Located between Akron and Cleveland, Ohio’s Cuyahoga Valley National Park protects a river valley and a unique slice of American history. The Cuyahoga River cuts through the Midwest, providing refuge for plants and wildlife while it served as a trade route. Boats were used on the Ohio and Erie Canal to carry goods to Lake Erie, before heading through the Great Lakes. From biking to hiking to riding its train, here are the top things to do in Cuyahoga Valley National Park.
Should You Visit Cuyahoga Valley National Park
After visiting over 40 of the BIG national parks, this Midwest jewel has long been on my list. I was pleasantly surprised on my summer visit with my son.
We had one day to explore, and we had a great time exploring the park. Anchored by transportation in the last 150 years, we learned about the towpath and how that led to the area’s prosperity. With a multi-use trail next to it, we rented bikes and explored several sections.
We also got tickets on the train to ride through the park, a definite must. It is the only scenic train that travels within a national park.
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15 Things to Do in Cuyahoga Valley National Park
Stop by a Visitor Center
Visit the Canal Exploration Center
See a Lock
Take the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad
Bike along the Ohio & Erie Towpath
See Brandywine Falls
Hike The Ledges
Take a Scenic Drive to the Everett Covered Bridge
Explore the Village of Boston
Hike in the Park
Enjoy Music or the Arts in the Park
Visit a Farm or Farm Stand
Attend a Ranger Program
Picnic in the Park
Stay at an Inn
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Visitor Centers in Cuyahoga Valley National Park
Visitor centers are the place to grab maps or Junior Ranger booklets. Most offer interpretive areas to learn more about the area.
This is the place to ask questions and learn about park ranger programming, too. Restrooms and water bottle fillers are usually located in the area.
Boston Mill Visitor Center
Located at 6947 Riverview Rd., Peninsula, OH. Open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the summer (shorter hours during the year).
Canal Exploration Center
Once used as a tavern, a general store and a residence, it is now a visitor center that discusses interactive Canal Era exhibits
Located at 7104 Canal Rd, Valley View, OH. Open Thursday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. during the summer season from June and ends after Labor Day weekend. Weekends open in Spring and Fall.
Hunt House Farm Information Center
This former farmstead offers indoor and outdoor exhibits on farming in the area,especially geared towards kids. This area is in the Everett Historic District,
Located at 2045 Bolanz Rd, Peninsula, OH.
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Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad
All aboard a scenic train when you visit this national park. This train travels the entire length of Cuyahoga Valley National Park along its route. The train offers a unique way to see the park’s scenery, including wildlife.
With stations in several locations, visitors can hop aboard after securing reservations. Those on the Tow Path can even bring their bikes.
The Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad offers several departures a day during its season. Passengers can choose from different classes of service, from coach to observation dome, cars from the 1940s California Zephyr.
During my trip, I boarded the train in Peninsula and did a loop. I chose the last departure of the day since I hiked and biked earlier.
Trains operate from Wednesday to Sunday from April to December. Seasonal and themed rides also available.
Advance tickets are recommended.
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Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath Trail
Built from 1825 to 1832, mules walked to tow canal boats loaded with goods and passengers along this gravel path. Now it is used for hiking, biking and horseback riding.
It continues for 20 miles within the national park, with bike rentals available in Peninsula. There are several points of interest along the route, including the Canal Exploration Center.
The Locks of the Ohio & Erie Canal
There were 44 locks along the Ohio & Erie Canal between Cleveland and Akron.
Brandywine Falls
One of the top things to do in Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Brandywine Falls is a 60-foot waterfall cascading from Brandywine Creek. The rocks in the area include Bedford and Cleveland shales.
Visitors can see the falls from the boardwalk on the Brandywine Gorge Loop. Brandywine Falls is a popular destination within the park, so arrive early or late in the day. It is open from dawn to dusk and is close to the Boston Miller Visitor Center.
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The Ledges
This area protects the unique sandstone cliffs, covered in moss and ferns. Visitors can hike in the area with several different hikes, includes shortcuts.
This area is rugged and includes stairs and an 80-foot elevation change along the route. It is one of the most popular hikes in the Cuyahoga. Arrive early or late in the day for fewer crowds.
Village of Boston
In the early 1800s, villages popped up along the Ohio and Erie Towpath. Boston is one of the larger villages in the park. In its early years, it offered residents boatyards, a lumber mill, a brick yard and warehouses.
This area changed once the railroad arrived in the 1880s. Now, visitors can tour the Boston Mill Visitor Center to learn more. The Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad stops at the Boston Mill Station.
The area includes several hiking paths with interpretive signs. Lock 32 is located in the area as well. There were 44 locks along the Ohio & Erie Canal between Cleveland and Akron.
Hiking in Cuyahoga Valley National Park
Visitors will find over 125 miles of hiking trails in the park. The Ohio Buckeye Trail passes through Cuyahoga. It is a 1,444-mile trail that loops around the state.
Blue Hen Falls Trail—A 3-mile round-trip trail with a 580-foot elevation change.
Brandywine Falls Trailhead—A 1.5-mile round-trip trail with a 160-foot elevation change.
Boston Area—Find several trailheads in this area.
Haskell Run Trail—A .5-mile loop trail by Haskell Run, a creek.
