Cuyahoga Valley National Park Things to Do

A picnic table near the Ledges Trailhead features a poem by Jean Valentine selected by the 24th U.S. Poet Laureate, Ada Limón as part of her signature project "You Are Here: Poetry in Parks."

Pine Lane Trailhead provides access to two of the longest trails that pass through the national park: the Buckeye and the Valley. This is a good starting point for hikers and runners who want to avoid the crowds and challenge themselves with hills.

How do you restore a river? When two historic dams were removed at this site in 2020, the Cuyahoga became free flowing here for the first time in nearly 200 years. Learn more and find out the new method for diverting river water into the Ohio & Erie Canal via the Pinery Feeder.

The Red Lock Trailhead area is a place to observe how nature is reclaiming old industrial sites and canal ruins. The small trailhead provides access to the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail, Valley Trail, and Cuyahoga River Water Trail. The area is a hotspot for birding, especially during spring migration. About a half-mile south on the towpath is the site of the Jaite Paper Mill, once a large employer in Cuyahoga Valley.

Access the river from the south side of the Vaughn Road bridge over the Cuyahoga River. This bridge is located near Red Lock Trailhead in Sagamore Hills.

Near the Station Road Bridge Trailhead, several exhibits tell the Cuyahoga’s remarkable story of recovery. Wildlife is returning to a river famous for catching fire. Listen and read how local people made this happen. Pose for photos with our eagle and heron statues.

The Ledges create a high point in the valley uplands. Learn the basics of their geology at the Ritchie Ledges wayside. It describes how periodically fast-moving streams flowed through a steamy swamp about 315-320 million years ago. The streams brought sand and pebbles that formed the Sharon Sandstone and Conglomerate rock that we see today.

Passengers in the Cleveland area can catch the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad at Rockside Station. This also provides overflow parking for visitors accessing the Towpath Trail and the Cuyahoga River Water Trail at Lock 39 Trailhead. The station has ample parking and is a primary starting point for train excursions and events.

South Park Village was on a bluff across the river from these exhibits. Prehistoric people of the Whittlesey Tradition lived here from 1000 to 1600.

Built in 1843 by George Stanford, the Stanford House offers accommodations to groups and visitors through the Conservancy for Cuyahoga Valley National Park.

Stanford Trailhead is a parking area for the Towpath, Valley, and Stanford trails.The trailhead includes standard parking spaces as well as 7 horse trailer spaces with 5 hitching posts. From here, a 1.5-mile trail leads up the side of the valley to Brandywine Falls.

The wrought-iron Station Road Bridge was built over the Cuyahoga River in 1881. It provided vehicle access to the Cuyahoga Valley Line at Brecksville Station. This train station and its bridge were a vital link between Cuyahoga and Summit counties, improving travel between Cleveland and Akron. Today, the bridge serves hikers, horseback riders, and cyclists. Two exhibit panels interpret the Pinery Narrows bridges and the Cuyahoga River.

Access the river via the Station Road Bridge Trailhead in Brecksville. A mowed path leads from the southeast corner of the parking lot to the river.

Brecksville Station was once a loading point for outgoing milk and lumber on the Valley Railway. Now this area is a crossroads for rail passengers, hikers, cyclists, runners, paddlers, and horse riders. Here, Station Road Bridge Trailhead provides ample parking and access to the Towpath Trail, Cuyahoga River Water Trail, and Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad. In spring and summer, this is a hotspot for birders who flock to see cerulean and yellow-throated warblers.

Canal Exploration Center was once a rest stop on the Ohio & Erie Canal. The Gleasons ran a tavern and a store in this building in the mid-1800s.

Why is there a bridge for water? This aqueduct carries the Ohio & Erie Canal over Tinkers Creek.

The remains found here are called a waste weir, where excess water could drain off the canal. The canal was a regulated 4 feet deep and too much water could do as much damage as too little water.

Wetmore Trailhead offers many choices for exercise and exploration in a less crowded part of the park. Horseback riders and hikers share the five interconnected trails. From here, you can also connect to Kendall Lake and Everett Covered Bridge area trails.

