5 Cuyahoga Valley National Park Trails: A Midwest Oasis
This realistic Cuyahoga Valley National Park Trails Guide helps you plan your next adventure in this Midwest park.
Cuyahoga Valley National Park is best known for its beautiful waterfalls, rocky formations, vast farmlands, and rich history. Nature and history lovers will find this park a worthwhile destination.
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Sights & Attractions
Cuyahoga Valley is a fairly young national park. It became a park in October 2000. But the area around the Cuyahoga River has a lot of historic and natural sights.
Hikers could choose to chase Brandywine Falls, Blue Hen Falls, or Bridal Veil Falls. The Canal Exploration Center and the Hunt House could tell you a story about the exploration of this region.
Bikers will enjoy the lengthy Towpath Trail and Bike & Hike Trail. And train lovers should not resist boarding the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad train.
This national park is a bit like a patchwork quilt. Different park units are mixed in with private lands. The National Park Service manages some parts while the cities and counties offices manage the other.
This experience is most similar to driving on the Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia and North Carolina. Redwood National and State Parks have a similar structure.
But this setup makes planning a hiking trip to Cuyahoga more challenging than it should be. This Cuyahoga Valley National Park Trails Guide bridges the gap and lists the main hiking trails in the park.
1. Towpath Trail
You cannot discuss Cuyahoga Valley National Park trails without mentioning the Towpath Trail. Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail connects Cleveland in the north with New Philadelphia in the south.
The full Towpath Trail is over 90 miles (145 km) long. The trail is still under development. It will reach 101 miles (163 km) upon completion. 20 miles (32 km) of the trail go through Cuyahoga Valley National Park.
- Length: 19.7 miles (32 km) each way
- Trailhead(s): Lock 39 (north) and Botzum (south)
- Elevation Gain: 341 ft (104 m)
The Towpath Trail is the longest trail in Cuyahoga Valley. But it is also the easiest. The trail has a wide and flat accessible path that follows the Cuyahoga River.
You could take this trail to the main sights in the park. It brings you from the Canal Exploration Center to the Station Road Bridge, Boston Mill Visitor Center, and Hunt House.
Make sure to spend some extra time at the Station Road Bridge. You will get amazing views of the Cuyahoga River. But this section of the trail is also home to an architectural landmark.
The Brecksville-Northfield Bridge dates back 1931. This deck arch bridge reaches the height of 145 ft (44 m) above Cuyahoga Valley. This beautiful bridge is similar to the ones in Big Sur in California.
A bike is the best way to explore the Towpath Trail in the park. Take the trail from south to north if you are worried about the elevation gain. This way, you will be hiking or biking downhill the entire time.
The Station Road Bridge is next to Brecksville train station. You could hop on the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad Explorer train to shuttle back. Hikers and bikers pay $5 per person with no extra fee for a bike.
2. Bike & Hike Trail
Cuyahoga Valley National Park is a bit similar to Redwood National & State Parks. Instead of one large federal park like Rocky Mountain, it is a collection of different park units.
Some of them belong to the national park. Others are managed by Cleveland Metroparks and Summit Metro Parks. The parks are right next to one another. You would not notice a change on the ground.
A Bike & Hike Trail is a great example of such partnership. It starts in Bedford Reservation park. The trail goes mostly outside of Cuyahoga Valley National Park.
But the Bike & Hike Trail continues right on the eastern boundary of the park for a few miles. It is the easiest way to reach Brandywine Falls and the Ledges areas of the national park without a car.
- Length: 18 miles (0.2 km) each way
- Trailhead(s): Bedford Reservation MTB trail head (north), Portage Hike & Bike Trail Franklin Connector (south)
- Elevation Gain: 427 ft (130 m)
Hikers will likely find this paved path a bit boring. But the Bike & Hike Trail is a solid route for road bike enthusiasts.
3. Bedford Reservation Trails
You could choose to take other trails in Bedford Reservation. The All Purpose Trail, Buckeye Trail, and Bridle Trail continue for over 7 miles (11 km) each.
You could reach Tinker’s Creek Gorge Overlook or go to the creek level. A trip to Bridal Veil Falls or the Viaduct is also not out of question.
The Bedford Reservation Trails are long but not very scenic. You might be better off spending your time on other Cuyahoga Valley National Park trails as a first-time visitor.
Bridal Veil Falls are the only exception. Yet, there is an easier way to see this waterfall if you have a car. You could reach it by taking a short connecting trail from the parking lot.
