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Activities

Stark County Section

Welcome to the Canalway

 — Stark County Section

Taking a canal boat ride into our past, visiting Massillon’s historic Fourth Street and Canton’s Pro Football Hall of Fame, enjoying natural beauty at six Stark Parks locations, or exploring the area by Towpath Trail, Rail or America’s Byway — the Stark County section offers you an amazing array of cultural, historical, recreational and natural fun!

Take a look below and head over to the Canalway activity of your choice – Bicycling, Hiking, Questing, Birdwatching and so much more!

Not quite sure where to start? Pick a Canalway Sampler and be on your way. Each Sampler shares a favorite Canalway outing from one of our local experts! 

Traveling in the Canalway


  • The Towpath Trail offers fun travels by bike, by hoof (in some areas) and on foot — all in all, 81+ miles for you to explore.
  • Explore our industrial roots on CVSR’s Akron-Canton flyer — offering train rides twice daily through the Canalway in the summer. Continue your journey north on the Akron-Cleveland scenic rail.
  • Driving through the Canalway is made easier by following the signed America’s Byway route to key Canalway locations. Look for the east-west Massillon-Canton leg that extends your Canalway travels.

Things To Do - Start your adventures!

Bicycling Multiple Trailheads offer access to 25 miles of Towpath Trail managed by Stark Parks in this section, where you’ll be winding through pastoral settings, canal-era villages and alongside watered portions of the historic Ohio & Erie Canal.

Questing Try our new outdoor adventure series. Three Quests are available in Stark County — a great way to spend an afternoon, or a few of them!

Photography A day starting with the scenic panoramic views from the Exploration Gateway at Sippo Lake or perhaps a stop along Massillon’s historic Fourth Street - might be just the thing!

Bird Watching & Wildlife Area Naturalists have highlighted a number of our area’s favorite spots for you to discover.

Family Outings Outings are naturally fun in the Canalway. Your family can combine, hiking, biking, and canoeing with a visit to the Lake Avenue Towpath Trailhead in Massillon or at the Canal Fulton Canoe Livery.

Heritage Our canal-era history comes to life here – whether taking a canal boat ride on the St. Helena III or exploring our canal-era past at the Congressman Ralph Regula Canalway Center at Sippo Lake Park.

On Foot Discover more of our roots on a Stark Parks historian guided tour at Magnolia Flouring Mills or find a lunchtime getaway on a one-mile Towpath hike from St. Helena Heritage Park to Lock 4 Park. There’s so much waiting for you ...

Rails The southernmost terminus for the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad’s 51-mile Canalway journey can be found in Canton, where trains depart twice daily. The station is just about a 15-minute walk away from the National First Ladies’ Library.

Byway Driving In Stark County, the Ohio & Erie Canalway America’s Byway boasts a north-south segment and an east-west segment, and also intersects with America’s first byway, the Lincoln Highway!

Winter Activities Check back – we have plenty of ways to make winter fun.

Sippo Lake Exploration Gateway

Sippo Lake Exploration Gateway

Canalway Samplers See All »

  • A Countryside Market Saturday - Taking it Old School!
    A Countryside Market Saturday - Taking it Old School!

    Dates: Winter & Spring Saturdays - 9 a.m. - Noon Nov. 17th, Dec. 8 & 22, Jan 26, Feb 9 & 23, March 9 & 23, April 6 & 27 Enjoy fresh food in winter and support local farmers, Grab lunch while you’re there, and then  Head over to the Towpath Trail for a brisk winter’s walk.  On snow-covered days, bring your cross-country skis for a great Towpath experience! Looking for fresh food and warm times during a long Canalway Winter? Head on over to the Countryside Winter Farmers Mark... More »

Did You Know? See All »

  • A Towpath was a Towing Path

    A Towpath was a Towing Path Bicyclists and walkers on the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail today follow the same path that in the 1800s was used by mules and mule-drivers to pull canal boats—with some exceptions. Canal Fever , KSU Press, 2009 More »

Events in Stark See All »

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