National Parks Journal
People in bright orange kayaks paddle around a bend in a river, past green trees and a rocky shore.

Photo: NPS Photo / D.J. Reiser

Cuyahoga Valley National Park

Though a short distance from the urban areas of Cleveland and Akron, Cuyahoga Valley National Park seems worlds away. The park is a refuge for native plants and wildlife, and provides routes of discovery for visitors. The winding Cuyahoga River gives way to deep forests, rolling hills, and open farmlands. Walk or ride the Towpath Trail to follow the historic route of the Ohio & Erie Canal.

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Entrance Fees

No entrance fee. Other fees may apply for tours, camping, or transportation.

Activities

Arts and CultureCraft DemonstrationsCultural DemonstrationsLive MusicBikingMountain BikingFishingFoodPicnickingHands-OnCitizen ScienceHiking

Top Hikes

Ledges Trailmoderate

1.8 mi · 80 ft gain · loop

Circles a plateau of striking Sharon Conglomerate rock formations with stunning overlooks. The park's most iconic trail.

Starts at: Ledges Trailhead

Brandywine Gorge Loopmoderate

1.4 mi · 160 ft gain · loop

Circles a deep ravine with views of 65-foot Brandywine Falls, the tallest waterfall in the park.

Starts at: Brandywine Falls Parking Area

Blue Hen Falls Trailmoderate

2.5 mi · 498 ft gain · out & back

Popular hilly hike through forest to the scenic 15-foot Blue Hen Falls.

Starts at: Boston Mill Visitor Center

Towpath Traileasy

19.5 mi · 135 ft gain · out & back

Flat, crushed limestone path following the historic Ohio & Erie Canal route. Accessible from 10 trailheads for hikes of any length.

Starts at: Multiple trailheads

Upcoming Events

Oct2
09 AM – 07:45 PMRockside Station: 7900 Old Rockside Rd., Independence, OH 44131 | Peninsula Depot: 1630 Mill St., Peninsula, OH 44264 | Akron Northside Station: 27 Ridge St., Akron, OH 44308

Experience the Cuyahoga Valley at its most vibrant aboard the Fall Scenic Excursion. Just like the popular National Park Scenic rides, this seasonal favorite features additional Friday and Saturday departures, giving you even more opportunities to enjoy Northeast Ohio's spectacular autumn display. Guests may choose from two ride options to best fit their schedule and interests. The Classic 24-mile, round-trip ride departs from either the Rockside Depot or the Akron Northside Depot and lasts approximately 3 hours and 40 minutes. For guests seeking a shorter adventure, the Express rides depart from the Peninsula Depot and travel round trip either north to Rockside Depot and back or south to Akron Northside Depot and back. These rides last approximately 2 hours. A variety of seating options are available. Wheelchair accessible seating is available in the Karen C. Cooper car. Call 330-439-5708 for more information and to purchase tickets for this car. Visit the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad website for ticket information and the full train schedule.

Partner ProgramRide
RegisterCuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad330-439-5708[email protected]
Oct3
09 AM – 12 PMHowe Meadow: 4040 Riverview Road, Peninsula, OH 44264

Join Cuyahoga Valley Farmers Market to support your favorite vendors and meet all the new folks! They have an amazing lineup of local farms, food producers, artists, and makers this season - over 70 northeast Ohio businesses. There is also live music every week, cooking demonstrations, tastings of what’s in season, and other activities for all ages. Be sure to plan ahead and be aware of market policies such as the "dog-free hour," 9 - 10 am. Visit the market's website for more information.

Partner Program
Cuyahoga Valley Farmers Market[email protected]
Oct3
11 AM – 03 PMThe Boston Gallery: Parking is available at the Boston Trailhead (1508 Boston Mills Road, Peninsula, Ohio 44264). Once parked, head left toward the Boston Store and cross the street at the crosswalk.

The Boston Gallery is a flagship initiative of the Conservancy for Cuyahoga Valley National Park’s Arts in the Park program, enriching visitor experiences and strengthening community connections through visual, cultural, and performing arts programming in partnership with artists across Northeast Ohio. Curated in partnership with the Museum of Creative Human Art (MoCHA), the Boston Gallery features rotating exhibitions of nature‑centric artwork, refreshed several times each year. On Exhibit: Wild Order: Studies in Natural Form Nature has long served as a source of observation, but Wild Order looks beyond representation to explore the systems, rhythms, and material intelligence that shape the living world. Bringing together five contemporary artists working across printmaking, mixed media, drawing, and painting study, the exhibition examines how organic forms are translated, reconstructed, and reimagined through distinct artistic practices. Rather than depicting nature directly, the works engage with its underlying logic growth, repetition, adaptation, and balance. Botanical studies, layered compositions, relief surfaces, and three-dimensional painted forms reveal how natural structures can become visual languages, where observation gives way to interpretation. Moving between order and unpredictability, the exhibition embraces the tension between careful construction and organic evolution. Nature emerges not simply as subject matter, but as a catalyst for making, shaping process, material, and imagination. Wild Order invites viewers to slow down and consider how the patterns of the natural world continue to influence the ways artists see, build, and transform their surroundings. Curated by Yana Mikho-Misho, this exhibition features works from artists Yasmeen Kwan, Pavla Margo, Christopher Owen Smith, Juliette Thimmig, and Rebekah Wilhelm.

Exhibition/ShowPartner Program
Conservancy for CVNP330-657-2909[email protected]

Best Time to Visit

Best time to visit: April, November

Pleasant weather with fewer crowds

Jan

34° / 20°F

2.79" rain

Fewer visitors

Feb

37° / 21°F

2.21" rain

Fewer visitors

Mar

46° / 28°F

3.03" rain

Moderate

Apr

59° / 39°F

3.68" rain

Moderate

May

70° / 50°F

3.92" rain

Most visitors

Jun

79° / 59°F

4.05" rain

Most visitors

Jul

83° / 63°F

4.03" rain

Most visitors

Aug

81° / 62°F

3.6" rain

Most visitors

Sep

75° / 55°F

3.68" rain

Most visitors

Oct

Now

62° / 44°F

3.33" rain

Most visitors

Nov

50° / 34°F

2.93" rain

Moderate

Dec

39° / 26°F

2.92" rain

Moderate

Weather & Climate

Spring's rain and warming temperatures bring new leaves on trees, blooming wildflowers, and visitors anxious to get out on the trail. Summer temperatures range from 49 to 95 degrees F and can be humid. Dressing in layers is advisable. Fall temperatures can range from low 70s during the day to freezing during the night. Fall foliage often peaks in mid-October. Winter weather conditions can rapidly change due to the lake effect snow from Lake Erie. Temperatures vary from mid-30s to below zero.

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