The annual Questing season is between April 15 - November 15.

Welcome to Questing — a fun outdoor adventure series in the Ohio & Erie Canalway. Quests are designed to help you discover the natural and cultural gems of the National Heritage Area and Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Each quest features a treasure hunt, telling a story about what makes this particular spot in Northeast Ohio so special. You'll follow rhyming clues and maps to locate a hidden box, which holds a logbook to sign and a unique hand-carved stamp to mark your brochure or personal journal.

Since launching, more than 9,000 Questers from 23 states have come to quest, and joining them are four-footed friends. In fact, at least 33 pups have signed into the hidden boxes, and have left their "stamp" in the form of a paw prints.

How do I Quest?

• Choose a quest by visiting our online table. You can also find field copies in visitor centers throughout the Canalway. See below for more information.

• Follow a series of rhyming clues outlined in the quest brochure.

• During your journey, the clues lead to a hidden "treasure" box. Once found, open the box and look inside! You’ll see:

  • A ledger to leave a note that you were there.

  • A stamp to collect an impression in your brochure or journal, proof that you found the box.

• Leave your mark and re-hide the box for other questers to discover.

• Continuing exploring the Canalway with new and exciting quests!

Who can Quest?
All ages and abilities are welcome! Visit the questing table to learn which quest is right for you.

What do I need?
The program is free to the public — all you need is a pencil or pen to participate. Good walking shoes help and a personal stamp enhances the fun.

When should I go?
Quests are active from April 15–November 15 each year.

Where can I go?
Canalway partners hide at least a dozen quest boxes to encourage visitors to explore their National Heritage Area.

How does Questing differ from Geocaching?
Unlike geocaching, questing requires no GPS unit and no trinkets are exchanged.

Where can I find printed copies of Questing brochures?
If you’re already out in the Canalway, you can pick up printed copies of the entire series at the Boston Mill Visitor Center located within the National Park. Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens has copies of their quests in the Gate House's admissions area.

What is the history of Canalway Questing?
Cuyahoga Valley National Park and its partners are modeling this project on the successful Valley Quest program in New England. A collaboration of partners, including Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Cleveland Metroparks, Summit Metro Parks, Stark Parks, Cascade Locks Park Association, and Ohio & Erie Canalway, introduced Questing to Northeast Ohio in 2010 with workshops led by national questing expert Steven Glazer, who directed the Valley Quest program for 10 years and specializes in connecting people with places. Several new partners have joined the program since.

To date, more than 100 Northeast Ohio teachers, volunteers and park staff have been involved in writing and field testing Canalway Quests. Quest boxes are monitored by volunteers and park personnel.

Quest is the trade name of Valley Quest, White River Jct, Vermont and is used with permission: www.valleyquest.org.