Cuyahoga River / Whiskey Island in Ohio

Trip Overview

Whiskey Island is home to Wendy Park in the heart of Cleveland located where the Cuyahoga River meets Lake Erie.

There are several kayak outing options.
You can go east or west and stay within the breakwall or go outside the breakwall for ocean water paddling. You can go for a river tour on the Cuyahoga River. This launch is not recommended for canoes. Sit-on kayaks, stand-up paddleboards and sea kayaks with skirts are best.

There is a restaurant at the Marina next to the park. After you leave the launch be prepared to deal with occasional commercial vessel traffic. Depending on which way you go, commercial traffic will either be present or it will go away. If you go down the Cuyahoga River be prepared to give way to large vessels. If you see a ship entering the River or hear low loud horns blowing, it is best to let the vessels pass before you go on the River.

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is 1 1/2 miles east of Whiskey Island across the Cuyahoga River ship channel just after Browns Stadium.

You can paddle 4 miles (one way) to the end of the breakwall. If you are a high level experienced kayaker, "The Crib" (large orange Cleveland Water intake structure) is a 7-mile roundtrip in the big water.

Always check the weather and wind forecast.

Accommodations:

There are portable restrooms in the launch area and a restroom at the Sunset Grill Restaurant and Patio.

There are facilities going west at Edgewater Beach (1 1/2 miles), up river at the Rocky River (7 miles), Brad Street Landing (8 1/2 miles) and Huntington Beach (12 miles). Distances are one way. Eastbound and out-in-lake paddles do not offer any facilities for several miles.

Fees:

There are no fees or permits.

Directions:

Exit Ohio Route 2 at Edgewater Park. Go East (toward downtown Cleveland)at the first stop sign. Follow alongside the marina and then stay to the right. Follow to Whiskey Island Marina. Go around the guardhouse and look for Wendy Park sign. Go left toward the lake at this sign. look for sailboats on the shore. Launch to the right of these boats.

Contact:

Cleveland Convention and Visitors Bureau can provide local accommodation and other sites to visit.

Resources:

Look on any Cleveland map. Whiskey Island is not actually an island. It is located on Lake Erie just west on the mouth of the Cuyahoga River.