About the Sampler

• Trip length: 4.4 miles each way

• Travel Components: Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad, Towpath Trail

• Recreation: Bicycling, running, walking 

• Special Interest: Families

• Start & End: Boston Mill Visitors Center 

• Cost: $5 one-way

Overview:

This is a great activity for families with small children or the beginner explorer who want to get out and experience Cuyahoga Valley National Park on the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail without committing to an extended trip on foot/bike. This activity includes bike riding along the historic Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail as well as along beautiful stretches of the Cuyahoga River. You'll also enjoy the train ride aboard the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad!

Begin by parking at the Boston Store Visitor Center in Cuyahoga Valley National Park. The Visitor Center also functions as a Towpath Trailhead providing easy trail access. Head north on foot or by bicycle for 4.4 miles to Station Road Bridge, where you'll find Brecksville Station for the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad. Here, you can take advantage of the Explorer Program (previously Bike Aboard) and buy a one-way ticket southbound on the train to return to your car.

Disembark at Boston Station and make your way over to Trail Mix, located across the street from Boston Store Visitor Center (where you parked) for ice cream!

Step by step

Step One – Parking & Visitor Center: Bring along your bicycles and park at the Boston Store Visitor Center (1548 Boston Mills Rd., Boston Township, Ohio 44264). After unloading your bikes, check out the displays in the Visitor Center and grab some maps and park brochures. You also can obtain your National Park and National Heritage Area passport stamps at this location!

Visitor Tip: It's also important to check the train schedule in order to gauge when the train will pass by Station Road Bridge to bring you back south to Boston Station. You can also visit the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad's Explorer Program page to purchase an Explorer Pass.

Step Two — Gear Up: Make sure everyone in your group has their protective gear on properly and each knows the basics of the Canalway-wide Safe is Sound guidelines for riding on a shared-use trail. (listed on this site under Family Outings and Bicycling).

Step Three — Wheels Down: Begin riding north on the Towpath Trail to Station Road Bridge. On your 4.4-mile bike ride, be sure to watch for the historic locks along the canal, remains of the Jaite Mill, the Cuyahoga River, wildflowers and abundant wildlife. You’ll pass through one other Trailhead — Red Lock — about halfway through your journey.

Traveler Tip: All three trailheads have restrooms.

Step Four — Station Road Boarding Station: Once arriving at Station Road Bridge, take a break or a little walk while you wait for the next southbound train. The boarding station itself is a little yellow station house with benches in the open-air seating area. Have $5 in cash per family member in order to pay the train to load your bikes and take the gang back to Boston Station.

Step Five — The Fun Part: Waving Down the Train: To signal the conductor that you want the train to stop, simply wave both your arms. Remember — one arm is a greeting, both arms signals the train to stop. In the very last car of the train, CVSR Explorer volunteers will load your bikes for you and you’ll hop on the train for the 10–15 minute ride back to your starting point.

Step Six — Back to Boston and Perhaps a Treat: Once back at Boston Station, turn left on Boston Mills Road, walk your bikes over the bridge towards the Visitor Center and your vehicle. For an added treat, stop into Trail Mix, the Conservancy for CVNP store, located across the street from the Visitor Center, to get yourself and your family some ice cream or another treat.

We hope this activity proves to be fun and beneficial to you and your family!

Alternative Excursion 

Not sure the younglings can go 4.4 miles? Head south out of Boston Store to Lock 29 in the city of Peninsula and board the northbound train in Peninsula. This is a 2.3-mile trip each way. At this location, you'll find Trail Mix Peninsula, where you can grab sandwiches, souvenirs and more. There are also restaurants, art studios, fun stores and a bike shop at this location.