Cuyahoga Valley National Park
Ohio Est. 2000

Cuyahoga Valley National Park

River Forest
Plan a visit Check conditions
Established
2000
Size
32,572 acres
Visitors / yr
2.9M
Entrance
Free
Best season
May through October
Nearest airport
CLE Cleveland Hopkins International
Caution: Unhealthy Air Quality +3 more Details Wildfire Tracker
01

Why Cuyahoga Valley is worth the trip

Ohio · Established 2000

Cuyahoga Valley is the comeback story of the park system. The river running through it was so polluted it caught fire in 1969, a national embarrassment that helped push the Clean Water Act into being. Half a century later, herons and beavers work a recovering river between Cleveland and Akron, and the valley has become the daily escape hatch for two cities.

This is not a park of grand overlooks. It is 22 miles of river valley stitched with waterfalls, hemlock ravines, and the old Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath, best covered by bike. Brandywine Falls alone earns the trip, a 65-foot cascade over tiered sandstone minutes off the interstate.

The classic move is Bike Aboard on the scenic railroad. Pedal the Towpath one way, flag the train, and ride back with your bike for a few dollars. Entry is free, it works year round, and the whole place gets greener every decade. That trajectory is the point.

Start with our full Cuyahoga Valley guide, then use the planning below.

02

Top things to do in Cuyahoga Valley

Where we would start, and what we would plan a day around. Read the full guide.

Cuyahoga Valley National Park
Start here

15 Things to Do in Cuyahoga Valley National Park

Read the guide
01 Go Mountain Biking in Cuyahoga Valley Mountain Biking · nps.gov Go Mountain Biking in Cuyahoga Valley The East Rim Trail system has stunning views, varied terrain, exciting obstacles, and an element of adventure for intermediate mountain bikers. 02 Ride the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad Guided Tours · nps.gov Ride the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad All aboard the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad! Learn more about this unique way to experience Cuyahoga Valley National Park. 03 Go Snowshoeing in the Cuyahoga Valley Snowshoeing · nps.gov Go Snowshoeing in the Cuyahoga Valley Snowshoeing is a great way to explore and exercise in Cuyahoga Valley National Park when the conditions are right. We recommend waiting for there... 04 Hike the Brandywine Gorge Loop Hiking · nps.gov Hike the Brandywine Gorge Loop The Brandywine Gorge Loop circles a deep ravine carved by Brandywine Creek, and provides stunning views of Brandywine Falls along the way. Learn more...
Before you go

Get the Cuyahoga Valley heads-up

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03

Plan your trip

Our guides for the big decisions, plus the gear, maps and lodging we would actually use for Cuyahoga Valley.

Things to Do Fun Facts

Where to stay

Gateway towns with lodging, food and outfitters.

  • Peninsula, OHGateway town
  • Brecksville, OHGateway town
  • Boston Heights, OHGateway town
Compare stays near Cuyahoga Valley

Maps & guides

Carry paper. Cell service dies fast inside most parks.

Cuyahoga Valley field guide
Trail-by-trail detail and planning help in print.
View on Amazon
America the Beautiful pass
$80 a year. Covers entrance fees at more than 2,000 federal recreation sites.
Get the pass

What to bring

Field-tested picks we bring on park trips.

  • Trail Shoes
    Lightweight with good traction for maintained trails. View on REI
  • Rain Jacket
    Mountain weather turns fast. Pack a shell even on clear mornings. View on REI
  • Merino Hiking Socks
    Prevent blisters and keep your feet comfortable for miles. View on REI
  • Day Hiking Pack
    A 22-30L pack fits water, layers, snacks, and a first aid kit. View on REI

Getting there

  • CLE Cleveland Hopkins International 20 mi
  • CAK Akron-Canton Airport 25 mi
NPS Official Page Reservations Google Maps

Some links in this section are affiliate links. If you book or buy through them we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. We only recommend what we would use ourselves.

Cuyahoga Valley map

VC Visitor Center CG Campground Nearby Park
04

When to go

Loading weather...

Month-by-Month Conditions

Tap any month for details

Month
High
Low
Crowds
Roads
Jan
37°
21°
Light
Open
Feb
40°
22°
Light
Open
Mar
49°
30°
Moderate
Open
Apr
62°
40°
Moderate
Open
May Best
73°
50°
Heavy
Open
Jun Best
81°
60°
Heavy
Open
Jul Best
85°
64°
Peak
Open
Aug Best
84°
62°
Heavy
Open
Sep Best
77°
55°
Heavy
Open
Oct Best
64°
44°
Heavy
Open
Nov
52°
34°
Light
Open
Dec
41°
27°
Light
Open
Best months to visit Crowd level (low to peak)
05

More Cuyahoga Valley guides

06

Parks near Cuyahoga Valley

Within reach if you are building a longer trip.

New River Gorge National Park
West Virginia

New River Gorge

224 miles away
Shenandoah National Park
Virginia

Shenandoah

255 miles away
Indiana Dunes National Park
Indiana

Indiana Dunes

285 miles away
Mammoth Cave National Park
Kentucky

Mammoth Cave

372 miles away

Worth protecting

Cuyahoga Valley belongs to all of us

Protections that took generations to win can be rolled back in a single session of Congress. We keep watch so they hold.

See what's at stake Join the fight for Ohio

Threatened Lands Map

Follow what's happening on federal lands across the country with our interactive map.

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