water falling over cliffs

Cuyahoga Valley National Park

Ohio

Becky Stevenson
Becky Stevenson

Nestled between Cleveland and Akron, Ohio, Cuyahoga Valley National Park is a hidden gem amongst a sprawling urban landscape. Whether you’re driving through or planning a week-long vacation, Cuyahoga Valley National Park offers plenty to do and see for all ages and abilities. This park features stunning waterfalls, quiet marshes and a rich history and is easily accessible to the more than four million people living within a 30 minute drive of the park.

Cuyahoga Valley National Park Stats

Size
32,572 acres
14.516129032258062%
53rd
Number of Visitors
2.91 million
85.48387096774194%
9th
Highest Point
1,164 ft - Brush Road
9.677419354838712%
56th
Lowest Point
590 ft - Cuyahoga River
54.83870967741935%
28th
Plant & Animal Species
1,831
58.06451612903225%
26th
Diversity Density
20 acres per species
87.09677419354838%
8th
Number of Campsites
0
N/A
Peak Season
May-October
N/A

When to visit

Below is a chart outlining the average number of visitors and temperatures for each month in Cuyahoga Valley National Park as of 2023.

Month
Visitors
Low
High
January
88,779
22°
35°
February
100,226
24°
37°
March
170,006
32°
48°
April
226,008
42°
60°
May
344,820
52°
70°
June
361,455
61°
80°
July
402,344
65°
83°
August
368,783
64°
82°
September
272,823
57°
74°
October
269,796
46°
62°
November
143,399
37°
50°
December
110,620
27°
39°

Plants and Animals at Cuyahoga Valley National Park

The national park service tracks each animal and plant species sighting in the park. The data below is a summary of the NPS Species database, updated in 2024.

🐸 Amphibians
21
84.12698412698413%
10th
🦃 Birds
245
61.904761904761905%
24th
🦀 Crustaceans
8
61.904761904761905%
24th
🐟 Fish
85
77.77777777777779%
14th
🐜 Insects
227
68.25396825396825%
20th
🐻 Mammals
43
22.22222222222222%
49th
🐍 Reptiles
23
68.25396825396825%
20th
🪻 Plants
1179
55.55555555555556%
28th

Cuyahoga Valley National Park Best Hikes

Cuyahoga Valley National Park hosts plenty of hikes of varying difficulty, many overlooking waterfalls or following along scenic waterways. Some of the most popular hikes at Cuyahoga Valley National Park include:

Ledges Trail

beautiful sun lit rocky ledges trail

Ledges Trail is one of the most scenic trails in the park. This trail leads hikers through stunning rock formations and hemlock trees, ultimately dropping you off at an amazing view overlooking a cliff’s edge. This trail is uneven and steep in spots and is 2.2 miles roundtrip. This trail is easily accessible via the Ledges Trailhead parking lot.

The Towpath Trail

The Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail used to be the Ohio & Erie Canal. From 1827 to 1913, mules would pull canal boats hosting passengers and goods up and down the historic canal. This canal was later transformed into a trailhead that is now 90 miles long. You can bike, run or walk on this trail that runs from Canal Basin Park in downtown Cleveland to Canal Lands Park in New Philadelphia, Ohio. You can also access the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad from this trail. View a full map of the trail here .

Beaver Marsh

beaver marsh with lilypads and down logs

The Beaver Marsh is one of the most biodiverse spots in the park. This marsh features a plethora of wildlife, including frogs, beavers, turtles, and birds of all kinds. A boardwalk runs through the marsh, allowing visitors to see and hear these majestic critters firsthand.

What to bring to Cuyahoga Valley National Park

Bringing the right gear is essential to explore the park safely and responsibly. Check out these packs other hikers brought to explore Cuyahoga Valley National Park.

Cuyahoga Valley National Park - History

Cuyahoga Valley National Park was born out of the desire of several locals to preserve their local ecosystem. In the 1960s, residents of the Cuyahoga Valley region were deeply concerned about increasing river pollution and the expansion of highways and overall industrialization. A number of citizens arranged a meeting with Congress, and in 1974 Cuyahoga Valley National Recreation Area was designated a National Park site. In 2000, the park was renamed Cuyahoga Valley National Park to highlight this designation.

Cuyahoga Valley National Park Falls

Brandywine Falls

water falling over the cliffs of brandywine falls

The most popular feature in Cuyahoga Valley National Park is Brandywine Falls. This stunning waterfall is located at 8176 Brandywine Road in Sagamore Hills Township and drops 65 feet from the top. There is parking available onsite.

Once you arrive, you can either view the top of the falls from the boardwalk or hike the 1.5 mile Brandywine Gorge Loop. This hike is best done early or later in the day, to avoid crowds.

For a longer hike to the falls, park at the Boston Mill Visitor Center, follow signs to the Towpath Trail to the Stanford House, then follow signs to the Stanford Trail. This hike is 5.7 miles roundtrip. Be sure to consult a trail map for full details.

Blue Hen Falls

blue hen falls waterfall dropping over the precipice

Another popular waterfall destination within Cuyahoga Valley National Park is Blue Hen Falls. This scenic waterfall is accessible via a 3 mile loop trail from the Boston Mill Visitor Center via the Buckeye Trail. This trail is hilly and rugged, so make sure to include good hiking shoes and a water bottle in your packing list.

Cuyahoga Valley National Park Camping

There is no camping in Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Backcountry camping and staying overnight in parking lots is strictly prohibited.

However, there are a number of private campgrounds and state parks within driving distance of the park. You can also explore private land close to the park for short-term camping. The park is conveniently located close to Cleveland and Akron, so staying in either of those cities would also allow easy access.

Other Resources:

If you’re looking for a challenge, consider hiking some or all of the Buckeye Trail, which runs through Cuyahoga Valley National Park. 1,444 miles long, this trail spans from Lake Erie to the Ohio River and borders nearly the entire state of Ohio. 37 miles of this trail run through Cuyahoga Valley National Park.

Whether planning a long or short trip through the park, check out the additional resources below for help.

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