Boating, Sailing & Paddlesports

Hinckley Lake and Wallace Lake are perfect flatwater venues for beginner paddlers or guests looking for paddling in limited wind, waves, and traffic conditions.

The Lake Erie Water Trail – Cuyahoga County spans 20+ miles along the lakefront connecting to both the Cuyahoga River Water Trail, Rocky River, and Euclid Creek.  Paddlers should be prepared to paddle in open water in which the weather, wind, waves, and water conditions should be assessed before paddling. 

• Lake Erie Water Trail Map & Safety Brochure
  • Discover one of the area’s greatest natural resources, Lake Erie, by paddling the Lake Erie Water Trail at one of the 13 access points. Be sensitive to private property along the trail and only stop at approved access points.
  • Access points include safety signage as well as mile marker signage.
  • Expect high cliff lines when paddling on the West side of Cleveland. High cliff lines limit emergency access/resting areas and can cause the water to reverberate creating a washing machine effect. Know your paddling ability and plan routes accordingly.
  • Near downtown Cleveland, when launching from Wendy Park, give freighters the right of way.Monitor freighter traffic using a marine VHF radio on channel 16 as well as using apps/websites such as marrinetraffic.com.
• Cuyahoga River Water Trail
  • The U-shaped Cuyahoga River flows nearly 100 miles before reaching the Lower Cuyahoga River within Cleveland Metroparks. The sections range from calm, scenic sections of the Upper Cuyahoga, a more traditional river experience along the Towpath Trail, or the raging waterfall drops of the Gorge meant only for expert paddlers.
  • When paddling the Lower Cuyahoga River (launching from Merwin’s Wharf), it’s important to remember that this calm looking river quickly becomes a technical river when freighters (50x longer than a kayak with powerful thrusters that create powerful jets of water capable of flipping boats) and other large vessels maneuver the hairpin turns of this crooked river.
  • Paddlers should monitor freighter traffic with a marine VHF radio listening to channel 16 as well as using apps/websites such as marinetraffic.com. It is best to marvel at these freighters from the shore, but if you find yourself in the water as they are approaching, the next best option is to get to one of the Cuyahoga River Passing Zones shown on this map.

With so many bodies of water, please be aware of the spread of aquatic nuisance species being spread from one body of water to another. To stop the spread, clean all vegetation and mud from boats, motors, trailers, clothing and footwear before leaving any location. Allow all equipment to fully dry before launching in a new body of water.

 Paddle Safety Tips

• Always wear a properly fitted lifejacket.Properly fitted lifejackets should be snug enough that it doesn’t slip upwards when tugged.
• Carry a sound signaling device such as a whistle with you.
• Always check the 4 Ws before paddling
  • Wind, Waves, Weather, and Water.
  • Don’t paddle in anything above your skill level.
• Practice and know how to perform self-rescues in a variety of conditions. When there is an emergency, you’ll be glad you did.
• When paddling in cold water conditions, be sure to dress appropriately for water temperatures.
  • Consider wearing a wetsuit or dry suit when water temperatures are below 60 F.
  • In warmer water, dress in non-cotton, synthetic layers.Think the 3 Ws of layering. Wear a Wicking, Warmth, and Weather layer.
• Carry the appropriate equipment for your craft.
  • Kayaks: lifejacket, paddle, bilge pump, webbing, sponge, dry bag to keep items such as phone, extra set of clothes, etc. dry.
  • SUPs: lifejacket, paddle, leash, dry bag to keep items such as phone, extra set of clothes, etc. dry.
• Carry a white light such as a headlamp when paddling around sunrise/sunset, and always at night.

Boating Resources

• Water Quality - Ohio Nowcast
• Nearshore Marine Forecast
• Cuyahoga River Passing Zones Map
• Freighter Traffic
• Paddlesports Tips - ACA
• Cleveland Metroparks Boating Rules and Regulations
• Registering Your Kayak (including inflatables); SUPs are exempt from registration
• Water Trails in Ohio

Paddling & Sailing Educational Programs

Outdoor Recreation offers a series of paddling & sailing programs ranging from introductory try-it sessions to more advanced skills sessions for kayaking, stand up paddleboarding, and sailing. Check out these virtual programs for additional tips & tricks for your next on water adventure.