Our Story

KayakHoga started with a simple idea—experience the Cuyahoga River from the water.

 

After thru-kayaking the river from Edison Dam (in Cuyahoga Falls) all the way to Lake Erie, I saw firsthand how much of this incredible shared public resource goes underutilized. Along the way, it became clear there was a gap in accessibility — especially for casual paddlers and first-timers not looking to buy their own kayaks or deal with the logistics of parking vehicles at both ends of a trip — particularly along the stretch between Peninsula and Independence, where the river runs alongside the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail.

 

As infrastructure continues to improve at key access points—including Peninsula, Boston Mills, Red Lock (Vaughn Road), Station Road Bridge (Brecksville), Fitzwater Road, Tinkers Creek, Hillside Road, and Lock 39 (Rockside Road in Independence) —the opportunity to connect more people to the river has never been better.

 

KayakHoga was built to simplify logistics for the public. Whether you’re looking for a relaxed float or a more active day outdoors, one of the best ways to experience the valley is by combining the river with the Towpath — bike upstream along the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail and paddle back down.

 

At its core, KayakHoga is about making it easier for people in Northeast Ohio to experience the Cuyahoga in a way that’s simple, memorable, and rooted in the landscape.