Encompassing 52 sq. miles along Cuyahoga River which stretches for 22 miles between Cleveland and Akron, Cuyahoga Valley National Park is great for a getaway. Located between both cities in Ohio, this national park is a refuge for a wide variety of wildlife and plant species, making it a premier destination for nature lovers. Rolling hills, deep forests and open farmlands surround the winding Cuyahoga River.
At the park, campers and visitors get the chance to hike on trails that add up to more than 125 miles, and range in difficulty from easy to strenuous hikes. More than 65 fish species available in the park’s waters also provide exciting angling opportunities for fishing enthusiasts. Horseback riders who bring their horses to the park also enjoy rewarding riding experiences at the park. Canoeing and kayaking in the park is both exciting and dangerous, so it’s an activity that only experienced paddlers engage in. Additionally, bird watching and picnicking are other ways to stay active and enjoy the park.
There are no RV campsites in Cuyahoga Valley National Park as only five primitive campsites are available in the park.
Cuyahoga Valley National Park was established in 2000.
December 18, 2023 - May 3, 2024, 5 am Mondays through 6 pm Fridays for riverbank stabilization. Open weekends. May be open when contractor is unable to work due to weather or high water.
Car break-ins in Cuyahoga Valley have tripled since 2022, resulting in theft of personal items like credit cards. Do not leave valuables in your car. As a last resort, lock items in your trunk before arriving. Thieves target parking lots regularly.
The former golf course property in Peninsula, including a section of the Valley Trail, is closed during environmental remediation.
Parking lots and popular destinations are crowded especially on weekends and days with warm weather between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.
A significant woody debris hazard exists near a set of metal pylons and timber groynes just upstream from the Lock 39/Rockside Rd. access. Do not attempt to paddle through during medium/low flow. Portage on river right. .
Do not climb the rocks, over the fenced areas, or Brandywine Falls. Please enjoy Brandywine Falls safely by staying at least 50 feet from the top and bottom of the falls. Approaching too close can result in serious injury or death.
Click "more" to find out if the East Rim Trail is open for today. In good conditions trail is open 6:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m. for bikers and as posted for other trail users. In wet or hazardous conditions, the trail will close to all users to prevent damage.
Cuyahoga Valley National park is located between Cleveland and Akron in Ohio, and lies along Cuyahoga River. Interstate 271 and Interstate 80 as well as other major highways and roads run through the park, making it easy to access for RVs, trailers, and other motorized vehicles. There are no driving restrictions within the park.
Parking spaces are available at Cuyahoga Valley National Park for vehicles, but there are no designated parking spaces for RVs. Campers with RVs and trailers can however make use of any of the large parking lots available in the park. Overnight parking of RVs in the park is not allowed.
There are no direct public transportation services to Cuyahoga Valley National Park, however there are bus services that run to downtown Cleveland and Akron.
Stanford Campsites in Cuyahoga Valley National Park features five pet-friendly primitive campsites available for tent only. The campsites do not accommodate RVs and trailers. Picnic tables, chemical toilets, and potable water are available in the campsites. Fire rings and firewood are also available.
The campsites are reservable and you can stay up to 10 nights. Quiet Hours Are 10 pm to 6 am. Vehicle parking is available at Boston Store Visitor Center.
Cuyahoga Valley National Park features great spots for picnics. Whether your desire is to get a large area for a family event, or just an intimate place for one or two, you’ll find amazing spots in the park. The picnic areas are distributed across the park and some are equipped with grills. All the picnic areas in the park have picnic tables. Most of the picnic areas are available on first-come, first-served basis, as only two are reservable. Alcohol is prohibited in the park.
The diverse landscapes in Cuyahoga Valley National Park provides the perfect habitat for about 250 bird species, 28 of which are set aside for conservation. You’ll find some of the birds in the park in Cuyahoga Valley and the wetlands/riverine areas. Residents in the park include great blue herons, wood ducks, Canada geese and bald geese. These birds are present in the park all year, but you’ll find that additional songbirds migrate to the park in large numbers in spring and fall.
Fishing opportunities are abundant at Cuyahoga Valley National Park for campers who enjoy the activity. Cuyahoga River and the numerous ponds within the park are open to fishing. All who wish to fish in the park are encouraged to engage in catch-and-release fishing so that the fish populations can be maintained for continued sport fishing. With over 65 fish species available in the park’s waters, there is no shortage of fish to catch.
Within Cuyahoga River, you can catch steelhead trout and bullhead. Within the park’s lakes and ponds, however, bass, bluegill, and crappies are available.
Exciting, yet dangerous canoeing and kayaking opportunities are available at Cuyahoga Valley National Park. If you wish to canoe or kayak on Cuyahoga River in the park, you’ll need to bring your own equipment and be experienced to manage the dangers that the river pose. The hazards in the river include low head dams, water quality, and debris. Therefore, as you canoe and paddle, ensure you are safe, watching your surroundings, the water level, and the weather.
Cuyahoga Valley National Park is the dream destination for lovers of hiking. With over 125 miles of hiking trails available in the park, there are more than enough opportunities to bring to life all kinds of hiking pursuits on the park’s trails. The trails in the park range from level trails to very challenging ones that pass through different habitats such as wetlands, woodlands, and oil fields. As you hike on some of the trails, you’ll cross streams that have stepping stones and log bridges.
A good place to begin is any of the visitor centers in the park where you can pick up trail maps of the entire park.
Equestrians enjoy the view of the landscape of Cuyahoga Valley like no other! From horseback, the entire scenery is just magnificent. Seeing as horseback riding is allowed on designated and signed horse trails in the park, equestrians are quick to get on their horses in the park and go for a ride. Because there are no horse rentals in the park, all riders bring in their own horses. Horse trailers can be parked at the Station Road parking lot in the park.
