Cuyahoga Valley National Park is a hidden gem in Ohio worth visiting. Located 30 minutes south of Cleveland and Akron, this park has a diverse landscape of forests, meadows, wetlands, and rivers and a rich history and culture. Being an urban park, it’s not entirely like other big national parks because it’s intersected by small towns and somewhat disbursed. However, that means cell service is plentiful, roads are paved, and locations are easier to navigate. Visitors find waterfalls, a spectacular river, and more than 125 miles of trails.
I spent two days traversing the park’s many miles of hiking trails, enjoying the vistas and history and was surprised to find it’s not as secret as I assumed. The park drew 2.5 million visitors in 2022 and word of its midwestern splendor is getting around. Perhaps would-be visitors spot the scenery as they pass along an elevated freeway above much of the park. Down below is history, open spaces, colorful trees, waterfalls and people enjoying various outdoor recreation.
History of the Cuyahoga Valley
It was busy when I pulled into the Boston Mills Visitors Center lot. It’s a stop for the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad, and the train was preparing to pull out of the station with excited visitors dispersing to their chosen trails and pastimes while others hopped on board. The train is a big draw for the park, taking visitors through many of the most scenic sections. Tickets during the fall colors season sell out well in advance.
The Boston Mill Visitor Center is the most centrally located and is an excellent place to start your visit to the park. The center has exhibits on the park’s natural and cultural history, a bookstore and a gift shop. Here, you’ll learn that this land was once home to Native Americans, who lived in the valley for thousands of years. Later, Europeans built farms, mills, and canals. Soon, industry took over and the park went from a bucolic wonderland to an industrial dumping ground.
One of the park’s most iconic features is the Cuyahoga River, which flows through the valley for 22 miles. During the industrial years, the Cuyahoga River had become so oil-drenched due to runoff that the river burned 13 times between 1868 and 1969.
Cuyahoga Valley Conservation Success
The final blaze set in motion the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency and the Clean Water Act, and the groups set about cleaning it up. Today, the park has been restored to its natural beauty and is a conservation success story.
The Cuyahoga River is now clean enough to swim in and fish in. Today, you’ll find beavers and bald eagles and with recent dam removal projects, the river now booms with great blue heron, steelhead trout, and northern pike. The park’s forests have been restored, but instead of one vast stretch of wilderness, it’s a patchwork of protected land parcels with historic architecture and numerous homes. Ten operating farms integrate sustainable growing practices and sell fresh food via year-round in-park markets.
Things to do in Cuyahoga Valley National Park
There are water sports and trails in the warm months, and the park offers snow sports as the season turns. Several outfitters rent equipment if needed. The colors change from white to pastels, green to fall orange and brown, and the park is never the same, making it a great place to visit year-round. Here are a few things to explore:
Scenic drive through Cuyahoga Valley National Park
The Riverview Road Scenic Drive stretches for nearly 20 miles through this park, taking visitors on a road trip through some of the most beautiful parts. Also known as County Road 9, this route offers one of the best ways to see the Cuyahoga Valley National Park without getting out of your vehicle. If you’d rather keep your hands free and eyes on something beside the road, there’s another option.
Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad
The Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad has been used to carry coal and passengers for over a century and now offers a host of sightseeing and entertainment rides. The trip lasts three hours and follows the park’s length from Independence to Akron, with a handful of stations along the way. You can also hop on or off at several stations along the route. The most popular rides, however, are the themed rides you won’t find in other national parks, including a murder-mystery experience, cocktail-tasting excursion, the annual holiday celebration, North Pole Adventure and the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad’s fall-flyer trip. They sell out fast, so plan in advance!
A coach ticket for a round-trip ride on the National Park Scenic train costs $18 for adults and $13 for children, but prices fluctuate based on seating. A glass-top dome car ticket costs $31 for adults and $26 for children. Tickets for special events are priced separately and cost more.
You can board the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad at three different stations:
- Rockside Station: 7900 Old Rockside Rd, Independence
- Canal Exploration Center Station: 7104 Canal Rd, Valley View
- Boston Mill Depot Station: 1630 Mill St, Peninsula
If you have a special event ticket, you may be required to board at a specific station, so check beforehand.
Historic sites in Cuyahoga Valley National Park
The park has several historic sites and visitors can learn about the park’s history through ranger-led programs, exhibits, and self-guided tours.
Everett Covered Bridge
The Everett Bridge is a covered wooden bridge. This recreated 1868 covered bridge is one of the few remaining covered bridges in Summit County, Ohio. Visitors can walk or bike across the bridge to experience its unique charm.
Frazee House
This 1820s house is one of the oldest surviving houses in the park. The house is now on the National Register of Historic Places and offers visitors a glimpse into the lives of early settlers in the valley.
The George Stanford House
Built in 1843, George and his son, George C. Stanford managed the house and farm. Their enterprise included not only farming but also dairying and lumbering. Both were also very active local politicians. Today, you can stay in the house in one of the rooms or rent space for events.
Canal Exploration Center
The Canal Exploration Center museum tells the story of the Ohio & Erie Canal, which once played a role in transporting goods and people through the valley. Visitors can learn about the canal’s construction, operation, decline, and impact on the local community.
