Lock 38 at Canal Exploration Center
See hydraulic butterfly valves raise canal boats—Lock 38, a reconstructed 1800s canal lock. Summer demonstrations.
Natural Attraction
Lock 38 stands as a full-scale reconstruction of an 1800s canal lock where hydraulic principles meet mechanical engineering: water fills or drains through butterfly valves in the upstream or downstream gates, shifting the internal water level until it matches the adjacent canal level. Volunteers demonstrate this system on summer weekends when water conditions allow. This was the last functioning lock on the Ohio & Erie Canal (also called Twelve Mile Lock), and boats were limited to 75 feet long to navigate its chamber.
Getting there & parking
- How To Get There
- Located at Canal Exploration Center, 7104 Canal Road, Valley View, Ohio 44125. The lock and center are fully accessible from the parking area via paved walkways.
- Road Type
- Paved
- Parking Availability
- Yes, dedicated parking lot at Canal Exploration Center with accessible spaces
- GPS Coordinates
- 41.3727286365269,-81.612867442967
When to go
- Best Time To Visit
- Summer weekends when water levels in the canal permit and volunteers are demonstrating the lock operation
What you will experience
- Attraction Type
- Historic Canal Lock
- Main Features
- Reconstructed 1800s canal lock with functional butterfly valve gates; water-filled lock chamber; volunteer-led demonstrations on summer weekends showing hydraulic water management; connected to Towpath Trail and Ohio & Erie Canal heritage system
- What Youll See
- A full-scale reconstructed canal lock with operational butterfly valves, lock chamber, upstream and downstream gates; volunteer demonstrations showing water management in action; interpretive signage; Canal Exploration Center exhibits on Ohio & Erie Canal history and engineering
- Unique Characteristics
- Last functioning lock remaining on the Ohio & Erie Canal; reconstruction of original 'Twelve Mile Lock'; boats were limited to 75 feet long to pass through; demonstrates 1800s hydraulic engineering principles still in use
- Scientific Interest
- Hydraulic engineering principles from 1800s canal systems; demonstrates how locks overcome elevation changes without dams; butterfly valve mechanism still operational; mechanical demonstration of water pressure equilibration
Facilities, fees & access
- Entry Fees
- No entrance fee
- Restrooms Available
- Yes
- Restroom Type
- Flush
- Picnic Areas
- Yes
- Water Available
- Yes
- Cell Service
- true
- Interpretive Signs
- Yes
- Accessibility
- Paved walkways throughout; wheelchair-accessible paths and facilities; accessible restrooms; elevators and accessible rooms at Canal Exploration Center; level terrain with minimal slope
- Accessibility Level
- Drive-up view with fully paved and accessible pathways
- Nearby Facilities
- Canal Exploration Center with visitor exhibits, interpretive programs, gift shop, restrooms, water stations, and accessibility services
- Family Friendly Notes
- Educational and engaging for families and school groups; wheelchair accessible makes it suitable for visitors of all ages and abilities; volunteer demonstrations are designed for public viewing; stay supervised near the lock chamber—moving water and heavy gates require caution
Safety
- Safety Considerations
- Lock 38 contains a water-filled chamber with moving gate mechanisms. During demonstrations, water levels change rapidly. Keep well back from the lock edge—do not enter the chamber or reach toward operating gates. The chamber depth and moving gates present drowning and crush hazards. Supervise children closely and stay within marked safety barriers at all times.
Nearby
- Nearby Attractions
- Other historic locks on Ohio & Erie Canal (Lock 24, 25, 26, 29, 32, 35, 36, 37, 39); Boston Mill Visitor Center; Ohio to Erie Trail
- Connecting Trails
- Towpath Trail connects to Ohio to Erie Trail and broader Cuyahoga Valley trail network
- Trailheads Here
- Towpath Trail (connects to Ohio to Erie Trail and broader Cuyahoga Valley trail network)
Planning advice
- Tips Advice
- Visit on summer weekends when water permits and volunteers demonstrate the system—timing is key to seeing it work
- Watch the butterfly valve operation during both filling and draining phases to understand the mechanics
- Bring binoculars to observe details from a safe viewing distance
- Combine with Towpath Trail for scenic canal-side hiking
- Visit Canal Exploration Center exhibits before or after viewing the lock to understand Ohio & Erie Canal history
More details
- Recent Updates
- Volunteer demonstrations occur on summer weekends when canal water levels permit adequate filling. Check with Canal Exploration Center for current demonstration schedules and any seasonal access updates.
- Visitor Center Present
- Yes
- Guided Tours Available
- Yes
Location
Frequently asked questions
Is the lock still functional or just a static display?
Lock 38 is fully reconstructed and operational. Volunteers demonstrate it on summer weekends when water conditions in the canal allow—you'll see real water fill and drain the chamber using the original butterfly valve mechanism.
Will I see actual boats transit through the lock?
No, the lock is a demonstration feature only. The Ohio & Erie Canal is no longer used for active navigation. Volunteers operate the lock to show how the hydraulic system worked during the canal's commercial era.
Is it worth visiting if demonstrations aren't happening?
Yes. The reconstructed lock structure itself is impressive and photographable, and the adjacent Canal Exploration Center has extensive exhibits on Ohio & Erie Canal history and engineering. The site is open daily with full amenities.
Can kids get close to the lock during demonstrations?
Children must remain behind marked safety barriers during demonstrations. The lock chamber is deep with moving gates—proximity rules are strictly enforced to prevent drowning and crush hazards.
What else can we do here besides viewing the lock?
Visit Canal Exploration Center exhibits, walk the adjacent Towpath Trail, explore interpretive panels about canal history, and access picnic areas. The Towpath Trail connects to the broader trail network for longer hikes. Most visitors spend 1–2 hours at this site.
More at Cuyahoga Valley National Park
Tinkers Creek Aqueduct
Concrete aqueduct suspends a historic canal above Tinkers Creek—engineering from the 1800s, still standing.
Everett Covered Bridge
Ohio's last Summit County covered bridge (reconstructed 1986). Walk through preserved 1869 Smith Truss timber.
Canal Exploration Center Station
Historic railroad station with access to scenic train rides and the Towpath Trail.
Lock 35
Historic canal lock with Murphy family heritage panels; walk the Towpath Trail for views of the Cuyahoga River valley.
Lock 37 and Flood Gate
Historic canal lock with floodgate and working 19th-century mill on the Ohio & Erie Canal.
Recommended gear for Cuyahoga Valley National Park
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Sources
- National Park Service
- YourNPGuide Editorial
Editorial review: YourNPGuide Editorial Team. Information is compiled from official sources, verified traveler reviews, and editorial research; no firsthand visit is implied unless explicitly documented. Learn how YourNPGuide works.
Last updated July 2026. Report an issue.