HIRAM RAFTING FIELD GUIDE
A Short, Quiet Paddle Through Hiram: Camp Hi’s Two-Mile Float on the Upper Cuyahoga
A concise guide to a 2-mile, ~1-hour downstream paddle from just below Camp Hi Dam to the SR82 take-out—useful for first-time paddlers and anyone planning what to bring and where to meet.
A Short, Quiet Paddle Through Hiram: Camp Hi’s Two-Mile Float on the Upper Cuyahoga.
The Micro Trip at Camp Hi is a scenic, two-mile drift down the Upper Cuyahoga River that threads a calm current through mature woodlands, passes the historic Camp Hi Dam, and finishes at the White Oaks river access near SR82—an ideal hour-on-the-water introduction to this stretch of river.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Put in below the 1930s Camp Hi Dam
The put-in sits just downstream of the Camp Hi Dam, built in the 1930s to create a waterfront for Camp Hi campers; the dam’s aeration helps sustain a high diversity of important aquatic life.
Gentle current and shallow depths
Expect a relaxed flow with average depths of two to four feet—conditions that make the trip a low-stress way to see aquatic life and the river’s wooded banks.
Protected river right and a clear take-out
The City of Akron owns river-right property from put-in to take-out, helping protect water quality; watch for a USGS gauging station near the end of the trip and take out on river right just upstream of the SR82 bridge.
What the day feels like
How the Micro Trip Feels
This is a short, restorative downstream float: check in at Camp Hi, get a paddle and PFD, walk to the launch, then drift roughly two miles through tree-lined banks with a gentle current before landing at White Oaks and riding back to the camp via provided transportation.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this Micro Trip suits—and who might want something else.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
This is an approximately one-hour downstream trip; spring and fall conditions may require a wind shell, wool/fleece or thermal layers, and rain gear depending on weather.
On the water bring water or a sports drink, sunscreen, water-appropriate footwear, hat, and sunglasses; in your vehicle pack a towel, dry shoes/sandals, and a change of clothes.
Check in at Camp Hi Canoe & Kayak (the Camp Hi main desk) at least 15 minutes before your scheduled booking; transportation is provided from the take-out back to Camp Hi.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long is the Micro Trip?
The float covers about two miles and takes approximately one hour.
Where do I meet for the trip?
Meet at the Camp Hi Canoe & Kayak main desk and check in at least 15 minutes before your booking.
Where does the trip start and finish?
You put in just below the Camp Hi Dam and take out at the White Oaks river access just upstream of the SR82 bridge; a USGS gauging station is a nearby landmark.
What safety gear is provided?
Participants are outfitted with a paddle and a Personal Flotation Device (PFD) before launch.
What should I pack for the trip?
Bring water or a sports drink, sunscreen, water shoes, hat, and sunglasses for the boat; keep a towel, dry shoes, and a change of clothes in your vehicle.
Are there any property or access rules I should know?
From put-in to take-out, all river bank and river bottom on river left is private—respect private property and remain on the river and designated access points.