Cuyahoga Valley National Park Trails You Don’t Want To Miss

If you’re familiar with our website, the love my family has for National Parks should come as no surprise. When we realized Cuyahoga Valley National Park (CVNP) was only a 5-hour drive from us, we knew we had to go. So we headed to northeast Ohio where we set out to explore the Cuyahoga Valley National Park trails. Did you know CVNP hiking trails span over 125 miles? Because many of the trails are short & easy it’s a great place to take young children.

Fun Facts About Cuyahoga Valley National Park

• You can explore Cuyahoga Valley National Park by scenic train.
• It is FREE to enter Cuyahoga!
• Cuyahoga Valley spans over 33,000 acres of land.
• In 2021 CVNP had 2,575,275 visitors. This made it the 13th most visited national park in 2021.
• Cuyahoga Valley National Park is the only national park in Ohio.

Where is Cuyahoga Valley National Park

Cuyahoga Valley National Park is located in northeastern Ohio, United States. It is situated between the cities of Cleveland and Akron and covers an area of more than 33,000 acres. The park follows the course of the Cuyahoga River, which flows through a scenic valley surrounded by rolling hills and forests.

How to get to Cuyahoga Valley National Park

Cuyahoga Valley National Park can be accessed by several means of transportation:

1. Car: The most convenient way to get to the park is by car. The park is located near several major highways, including I-77, I-80, and I-271. There are several park entrances and parking areas throughout the park. Make sure that you plug your end destination into your GPS and know where you want to go. Cuyahoga is big and if you are hiking multiple trails, you’ll likely have to drive to multiple parking lots.
2. Public transportation: The park can also be accessed by public transportation. The Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (RTA) operates a commuter rail line that stops at several stations within the park, including the Brecksville and Rockside stations.
3. Bicycle: The Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath Trail runs through the park and is a popular route for cyclists. Bikes can be rented at several locations near the park.
4. Airplane: The park is located near several major airports, including Cleveland Hopkins International Airport and Akron-Canton Regional Airport. From the airport, you can rent a car or take a taxi or shuttle service to the park.

Tips & Tricks – Exploring Cuyahoga Valley Trails

• If visiting during peak season, avoid crowds by hiking early morning.
• Pack plenty of water & snacks, especially if you plan to spend several hours exploring.
• Be aware of the weather forecast & park conditions and plan your itinerary accordingly.
• Take advantage of Cuyahoga Valley’s off-season. While summer is the park’s busiest season, spring and fall are also great times to visit. Cuyahoga is especially beautiful in fall with all of the colorful leaves. The park’s trails and attractions are less crowded during the off-season.
• Dress in layers and wear sturdy footwear with good traction especially if you plan on hiking. The park’s terrain can be rocky and uneven in some places, appropriate footwear is helpful.

Best Time To Visit Cuyahoga Valley National Park Trails

Cuyahoga Valley National Park is open year-round. They are only closed 3 days out of the year. They are New Year’s Day, Thanksgiving Day & Christmas Day. That being said here is what to expect throughout the seasons.

Spring- Temperatures average between 48-71 degrees in the day and 32-52 degrees at night. April and May can be rainy, so pack a poncho just in case.

Spring can be a great time to visit Cuyahoga Valley National Park because temps are on the rise (but not too hot), spring flowers start to bloom and waterfalls will be active from all of the snow melt. Also, spring brings fewer crowds than the summer months.

Summer- In the summer months, you should expect temperatures in the 80’s. This warm weather attracts visitors from all over, making summer Cuyahoga Valley’s busiest season. If you’d like to hike Cuyahoga’s most popular trails in the summer, I recommend getting an early start.

Fall- Fall is the best time to experience Cuyahoga Valley National Park Trails. Crowds start to disappear and the beautiful fall colors start to take over CVNP. Temperatures will range between 74-50 degrees creating beautiful hiking weather.

Winter- Winter at Cuyahoga Valley National Park means beautiful frozen waterfalls, no crowds, and cold temperatures. The temps only average 37 degrees. If you can handle the colder temps, you are in for a treat. But keep in mind, the trails may be slick. Packing ice cleats is a great idea.

Map of Cuyahoga Valley National Park Trails

Best Trails in Cuyahoga Valley National Park

See current trail conditions and recent reviews of trails at Cuyahoga Valley National Park via the AllTrails website. Also, check out the NPS website for any trail closures.

