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Cuyahoga Valley National Park

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Overview

Located only a short drive away from the cities of Cleveland and Akron, Cuyahoga Valley National Park is a scenic escape. Visitors can enjoy the many trails that wind along the Cuyahoga River or traverse the rolling hills, deep forests, or open farmlands of the park. A refuge for a host of native wildlife and plants, the park provides many means of exploration. Whether strolling along the Towpath Trail which follows the historic route of the Ohio and Erie Canal or venturing out on one of the park's many trails, visitors are sure to be enchanted by the solitude and scenery that the park has to offer.

To learn more about Cuyahoga Valley National Park, visit www.nps.gov.

Local Info

Visitor Centers:
The Boston Store Visitor Center is open year round with the exception of Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day. Hours vary by season. Days and operating hours for the Canal Exploration Center, Hunt House and Winter Sports Center at Kendall Lake all vary by season. Visit the park's website for current hours of operation.

Boston Store Visitor Center:
  • Spring: 9:30 am to 5 pm (March - April) 8 am to 6 pm (May)
  • Summer: 8 am to 6 pm (June - August)
  • Fall: 10 am to 4:30 pm (September - November)
  • Winter: 10 am to 4:30 pm (December - February)

Visiting Tips

Cuyahoga Valley National Park is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Brandywine Falls, Ledges, Octagon, Kendall Lake, Happy Days South Parking Area, and the Kendall Hill Area on Quick Road are closed from dusk until dawn. The remainder of the park is open 24 hours a day.

Fees & Passes:
Entrance to the park is free. There is no official entrance fee at Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Visitors can support the park by donating to the Conservancy for Cuyahoga Valley National Park. The park may charge admission to concerts and programs and for the reservation of public rental facilities.
To learn more about park fees, click here.

Camping & Lodging

Camping:
For those looking to camp within the park, the Conservancy for Cuyahoga Valley National Park operates five designated backcountry campsites along the Stanford Trail. Individual sites and group rentals are available. There are also a variety of camping and lodging options located in the nearby towns around the park. For more information on nearby accommodations, click here.

Lodging:
  • Inn at Brandywine Falls: Six room bed and breakfast. Reservations can be made online or by calling (330) 467-1812.
  • Silver Fern Bed and Breakfast: A colonial bed and breakfast. Reservations can be made online or by calling (330) 417-7194.
  • Stanford House: Nine bedroom remodeled house. Reservations can be made by calling (330) 657-2909 ext 119 or by emailing Stanford@forcvnp.org.

Food & Drink

In addition to the many restaurant choices in the nearby towns around the park, there are options for dining in the park at the town of Peninsula, including the Brandy Wine Bar, Fisher's Cafe and Pub, and the Winking Lizard Tavern. For those looking to satisfy a sweet tooth, check out Country Main Ice Cream or the Yum Yum Sweet Shop.

The Conservancy for Cuyahoga Valley National Park also operates two retail outlets in the park known as Trail Mix Boston (open April through October) and Trail Mix Peninsula (open year round). Offerings include locally made Mitchell's Ice Cream, snacks, beverages, and a variety of grab-and-go meals.

Outfitters, Tours, & Shuttles

Cuyahoga Valley National Park offers a variety of programs that vary by season as well as wide variety of other events hosted by the park. To learn more about these programs and to see the current events calendar, click here.

The Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad operates vintage train rides traveling from Rockside Station in Independence to Akron Northside Station. During the summer/fall, the train runs Wednesday through Sunday. For more information and to purchase tickets, call 1-800-468-4070 or visit CVSR.com.

Other Activities

Visitors to Cuyahoga Valley National Park have many options to explore the park. Whether you are interested in canoeing, kayaking, or fishing along the Cuyahoga River or bird watching, camping, geo caching, star viewing, golfing, hiking, or picnicking along the many trails in Cuyahoga, the park has plenty of activities for visitors to enjoy. Additionally, Cuyahoga has five major bike trails, and mountain bikers can ride the East Rim Trail, a multi-use trail that is the first of its kind for a national park. Also, for the more adventurous, there are several great options for rocking climbing in the park at Cuyahoga Falls Glen and Cuyahoga Falls Gorge, and nearby at Chippewa Creek.

Maps & Guidebooks

To download a variety of free brochures to help plan your visit, click here.

Gems in Cuyahoga Valley National Park - 3

Hiking Project is built by hikers like you. Add Your Gems

gem Favorite Brandywine Falls.

Brandywine Falls

(64) Boston…, OH
gem Favorite Inside the Ledges

Ritchie Ledges

(32) Boston…, OH
gem Favorite Trailhead for the Stanford Trail.

