Ohio Water Trails

The South Bass Island Water Trail is one of three trails included in the Lake Erie Islands Water Trail brochure.

The goal of ODNR’s water trail program is to promote the awareness of public paddling access while increasing safety by partnering with local communities to develop designated water trails on Ohio’s waterways. The trails are planned on the local level: communities, user groups, park districts and more recommend existing access sites for a proposed trail. ODNR helps guide the process, encouraging communities to work across political boundaries. ODNR funds the implementation of the trail through reimbursement grants for brochures, maps, and signage. This process concludes with a designated water trail that ensures paddlers have the best safety and access information as they explore a waterway.