Guide to Cuyahoga Valley National Park

A patchwork of plunging waterfalls, weather-pocked gorges, and forested trails convey nature buffs to Northeast Ohio. The draw? Cuyahoga Valley Nationwide Park, an out of doors oasis that’s lower than 40 minutes from my entrance door in Cleveland.

I hike, bike, or run within the 33,000-acre vacation spot nearly month-to-month, and on this native’s information to Cuyahoga Valley National Park, I’m sharing all the things it is advisable find out about visiting Ohio’s solely nationwide park.

The primary lesson: Cuyahoga Valley’s purpose for present. This city getaway lacks the drama of nationwide park favorites like Zion or the Grand Canyon, however its conservation successes are fairly astonishing. Cuyahoga Valley’s rangers and volunteers have restored and proceed to rewild a area as soon as ravaged by business. The Cuyahoga River, for instance, burned a number of occasions within the mid-1900s. Cleanup efforts have paid off, and the park’s 25 river miles now attract animals like herons and beavers. Bald eagles—absent from the park for seven a long time—returned to nest right here in 2006, and their numbers proceed to soar.

You’ll discover comparable conservation tales all through the park, together with a revitalized marsh the place beavers abound. For now, although, let’s speak logistics: Right here’s all the things it is advisable find out about visiting Cuyahoga Valley Nationwide Park, from when to go to to the place to hike.

The way to Get There

Cuyahoga Valley Nationwide Park is situated about half-hour south of Cleveland and simply north of Akron. Driving is the best solution to get to and across the park, so I recommend reserving a rental automobile from Cleveland Hopkins Worldwide Airport or Akron-Canton Regional Airport when you’re flying in.

Know Earlier than You Go

In contrast to many nationwide parks, Cuyahoga Valley—which is free to enter—just isn’t an enormous swath of public land. It’s a group of protected land parcels interspersed with personal property. The roadways weave out and in of the park correct; one minute you’re in it, the following you’re not. Which means there’s no official entrance gate, however you will get your park entrance photograph close to the Boston Mills Customer Middle or on the intersection of Riverview and Tub roads.

Additionally, convey your mountaineering boots. A couple of days of rain and snow can flip the paths right into a muddy mess. Talking of rain, be prepared for unpredictable climate, particularly within the spring and fall. In the future might be 60 levels Fahrenheit and sunny; the following might convey sub-freezing temperatures with snow.

You may usually discover loos at most main trailheads, however staffing shortages have compelled some to shut. Scroll the park’s website for the newest closures.

Finest Time to Go to

Like the remainder of the Nice Lakes area, Cuyahoga Valley experiences all 4 seasons. Every month brings a brand new taste of journey to the park; that’s why I go to year-round.

Autumn is my favourite season in Cuyahoga Valley, because the oaks, hickories, and maples explode with fall colours. The crisp and funky climate, notably in September and October, is a welcome deal with after summer time’s thick humidity.

Summer time is one other nice CVNP season, and it’s positively the busiest. Should you’re visiting from June to August, get to the trailhead early or set out within the early night when it’s cooler and fewer crowded—notably on weekends. Summer time is the season to paddle the Cuyahoga River, or to partake in one of many park’s sudden sights, like attending a live performance or sipping wine at a working winery.

Within the spring, round April and Might, Northeast Ohio slowly emerges from winter with shiny blooms and verdant forests. Count on showers and muddy trails, however precipitation makes park beacon Brandywine Falls much more dramatic.

Winter brings snow—typically quite a lot of snow—and that’s nice for the park’s cold-weather adventures like snowboarding and snowshoeing. Temperatures typically dip beneath freezing, so pack your winter coat and additional layers.

Finest Issues to Do

Journey the scenic railroad.

The Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad meanders by the woodlands and alongside the Cuyahoga River for 26 park miles. It’s a simple choice to journey between the park highlights, and park rangers say it’s top-of-the-line methods to see wildlife like bald eagles, notably within the spring. You may also be a part of the railroad’s particular journeys like a devoted fall foliage experience, the Polar Categorical-themed winter experience, or the cocktail, beer-tasting, and homicide thriller nights all year long. The prepare runs bike- and kayak-aboard specials; you’ll be able to convey your vessel onto the prepare a method, then experience it again to your parking spot.

Chase waterfalls.

Brandywine Falls, a spectacle that sends water hovering down 60 ft of shale and sandstones, is arguably the park’s hottest attraction. To see it, take the quick boardwalk path from the car parking zone and admire the spray through a number of viewpoints, together with from the facet and above.

Cycle the Towpath Path.

The 87-mile Towpath Path hugs the previous Ohio and Erie Canal. It’s a light biking and strolling path that connects downtown Cleveland with the city of New Philadelphia; 20 of the route’s most splendid miles curve by way of the guts of the park. To get pleasure from it, lease common or electrical bikes through Century Cycles within the park’s primary city, Peninsula.