Passengers in the Akron area can catch Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad at Akron Northside Station. The station has ample parking and is a primary starting point for train excursions and events into the national park. The station is on a bus line and within walking distance of shopping, dining, and the Towpath Trail.

Across the canal is a historic mill. Up until 1970, it used waterpower to grind grain. The mill has been operated by two different families through several generations. It is now a feed store with pre-bagged grain.

The Bath Road Heronry is a pull off along Bath Road, with exhibit panels telling about these prehistoric birds. Unique in that you can see and hear these birds without ever leaving the car!

Boston Mill Station is a Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad flag stop. Passengers can get off the train to visit Boston Mill Visitor Center, the pedestrian friendly village of Boston, and nearby trails. Bicyclists, runners, hikers, and paddlers can access the train’s one-way shuttle service to create a trail-train adventure.

The far corner of the main parking lot for Happy Days Lodge provides access to Boston Run Trail. This 3.1-mile loop explores the woods and ravines along a headwater stream of the Cuyahoga River.

The Village of Boston grew up alongside a canal on the east side of the Cuyahoga River and a railroad on the west side of the river. Boston Store Trailhead provides limited mobility parking on the east side. Use it to access the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail and refreshments at Boston Store. This small trailhead does not accommodate over-sized vehicles.

Access the river from Boston Store Trailhead in the Village of Boston. Boston Mill Visitor Center is nearby.

Boston boomed with the arrival of the Ohio & Erie Canal in 1827. It boomed again when a paper mill, the Cleveland Akron Bag Company, opened in 1902. This exhibit shows an early 1900s view of Boston Mills Road when the bag company dominated the town.

The Village of Boston is a crossroads for hikers, cyclists, runners, paddlers, and horse riders. Boston Trailhead provides parking for the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath, Valley, and Buckeye trails. Paddlers may park their vehicles at the trailhead after unloading equipment at the Cuyahoga River Water Trail drop-off. Horse trailers are permitted. However, the parking lot was not designed to accommodate them, and it can be a challenge to navigate.

Explore how Boston boomed during the canal era at this outdoor interpretive display. Boston’s success came in part from its role in boat building. Exhibits feature Boston’s boatyards, the basics of canal boat building, and other canal era businesses. A play structure provides a hands-on canal boat experience.

Passengers using Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad’s shuttle service for bicyclists, runners, and hikers can get on and off the train at Botzum Station. This station is located near the southern edge of Cuyahoga Valley National Park adjacent to the Towpath Trail. Botzum Trailhead offers ample parking nearby.

Botzum Trailhead is a large parking lot and the southernmost access to the Towpath Trail in Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Named for a prominent settler, Botzum was part of a string of communities that grew up along the canal and railroad. This section of the towpath attracts exercise enthusiasts. It is 2.5 miles north to Beaver Marsh to view wildlife. Head south through a commercial district. The towpath intersects Cascade Valley and Sand Run metro parks in 2.5 miles.

Explore the power and beauty of the 60-foot Brandywine Falls from this location. Extend your visit by walking the 1.4-mile Brandywine Gorge Loop or 1.5-mile Stanford Trail. The trailhead also provides access to Summit Metro Parks’ Bike & Hike Trail.

Brecksville Station is a flag stop for Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad. It is located at Station Road Bridge Trailhead, which offers ample parking. Passengers can get on and off the train as part of combination trail-train adventure. The train provides a one-way shuttle service for bicyclists, runners, hikers, and paddlers using the Towpath, Buckeye, or Cuyahoga River Water trails.

Passengers riding Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad can get on and off to visit Canal Exploration Center and travel along the Towpath Trail.

Stop by this information kiosk to learn what there is to do in the area around Canal Exploration Center.

These stairs blend well into the Ledges rock. The National Park Service has long credited the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) as their builder. The CCC famously used local resources in ways that fit in the landscape. New evidence suggests stairs existed prior to the CCC. The Plain Dealer published an article about the Ledges in 1906 with a photo of very similar stairs. Mr. Thompson owned a nearby farm. Future research might answer whether he built the original stairs.

Explore the role the Cuyahoga River played in past Native American societies, both for transportation and as a food source.

