Did you know that Cuyahoga Valley is the only national park in Ohio? This is just one of many factors that make this park entirely unique.
For starters, there is no entrance fee to explore Cuyahoga Valley or its deciduous forests and dazzling waterfalls — you can enjoy it for free year-round! Its location in northeast Ohio also positions it close to urban areas and highways, making it easily accessible from neighboring cities.
Cuyahoga Valley spans about 50 square miles between Cleveland and Akron. Along the winding Cuyahoga River, visitors can take in picturesque views of mossy limestone ledges, open farmlands and rolling hills. Although on the smaller side, this park is rarely crowded and has plenty of parking!
If you are planning to visit the area on your next vacation or road trip, check out the top things to do in Cuyahoga Valley National Park.
1. Boston Mill Visitor Center
If this is your first time visiting Cuyahoga or Ohio in general, check out the Boston Mill Visitor Center as your first stop. Here, you can ask rangers for the most updated information about the park, such as the weather and trail conditions for the season. You can also pick up park maps and browse the gift shop for souvenirs. Boston Mill Visitor Center is centrally located in the park, providing easy access to many trails.
2. Bridal Veil Falls
Start your trip off light with an easy hike to Bridal Veil Falls, which is less than a quarter mile. You will be rewarded with a tumbling, peaceful waterfall nestled in the forest along Deerlick Creek.
Follow this well-marked trail until you reach the boardwalk steps down to the waterfall. You will notice plenty of hardwood and hemlock trees. The best photo opportunities at Bridal Veil Falls are right near the riverbank and creek. Hike another five minutes to reach Deerlick Creek waterfalls for another gorgeous view!
3. Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail
One of the most famous Cuyahoga Valley National Park attractions is the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail. This 87-mile gravel path follows the same historical transportation route where mules towed boats between the Ohio River and Lake Erie between the 1800s and 1900s.
This popular bike trail and hiking spot has many access points and is stroller and wheelchair accessible thanks to the compacted, partially paved surface. You can also find several trailheads along the Towpath for horse trails, such as Boston Trailhead.
4. Canalway Questing
If you are unsure what to do in Cuyahoga Valley National Park, try going on a journey for hidden “treasure” boxes! Questing is a free, self-directed outdoor activity for all ages. This fun program is active from April to November of each year and consists of finding special boxes throughout the Cuyahoga, Summit, Stark and Tuscarawas counties. Unlike geocaching, questing does not require the use of GPS or exchanging trinkets.
This program aims to encourage visitors to explore the National Heritage Area, follow rhyming cues and discover hidden quest boxes. When you find a quest box, sign the logbook and collect its unique stamp. Then, put it back in place for other visitors to uncover! Visit the questing table for more information to choose your adventure.
5. Deer Lick Cave
Deer Lick Cave is a moderate hike that leads you to a small cave tucked away in the shade of the forest. This “cave” is actually a rock overhang formed by ancient sandstone embedded with salt that becomes eroded by water over time. Today, local white-tailed deer lick the salt from the sandstone for their necessary nutrients — hence the name.
This loop hike is just over 3 ½ miles and provides a scenic downhill view of gorgeous thick wooded areas. Visit this unique geological site during autumn to see a variety of tree colors! Wear waterproof shoes, as this trail gets muddy during certain times of the year.
6. Brandywine Falls
Perhaps the most iconic photo spot in all of Cuyahoga Valley National Park is Brandywine Falls. This 65-foot waterfall offers stunning views in every season, including winter!
You can reach this family-friendly site from a brief stroll on the wooden boardwalk and some stairs or through the 1 ½-mile Brandywine Gorge Loop, which leads you to the top of the falls and ends on the boardwalk trail. If Brandywine Falls is one of your must-sees, it is best to visit when the sun is higher in the sky for the best photo opportunity.
7. The Ledges Trail
Hike alongside massive rock walls on the Ledges Trail! Access this truly scenic hike in the Virginia Kendall area of Cuyahoga, where you will find the Ledges Trailhead parking lot. This 2.6-mile trail is a moderate hike with well-marked trail signs for easy navigation.
You will quickly notice the Ledges Trail is unlike other areas of the park thanks to its impressive moss-covered boulders and sandstone that mimic an ancient canyon. Loop around the alcoves and explore the nooks and crannies until you reach the Ledges Overlook — another beautiful view of the surrounding landscape!
8. Szalay’s Farm & Market
Once you have hiked, biked and explored the Cuyahoga forests, be sure to stop by Szalay’s Sweet Corn Farm & Market! This old-fashioned farm market encourages visitors to indulge in specialized grilled sweet corn, fresh produce, canned goods and local homemade goodies. Szalay’s is well-known throughout northeast Ohio. Enjoy ice cream in one of its picnic areas with a view of the rustic market barn!
Szalay’s is open from June to October, with fall being a particularly popular season. The market features thousands of pumpkins, fresh chestnuts, local honey and maple syrup and fresh pressed cider. You cannot miss its family-friendly, 3-acre corn maze from September to October!
9. Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad
Have you ever explored a national park by train? Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad is a unique, scenic attraction for individuals of all ages to enjoy. The railroad stops several times a day to take visitors for rides through the park following the Ohio and Erie Canal. You can also explore its calendar for special events and themed rides!
Ride the train round trip or amp up the adventure with the Hike Aboard or Bike Aboard package. This ticket allows you to ride along for a few stops and then take the hike or bike trails back to where you started. The Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad is especially popular in the fall where you can see breathtaking bursts of autumnal colors.
Book a Stay at Kampgrounds of America Near Cuyahoga Valley!
Cuyahoga Valley National Park is a prime location for packing in plenty of sightseeing and hiking. This park also happens to be less than 30 minutes away from Cleveland — The Rock ‘n’ Roll Capital of the World!
With so much adventure around this area, you need a comfortable and fun place to recharge. When you stay at KOA, you can enjoy a variety of amenities, such as a swimming pool, fishing lake and playgrounds at certain locations.
KOA offers several lodging options to meet your needs, including RV Sites, Tent Sites and Deluxe Cabins! Streetsboro / Cleveland SE KOA Holiday is less than 20 minutes from Cuyahoga National Park and less than an hour from Cleveland. Reserve your stay at Streetsboro / Cleveland SE KOA Holiday today or find another KOA location for your next trip.
About the Author: Kampgrounds of America
Kampgrounds of America is the largest system of open-to-the-public campgrounds in the world, with over 500 locations across the United States and Canada. Founded in Billings, MT in 1962, KOA’s family of campground brands – KOA Journey, KOA Holiday and KOA Resort – today serve more than a million camping families each year. KOA is dedicated to “connecting people to the outdoors and each other” by providing people with a variety of camping experiences and the information they need to make the most of their camping trip. Read more of their camping and travel resources by visiting KOA.com/blog.
