Trailhead Adventures

Cuyahoga Valley National Park Travel Guide

Guide Contents:

About Cuyahoga Valley National Park

Traveling to Cuyahoga Valley

Camping and Lodging Guide to Cuyahoga Valley

Dining and Shopping Guide for Cuyahoga Valley

Activity Guide to Cuyahoga Valley

Hikers Guide to Cuyahoga Valley

About Cuyahoga Valley National Park

Ohio’s only National Park spans across 33,000 acres of land between Cleveland and Akron, Ohio.  The park averages around 2.5 million visitors every year and features popular attractions such as Brandywine Falls (Ohio’s tallest waterfall), The Ledges (massive sandstone formations), and the Cuyahoga River to name just a few.

10 Fun Facts about Cuyahoga Valley National Park

  1. It is believed that Native Americans named the area Cuyahoga, a word that means “Crooked River” 
  2. The park spans across 33,000 acres of land between the Ohio cities of Cleveland and Akron.
  3. The park was first named Cuyahoga Valley National Recreation Area on December 27th, 1974
  4. It was changed to Cuyahoga Valley National Park on October 11th, 2000
  5. Over 2 million people visit the park each year making it one of the nations most-visited national parks.
  6. There are no entrances to the park, and visiting the park is free.
  7. Over 250 breads of birds have been spotted within the park.
    1. Complete list of birds spotted in the park
  8. Ohio’s tallest waterfall is located within Cuyahoga Valley National Park – Brandywine Falls 65′
  9. There are no campsites located within Cuyahoga Valley National Park
  10. The park features reconstructed locks once used on the Ohio and Erie Canal 

A Brief History of Cuyahoga Valley National Park

Cuyahoga Valley National Park was first designated the Cuyahoga National Recreation Area in the early 1970s before being named a national park in 2000.  The area was once comprised of small farming communities and metro parks before being consolidated by the National Park Services.  Cuyahoga Valley National Park offers no shortage of activities including over 120 miles of hiking trails, kayaking the Cuyahoga, winter activities at the two ski resorts located within the park in addition to a rich history.  

Contact Information for Cuyahoga Valley National Park

Phone

Address

15610 Vaughn Road, Brecksville, OH 44141 (Directions)

Websites

Cellular and WiFi coverage within Cuyahoga Valley National Park

Thanks to the parks close proximity to Cleveland and Akron, cellular coverage can be found throughout most of the park.  Coverage can be spotty when hiking around The Ledges or within the Brandywine Gorge area.  WiFi access is not available within the park at this time, however nearby coffee shops and businesses offer complementary wifi.

Dog rules for Cuyahoga Valley National Park

Are dogs allowed in Cuyahoga Valley National Park? Yes, leashed dogs are allowed within the park and on trails.  Please clean up after your pets and dispose of the waste properly.   It is important to note that pets are not allowed inside park buildings or on the train.

Weather in the park and Busy Seasons

Northeast Ohio sees the full range of every season thanks in part to its location.  Summer heat can get hot in the valley while Fall brings colorful leaf change with cooler conditions.  Winter visitors can experience lake effect weather patterns that can dump moderate amounts of snow across the valley. Cuyahoga Valley National Park is the busiest during the summer and fall seasons.

Best time of the year to visit Cuyahoga Valley National Park

Summer and Fall are by far the busiest seasons at Cuyahoga Valley National Park, but the park remains open all year and offers an array of activities all year round.  

Spring – Enjoy the spring blossom throughout the park as life returns to the valley.  Enjoy bird watching at the wetlands or hit the trails before the summer heat sets in.  

Summer – Hit the trails while being shaded by the dense forest or enjoy the cool air between the massive sandstone formations at The Ledges.  Hit the rapids by kayaking the Cuyahoga River or stay dry and ride your bike along the historic Towpath trail.

Fall – As a photographer, this is my favorite time to visit Cuyahoga Valley National Park.  Fall colors offer endless photo opportunities everywhere you can point your camera.  

Winter – Cuyahoga Valley National Park features two ski resorts within the park in addition to miles of cross country ski trails thanks in part to lake effect weather patterns that dump 5-6 feet of snow on average every winter.

Hike to Blue Hen Falls
Blue Hen Falls during late fall

Traveling to Cuyahoga Valley National Park

What county & state is Cuyahoga Valley National Park located in?

Cuyahoga Valley National Park is located in Summit and Cuyahoga Counties in Northeast Ohio. The park spans 33,000 acres of land between Cleveland and Akron, Ohio.

Directions to Cuyahoga Valley National Park

Cuyahoga Valley National Park is located in northeast Ohio, tucked between the cities of Cleveland and Akron.  Cuyahoga Valley National Park is free to visit and the park can be accessed by any number of roads leading from surrounding communities.  Visitors traveling from Cleveland-Hopkins International Airport should travel  I-480 East  to I-77 South.  Travelers driving in from the Akron area can travel Route 8 North to one of the park’s entrances.

Does Cuyahoga Valley National Park have a visitor’s center?

Yes, you can visit the Boston Mills Visitors Center

Driving and Public Transportation within Cuyahoga Valley National Park

Cuyahoga Valley National Park does not offer public transportation within the park. Due to the park’s location between two large cities, there are plenty of streets and highways for traveling around the park. Many of the park’s sites and trailheads also feature large parking lot to accommodate crowds. Finding parking near Boston Mills or Peninsula can be difficult during the summer season.

Camping and Lodging Options near Cuyahoga Valley National Park

Campgrounds and Backcountry Camping

A portion of the 1,440-mile Buckeye Trail passes through the heart of Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Hikers on the Buckeye Trail can find backcountry camping within Cuyahoga Valley National Park at Ottawa Point at the north end of Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Three campsites are available by (free) permit from Cleveland Metroparks. Click here for additional information and link to the permit.

Cuyahoga Valley National Park does not contain any campgrounds or lodging at this time.