An exhibit here tells the story of once common covered bridges. The Everett Covered Bridge is the last covered bridge remaining in Summit County. Through the years, covered bridges were replaced by iron bridges, much like horses were replaced by iron machines.

For almost a century, the original Everett Covered Bridge provided safe crossing over Furnace Run. Today’s bridge was reconstructed after a 1975 flood. The trailhead provides access to the bridge and nearby trails. The 5.6-mile Riding Run Trail is open to pedestrians and horses. The 1.9-mile Furnace Run Trail is a walking trail popular for viewing spring wildflowers.

Explore the architecture of the Frazee House. The Frazees were a Western Reserve pioneer family who became successful during the canal era.

From the Towpath Trail, gaze across the canal to the Frazee House, built with handmade bricks in 1825-27. It still dominates the landscape, much as it did during the canal era.

View the historic Gleason Farm as you travel the Towpath Trail. It remains a working farm, part of the park’s Countryside Initiative program.

The earthworks near this site were initially considered a fort, but archeologists now consider them to be more of a ceremonial site. Exhibits explain the history of the archeology here and why the purpose has been reconsidered. The area is accessible via the Old Carriage/Bike and Hike Connector Trail, with the Bike and Hike Trail uphill from the connector and the Towpath Trail downhill in the valley from this location.

Native Americans have left their marks on the land for thousands of years. Explore the earthworks of the Whittlesey Culture along the Old Carriage Trail, here a part of the Bike & Hike Access Trail. Travel up out of the valley, following signs to access the Bike & Hike Trail, or travel downhill to the Towpath Trail.

A large sign marks the path to Happy Days Lodge. The Civilian Conservation Corps built Happy Days Lodge during the Great Depression in the 1930s. It was part of their effort to develop park amenities for Virginia Kendall Park, now part of Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Haskell Run Trail starts behind Happy Days Lodge and connects to additional Virginia Kendall Park trails.

The men of the Civilian Conservation Corps built Happy Days Lodge during the difficult years of the Great Depression. They used manual labor and local materials, including Berea Sandstone and wormy American chestnut. For years, it served as a camp for children from the City of Akron. Today, it is a rental facility and program space managed by the Conservancy for Cuyahoga Valley National Park.

The Haskell Run Trail is a ½-mile loop trail that explores a creek that feeds the Cuyahoga River. The creek’s deep, wooded ravine attracts abundant birdlife. Visit in April and May to enjoy spring wildflowers. The trail also connects Happy Days Lodge with the Ledges area.

The Horseshoe Pond area was once part of the historic Bishop Farm. By the second half of the 1900s, the Bishops were planting and selling Christmas trees. Take the Tree Farm Trail to see how nature is reclaiming these old fields.

Hunt House is in the Village of Everett, a type of rural crossroads community that was once common across America. Family-friendly exhibits at Hunt House explore village life and the lives of wild plants and animals. From Hunt House continue a quarter mile north to Lock 27 for another peek into the crossroads community. Beaver Marsh, popular for wildlife watching, is three-quarters of a mile south.

“Growing Up in Everett” exhibits explore farm life in the 1920s and 1930s through the eyes of Helen Fiedler Toth. Listen to her stories, flip through her photo album, and play with her calf and chickens.

Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad passengers can get on and off the train at Indigo Lake Station. Connector trails lead west to Hale Farm & Village and east to the Towpath Trail. The railroad coordinates a shuttle ride to Hale Farm & Village with select train excursions. Nearby parking is limited.

An exhibit cluster shares the remarkable story of nature’s recovery at Beaver Marsh, located a quarter mile to the north. Beavers and humans transformed a former auto salvage yard into a 70-acre wetland in the 1980s. Hands-on beaver, river otter, and muskrat sculptures introduce three mammals that depend on the marsh for their survival.

This trailhead is popular for accessing the Beaver Marsh, located a half mile to the north on the Towpath Trail. The story of the Beaver Marsh has many chapters: a dairy farm, an auto salvage yard, and now a popular spot for viewing the wildlife, plants, and scenery of a recovering marshland.

The Kendall Lake Pier was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps and originally served as a swimming pier. Today it serves as a fishing pier, a photography point, and a place to relax and enjoy nature.