Go to a winery.

Cuyahoga Valley is a dream for followers of farm-to-table eating. It boasts eight farms throughout its roughly 50-square-mile footprint, together with a working winery the place you’ll be able to pattern native blends. The venue, Sarah’s Winery, treats company with a tasting room and restaurant overlooking its grapes. Come for the wine, keep for the woodfired pizza, and time your journey for an evening of live music when you’re so inclined.

Take a Cuyahoga Valley safari.

Whereas Cuyahoga Valley doesn’t boast the wildlife of, say, Yellowstone, it does have a handful of animals you’ll be able to admire. To take action, hit the Beaver Marsh, one of many park’s biggest conservation success tales. A long time in the past, rangers and native volunteers remodeled this space—as soon as a junkyard—right into a wholesome 70-acre marsh with beavers, otters, turtles, and quite a few avian species. Stroll the marsh’s boardwalk within the morning or night for the most effective animal-sighting odds.

Attend a live performance.

Along with a winery, Cuyahoga Valley has one other sudden nationwide park attraction: a 19,000-person out of doors music venue, Blossom Music Center. It attracts a full of life summer time lineup, together with common reveals with the Cleveland Orchestra and concerts by Dave Matthews Band, Jason Aldean, Halsey, Mumford & Sons, the Goo Goo Dolls, and the like.

Go snowboarding.

Snow lovers can ski and snowboard within the park in the course of the winter, too. Cuyahoga Valley has 18 trails and almost 90 skiable acres on the park’s Boston Mills and Brandywine ski areas. The venues supply all the things from simple slopes to black diamonds, in addition to onsite gear leases and a restaurant.

Finest Hikes

Ledges Path

I take any first-time Cuyahoga Valley customer on the scenic Ledges Path, a 2.2-mile loop alongside among the area’s most dramatic surroundings, with garage-sized rocks and glacier-carved gorges, in addition to thick woodlands that change shade with the season. Don’t miss the route’s Ledges Overlook for top-of-the-line Cleveland skyline views within the area.

Pine Grove Path

The reasonable 2.2-mile Pine Grove Trail weaves you thru scenic forests with a mild, family-friendly elevation. This route is easy, scenic, and quick. It takes round 60 to 90 minutes to finish.

Salt Run Path

The three.25-mile Salt Run Trail loops round extra wooded ravines and water our bodies, with minimal foot site visitors and a cease close to Kendall Lake. Spend time sitting on the lake anticipating herons and different native fauna.

Blue Hen to Jaite Path

After I’m craving an extended jaunt, I take this roughly 8-mile loop that oscillates by way of the park highlights, together with Blue Hen Falls and the Towpath Path. It follows a piece of the blue-blaze Buckeye Path, a 1,400-mile thru-hike across the state. This loop is about as off-grid as you will get within the park, with creek crossings and round 1,000 ft of elevation achieve to get the guts pumping.

Locations to Keep

Valley Overlook

Tenting is prohibited in CVNP, however in 2023, a brand new glamping and cabin facility made park overnights attainable: the 62-acre Valley Overlook. The property has you snoozing in furnished canvas tents, cabins, or your personal tent through primitive campsites. Valley Overlook is roughly 4 miles from Blossom Music Middle, so you’ll be able to even keep right here to keep away from the parking chaos then hike again after (however don’t overlook your headlamp).

The Inn at Brandywine Falls

For one more handy keep near park sights, strive the Inn at Brandywine Falls. It was in-built 1848 and sits steps from Brandywine Falls. The six-room property is a real bed-and-breakfast, with a two-course breakfast and night treats like cookies and truffles.

Constancy Resort

Should you’d slightly keep in downtown Cleveland and drive to and from the park, strive Fidelity Hotel, a brand new lodging that opened in early 2025. The lodging affords 97 smooth rooms and suites throughout its 11 tales, plus a lounge, bar, and restaurant. It’s adjoining to considered one of Cleveland’s most spectacular architectural marvels, The Arcade—one of many first indoor buying malls in America.

Locations to Eat

Peninsula Espresso Home

The Peninsula Coffee House is a component java store, half wine bar, with a number of flooring of seating and light-weight bites, together with pastries and breakfast sandwiches, to gasoline you up for a day on the paths. On a heat day, take time to sip and unwind on the quiet river-view patio.

Sarah’s Winery

Within the park’s southern finish, you’ll discover my favourite eating cease, Sarah’s Vineyard. The vineyard is open most days of the week (examine present hours on their website), with a full meals menu that varies from artichoke and asiago dip to winery nachos, salads, sandwiches, and wood-fired pizzas.

Winking Lizard Tavern

Pub-grub staple Winking Lizard Tavern has a number of places throughout Ohio, together with in Peninsula, the park’s primary city. Cease right here for a post-hike beer and luxury meals like mac-and-cheese wedges.