About the Sampler

• Estimated Time: 2–3 hours

• Travel Components: America's Byway

• Special Interest: Toddlers and their grown ups!

• Starting Point: Kendall Lake

• Ending Point: Boston

• Cost: Free programming, option to buy treats

• Submitted By: Nancy Desmond, Ohio & Erie Canalway Interpretive Coordinator

Do you have a young adventurer? Well, it's never too early to introduce them to the park! Use this sampler as a jumping off point to explore the Cuyahoga Valley.

Step by Step

Questing at the Lake

You'll begin your trip by following "1, 2, 3, Come Quest with Me," as part of the Questing program, an outdoor adventure series designed to help you discover the natural and cultural gems of the National Heritage Area and Cuyahoga Valley National Park. This particular quest is good for children ages 3–6 and their adult companion(s). The Quest is a counting game — written in couplets — and is easy for kids to enjoy with help from an adult. Click here to download the Quest before you go.

The Quest starting point is at Kendall Lake in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, about 2.5 miles southeast of the Lock 29 Towpath Trailhead in Peninsula and a short hop over from the America’s Byway, which runs along Riverview Road in Peninsula. Plan to spend some time exploring, and consider bringing along a blanket and picnic basket! This site has a shelter, restroom and a short loop trail.
 

Junior Ranger Activities

Does your young one want to be a ranger themselves? Now's their chance! The National Park Service offers a Junior Ranger Program. Interested youth complete a series of activities during a park visit, and share their answers with a park ranger. Anyone who completes the Junior Ranger Handbook or the Junior Ranger, Jr. Activity Cards will earn a Junior Ranger Badge.

Stop by the Boston Mills Visitor Center to pick up your activity books and cards. Plan to explore the center and its fun interpretive displays meant to engage people of all ages.
 

A Sweet Treat to End the Day

From the visitor center, walk over to Trail Mix to pick up some goodies to celebrate your time in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, including local ice cream! Take your sweet treat outside to eat by the small canal boat replica next to the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail. What a great way to end your trip!