A Lake Less Traveled: Hiking to Cuyahoga Valley's Indigo Lake

Hiking to Indigo Lake in Cuyahoga Valley National Park offers a peaceful and scenic escape, easily accessed via the Towpath Trail. Starting from the south near the Ira Trailhead, the route winds through the heart of the valley, guiding hikers past the serene wetlands of Beaver Marsh—an ideal spot for spotting herons, turtles, and the occasional beaver if you're lucky. The flat, crushed limestone path makes for an easy and accessible hike, with dense forests and open marshland offering a quiet rhythm of changing scenery. As you continue north, a spur trail leads to Indigo Lake—a deep, still pool of water nestled quietly between wooded hillsides, its glassy surface often mirroring the sky. It’s a simple, rewarding hike with just enough nature, wildlife, and stillness to make you forget you're not far from the bustle of nearby towns.

Trailhead elevation 733'

Water none filterable

Don't miss sunrise at the back end of the lake and spotting wildlife at Beaver March

Hiking to Indigo Lake

Heather and I arrive at the Towpath's Ida Trailhead at 5:30 AM on a cool July morning and quickly hit the trail. Our goal is to reach Indigo Lake in time to catch the sunrise—the first light spilling over the trees is always worth the early start. The parking lot is nearly empty, with just a few vehicles that likely belong to early-rising cyclists.

Heading north on the Towpath, we arrive at Lock 26—one of 44 locks from the Ohio & Erie Canal found within Cuyahoga Valley National Park—after a short walk. An interpretive sign shares its story and the lives of Charles and Susan Carter, who lived in a house beside it in the mid-1800s, back when the area was known as Ira. Charles worked as both a canal boat captain and locktender, while the family farmed corn and hay to feed their dairy cows. Like many local farmers, the Carters delivered milk to the nearby Hawkins Cheese Factory—one of several in the region, which came to be known as "Cheesedom."

A few hundred yards later, we reach the boardwalk over Beaver Marsh. It’s a favorite spot for glimpsing blue herons, turtles, and even the occasional beaver, but this morning the marsh is still and quiet, with no wildlife in sight. A soft fog lingers in the air, and only birdsong breaks the silence.

We continue north, beyond a view of a bend in the Cuyahoga River, and reach the Hale Farm Connector Trail just before the 0.9-mile mark. Turning left, we follow the connector for about a third of a mile, crossing Riverview Road before joining the paved path from the Indigo Lake parking lot. Sure, we could’ve driven straight to the lake, but with a morning this beautiful, we wanted to get out and stretch our legs a little.

At the front of the lake sits Indigo Lake Station, one of several stops along the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad. After a quick look, we continue along the paved path until it transitions to a grassy trail that traces the lake’s northern edge.

The grassy trail eventually opens up into a wide field, where a gentle slope guides us down to the lake’s western edge. Here, Heather and I stop to soak in another stunning valley sunrise. A soft fog drifts off the water, while reflections of the forest and streaks of pink from the sky ripple across the lake’s surface. Heather spots a beaver gliding through the water on its morning swim, then points out the remnants of an ash tree—freshly gnawed down by another busy beaver.

Indigo Lake was once the site of Gray's Quarry, a gravel and sand pit, the land became part of the National Park Service a few days after Christmas in 1974, with the establishment of the Cuyahoga Valley National Recreation Area. The former pit was later filled with water by park staff and subsequently given its current name. Fed by several nearby natural springs, the 90-feet deep lake continues to be sustained year-round.

After enjoying the beauty of the morning light, we make our way back to the Towpath and head back to the trailhead. This was our first visit to Indigo Lake together—and definitely not our last. The fall colors here are stunning, and we'll be back in a few months to take them all in.