Portage Lakes, group of lakes in Ohio
Portage Lakes is a collection of connected lakes and reservoirs in northeastern Ohio that includes both natural and man-made bodies of water. Eight lakes spread across the area, fed by small streams and supplementary reservoirs, with water flowing in two directions toward Lake Erie and the Ohio River.
The lakes formed partly from ancient glacial activity when melting ice created depressions that filled with water, while others were enlarged later to support the Ohio and Erie Canal system in the 1800s. After the canal was abandoned in 1913, the lakes became water sources for local industries until Ohio took over management in the mid-1900s.
The name Portage Lakes comes from an old path that Native Americans and early settlers used for trade and travel between waterways. Today the lakes remain a gathering place where locals and visitors connect with the water and learn about this historic crossroads role.
The park offers boat ramps at several locations to launch motorized boats, though Turkeyfoot Lake allows only electric motors, and nearby marinas provide boat rentals and fuel. Visitors should check boating restrictions as some lakes permit higher-speed engines only during certain days and times, while others remain quiet waters.
The location sits on a geographic ridge that divides water flow in two opposite directions, with some lakes feeding Lake Erie in the north while others drain toward the Ohio River to the south. This rare feature made the area a critical crossing point for movement and trade across different regions.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