The Kendall Lake is one of the many amenities the Civilian Conservation Corps built in the Virginia Kendall Park. A one-mile trail loops around Kendall Lake. The Cross Country and Salt Run trails can also be accessed from this location.

The Ledges Overlook provides an expansive view of the Cuyahoga Valley. From here, visitors can appreciate how the park protects a large tract of natural open space between the cities of Akron and Cleveland. The scenery is stunning in any season.

The Ledges Shelter is the largest Civilian Conservation Corps shelter in Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Groups and families with up to 75 people may reserve it for a fee.

The striking rock cliffs of the Ledges are a primary feature of Virginia Kendall Park, developed in the 1930s. Use this trailhead to access a 1.8-mile trail that circles the Ledges, a rentable shelter, a giant grassy playfield, and many wooded picnic sites.

Lock 26 was one of 44 locks that let canal boats step up from Lake Erie to the 968-foot-high Portage Summit in Akron. The Carter family lived nearby and had a dairy farm in addition to working on the Ohio & Erie Canal. Here in the Cuyahoga Valley, dairy farming was common, and the area became known as “cheesedom.” An exhibit at Lock 26 explores the Carter family story and local cheesemaking.

Access the river from the Lock 29 Trailhead parking lot in Peninsula. Peninsula Depot and food are nearby.

The Ohio & Erie Canal made Peninsula a busy industrial town and popular overnight stop for canal travelers. Today visitors can stroll through the historic downtown, shop, and dine. Lock 29 Trailhead is a popular, often crowded access point for the village, Towpath Trail, Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad, and Cuyahoga River Water Trail. On the towpath, travel 2.3 miles north to the village of Boston. About a mile south is Deep Lock and connecting trails to old stone quarries.

Lock 32 was one of 44 locks on the Ohio & Erie Canal between Lake Erie in Cleveland and the Portage Summit in Akron. Historically, McBride’s Grocery served canallers at Lock 32.

Read about the “laughter and tears” of the Murphy family who once had a farm at Lock 35.

By the remains of Lock 36, visitors can explore the Pinery Feeder which still “feeds” water from the Cuyahoga River into this section of the Ohio & Erie Canal.

Lock 37 was once a busy location with a tavern, mill and floodgate. A small parking lot on nearby Fitzwater Road provides access to the Towpath Trail.

What is a canal lock? Stop here to learn about the mechanics of these boat elevators. If you are lucky to have water in the canal on a summer weekend, you might see volunteers demonstrating how Lock 38 works.

Lock 39 is the northernmost lock in Cuyahoga Valley National Park. It is one of many canal remnants you can see as you walk, ride, or run along the Towpath Trail.

Access the river from the Lock 39 Trailhead in Independence. This site allows access for a long paddle, nearly 12 miles, into Cleveland. Rockside Station and food are nearby.

This is the northernmost trailhead within Cuyahoga Valley. From here, visitors can explore the Towpath Trail south into the national park or north into Cleveland Metroparks. Across the parking lot is an access point for the Cuyahoga River Water Trail and a pedestrian bridge to Rockside Station.

Falling water once provided power to grind grain into flour. Hermon Bronson built a grist mill here in 1832, conveniently located on the new Ohio & Erie Canal. Today the mill race and crumbling foundation are all that remain.

Across the canal here, visitors can see the manmade Mudcatcher Falls. The stone abutment was built to hold back soil and debris from entering the canal. From this vantage point, visitors can travel north or south on the Towpath. To the north, in less than a tenth of a mile, the Valley horse trail will veer off to the left. In early spring, visitors may be lucky enough to see a bald eagle from this trail.

We can easily forget that America was once powered by animals, not by machines. Explore why mules were the preferred animal for pulling boats along the canal, as you meet “Blossom” the bronze mule.

Access the river via Northampton Point in Cuyahoga Falls. A path leads west from the parking lot to the river.

The Oak Hill area is a favored area for birding, running, hiking, fishing, photography, and cross country skiing. Once farmed, the area is now returning to forest. Two trails intertwine here – the shorter 1.8-mile Oak Hill and the longer 5-mile Plateau trail. They skirt farm ponds and deep ravines.