Kendall Lake Trail—A 1.0-mile loop trail around Kendall Lake
Biking in Cuyahoga Valley National Park
The most popular bike path in Cuyahoga is the Tow Path. It’s a multi-use trail that runs for 20 miles within the park.
However, the Ohio & Erie Towpath continues for 101 miles. It is used by residents, hikers and horseback riders.
Cuyahoga Valley National Park features mountain bike trails. The East Rim Trails offer four different trails for intermediate riders.
Music and the Arts in Cuyahoga Valley
This national park offers a refuge for the arts in the park. There are several opportunities to enjoy live music, especially in the summer.
Blossom Music Festival
It is the summer home to the Cleveland Orchestra. Its pavilion holds 5,700 people, with space for about 13,500 more on the lawn.
The Blossom Music Festival includes a lineup of classical and contemporary acts. Tickets required.
Rhythm on the River
This series offers free, family-friendly concerts at Howe Meadow in the park. The gates open at 2 p.m. and the concert runs from 3:30 to 6:00 p.m.
Conservancy for Cuyahoga Valley National Park Gallery
In Peninsula, visitors can walk through an Arts in the Park gallery featuring traveling exhibits that focus on nature and people.
Located at 1565 Boston Mills Rd., Peninsula. Open from Friday to Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Free to enter.
There are other programs and lectures hosted in the park. From photography to poetry, Cuyahoga Valley National Park is a home for the arts.
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Farms and Farmers Market in Cuyahoga
The Ohio River Valley is used for agriculture, including within the park. There are several places to buy fruits and vegetables.
Cuyahoga Valley Farmers Market is held year-round. From May to October, it is an outdoor market at Howe Meadow at 4040 Riverview Rd., Peninsula, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. For the rest of the year, visitors can shop at the Old Trail School at 2315 Ira Rd., Akron, from 9 a.m. to noon.
Greenfield Berry Farm offers pick-your-own blueberries in the summer. Located at 2485 Major Rd., Peninsula. Reservations are required for picking.
Keleman Point Farm sells fruit and meat, like beef and Thanksgiving turkeys. Located at 4570 Akron Peninsula Rd., Peninsula. Sarah’s Vineyard is located at 1204 W. Steels Corners Road, Cuyahoga Falls.
Oxbow Orchard is located at 6765 Canal Rd., Valley View. The Purplebrown Farm Store is located at 1619 Mill St West, Peninsula, selling lots of locally made products and produce.
Kids and Pets in Cuyahoga Valley National Park
Traveling with your kids or pets is part of the fun. Mount Rainier makes a great trip with lots of activities and things to see.
Junior Ranger Program
The Junior Ranger Program is the go-to program for families to learn more about Cuyahoga Valley National Park. It’s free and takes about two hours to complete. My kids love the badges that the park rangers present them with after they complete their booklets.
BARK Program
Cuyahoga Valley National Park welcomes pets as long as they practice the principles of the BARK program.This park allows pets on its hiking trail as long as they are leashed with a six-foot leash, including the Towpath Trail.
Pets aren’t allowed inside the park buildings. For more information, visit the Pets Page on the park’s website.
B–Bag waste and dispose of it in the trash
A–Always leash your dog for their safety and others
R–Respect wildlife
K–Know where you can go
Picnicking in Cuyahoga Valley National Park
There are 29 different picnic areas within the park. Some offer shelters, others feature grills. There are restrooms or port-a-lets at the majority of them.
Boston Store River Access Area
Boston Store Trailhead
Botzman Trailhead
Brandywine Falls Trailhead
Canal Exploration Center
Columbia Run Picnic Area
Deep Lock Quarry
Everett Covered Bridge
Frazee House Panel
Hampton Hills
Happy Days North/Boston Run
Horseshoe Pond Trailhead
Hunt House and Trailhead
Ira Trailhead Picnic Area
Kendall Lake
Ledges
Lock 29 Trailhead
Lock 39 Trailhead
Maplewood
Oak Hill Trailhead
Octagon Shelter
Peninsula Depot
Pine Hollow Trailhead
Sagamore Grove
Shady Knoll
Station Road Bridge Trailhead
Valley
Lodging in Cuyahoga Valley National Park
There are two lodges within the park. Additional places to stay are located nearby.
Stanford House
Built in 1843, the Stanford House is a Greek Revival house. Managed by the Conservatory for the Cuyahoga Valley National Park.
Located at 6093 Stanford Rd., Peninsula
Inn at Brandywine Falls
Built in 1848, the Inn at Brandywine Falls is a Greek Revival home on the National Register of Historic Places. It is a bed and breakfast with six rooms.
Located at 8230 Brandywine Rd., Sagamore Hills.
Camping in the Park
The National Park Service doesn’t operate or manage campgrounds within the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. There are private campgrounds close by.
During my stay, I stayed at Clay’s Resort, about 40 minutes away. It is located outside of Akron.
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Where’s Cuyahoga Valley National Park
Located in central Ohio, Cuyahoga Valley National Park features the Boston Mill Visitor Center at 6947 Riverview Rd.
Peninsula. There is also the Canal Exploration Center at 7104 Canal Rd., Valley View. The park grounds are open year-round from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. This national park is free to enter.
