Exploring Cuyahoga Valley National Park

Jun 25, 2025

We’re taking a tour of National Parks all summer long, and bringing you some of the most beautiful destinations for vacationing. It’s been a fun journey thus far, and this time we’re headed next door to our neighbours in Ohio to explore the Cuyahoga Valley National Park! Sandwiched between two major cities in Ohio, this park is a perfect destination for those who want to do it all – camping, hiking, swimming, photography, history museums, and more. So, hop in your new car from Classic Toyota of Waukegan, and let’s hit the road!

Located in Ohio, the stunning Cuyahoga Valley National Park boasts towering hickory and oak trees, rehabilitated wetlands teeming with wildlife and protected plants, can’t-miss waterfalls cascading into Brandywine Creek. It’s also an area richly steeped in indigenous history, particularly of the Lenape Nation as well as Ottawa, Ojibwe, Munsee, Miami, and Potawatomi tribes before settlers commandeered the area in the 18th and 19th centuries. The protected parklands now encompass a massive 33,000 acres, and multiple restoration projects are underway to restore native habitats as well as cultivating recreational and agricultural lands with sustainability at the forefront.

One of the wonderful features of this park are its numerous accessible trails for adventure seekers of all abilities and disabilities. Trek along the boardwalks through wetlands, take the road less traveled along some backroads and rugged terrain, or hop on the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad for a three-hour sightseeing experience. All-in-all there are more than 125 trails to choose from, and you can grab a map of them at the visitor’s center or download one on your smartphone or tablet. Cyclists will be happy to find the park is also very bike friendly, and you can rent one on site if you’re traveling light. Recommended trails include the Ledges Trail, Salt Run Trail, Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail, Deer Lick Cave and the Bridle Loop Trail. The Ledges Overlook is a favorite spot to view the valley, and is magnificent when the leaves start to change color in autumn.

There are more than 100 lakes and ponds, as well as 100 waterfalls within the park, with Brandywine Falls and Bridal Veil Falls being the easiest to access via short boardwalks. Bridal Veil Falls is a real hotspot for visitors, and is fairly accessible via a boardwalk path (there are some stairs). Blue Hen Falls is best suited to those of intermediate and moderate hiking skills and fitness levels, and most of the trail is either an incline or a decline with little flat areas. All of the ponds within the park boundaries are man made, originally serving as farm ponds to settlers in the area. Kendall Lake and Indigo Lake are wonderful places to do a little nature watching and photography.

The Village of Boston is home to the Boston Mill Visitor Center, and offers a self-guided walking tour chronicling the transformation of the village over the years. The Canal Exploration Center encourages visitors to immerse themselves in 50 years of history on the Ohio and Erie Canal’s, and explore the center which was once a tavern, general store and residence. The Everett Covered Bridge is the only remaining covered bridge in Summit County, and has a rich and storied past, as well as being one of the most photographed parts of the park. The Frazee House is the remaining legacy of the Frazee Family, early frontier settlers in the area, now turned into a museum and historic preservation project. The Hunt House and its adjacent farm buildings offer hands-on nature exhibits, historic artifacts, and general park information. The Bath Road Heronry is a pull-off site with exhibits illustrating the history of these incredible birds residing in the region, and top tier wildlife watching spot for the Great Blue Herons that come through February through June.

If you’re looking for a unique lodging experience, be sure to check out the two stunning 1840s Greek Revival homes, the Stanford House and the Inn at Brandywine Falls; these properties offer an opportunity to check out historic architecture in an intimate setting, and stay within the park limits. Otherwise, there are ample options for camping in Cuyahoga Valley National Park; Silver Springs seasonal Campground is very affordable and offers access to both a dog park and hiking trails; Streetsboro/Cleveland SE KOA is a family-friendly campground near the park as well as easy access to Cleveland.

The park is sandwiched between two big cities, Cleveland and Akron, both bustling metropolitans with top-of-the-line hotels and eateries as well as entertainment. The Akron Children’s Museum is perfect for kids who love to learn the hands-on way, with lots of STEM/STEAM related activities. The Akron Art Museum features a diverse collection of both modern and contemporary arts. Hale Farm and Village is a living history museum highlighting the lives and history of folks in the Western Reserve. The Cleveland Museum of Natural History is a must-visit for travelers of all ages. Cleveland Metroparks Zoo is one of the Midwest’s Top Zoos, and known for their wildlife conservation efforts, educational programming, and special events.