A costumed interpreter leads a mule towing a canal boat along the Miami & Erie Canal at Providence Metropark in Grand Rapids, Ohio.

Ohio’s 1,000-mile network of navigable canals, constructed by men and animals between 1825 and 1847, provided a system of economical transportation where none had previously existed.

The canals transformed Ohio’s isolated frontier economy almost overnight, opening many markets agricultural and industrial products. In addition, the canals provided an easier way for thousands of immigrants to travel to the state.

The coming of railroad transportation in the 1850s brought about a decline in canal use, and the disastrous Great Flood of 1913 almost completely destroyed the canals. Today only a few of the cut stone locks remain. Some portions of Ohio’s canals have been preserved for historic and recreational uses, and there are several places to experience canal boat rides. Sternwheeler boat rides are also listed in this section.

Beaver Creek State Park – Beaver Creek State Park near East Liverpool includes remnants of the Sandy and Beaver Canal, a spur off the Ohio & Erie Canal. The 73-mile Sandy and Beaver Canal was built in the mid-1800s and contained 90 locks and 30 dams. Lusk’s Lock, with its double-curved stone staircase, is the largest and most artistic on the canal and remains intact. 12021 Echo Dell Road, East Liverpool (330) 385-3091.

Canal Fulton – St. Helena III canal boat offers passenger rides on a restored section of the Ohio & Erie Canal. The Canalway Center provides exhibits, information and ticketing. Rides depart from the Port of Canal Fulton in St. Helena Heritage Park,125 Tuscarawas St., Canal Fulton (330) 854-6835.

Canal Museum – The Canal Museum is a replica of a lock tender’s house at the former site of the Miami & Erie Canal and the Hydraulic Canal near Smith Park. 1605 N. Verity Parkway, Middletown (513) 867-5839.

The Monticello III offers canal rides to passengers in Coshocton.

Coshocton Lake Park – Coshocton Lake Park offers horse-drawn canal boat rides during warmer weather months on the replica canal boat Monticello III. 23140 SR 83 N., Coshocton (740) 622-7528.

Delphos Canal Commission Museum – The Delphos Canal Commission Museum’s first floor is mainly devoted to transportation, with displays about the canal, the railroad and the automobile. The second floor has Delphos-area exhibits and artifacts. 241 N. Main St., Delphos.

Lockington Locks – A restored lock of the Miami & Erie Canal and four other locks are visible at Lockington Locks. The extensive stair step canal lock wall are among the best preserved in Ohio.  The lockmaster’s house, now a private residence, and a dry-dock basin for boat repair are still visible. Museum Trail and Cross Trail, Lockington (800) 752-2619.

Lockville Canal Park – Lockville Canal Park is maintained by the Fairfield County Park District. The park contains three locks of the Ohio & Erie Canal, known as Lock South 11, 12 and 13, as well as a covered bridge, Hartman No. 2 Covered Bridge. The park also has picnic tables and shelters. 5895 Pickerington Road, Carroll (614) 321-4833.

Lorena Sternwheeler – The Lorena Sternwheeler in Zanesville is available for public rides, lunch cruises, dinner cruises, twilight cruises, and private charters on the Muskingum River.  The season runs from June through October. Zanes Landing Park, Zanesville (800) 743-2303.

Muskingum River Parkway State Park – The Muskingum River Parkway State Park is the only remaining system of hand-operated locks in the nation. Locks are located at Devola, Lowell, Beverly, Luke Chute, Stockport, McConnelsville, Rokeby, Philo, Zanesville and Ellis Dam. A boat ramp is located in McConnelsville.

Great Miami Riverway – Ohio’s first National Water Trail and the nation’s largest paved trail network, the Great Miami Riverway comprises more than 99 miles of paved trails and connected communities. 38 E. Monument Ave., Dayton (937) 223-1271

Providence Metropark offers canal boat rides on a section of the Miami & Erie Canal.

Providence Metropark – At Providence Metropark, you can get a sense of what canal travel was like along an original section of the Miami & Erie Canal, complete with Lock #44. A replica of an authentic canal boat, The Volunteer, and historic Isaac Ludwig Mill preserve features of mid-1800s Ohio. 13827 S. River Road, Grand Rapids (419) 407-9701.

Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail – The Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail is a 98-mile route that closely follows the original towpath of the Ohio & Erie Canal between 1827 and 1913. The trail runs north and south, from Canal Basin Park in downtown Cleveland to Canal Lands Park in New Philadelphia, running through a number of metro parks and the Cuyahoga Valley National Park.

Peninsula Depot is part of the Ohio & Erie Canalway National Heritage Area, where scenic railroads and towpaths converge.

Ohio & Erie Canalway National Heritage Area – This federally-designated area is designed to preserve and celebrate the cultural and historical aspects of the Ohio & Erie Canal. Notable sites include the Towpath Trail and Greenway, Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad, National Scenic Byway, Western Reserve Historical Society, Ohio & Erie Canal Reservation, Industrial Valley & Cuyahoga River, Richard Howe House, Cong. Ralph Regula Canalway Center, Canal Fulton and Historic Zoar Village.

Roscoe Village – Roscoe Village is a village of preserved 1830s canal-era buildings that continue to operate independently as restaurants, shops, galleries, museums and stores. Businesses at Roscoe Village include Canal Cargo Company, Coshocton Art Guild, Coshocton Supply Company, The Cottage Café, Foothills Studio & Art Gallery, Good Boy Bakery, G.A. Fisher Diamond Jewelers, Huck’s Tavern, Kiefer’s Florist, Knob Hill Design, Lynnie Lou’s Boutique, Indian Bear Cork & Coffee, River Ridge Leather, Roscoe Barbeque Company, Roscoe General Store, Roscoe Village Sweets & Treats and The Warehouse Restaurant. The Johnson Humrickhouse Museum is also located at Roscoe Village. 600 N. Whitewoman St., Coshocton (740) 622-7644.

Valley Gem Sternwheeler – The Valley Gem Sternwheeler is a genuine sternwheel passenger vessel that runs the Ohio and Muskingum Rivers. Their public schedule has a variety of cruises along with opportunities for private charters. 601 Front St., Marietta (740) 373-7862.

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