This 926-acre park is leased from the City of Akron in a partnership that allows for conservation of natural areas as well as enjoyment of recreation and outdoor education. Five trails total 4.7 miles. More than two miles of the statewide Buckeye Trail winds along the western shore of East Branch Reservoir. The eastern shore and all islands are designated preserves and only accessible during naturalist-led programs. A secondary entrance is located at 15055 Mayfield Road (Rt. 322).
Headwaters Boathouse is a must-see structure and a great place to hold your event.
Click here to learn more about, or reserve, a facility.
Click here to learn more about, or reserve, a campsite or lean-to.
It's not just water! Be sure to spend time hitting some other picturesque trails.
Buckeye Trail – 2 – gravel
Pike Point Trail – 0.3 – gravel
Kingfisher Trail – 0.2 – mixed
Eagle Trail – 0.8 – gravel
Maple Bridle Trail – 1.4 – mixed
You'll love the beauty of this natural watershed that is home to a multitude of species, including Bald Eagles.
At the headwaters of the Cuyahoga River, East Branch Reservoir is the northernmost of the four reservoirs that supply water to the Akron metropolitan area. The City of Akron implements a variety of management practices to maintain a high-quality water supply. These include keeping watershed lands in natural states so that forests, meadows and wetlands can filter out sediment and pollutants before they reach waterways. The natural state of watershed lands also provides quality habitats and recreation opportunities.
A beech-maple forest, meadows and evergreen plantations surround these waters. The land is home to wild turkey, fox, mink, owls, hawks and a variety of songbirds. Abundant wildflowers carpet the forest floor each spring.
Headwaters Park is also a popular stopover for migratory waterfowl each spring and fall: loons, Tundra Swans and many types of ducks. Bald Eagles and Ospreys often soar over the reservoir; Cormorants sun themselves in the trees on the islands. Sandpipers and plovers visit the reservoir in late summer.
How is the water level at the Headwaters Park boat launch?
Our 2023 season for boat borrowing ran Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend. When details on the 2024 season become available, they will be posted under News & Updates above.
All times are first come, first served. Please be sure to read all the information on this page before you head out for a boat.
Beginning in June and lasting through early September, the Park District’s limited number of kayaks, canoes and paddleboats can be borrowed for self-guided tours of East Branch Reservoir from the boathouse. Hours of operation (and exceptional schedules) are posted to our News & Updates page during the season.
Geauga County residents can borrow boats for free (ID required), up to two hours for kayak and canoe and one hour max for paddleboats, with the last boats going out one hour before closing time. For out-of-county residents, boat borrowing costs $7 for child kayak, $10 for adult single kayak, $14 for tandem kayak or canoe, and $18 for paddleboats (credit card only, paid onsite). The required waiver, to be completed in advance or on site, can be found at this link. A driver’s license will be held as a security deposit for each loan.
Please note that enough Coast Guard-approved personal flotation devices must be on board for each occupant (provided), life vests must be worn at all times, anyone under 18 must be accompanied by an adult, and sorry, dogs are not permitted on borrowed boats. Thanks for understanding!
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