The Octagon Shelter is a great example of a style of architecture that came to be known as “parkitecture.” This type of architecture fit well into the natural landscape. It became synonymous with Civilian Conservation Corps structures. Groups and families with up to 50 people may reserve it for a fee.

The Civilian Conservation Corps built many outdoor recreation amenities, including toboggan chutes. Here an exhibit examines the last chutes that once stood here, providing winter fun for some 40 years.

Pause on this footbridge to gaze into the bed of the historic Ohio & Erie Canal. Nature is reclaiming this built waterway. Observe how a seasonal stream is carving its way down the valley walls to the Cuyahoga River. From here, continue on the flat Towpath Trail or head uphill to the Old Carriage Trail and the Bike & Hike Trail.

The Peninsula Depot is an original station from the historic Valley Railway. Today it serves as a ticketing office and boarding location for the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad.

Pilgerruh means “pilgrim’s rest.” From 1786-87, Christian Lenape and Moravian missionaries sought refuge near Tinkers Creek.

Access two of the interconnected trails in Virginia Kendall Park from the Pine Grove Trailhead. The 1.8-mile Ledges Trail circles around a sandstone outcrop with towering cliffs. The 2.2-mile Pine Grove Trail wanders through areas with planted pine trees and along the edge of wooded ravines. Both trails are relatively flat with uneven surfaces.

The Pine Hollow Trailhead, with its plentiful parking, sits at the top of the Kendall Hills. The location offers scenic views, a popular sledding destination, and year-round trail access. From here you can access the Salt Run or Wetmore trails, or follow connectors to the Lake and Cross Country trails.

Snowshoeing is a great way to explore and exercise in Cuyahoga Valley National Park when the conditions are right. We recommend waiting for there to be at least four inches of packed snow on the trail.

The East Rim Trail system has stunning views, varied terrain, exciting obstacles, and an element of adventure for intermediate mountain bikers.

The Brandywine Gorge Loop circles a deep ravine carved by Brandywine Creek, and provides stunning views of Brandywine Falls along the way. Learn more about hiking this popular trail.

Learn how kids ages 3 and older can become Junior Rangers of Cuyahoga Valley National Park.

The Ledges Trail circles a plateau of striking rock formations and provides stunning views along the way. Learn more about hiking this popular trail.

Agriculture has long been an important part of life in the Cuyahoga Valley. Today, there are eight farms that operate within the national park. Several have roadside stands or host events throughout the year. Learn more about these farms and about weekly farmers markets in and around the park.

Arrive by car, bike, or scenic railroad. Hands-on exhibits at this historic tavern and store bring the canal era to life. Lock demonstrations are offered seasonally. From here, you can stroll the Towpath Trail.

Leaf peepers, grab your cameras! Here are our tips for where to find Cuyahoga Valley’s best fall colors throughout October.

Begin your adventure at Boston Mill Visitor Center. Pick up maps and shop for souvenirs. Staff and volunteers are available to help you plan a visit that fits your time and interests.

Fishing is a great way to spend your day in Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Learn about the best places to fish and how to responsibly enjoy this pastime.

Blue Hen Falls is a popular hike-in destination in the Boston area. Hikers can reach the waterfall via the Buckeye Trail from Boston Mill Visitor Center. Learn more about this popular hilly hike.

These short walks along the Towpath Trail explore many highlights of the valley’s lowlands. They are recommended for people who have mobility disabilities, are visiting with children, or have limited time.

Searching for wildflowers is a great way to connect with nature and stay active in spring. Discover what’s blooming along park trails.

Birding is a popular activity at Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Thanks to the park’s wide variety of habitats, it is possible to observe more than 200 bird species throughout the year. Grab a field guide and a pair of binoculars and see what awaits your discovery.

Three short walks in the Everett area offer sensory activities that appeal to children or individuals with autism. They include tactile and audio exhibits.

Put your detective hat on! Quests are fun, self-guides hikes that help you explore the Ohio & Erie Canalway. Follow rhyming clues to hidden boxes. Sign the logbook and collect impressions of each hand-carved stamp.

Find out how you can host an event in the park.