Old State Park

Old State Park in New Franklin provides boat ramp access to Portage Lakes and the Tuscarawas River system in Summit County. The facility features a dedicated launch ramp with a smaller parking lot; follow signage to locate the ramp area. This access point is one of eight launch ramps serving the Portage Lakes reservoir system, making it part of a well-established paddling and boating destination in Northeast Ohio.

The Portage Lakes area offers excellent canoeing and paddling opportunities across multiple connected reservoirs. Electric motors only are permitted on Nimisila Reservoir, which is ideal for quieter paddling experiences. The water body sits along a historic portage route connecting the Cuyahoga River (flowing north to Lake Erie) and the Tuscarawas River (flowing south to the Ohio River), making it a regionally significant paddling corridor. Private marinas in the area provide additional services including boat rentals and fuel if needed.