Brandywine Falls Lodge
This historic 1939 lodge was a guesthouse for the Ohio & Erie Canal Reservation. Today, the lodge offers visitors a glimpse into the past with its rustic charm and period furnishings.
Boston Store
This 1835 Boston general store served as the local community’s commerce hub. Today, the restored store is in its original condition and offers visitors a glimpse into people’s everyday life in the 19th century. It’s open for business.
The park is unique for many reasons, but also because it’s an “urban park” with several small, historic towns throughout its landscape. These towns provide convenient stopping points with various amenities and cell service links. Some of the towns you’ll pass through include:
- Peninsula is the park’s gateway village; many stop for a drink or a bite. You’ll find many charming old houses, small shops, restaurants, cafes and parks. It’s the perfect place to take a break, eat, shop and relax.
- Brecksville: This affluent suburb is located just north of the park and offers a variety of amenities, including shopping, dining, and recreation.
- Hudson: This historic town is located south of the park and offers a variety of shops, restaurants, and cultural attractions.
- Valley View: This suburb is located just west of the park and offers a variety of shopping, dining, and entertainment options.
- Cuyahoga Falls: This city is located south of the park and offers a variety of attractions, including the Blossom Music Center, the Cuyahoga Falls Trolley, and the Summit County Metro Parks.
Hiking in Cuyahoga Valley National Park
The Cuyahoga Valley National Park has over 125 miles of hiking trails, ranging from easy to challenging and over 35 miles of paved bike trails. As I hiked, the view of the elevated highway in the distance was barely a thought. Any noise from it was muffled by the density of the trees and the flow of the rivers, the historic trains and the crunch of leaves beneath my feet. Across many hand-hewn bridges and rocky slopes, I often heard the sound of the falls in the distance. I spent two days hiking as many trails as I could fit in. Here are a few good options:
Ledges Trail and Overlook
The Ledges Trail is a 1.8-mile loop trail that winds through a scenic gorge, offering stunning views of the Cuyahoga River Valley. The trail is moderately challenging, with some steep climbs and descents. As I hiked, I passed through several formations, so named for the many “ledges” the earth has left exposed here. Massive rock layers have risen from the ground, creating narrow canyons and cliffs. The rock is all covered in mossy green.
At the overlook, a rocky outcropping gives hikers many platforms to sit or stand on as they admire the view across the valley. If you visit in mid-October, the trees promise to put on a colorful show for you.
Bridal Veils Trail
It’s a small waterfall that falls, like you guessed it, like bridal veils. The Bridal Veil Trail is a 0.4-mile out-and-back trail that leads to a cascading waterfall. The Bridal Veils trail follows a boardwalk through a hemlock and oak forest before descending to the waterfall. There are a lot of steps that go down to it and several trails that lead away from it. It’s a great place to stop for lunch and sit by the water.
Tinker’s Creek Overlook
The Tinkers Creek Overlook Trail is a 0.7-mile out-and-back trail that offers panoramic views of Tinkers Creek Gorge. The gorge is about 200 feet deep and filled with what looks like an auditorium of trees.
Brandywine Falls Trail
The Brandywine Falls Trail is a 1.5-mile loop trail that leads to a 65-foot waterfall. It leads hikers through a secluded forest filled with yellow and orange hemlock and oak forest before descending to the waterfall. When I arrived, the sun was just beginning to lower and make the leaves glow. The waterfall is divided into two sections: the upper and lower falls. The upper falls are about 50 feet tall and the lower falls are about 15 feet tall. Snag the best vantage point via the lower deck of the boardwalk, or take the 1.5-mile Brandywine Gorge Loop to see this waterfall from multiple angles.
Oak Hill trail
The trail’s name comes from the oak trees that line it, which the Civilian Conservation Corps planted in the 1930s. The Oak Hill Trail is a 1.8-mile loop trail that winds through a scenic forest, offering stunning views of the Cuyahoga River Valley. The trail is easy, with gentle climbs and descents, small lakes and pretty scenery.
Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail
If you’ve got wheels or more than two legs, The Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath Trail is 101 miles long and follows the historic route of the Ohio and Erie Canal. This paved trail transported goods between Lake Erie and the Ohio River. Today, the towpath is a popular trail for long-distance hiking, biking, and running.
The best time to visit Cuyahoga Valley National Park
This is a park that is great no matter when you go. In the summer, there is hiking, fishing, boating and biking. Several outfitters in the park rent canoes, kayaks, and paddleboats, or you can bring your own. In the winter, there is cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and downhill skiing. Snow rentals are available at the Boston Mill Visitor Center. Brandywine and Boston Mills Ski Resort. In the fall, the leaves change colors and put on a spectacular show, while springtime blooms paint the landscape in more pastel hues combined with the fragrance of new life.
Cuyahoga Valley National Park has five visitor centers:
- Boston Mill Visitor Center in the Peninsula is the main visitor center for the park.
- Canal Exploration Center in Valley View tells the Ohio & Erie Canal story.
- Hunt House in Peninsula is a historic house museum that tells the story of the park’s early settlers.
- Ohio & Erie Canalway Visitor Center in downtown Cleveland provides information about the canal system in Northeast Ohio.
- Station Road Visitor Center on Station Road is near the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad.
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