfolk","Allowed Uses":"Bicycling, Bicycling, electric, Bicycling, hand powered, recumbents, tricycles, Boating, human-powered, Dogs, on leash, Electric micro-mobility devices, Hiking/Walking, Trail running","Length":10.5,"Loop Trail?":false,"Elevation High":65,"Elevation Low":5,"Elevation Cumulative":60,"Tread Width Average":144,"Tread Width Minimum":96,"Tread Width Running Length":2640,"Trail Grade Average":2,"Trail Grade Maximum":3,"Trail Grade Running Length":1320,"Trail Cross-slope Average":2,"Trail Cross-slope Maximum":1,"Trail Cross-slope Running Length":541,"Surfaces":"Paved","Longitude":76.30789,"Latitude":36.860855,"Short Description":"10.5 mile urban waterfront trail from Norfolk State University to the Port of Virginia. This multi-modal trail features stunning views of the Elizabeth River, the historic Cannonball Trail, the USS Wisconsin and historic Fort Norfolk with amenities for all ages, including The Glowline, a glow-in-the-dark section of trail. The Elizabeth River Trail connects 28 neighborhoods and features dining, breweries, wineries, and cultural attractions within steps of the trail.","Long Description":"Located along the historic working waterfront of the Elizabeth River, the Elizabeth River Trail, (ERT), is a 10.5 mile","Log #":null,"Date Certified":"2025-06-08","Manager URL":{"urlSuffix":null,"target":null,"title":null,"class":null,"id":null,"rel":null,"ariaLabel":null,"download":false},"NRT URL":"https://www.nationalrecreationtrails.com/trails/elizabeth-river-trail"},{"Title":"Cuyahoga River Water Trail","Agency":"National Park Service","TrailType":"National Water Trail","States":"Ohio","Counties":"Cuyahoga, Summit","Allowed Uses":"Boating, motorized, Boating, human-powered","Length":41,"Loop Trail?":false,"Elevation High":758,"Elevation Low":571,"Elevation Cumulative":187,"Tread Width Average":null,"Tread Width Minimum":null,"Tread Width Running Length":null,"Trail Grade Average":null,"Trail Grade Maximum":null,"Trail Grade Running Length":null,"Trail Cross-slope Average":null,"Trail Cross-slope Maximum":null,"Trail Cross-slope Running Length":null,"Surfaces":"Water, swift moving","Longitude":-81.531,"Latitude":41.125,"Short Description":"The Trail begins at the confluence of the Little Cuyahoga River and the Cuyahoga River main stem in Akron. The first access point, completed earlier this year, is located in the Valley View area of Cascade Valley Metropark; roughly half of a mile downstream from the confluence. From there, the river winds northward through the serene, natural landscape of Cuyahoga Valley National Park, which features 6 existing access points within the Park, with more access points currently under construction or planned. \n\nNorth of the Park, the river flows as the lifeblood of Cleveland's Industrial Valley before navigating the bustling heart of the City and ultimately pouring into Lake Erie. In total, the trail is 41 miles long and features 8 existing access points with two more access points currently under construction.","Long Description":"The Cuyahoga River Water Trail (CRWT), state-designated in 2019, is 90 miles long, flowing south and then turning sharply north towards Lake Erie, forming a large U shape in Northeast Ohio. The portion of the CRWT seeking National Water Trail designation begins at the confluence of the Little Cuyahoga River and the Cuyahoga River main stem, in the Cascade Valley area of Summit Metro Parks in Akron and Cuyahoga Falls. From beginning to end, this section of the river is roughly 41 miles long. The reason which Cuyahoga Valley National Park is not seeking designation of the entire length of the CRWT is because there is a large dam that cannot be portaged as well as a large reservoir that cannot be paddled upstream of the aforementioned confluence.\nThe first access point in this reach, Valley View Trailhead, sits roughly half a mile downstream from the confluence. Completed in 2024 on a large golf course-turned-park, which was restored to a more natural ecology by Summit County Metroparks, this trailhead is the southern anchor of the section seeking designation. From this access point, paddlers make their way downstream into Cuyahoga Valley National Park, where the Northampton Point access point is currently under construction, approximately eight river-miles from the Valley View trailhead. Construction of this access point will be complete in the Spring of 2025.  \n\nThe roughly 26 miles of the CRWT through the National Park currently includes 6 existing access points and 1 access point currently under construction (Northampton Point to Rockside Road). This section is strictly paddling only - no tubing, floating or motorized craft are allowed. The national park section of the water trail is patrolled by river rangers and the volunteer River Patrol Team. This ranger-led volunteer group is instrumental in providing safety and preventative search and rescue information to river users. This section of the water trail through the national park provides paddlers with serene, forested landscapes as well as ample wayside interpretation and historical landscapes. Bald eagles, beaver and a diverse array of wildlife can be admired through this section.  \n\nApproximately seven miles downstream from the Northampton Point access point is Lock 29. However, Cuyahoga Valley National Park recently acquired the former Brandywine Golf Course Property within this section and plans to develop an access point on that site as well. Downstream of Lock 29 through the National Park features the highest concentration of paddling access and water trail use. This northern section of the National Park is also where water trail users can take advantage of the paddle-aboard program, where they can board Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad with their kayaks and equipment and use the train as a shuttle to get from one end of their river journey to the other. Furthermore, users can engage in pedal-paddle opportunities thanks to the Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath Trail which also runs adjacent to the river and scenic railroad through this section. Boston, Red Lock, Station Road Bridge, Fitzwater and Lock 39 access points string along this reach of the river and provide ample access to the water trail.  \n\nNorth of Lock 39, paddlers exit the National Park and navigate the wooded banks of the Cuyahoga River towards Cleveland. Approximately six miles north of Lock 39, the nature of the water trail changes from a quiet, wooded river into the lifeblood of Cleveland’s Industrial Valley and the shipping channel. Through this section, towering freighters move vast quantities of iron ore and other materials to Cleveland’s colossal steel mills and industrial sites, highlighting the living industrial heritage and history of the Cuyahoga River. Information for how to navigate this section safely is available on the Cuyahoga River Water Trail website, and safety is supported by the Cleveland Argonaut vessel and other law enforcement entities.  \n\nThis industrial heritage section is not as accessible as the southern portion of the water trail, and paddlers should be prepared for a longer paddle and be aware of how to paddle safely through this section. However, new access in this section is currently under construction at Zaclon Landing, which is roughly nine miles north of the Lock 39 trailhead and which will make this section less strenuous to navigate.  \n\nNorth of Zaclon Landing and the Industrial Valley, the nature of the water trail changes again. The heavy industry begins to give way to the downtown urban core of Cleveland. Riverfront restaurants and parks as well as pleasure boats, rowing teams, jet skis and paddleboarders can be found through this section of the water trail as the river approaches Lake Erie. Roughly 3 miles north of Zaclon Landing is Merwin’s Wharf, an ADA-accessible access point that allows users to explore downtown Cleveland from its foundational waterway. Finally, just a mile or so north of Merwin’s Wharf, the Cuyahoga River Water Trail ends at the river's mouth on Lake Erie. \n\nAlong these 41 river-miles, 8 existing access points and two access points currently under construction anchor public access to the Cuyahoga River Water Trail. From a quiet confluence through the natural beauty of parklands, to the stark industrial landscapes and bustling city life of Cleveland, the Cuyahoga River Water Trail offers a diverse array of opportunities for paddlers of all abilities and interests.","Log #":null,"Date Certified":"2025-06-08","Manager URL":{"urlSuffix":null,"target":null,"title":null,"class":null,"id":null,"rel":null,"ariaLabel":null,"download":false},"NRT URL":"https://www.nationalrecreationtrails.com/trails/cuyahoga-river-water-trail"},{"Title":"Miner's Ravine Trail","Agency":"City, Town, or County","TrailType":"Urban Trail","States":"California","Counties":"Placer","Allowed Uses":"Bicycling, Bicycling, electric, Bicycling, hand powered, recumbents, tricycles, Dogs, on leash, Electric micro-mobility devices, Hiking/Walking, Trail running","Length":6.37,"Loop Trail?":false,"Elevation High":250,"Elevation Low":135,"Elevation Cumulative":115,"Tread Width Average":120,"Tread Width Minimum":96,"Tread Width Running Length":112,"Trail Grade Average":0.4,"Trail Grade Maximum":13.2,"Trail Grade Running Length":170,"Trail Cross-slope Average":2,"Trail Cross-slope Maximum":null,"Trail Cross-slope Running Length":null,"Surfaces":"Paved","Longitude":-121.224619,"Latitude":38.756684,"Short Description":"The City of Roseville constructed the Miner's Ravine trail on City property as a transportation and recreational trail giving residents the opportunity to explore nature in their own community. This 6.37 mile trail was named after local gold mining activities that would have taken place in this area during the 1849 Gold Rush. Generally considered an easy route, this is a very popular area for hiking, biking, running, dog-walking or a leisurely stroll where you'll likely encounter other people and wildlife while exploring. The trail is beautiful to visit any season.","Long Description":"The Miner's Ravine Trail winds its way through the city of Roseville, from the Miner's Ravine Nature Reserve along Dry Creek through a wooded greenway and among suburban neighborhoods into Downtown Roseville. The trail surface is paved asphalt, smooth, and 10-feet wide with 2-foot shoulders on each side.  One shoulder is comprised of decompressed granite, perfect for those who like to jog on a smoother surface. There is a painted dividing line along most of the trail allowing separate lanes for pedestrians and bikers; complete with stenciling and signage encouraging safe travel.  There are benches along the trail for resting as well as trailheads along the route which offer convenient parking.   The trail is unique with interpretive signs and historical sites such as a grinding stone that was used by local Native Americans. Follow the signs to the Sculpture Park to see the art installation Cosmos and look for signs explaining the remnants of the Golden Gate Bridge over creek crossings. The trail connects to several large City Parks which offer their own amenities.  This is an excellent trail for bird-watching, spotting spawning salmon, and observing small wildlife.   The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime, where you can see springtime wildflowers or the fall foliage.","Log #":null,"Date Certified":"2025-06-08","Manager URL":{"urlSuffix":null,"target":null,"title":null,"class":null,"id":null,"rel":null,"ariaLabel":null,"download":false},"NRT URL":"https://www.nationalrecreationtrails.com/trails/miners-ravine-trail"}]