- Length: 0.1 miles (0.2 km) each way
- Trailhead(s): Bridal Veil Falls Parking Lot
- Elevation Gain: 23 ft (7 m)
This trail has a couple wooden staircases that bring you towards a creek. They look just like the boardwalks and staircases in Starved Rock State Park near Chicago, Illinois.
The trail levels off after the initial descend. You would not need to hike long to reach Bridal Veil Falls. The waterfall will be on full display right after a bridge.
It is unfair to expect a powerful fall in Ohio like the waterfalls in Iceland. But Bridal Veil Falls are underwhelming unless you visit them after a rainfall. Otherwise, there might be just a trickle of water.
4. Brandywine Gorge Loop Trail
Brandywine Gorge is a better destination to enjoy waterfall views in Cuyahoga Valley National Park. This area is home to the same name falls and a few hiking trails.
The Brandywine Falls Trailhead is the closest parking area to the waterfall. There is a short wooden boardwalk. You will be at the waterfall viewing platform in 0.2 miles (0.3 km).
You would not need to take any stairs to see Brandywine Falls from the upper platform. The lower platform has a couple of flights of wooden stairs.
The boardwalk goes through a rocky landscape. You will be often walking in small grottos. Watch your head since some of the rocks are quite low.
The full Brandywine Gorge Loop trail is quite a bit longer. You are looking at an elevation gain that is similar to the entire Towpath Trail and Bike & Hike Trail.
- Length: 2.6 miles (4.2 km) loop hike
- Trailhead(s): Brandywine Falls Picnic Area
- Elevation Gain: 390 ft (119 m)
This trail brings you to the creek level. You will be able to see the waterfall from both the north and south viewpoints.
Without a doubt, Brandywine Falls are one of the most recognizable views in Cuyahoga National Park. They look a lot like falls in Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area.
You should know about the only downside of Brandywine Falls. There is a bridge over the creek on Brandywine Road. This concrete bridge is not very scenic. Yet, it will be in your view of this waterfall.
5. Ledges Trail
You should head south to the Ledges area to explore the hiking trails in Cuyahoga Valley. You will find some of the most scenic views on the Ledges Trail.
The Ledges are about 15 minutes from the Brandywine Falls trailhead by car. A trip on the Bike & Hike Trail will take roughly 40 minutes by bike. Get ready for a hiking adventure once you reach the trailhead.
The first section of the trail goes on an unpaved country road. It is flat and easy to follow. But the trail turns inaccessible after you reach the main loop path. There are steps and uneven surfaces.
Turn east (right) on the main loop and explore it in a clockwise direction. You will see the first ledges about 0.4 miles (0.6 km) into the trail.
It will be hard to believe that these bedrock formations are of natural origin. Some of them come very close to one another. It looks as if they were separated by a chainsaw.
There are a handful of passages right next to the trail. Wear sturdy shoes and stay away from the edge. Some of the formations have sizable drops. You are risking a serious injury if you fall down.
As you continue on the Ledges Trail, you will see fewer and fewer ledges. Your hike will be an easy walk in a park.
The southernmost section of the trail looks just like the trails in Oregon Caves National Monument. But other parts of the Ledges Trail are a lot like Matthiessen State Park in Illinois.
Continue with this Cuyahoga Valley National Park Trails Guide. You will learn more about ways to get to the sights, entrance requirements, and places to stay.
Getting to Cuyahoga Valley
Cuyahoga Valley National Park is in Northeast Ohio. The park is about halfway between Cleveland and Akron. The former is the closest airport (CLE) to the park.
Having a rental car will make visiting the sights in Cuyahoga Valley much easier. In fact, two Interstate Highways, I-80 and I-271, cross the park via overpasses. They divide Cuyahoga Valley in two parts.
You could reach the park from Cleveland in under 20 minutes. But if Cleveland airport does not work out, there are a handful of airports within a 3-hour drive.
Columbus, Ohio (CMH) and Pittsburg, Pennsylvania (PIT) are the closest. A drive to the park from either airport takes about 2 hours each way.
Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) is another gateway to Cuyahoga Valley. It is a Delta hub and has a good number of direct flights. Get ready for a 3-hour drive to the park.
Other airports, like Cincinnati (CVG) and Buffalo Niagara (BUF) are nearly 4 hours away. They might not be the best places to fly in for a visit to Cuyahoga Valley.
A car is a must for getting to the park from most cities. It also helps if you come to explore Cuyahoga Valley National Park Trails. But you could take a train through Cuyahoga Valley from Akron.
Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad connects Akron Northside Station with Peninsula Depot. A one-way journey takes about 50 minutes.
