Cuyahoga Valley
Waterfalls, sandstone ledges and a historic canal towpath between Cleveland and Akron
- Hours
- Open daily; some areas close at dusk
- Entry
- Free entry
- Reservations
- Not required
- Size
- 32,571 acres
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Cuyahoga Valley follows a 22-mile stretch of the Cuyahoga River between Cleveland and Akron, a mix of forests, wetlands, waterfalls and farmland. The Ohio and Erie Canal, opened in 1827, once carried freight through the valley, and its old towpath is now the park's main trail. The area became a national recreation area in 1974 and a national park in 2000. The Ledges show off Sharon Conglomerate sandstone that is around 320 million years old.
This is a park you can explore in pieces: a short waterfall walk, a bike ride on the Towpath, a train ride, or a stop at a farm stand. It is one of the most visited national parks in the country even though it charges no entrance fee. The Cuyahoga River famously caught fire in 1969, which helped push the Clean Water Act forward. Today beavers, bald eagles and great blue herons are back along the river.
The park and surrounding area
- Park boundary
- Other parks
- Major highway
- Road
- Rivers and lakes
- Town
Plan your trip
- Best time to go
- Late September through October brings peak fall color, while May and June have green forests, full waterfalls and mild weather.
- How long to stay
- One full day covers the main sights; two days lets you add a long Towpath ride and a train trip.
- Getting there
- Cleveland Hopkins International (CLE) is about 30 minutes away and Akron-Canton (CAK) about 35 minutes; Pittsburgh (PIT) is roughly a 2-hour drive.
- Wildlife
- Look for white-tailed deer, beavers, great blue herons, bald eagles, coyotes and wood ducks.
Plan and book
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Where to stay
Tours and activities
- Guided tours on Viator (opens in a new tab)Day trips, wildlife, photography
- Tours on GetYourGuide (opens in a new tab)Compare options and reviews
- Campsites on Recreation.gov (opens in a new tab)Official federal booking site
What to pack for Cuyahoga Valley
- Waterproof hiking shoesTrails like the Ledges and Brandywine Gorge are often muddy and slick.
- Hybrid or gravel bikeThe crushed-stone Towpath Trail is flat and great for easy riding.
- Bike lockHandy when you stop at trailheads, the train depot or Peninsula shops.
- Rain jacketNortheast Ohio weather changes quickly, especially in spring and fall.
- BinocularsGreat for spotting herons, beavers and eagles at Beaver Marsh.
A first day, start to finish
- Brandywine Falls boardwalk
- Boston Mill Visitor Center
- Bike the Towpath to Beaver Marsh
- Lunch in Peninsula
- Ledges Trail and overlook at sunset
Don't miss
- Brandywine FallsA 65-foot waterfall seen from a boardwalk a short walk from the parking lot, with a 1.5-mile Brandywine Gorge loop for a longer look.
- The LedgesA 1.8-mile loop past moss-covered sandstone cliffs and narrow cracks, with the Ledges Overlook facing west for sunset.
- Beaver MarshA boardwalk on the Towpath Trail crossing a wetland where beavers, herons, turtles and wood ducks are common.
- Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath TrailAbout 20 flat miles inside the park along the old 1827 canal route, popular for biking and walking between historic locks.
- Cuyahoga Valley Scenic RailroadVintage trains run through the valley, and the Bike Aboard program lets cyclists ride one way on the Towpath and take the train back.
Know before you go
Do
- Rent or bring a bike for the Towpath Trail and pair it with a one-way train ride.
- Arrive early on fall weekends, since Brandywine Falls and the Ledges lots fill fast.
- Check the park's alerts page for Towpath detours before you go.
Don't
- Climb on the Ledges cliffs or squeeze into closed crevices.
- Plan to camp or sleep in your car, which is not allowed in the park.
- Swim or wade in the Cuyahoga River, where water quality is not always safe.
The park is open every day of the year, but some areas close at dusk while others stay open 24 hours. Visitor centers and other facilities run on seasonal schedules. Through November 20, 2026, the Towpath Trail is closed between the Boston Trailhead and Lock 29 in Peninsula while the Stumpy Basin boardwalk is replaced.
Catch sunset from the Ledges Overlook, then grab dinner in the village of Peninsula a few minutes away.Trekker's tip