Cuyahoga Valley NP: Interesting Things You Need To Explore

06/08/2025 | Travel Like A Tourist | National Parks, Ohio

It’s hard to believe Ohio has a national park, but it does. Cuyahoga Valley National Park not only has beautiful geological features but a preservation of one of our nation’s earliest forms of transportation – the canal system.

There are numerous outdoor activities at this northern Ohio park from biking, hiking, and kayaking, to skiing, sledding, and horseback riding. Yet, what makes this park different is its education and preservation of the canal locks, which helped put Ohio on the map.

Lock 27, in Cuyahoga Valley National Park, as it appears in the summer heat — Lock 27 as it appears in late summer

The Ohio & Erie Canalway, connecting Lake Erie and the Ohio River, runs about 20 miles through the park. Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath Trail – Cuyahoga Valley National Park (U.S. National Park Service) Visitors can see old locks, learn about what the boats carried, and understand how these boats moved to higher elevations statewide.

The canalway, built between 1825 and1832, connected Ohio to New York and New Orleans. Ohio & Erie Canalway – Canalway History

Check out Canal Exploration Center

The canals brought a national transportation system and national market economy.

At the Canal Exploration Center, on the north end of the park, visitors can learn how the Ohio & Erie Canalway helped the state and nation develop, prosper, and make way for the growth of railroads. Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath Trail – Cuyahoga Valley National Park (U.S. National Park Service)

The Ohio & Erie Canalway, designated as a National Heritage Area, celebrates life as it was and is along the 110-mile path. Ohio & Erie Canalway

Lock 38, located just outside the Canal Exploration Center, is a working lock park employees and volunteers demonstrate when there’s enough water in it, according to one volunteer.

Lock 38, outside Canal Exploration Center in Cuyahoga Valley National Park, is a working lock

There are other locks throughout this linear park that start just south of Cleveland to above the city of Akron. In the park, Lock 39 is at the north end, near Rockside Station, and Lock 26 is near Beaver Marsh.

Hike to explore the park’s natural beauty

When you’re done with your history lesson, explore the various waterfalls in and around the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Near Boston Mill Visitor Center, on the east side of the park, is the most famous, Brandywine Falls.

Brandywine Falls from the boardwalk in Cuyahoga Valley National Park

There are 125 miles of trails through the park, according to the website. The Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail, which is wheelchair accessible, is over 19 miles. Part of the Buckeye Trail also goes through the park, with over 22 miles in the northern section and another 11 miles in the southern section. https://www.nps.gov/cuva/planyourvisit/hiking.htm

In addition to the towpath, make sure to hit these three hikes:

Ledges Trail is a 1.8-mile loop with several off shoots. The path is rocky and unpaved with 80 feet of elevation change.

The Ritchie Ledges is full of stunning rock formations, cliffs, and crevices

Brandywine Gorge Loop is a 1.5-mile loop circling around a ravine cut by the Brandywine Creek. There is 160-feet of elevation change and only partly wheelchair accessible as there are stairs to get into the gorge. An easier walk along a wooden boardwalk, with stairs, allows you to see the falls.

Blue Hen Falls Trail, 3-miles roundtrip, has 580 feet of elevation change and can be slippery in wet conditions. Just west of Boston Mill, the moderate to strenuous walk with stairs and steep hills crosses a low-traffic road before going back into the woods.

Exploring Cuyahoga Valley National Park in the autumn is even more beautiful with its stunning color palette.

Usually changes in leaf foliage occur in mid- to late-October.

Hike through Ledges

The rock formations seen at The Ritchie Ledges, commonly called Ledges, are “the remnants of primeval stream beds deposited when the area was a steamy swamp 320 million years ago,” according to a park sign near the beginning of the Ledges Trail.

Stunning rock formations along Ledges Trail in Cuyahoga Valley NP

The “sand and pebble sediments were compacted into rock, now called Sharon conglomerate,” a park sign states, noting erosion has carved what’s seen in the rock formations today.

Ledges Overlook in Cuyahoga Valley NP — Ledges Overlook

Near the manufactured stairs up to the Ledges Overlook, another park sign states park designers had the Civilian Conservation Corps use native materials, when possible, to maintain the natural character of the park.

Civilian Conservation Corps created stairs, along the Ledges Trail, using native materials. The trail is found in Cuyahoga Valley National Park. — CCC created stairs using native materials

If you are capable, this is a hike you don’t want to miss.

Bike the Towpath

Another popular activity is biking on the towpath. There are rental shops nearby.

The Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail is about 101 miles, and about 20 miles goes through Cuyahoga Valley National Park. In addition, mountain bikers have four trails for intermediate skills. https://www.nps.gov/cuva/planyourvisit/bike.htm

Bikers ride on the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail near Beaver Marsh in Cuyahoga Valley NP. — Bikers ride on the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail near Beaver Marsh

There’s a passenger train route that follows the towpath (more on that below). If you get caught in the rain, like I did once, or just get tired, you can ride the train back with bike in tow.

Look for beavers at Beaver Marsh

A beautiful stop along the towpath is Beaver Marsh. According to a park sign, Beaver Marsh is one of Ohio’s highest quality wetlands because of its mix of water: groundwater, surface water from rivers and streams, and precipitation.

Beaver Marsh in Cuyahoga Valley NP in mid-October — Beaver Marsh in mid-October

This 70-acre marsh was originally a farm-turned auto repair shop, according to an article on the park’s website. The federal government eventually cleaned up and cleared this land. https://www.nps.gov/articles/000/story-of-the-beaver-marsh.htm

The article notes beavers had started to return to the area, building dams, and helping the restoration naturally. By the mid-1980s the national park, with the assistance of volunteers like the Sierra Club, cleaned up the trash, junk, and car parts. The beavers were a vital force in the restoration.

Beautiful summer walk on the boardwalk through the Beaver Marsh in Cuyahoga Valley NP — Beautiful summer ride on the boardwalk through the Beaver Marsh

Forty years later, you would never know of the past as you walk, run, or bike through this marsh on a raised wooden boardwalk. If you are lucky, you may see frogs, turtles, beavers, otters, birds, and other creatures in and on the water.

Find other wildlife in Cuyahoga Valley NP

Beaver Marsh is one of the best places to see reptiles and birds. But you can see wildlife in the other areas of the park.

Cuyahoga Valley NP, has 250 species of birds, including bald eagles, falcons, hawks, great blue herons, cardinals, blue jays, woodpeckers, wood ducks, and Canadian geese. Birds – Cuyahoga Valley National Park (U.S. National Park Service)

Painted turtle in the Beaver Marsh, in Cuyahoga Valley NP — Painted turtle in the Beaver Marsh

There are 20 species of reptiles, including 11 snakes, eight turtles, and skinks. Reptiles – Cuyahoga Valley National Park (U.S. National Park Service). In addition, there are 10 family types of salamanders and newts, and nine types of frogs and toads. Amphibians – Cuyahoga Valley National Park (U.S. National Park Service)

Frog at Kendall Lake in Cuyahoga Valley National Park — Frog at Kendall Lake

Beavers, muskrats, and minks found in the park’s wetlands, are more visible at dusk and through the night, while the park river otters are more active in the early morning. Mammals – Cuyahoga Valley National Park (U.S. National Park Service) There are also nine species of bats, as well as deer, coyote and fox to name a few, according to the park website.

Eight turtles near Lock 26 in Cuyahoga Valley NP — Eight turtles near Lock 26

Be sure to look in the locks, ponds, and streams near Beaver Marsh for turtles –they tend to blend into their environment, as seen above.

Take a ride on the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad

Another fun activity in the park is riding the train. Cyclists can bike along the towpath one way and then for $5 hitch a ride back on the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad, bike in tow. Besides the Bike Aboard program, the train stops at destinations in the park while providing a scenic, family ride.

Hitch a ride on the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad

You may have an opportunity to see a pair of eagles as a nest is on the east side of the train tracks in the Pinery Narrows, north of Station Road Bridge. The pair has had several eaglets over the last decade.

Various seating accommodations, from coach to luxury, are offered. There are dining rides and unique events, such as Ales on Rails and Grape Escape, as well as national park scenic rides and holiday excursions (see website for changing schedule). Snacks and drinks are always for sale. For more information, visit https://www.cvsr.org.

Golf, Ski, Kayak, and Fish

In the park, there are four public golf courses.

For winter enthusiasts, there is the 16-lift Boston Mills/Brandywine Ski Resort and Polar Blast Snow Tubing. Sledding is available at Kendall Hills, while the park has miles of cross-country skiing.

You can canoe or kayak on the Cuyahoga River, but you must provide your own craft. You can check the quality at https://waterdata.usgs.gov.

The river is U-shaped and flows through four counties in northeast Ohio, with headwaters near Burton, flowing south to Akron, then bends back up to Lake Erie on the left side of the U-shape. There are four access points in the national park between Akron and Brecksville. https://cuyahogariverwatertrails.org

There are 50 kinds of fish in the 100-mile Cuyahoga River, according to the Cuyahoga River Water Trail partnership. Its website is a wealth of information about water levels, water quality, and maps of suggested sections for paddling the river.