There are three departures daily between Wednesday and Sunday in the summer and fall. The cheapest adult day pass costs $19. A child ticket is $14.
Where to Stay near Cuyahoga Valley
There are a lot of places to stay near Cuyahoga Valley. You could thank the location of the park just south of Cleveland. There is even a hotel in the park: Inn at BrandyWine Falls.
If you are looking for a more proven experience, consider Hampton Inn & Suites Oakwood Village-Cleveland. This highly rated hotel is less than 15 minutes from the sights in the north section of the park.
Residence Inn by Marriott Akron Fairlawn is about the same distance from the southern attractions. You could use this hotel as a base to explore the Ledges and Kendall Lake.
There are a handful of great places to stay if you are fine being further away from the park. Cleveland and Akron both give you a good selection.
North Canton and Wooster are other solid choices south of Cuyahoga Valley. Madison has a few places to stay northeast of the park. The same is true of Youngstown near Pennsylvania state line.
Since you need a car to explore Cuyahoga Valley, your preferences on the drive duration come to the forefront. You could find a better deal if you do not mind a longer drive.
A handful of places to stay in this part of Ohio are quite dated. Still, they often charge quite high rates. In a way, this experience is similar to Grand Canyon National Park. Albeit, at a much smaller scale.
You might want to study the property reviews and pictures before booking. This should help you pick the right place to stay.
Entrance Requirements & Passes
Cuyahoga National Park is open 365 days a year. You could hike Cuyahoga National Park Trails from sunrise to sunset.
Amenities like Boston Mill Visitor Center, Canal Exploration Center, and Hunt House have a different schedule. These places are closed during the major public holidays.
You could visit most of them between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. throughout the year. But the Hunt House is only open on the weekends.
Cuyahoga Valley does not charge admission fees. You can enjoy the trails and learn about history for free. This is a rare time when an America the Beautiful annual pass does not bring you any savings.
Keep in mind that Cuyahoga Valley is inside the populous Cleveland Area. While not all 1.7 million of the area residents explore Cuyahoga Valley, the park attracts a good number of visitors.
Still, you will likely find a trailhead parking spot nearly every time. In the end, Cuyahoga Valley is not Yosemite Valley.
But the spots on Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad trains often sell out. You should book them a few weeks in advance.
Takeaways: Cuyahoga Valley National Park Trails
Cuyahoga Valley National Park is a nice place to visit. The Ledges, Brandywine Falls, and Towpath Trail along the Cuyahoga River make it a memorable destination.
Despite its proximity to Cleveland and Akron, the park is one of the most uncrowded destinations. Unless you take the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad train, you could find trailhead parking almost every time.
The main downside of visiting Cuyahoga Valley has to do with its location. The proximity to the industrial centers and human made structures could derail the appeal of the park.
There is no doubt that Cuyahoga Valley pales in comparison to other national parks out west. But it is a worthwhile destination in Ohio and the Midwest.
Take a look at this Cuyahoga Valley National Park Trails Video Guide. And visit the YouTube channel for the latest videos.
Frequently Asked Questions
You could choose from 5 main trails in Cuyahoga Valley National Park:
– Towpath Trail: a 20-mi trail section along the Cuyahoga River.
– Bike & Hike Trail: an 18-mi trail from Bedford Reservation to the Ledges.
– Bedford Reservation: a Cleveland city managed park with 8 trails of different length.
– Brandywine Gorge Loop: a 2.6-mi path to Brandywine Falls.
– Ledges Trail: a 2.3-mi loop to the bedrock formations.
There are lots of places to stay in Cuyahoga Valley. You could book a night at the Inn at BrandyWine Falls right in the park.
Oakwood Village and Fairlawn are nearby cities with a good selection of hotels. They are minutes from the national park. Cleveland and Akron are other close-by cities with places to stay.
Cuyahoga Valley National Park offers plenty of activities to nature and history lovers:
– Hike a section of the Towpath Trail along the Cuyahoga River.
– Explore the bedrock formations on the Ledges Trail.
– See Brandywine, Blue Hen, or Bridal Veil Falls.
– Go through the park in a Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad train.
– Learn about farming at the Hunt House.
– Admire the scenic deck arch Brecksville-Northfield Bridge.
You could see Cuyahoga Valley National Park in half a day if you visit the main sights in a car. Bridal Veil Falls, Brandywine Falls, and Blue Hen Falls are all a short walk from their trailhead parking lots.
Budget a day if you take the longer Towpath Trail or Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad train. This will give you enough time to see the park sights and learn about the history of the region.
Safe realist travels!