Stanford House

(9) Peninsula, OH

Recommended Routes in Cuyahoga Valley National Park - 5

Hiking Project is built by hikers like you. Add Your Recommended Routes

Favorite Brandywine Falls.
Easy/Intermediate Easy/Intermediate

Brandywine Falls Loop

1.4 mi 2.3 km 179' Up 54.63 m Up 180' Down 54.86 m Down

Boston…, OH
Explore in 3D
Favorite Ledges Trail at its most lush. Photo by Sue Simenc.
Intermediate Intermediate

Ledges to Pine Grove Loop

4.0 mi 6.5 km 202' Up 61.49 m Up 205' Down 62.49 m Down

Boston…, OH
Explore in 3D
Favorite Close-up of Blue Hen Falls.
Intermediate Intermediate

Blue Hen Falls Trail

1.6 mi 2.6 km 168' Up 51.08 m Up 168' Down 51.26 m Down

Peninsula, OH
Explore in 3D
Favorite Deer Lick Cave
Intermediate Intermediate

Deer Lick Cave Loop Trail

3.8 mi 6.1 km 434' Up 132.32 m Up 439' Down 133.86 m Down

Brecksv…, OH
Explore in 3D
Favorite Brandywine Falls.
Intermediate Intermediate

Brandywine to Buttermilk Falls

9.2 mi 14.8 km 966' Up 294.43 m Up 973' Down 296.5 m Down

Boston…, OH
Explore in 3D

Cuyahoga Valley National Park Hiking

  • 311 Miles 500 Kilometers of Trail
  • 5 Recommended Routes
  • 3 Gems Gems
  • 33 Easy Trails Easy Trails
  • 51 Intermediate Trails Intermediate Trails
  • 8 Difficult Trails Difficult Trails
Hiking Project is built by hikers like you. Share what you know about this area!

Weather Averages


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Trails in Cuyahoga Valley National Park - 87

Hiking Project is built by hikers like you. Add Your Trails

1.7 mi 2.8 km #1Ledges Trail
Intermediate Intermediate
Boston Heights, OH
Intermediate Intermediate
Boston Heights, OH 54 
3.4 mi 5.4 km #2Salt Run Trail
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
Peninsula, OH
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
Peninsula, OH 37 
4.6 mi 7.4 km #3Plateau Trail
Intermediate Intermediate
Peninsula, OH
Intermediate Intermediate
Peninsula, OH 30 
4.3 mi 7.0 km #4Wetmore Trail
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
Peninsula, OH
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
Peninsula, OH 27 
2.6 mi 4.2 km #5Perkins Trail
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
Peninsula, OH
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
Peninsula, OH 20 
2.0 mi 3.2 km #6Furnace Run Trail
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
Peninsula, OH
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
Peninsula, OH 13 
3.2 mi 5.2 km #7Riding Run Trail
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
Peninsula, OH
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
Peninsula, OH 15 
2.9 mi 4.6 km #8Tree Farm Trail
Easy/Intermediate Easy/Intermediate
Peninsula, OH
Easy/Intermediate Easy/Intermediate
Peninsula, OH 14 
1.1 mi 1.8 km #9Lake Trail
Easy/Intermediate Easy/Intermediate
Peninsula, OH
Easy/Intermediate Easy/Intermediate
Peninsula, OH 13 
0.9 mi 1.5 km #10Brandywine Gorge
Intermediate Intermediate
Boston Heights, OH
Intermediate Intermediate
Boston Heights, OH

Photos of Cuyahoga Valley National Park - 112

Hiking Project is built by hikers like you. Add Your Photos

Tree Farm Trail is a great place to watch the stars! Photo by Claus Siebenhaar.
Apr 20, 2016 near Peninsula, OH
Ledges Trail at its most lush. Photo by Sue Simenc.
Apr 20, 2016 near Boston…, OH
Follow this trail to get to the stunning overlook! Photo by Melanie Nesteruk.
Apr 20, 2016 near Boston…, OH
Corridors of towering trees are the best part about these trails.
Apr 20, 2016 near Peninsula, OH
Boulders on Ledges Trail
May 26, 2016 near Boston…, OH
Brandywine Falls.
May 26, 2016 near Boston…, OH
Trees above the Brandywine Falls!
Oct 8, 2017 near Boston…, OH
Highlights of a hike along the Brandywine Falls Loop, via the Stanford Trail. Plus footage of Brandywine Gorge.
Jan 23, 2018 near Boston…, OH

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