Zoar Valley Trail

The Zoar Valley Trail winds along the Tuscarawas River for 20 miles between the village of Schoenbrunn in the south and Fort Laurens State Memorial in Bolivar in the north. The path is mixture of rolling hills and level areas through wooded tracts, open spaces, farmland and suburban back yards.

The trail passes by many historical sites of interest, including the villages of Zoar and Schoenbrunn (the latter founded in 1772), Camp Tuscazoar, Dover Dam, the Ohio & Erie Canal, Fort Laurens and a pre-Revolutionary War encampment. You'll also find a couple railroad trestles, one known as Fink Truss Bridge, which is a one-of-a-kind on the National Register of Historic Places

In addition to the historic sites, you can visit the Zoar Wetland Arboretum and you can camp at Tuscazoar, which about the halfway point. Both primitive tent sites and lodges are available but the camp recommends reserving a spot in advance. The Camp Tuscazoar Foundation manages the trail.

The Zoar Valley Trail is paved in the south, and is more hilly, while the southern section, north of the camp, has a natural surface and is more level. Part of the trail follows an old railroad right of way and the Ohio & Erie Canal towpath. North of Bolivar you can pick up the Ohio & Erie Canalway Towpath (Tuscarawas Section) and continue to Cleveland.

Parking and access is available at Fort Laurens in Bolivar, at Camp Tuscazoar in Dover, in the village of Schoenbrunn and near the Route 82 bridge.