The Maumee River Water Trail stretches
107 miles from Lake Erie's Maumee Bay,
to the Ohio-Indiana border.
The trail connects five Toledo area Metroparks (Bend View, Farnsworth, Middlegrounds, Providence, and Side Cut), three state parks (Independence Dam, Mary Jane Thurston, and Maumee Bay), three wildlife areas (Meyerholtz, North Turkeyfoot, and Van Tassel), as well as 15 other publicly owned parks.
In total, the trail can be accessed at 39 locations with a variety of activities and amenities found at each location.
About the Trail
The Maumee River Water Trail is a joint effort between Metroparks Toledo, Ohio Water Trails, Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), and Defiance Soil & Water Conservation District.
The Maumee River, named by the Miami Indians, was designated a State Scenic River on July 18, 1974. Located in the northwestern part of Ohio, the Maumee flows northeasterly through portions of Paulding, Defiance, Henry, Wood, and Lucas counties. Of the Maumee River's 136 miles, 107 miles are within Ohio.
The creation of the Maumee River Water Trail is in keeping with the Metroparks Toledo's mission of preserving natural areas, creating public access to them, and providing interpretation and instruction that allows people to enjoy their natural resources to the fullest.
Kayak Rental
Don't have your own boat? No problem! Metroparks Toledo and Maumee Tackle & Fishing Outfitters both offer local kayak rental to make your fun-filled trip on the Maumee River easier.
METROPARKS TOLEDO KAYAK RENTAL | metroparkstoledo.com
Howard Marsh Metropark | Howard Marsh Kayak Share
- Single Kayaks can be rented by the hour, $15
- Rental season runs Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day
- Download the Movatic app to your smartphone to rent
Farnsworth Metropark | Farnsworth Kayak Concession
- Single Kayaks can be rented by the hour, $15 and Tandem Kayak, $20 per hour
- Rental season runs Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day
- Weekend Rentals: Friday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. (Last kayak out will leave no later than 5 p.m.)
- Mid-Week Kayak Rentals: Tuesday-Thursday, 1-7 p.m. (Kayaks launch at 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 p.m.)
- Mid-Week Rentals require two kayak minimum
- Kayak Season Passes, $125 includes a single kayak, life jacket and oars. (NEW OFFERING!)
MAUMEE TACKLE KAYAK RENTAL | maumeetackle.net
104 W. Wayne St. Maumee, OH | Kayak Rentals, Rates & Trips
- Rental Trip Rate, $30 (includes kayak, life jacket, paddle and transportation)
- Rentals Available Monday-Saturday, 8 a.m. - Last Trip at 3 p.m. & Sunday, 8 a.m. - Last Trip at 1 p.m.
- Must be returned/at pick-up location no later than 6 p.m.
- See "Kayak Rentals, Rates & Trips" link for more information on trips and additional details
Stay Along the Way at Granger Island
Enjoy a unique paddle-up overnight experience at Metroparks Toledo's Granger Island on your trek along the water trail. Stay on your own private island in the middle of the Maumee River in the Granger Island Cabin.
The cabin features:
- Sleeping room for five people
- Dinette with four stools
- One queen bed
- Two sofas
- A restroom with composting toilet
Cabin rental is available June 1st through November 1st. For additional information regarding cabin rental, click here.
- Never boat alone!
- Wear a lifejacket at all times, particularly in moving water. By law, children under 10 must wear life jackets of an appropriate size.
- File a "float plan" with a reliable person, indicating where you are going, and when you will leave and return. Contact the person once you have returned safely.
- Know where you are along the trail at all times. Know how to get to roads if you must walkout.
- Do not overload or unevenly load your boat. Keep the weight in the boat low and centered to maintain stability.
- Be prepared to swim. If the water looks too hazardous to swim, then don't boat on it!
- Always maintain three points of contact (for example, two hands and one foot touching the boat) while moving around in the boat.
- Be aware of motorized boats. Stay close to shore unless crossing. Wear bright colors for visibility. Always point your boat into the wake to avoid capsizing.
- If you capsize, hold onto your boat unless it presents a life-threatening situation. Position yourself on the upstream side of the capsized boat.
- Carry plenty of drinking water! Avoid overexertion and guard against extreme weather conditions.
- In case of emergency call 911. Know where you are along the trail in case you need to request emergency assistance.
*The information contained in the provided map is believed to be accurate. Destination Toledo, Metroparks Toledo or ODNR are not responsible for any inaccuracies. Interpretation and use of the map and its contents are the responsibility of the user.
All photos, maps and content for the Maumee River Water Trail were provided by Metroparks Toledo. For additional information about the Trail, click here.