1. Ledges Trail

Difficulty: Moderate
Length: 2.3 miles
Trail Type: Loop
Elevation Gain: 209 ft.
Hiking Time: 1 hr.
Best Time of Year to Visit: Fall, Summer, Spring
Dog Friendly: Yes, on a leash
Wheelchair Accessible: No
Parking/Trailhead: Park at Ledges Trailhead, 405 Truxell Road, Peninsula, Ohio 44264

The Ledges Trail is the most popular trail at Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Kids and adults are sure to have a blast exploring the hidden passages in the rock formations.

* The best place to catch a sunset in Cuyahoga Valley National Park is at Ledges Overlook (a stop along the Ledges Trail)

2. Brandywine Gorge Trail

Difficulty: Moderate
Length: 1.4 miles
Trail Type: Loop
Elevation Gain: 164 ft.
Hiking Time: 40min.
Best Time of Year to Visit: Fall, Summer, Spring, Winter
Dog Friendly: Yes, on a leash
Wheelchair Accessible: Partially. It is wheelchair accessible to the first boardwalk overlook.
Parking/Trailhead: 8176 Brandywine Road, Sagamore Hills, Ohio 44067

Standing at 60 ft. tall, Brandywine Falls are stunning so it’s no surprise that they can draw a crowd. Be prepared. The wooden boardwalks and viewing platforms can get a little crowded during peak seasons.

Stanford House to Brandywine Falls Trail
If you want to see Brandywine Falls but would like a longer hike, this is the trail for you. It is moderately difficult and is a 3.9-mile loop. Parking for this trail can be found at the Stanford House.

The trailhead and parking for the Stanford House to Brandywine Falls Trail can be found at 6093 Stanford Rd, Peninsula, OH 44264

Trail Route – Stanford Trail -> Brandwine Falls Gorge Trail -> Stanford Trail

3. Blue Hen Falls (via Buckeye Trail from Boston Mill)

Difficulty: Moderate
Length: 2.4 miles
Trail Type: Out and back
Elevation Gain: 508 ft.
Hiking Time: 1 hr. 15 min.
Best Time of Year to Visit: Fall, Summer, Spring, Winter
Dog Friendly: Yes, on a leash
Wheelchair Accessible: No
Parking/Trailhead: Boston Mill Visitor Center, 6947 Riverview Road
Peninsula, OH 44264 or Boston Trailhead, 1508 Boston Mills Road, Peninsula, Ohio 44264.

While Blue Hen Falls is beautiful keep in mind that his hike can be pretty noisy. The dirt trail runs along Boston Mills Rd. and is close to the highway. You can hear all the traffic from the highway which can be cumbersome.

*Parking spots can fill quickly, especially on weekends or nice weather days.

4. Plateau Trail

Difficulty: Easy
Length: 4.4 miles
Trail Type: Loop
Elevation Gain: 318 ft.
Hiking Time: 1 hr. 40 min.
Best Time of Year to Visit: Fall, Summer, Spring, Winter
Dog Friendly: Yes, on a leash
Wheelchair Accessible: No
Parking/Trailhead: Oak Hill Trailhead, 3901 Oak Hill Road, Peninsula, Ohio 44264

The Plateau Trail will take you through the forest, passing by a pond. Birdwatching is a popular activity along this trail.

5. Kendall Lake Loop & Salt Run Trail

Difficulty: Moderate
Length: 4.3 miles
Trail Type: Loop
Elevation Gain: 449 ft.
Hiking Time: 1 hr. 40 min.
Best Time of Year to Visit: Fall, Summer, Spring, Winter
Dog Friendly: Yes, on a leash
Wheelchair Accessible: No
Parking/Trailhead: Park at Kendall Lake: 1000 Truxell Road, Peninsula, Ohio 44264. Take the Lake Trail to the Salt Run Trail.

This hiking loop offers beautiful views of Kendall Lake and winds through wooded ravines. This is a popular trail and can get muddy. This trail has a lot of traffic noise from the nearby roads.

Trail Route – Lake Trail -> Salt Run Trail -> Lake Trail

6. Wetmore Bridle Trail

Difficulty: Moderate
Length: 4.7 miles
Trail Type: Loop
Elevation Gain: 557 ft.
Hiking Time: 2 hrs.
Best Time of Year to Visit: Fall, Summer, Spring, Winter
Dog Friendly: Yes, on a leash
Wheelchair Accessible: No
Parking/Trailhead: Wetmore Trailhead, 4653 Wetmore Road, Peninsula, Ohio 44264

Wetmore Bridle Trail is a quiet trail through the forest. Along the way, you’ll pass over a few creeks. Horseback riding is very popular along this trail.

