America 250-Ohio launched its new Lake Erie to Ohio River trail on Friday. The trail includes multiple sites in Northeast Ohio, including the USS Cod and the Cleveland Natural History Museum.
The America 250-Ohio website will now feature custom itineraries that drivers can use to plot courses that include multiple sites along the trail. There are also printable versions of the map. A represenative for one of the Cleveland stops told The Land they’re not yet sure how this will impact their organization, but America 250-Ohio organizers hope it will increase tourism and foot traffic.
“Lake Erie, the Ohio River, and the canals were highways of hope,” said Melinda Huntley, executive director of the Ohio Travel Association, America 250-Ohio commissioner, and co-project leader for the Trails & Tales program. “They built towns, attracted inventors, created jobs, and brought people together. Today, their legacy flows through every scenic overlook, preserved towpath, and community that still thrives along their shores. The Lake Erie to Ohio River Trail will help all Ohioans explore and connect with the waters that moved a nation.”
More than 150 possible stops are included on this trail. The Northeast Ohio stops include:
- Cuyahoga Valley National Park in Brecksville
- Lock 3 Park in Akron
- Cleveland Museum of Natural History in Cleveland
- Geneva State Park in Geneva
- USS Cod in Cleveland
The Lake Erie to Ohio River trail is the third “experiential trail” launched by America 250-Ohio. The first trail, the Ohio Air & Space Trail, launched in May 2024. The second trail, the Ohio Creativity Trail, launched in February 2025. Organizers said in a statement that they plan to announce three additional trails in the coming months, but themes have yet to be announced.
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