HomeOhioDover › Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail

Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail

4.7 ★★★★★ 39 Google reviews · Running trail in Dover, Ohio · Hours vary

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Not reported
Distance
Not reported
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Not reported
Access
Not reported

We have not been able to confirm the surface, distance or shape of Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail yet from its own listing, the park's website or runner reviews — so those cells stay blank rather than guess. What is below comes straight from the listing and from reviewers' own words. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.

ScenicRestrooms

What runners say about Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (39 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

well-maintained 3 mentions

“Well maintained, beautiful nature therapy for the whole family 😁”

🏞️ beautiful scenery 7 mentions

“This place was so very beautiful and peaceful with some really great wildlife -and turtles!”

Nice little trail. The locks are cool. We hiked all the way to fort Laurens...the fort was a bit disappointing but the trail there was nice. I think it is really great that there is a self serve bike repair rack there complete with tools and an air pump.

★★★★☆ — Julie , Aug 2020

Absolutely GREAT trail. I've been coming here for YEARS. However, be sure to HIDE or remove anything that looks remotely valuable. Somebody busted out my rear driver side window (apparently this side will not set off the alarm hence the choice ) of my LOCKED vehicle to take an empty leather bag in under an hour.

★★★★★ — Sniglette28 , Jul 2023

The ABSOLUTE best place in the county for biking and running! Beautiful and quiet. The 6 mile out-and-back between Zoar and Bolivar is the perfect family bike outing.

★★★★★ — Heather , Nov 2016

Great trail for walking and biking. Mostly shaded. I would recommend putting on bug spray due to a lot of standing water. (Obviously from the canal) The mosquitoes don't bother you if you are riding, but once you stop...yikes!

★★★★★ — Jerry , Jun 2026

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 39 reviews →

Trail conditions & character

What this trail is actually like underfoot and overhead, taken from its own listing and from reviews. Each one links to every other trail with the same character. Busy or quiet is reported as a plain fact, not a plus or a minus — a runner heading out alone at dawn often wants company on the path, and someone running intervals wants an empty one.

🏞️ Scenic views 7 mentions

“This place was so very beautiful and peaceful with some really great wildlife -and turtles!”

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🚻 Restrooms

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Plan your run at Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail

The practical stuff

  • AccessHours vary — hours are not posted for this trail, so check before an early or late run
  • DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
  • ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
  • At the trailheadrestrooms — reported by runners
  • Websiteohioanderiecanalway.com
  • Social Facebook

Where to find Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail

Dover, Ohio

Get directions

Running trails near Dover

Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.

Canal Lands Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 116 reviews

Dover, OH

6 miDog-friendly

under a mile away

Camp Tuscazoar Preserve Trailhead

4.9 ★★★★★ 20 reviews

Dover, OH

4.4 miles away

Deis Hills Park

4.8 ★★★★★ 68 reviews

Dover, OH

Scenic

Park with a playground, disc golf course, sledding, and trails, plus a public restroom.

5.0 miles away

Dover City Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 437 reviews

Dover, OH

Scenic

Big playground, pond and baseball fields in a family-friendly park.

5.4 miles away

Dover Parks & Recreation Office

4.6 ★★★★★ 76 reviews

Dover, OH

Scenic

Baseball and softball venue with a tennis court, along with a pool and a workout area.

5.4 miles away

Crider Avenue Trail

4.4 ★★★★☆ 42 reviews

New Philadelphia, OH

LoopScenicDog-friendly

Compact trail featuring a short climb up a hill and back down, plus birds.

8.0 miles away

All running trails in Dover, OH →

Nearby towns

Listing verified July 2026 from public records, the trail's own website and runner reviews. Trail conditions change — paths flood, gates close at dusk, and shaded woods stay muddy for days after rain. Something out of date? Report a correction. Manage this trail? Send us the details — it is free.