6. Old Carriage Trail

Difficulty: Moderate
Length: 5.5 miles
Trail Type: Loop
Elevation Gain: 337 ft.
Hiking Time: 2 hrs.
Best Time of Year to Visit: Fall, Summer, Spring, Winter
Dog Friendly: Yes, on a leash
Wheelchair Accessible: No
Parking/Trailhead: Red Lock Trailhead, 1175 Highland Road, Sagamore Hills, Ohio 44067

This is a beautiful, fun trail that doesn’t draw large crowds.

Trail Route – North on Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail -> Old Carriage Trail -> Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail

7. Boston Run Trail

Difficulty: Moderate
Length: 3.1 miles
Trail Type: Loop
Elevation Gain: 232 ft.
Hiking Time: 1 hr.
Best Time of Year to Visit: Fall, Summer, Spring, Winter
Dog Friendly: Yes, on a leash
Wheelchair Accessible: No
Parking/Trailhead: Park at Happy Days Lodge: 500 West Streetsboro Road, Peninsula 44264. Boston Run Trail starts in the back corner of the parking lot.

Boston Run is a stream that flows into the Cuyahoga River. This trail runs along ravines offering beautiful views of the Boston Run Stream.

In the winter, this trail is a great place for cross-country skiing.

8. Furnace Run

Difficulty: Moderate
Length: 1.7 miles
Trail Type: Loop
Elevation Gain: 242 ft.
Hiking Time: 45 min.
Best Time of Year to Visit: Fall, Summer, Spring, Winter
Dog Friendly: Yes, on a leash
Wheelchair Accessible: No
Parking/Trailhead: Everett Road Covered Bridge Parking Lot: 2247 Everett Rd, Peninsula, OH 44264

*Once parked, cross Everett Rd. to get to Furnace Run Trail.

At the start of this trail, you will be greeted by 90 stairs. Once you make it past the stairs, the rest of the trail is pretty flat. Don’t forget to check out Everett Covered Bridge near the end of this hike.

9. Tree Farm Trail

Difficulty: Easy
Length: 2.8 miles
Trail Type: Loop
Elevation Gain: 147 ft.
Hiking Time: 1 hr.
Best Time of Year to Visit: Fall, Summer, Spring, Winter
Dog Friendly: Yes, on a leash
Wheelchair Accessible: No
Parking/Trailhead: Horseshoe Pond Parking Lot, 2167 Major Rd, Peninsula, OH 44264

Tree Farm Trail will take you through the forest. The trail is known to get muddy after rain This is a great spot for birding, cross-country skiing & hiking.

10. Pine Grove Trail

Difficulty: Easy
Length: 2.0 miles
Trail Type: Loop
Elevation Gain: 91 ft.
Hiking Time: 40 min.
Best Time of Year to Visit: Fall, Summer, Spring, Winter
Dog Friendly: Yes, on a leash
Wheelchair Accessible: No
Parking/Trailhead: Octagon Shelter Parking Lot, 499 Truxell Road, Peninsula, Ohio 44264.

This flat, shaded, easy trail will take you through a forest with a mixed variety of trees.

Trail Route – Connector Trail -> Pine Grove Trail -> Connector Trail (the same one you took at the beginning of the route)

What to Pack for Cuyahoga Valley National Park

Helpful Resources for Planning A Trip To Cuyahoga Valley

Helpful Resources We Can’t Live Without

Accommodations- We love and swear by HiltonHonors, but when we want to stay someplace different, we use Hotels.com. You can search for deals on hotels, cabins, houses & more.

Getting There- Roadtripping with our car is how we prefer to travel. That being said, Skyscanner has great deals on flights and RVShare has deals on RV rentals.

Other Favorites-
Save money on gas- Upside
Find pit stops on your route- RoadTrippers
Deals on local food & attractions- Living Social
Explore top city attractions at a fraction of the price- CityPASS

Looking for gear? See the best deals on clothing & gear here, & best travel essentials here.
Looking for road trip food ideas? Check out food for road trips you’ll love.
Learn how to travel on a budget.
See the best hiking apps

Don’t Miss

Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad
It’s a fun & unique way to explore Cuyahoga Valley. The railroad also offers plenty of fun events throughout the year, including a North Pole Adventure during the holidays.

The Beaver Marsh
This is one of the park’s most popular destinations because of the wildlife and beautiful scenery. Here you’ll find beavers, frogs, turtles, muskrats, wood ducks, over 50 bird species, otters, snakes, bats, and more. This easy walk is easily accessible by wheelchair and strollers. Keep in mind that is area can be very congested.

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Tips-
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We had so much fun exploring Cuyahoga Valley National Park Trails. With over 125 miles of trails in Cuyahoga Valley, it is hard not to find something to enjoy. Our favorites were the Ledges Trail and Brandywine Falls. Tell us your favorites in the comments below.

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