Navarre: Village History and Trails Along the Tuscarawas River

For a stay in Navarre, village history and trails along the Tuscarawas River offer two distinct areas of interest. The historical sites include the Mathews House Museum, a self-guided walking tour, and a listed building. Along the water, points of interest include the route of the Congressman Ralph Regula Towpath Trail and the Craig Pittman access to the Tuscarawas River Water Trail.

Village History and Historic Sites

The Navarre Bethlehem Historical Society purchased and restored the Mathews House Museum. It is located at 123 High Street, near Historical Rochester Square.

The Mathews House Museum was listed as being open on the first Sunday of each month from May through November, from 1 to 4 p.m., with free admission. Check current opening hours and admission policies before your visit.

The Society offers visitors a self-guided historical walking tour of the village. The community also invites visitors to enjoy a quiet walk through the village at the bend in the river. The J.D. Define Building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

For planning purposes, the offerings differ in format: the historical walking tour is self-guided and takes you through the village; the museum is a named destination on High Street. This lets you consider a village walk and a dedicated museum visit separately.

Historic Canal Route and Trail Route

In Navarre, the Congressman Ralph Regula Towpath Trail follows the historic route of the Ohio & Erie Canal and passes through the village. A nearly 6.50-mile stretch follows the Tuscarawas River south toward Bolivar.

This information answers different orientation questions: the canal route describes the trail’s historical connection in Navarre, while the nearly 6.50 miles identifies a specific river section and its direction. This lets you distinguish the historic route from the specifically described trail section.

Access to the Tuscarawas River Water Trail

The Tuscarawas River Water Trail includes the Craig Pittman Water Trailhead in Navarre. At the Craig Pittman access, paddlers with their own equipment are permitted to launch and take out. Access conditions may change; check them before your paddling trip.

Just before the Craig Pittman Trailhead, there is a vehicle crossing on the Congressman Ralph Regula Towpath Trail where kayaks and canoes can be dropped off and picked up at the river. This crossing describes the location for dropping off and picking up boats; the Craig Pittman access identifies the permitted launch and takeout for paddlers.

In the wider region around Navarre, the Tuscarawas River Water Trail is 112.5 miles long and meets the 112-mile Muskingum River Water Trail in Coshocton. The lengths and confluence describe the regional scale of the waterways; the trailhead and launch and takeout, by contrast, provide specific information for Navarre.

Discover more destinations: Canton, Massillon, Alliance, North Canton

For the broader travel overview: Stark.