Boston Mill Visitor Center in Cuyahoga Valley NP — Boston Mill Visitor Center

Park at Boston Mill Visitor Center to put your kayak in the Cuyahoga River or take a hike. First stop in the center to see the exhibits and pick up a map or souvenir. Park employees at the center provide helpful answers to questions. Boston Mill Visitor Center – Conservancy for Cuyahoga Valley National Park

Walk Through the Everett Covered Bridge

Take a short walk, on a paved path, to see the Everett Covered Bridge. This reconstructed bridge shows what life was like in 19^th Century Ohio when the state led the nation with over 2,000 covered bridges. Everett Covered Bridge (U.S. National Park Service)

Bridges like this are becoming a rarity, and the Everett Covered Bridge is the last one in the area.

Everett Covered Bridge in Cuyahoga Valley National Park — Everett Covered Bridge

You can walk through the covered bridge, designed to safeguard the bottom portion of the road from the elements. Walk in and around the bridge to see it from different angles. I suggest walking down to the river to see the best angle from the water’s edge.

Stay at park lodging

There are no campgrounds inside the national park, but there are several within 20 miles. Visit the park website for a list of campgrounds. The website includes addresses, distance to the park, and type of camping available. https://www.nps.gov/cuva/planyourtrip/camping.htm

There is also minimal lodging available in the park, including The Stanford House and the Inn at Brandywine Falls. https://www.nps.gov/cuva/planyourtrip/lodging.htm

The Inn at Brandywine Falls, at Cuyahoga Valley NP, takes you back in time — The Inn at Brandywine Falls takes you back in time

The website for The Inn at Brandywine Falls has detailed options, but only a few rooms. I enjoyed my stay here and highly suggest it as an option. https://www.theinnatbrandywinefalls.com

Explore Cuyahoga Valley NP over multiple days

There are a lot to things to see and do at Cuyahoga Valley National Park. I suggest two to three days to see it all. This is a linear park with many entrances. Start at the top, or the north end, at Lock 39, near Rockside Station. Then head south so you don’t miss anything. There are three maps in the story so you can follow along. Maps – Cuyahoga Valley National Park (U.S. National Park Service)

North end of Cuyahoga Valley NP (NPS map)

Just outside CVNP, near the Canal Exploration Center, the Cleveland Metroparks has the Bridal Veil Falls and Great Falls near the Tinkers Creek Gorge. There are places to eat in Tinkers Creek.

Mid-section of Cuyahoga Valley NP (NPS map)

In the middle of the park, you are near the historic wrought-iron Station Road Bridge built in 1881. This is the narrowest section of the park.

You can see the Brecksville-Northfield High-Level Bridge here as well. Built in 1931, it’s made of reinforced concrete. This is how vehicles currently cross the valley on Ohio Route 82.

Brecksville-Northfield High-Level Bridge crosses the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. — Brecksville-Northfield High-Level Bridge

This mid-section is where to access Blue Hen Trail, Brandywine Falls, and Boston Mill Visitor Center.

South section of Cuyahoga Valley NP (NPS map)

The south end of Cuyahoga Valley National Park is where you’ll find Everett Covered Bridge, Beaver Marsh, Ledges, and Kendall Lake.

Grab some grub

Peninsula is a cute town in the middle of the park with restaurants and snacks. I always stop to get kettle corn at The Crooked Kettle Popcorn Co. Home | CrookedKettlePopcorn There are other places to eat in Peninsula and surrounding areas.

If you are in the mood for ice cream, Cleveland-based Mitchell’s Ice Cream at the Boston Store is near Boston Mill Visitor Center.

There are also several farms leasing land in the park, offering roadside stands. Farms – Cuyahoga Valley National Park (U.S. National Park Service).

Know Before You Go…

Cuyahoga Valley National Park is a fee-free park.
Make sure to secure your train tickets for the day, time, and excursion you want. Make sure you are clear which station you are departing and returning on, and their respective times.
Do not keep valuables in your vehicle. Although I have never had an issue, the park is surrounded by a large metropolitan area.

Cuyahoga River near Boston Mill in Cuyahoga Valley NP — Cuyahoga River near Boston Mill

Since the junk yard days and when the Cuyahoga River caught on fire for its pollution, it’s really amazing how clean and beautiful the CVNP area has become. It’s full of diverse plants and wildlife and has an abundance of outdoor activities.

Congress made the 33,000-acre linear park between Cleveland and Akron a national park in 1974 as a “park to the people.”

In addition, the park also protects 25 miles of the 100-mile Cuyahoga River. This is important for keeping Lake Erie clean, as the river flows up into the Great Lake. Environmental efforts continue to work to keep the river clean. Park Brochure Formats – Cuyahoga Valley National Park (U.S. National Park Service).

(For suggested itinerary of this park, send me an email listed on my website, TravelLikeATourist.com. Please be sure to follow me on my social pages: Facebook, Instagram, X, and LinkedIn)

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