Cuyahoga Valley National Park is located in the Cuyahoga Valley, an area that stretches between Cleveland and Akron. This National Park covers over 50 square miles of land and is the only National Park located in Ohio.
Hiking is one of the area’s most popular activities with over 125 miles of trails throughout the park. Even though the park is close to metropolitan Cleveland, it feels worlds away.
Try out one of these 23 Cuyahoga Valley National Park trails the next time you’re looking for great hiking in Ohio.
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Cuyahoga Valley National Park At a Glance
Cuyahoga Valley National Recreation Area was originally established in 1974. It was designated as a National Park in 2000 when the name was officially changed to Cuyahoga Valley National Park.
Today this area which is full of thick forests, gorges, wetlands, and waterfalls, is a fantastic place to visit in Ohio. It can be a destination on its own, but it also makes a great day trip from Columbus, Cleveland, Toledo, Pittsburgh, and other nearby cities.
Contact Information: 440-717-3890 | website
Boston Mill Visitor Center: 6947 Riverview Road, Peninsula, Ohio 44264
- Normal Hours: Open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- During the summer of 2020, Park Rangers and trail maps will be available outside by the Visitor Center parking lot from 10 a.m to 4 p.m. Bathrooms (port-a-potties) are available and the gift shop is open for credit card-only purchases.
Parking: Available at the Visitor Center and Trailheads
Cost: Free
Driving distance from nearby cities:
- Cleveland, Ohio: 25 minutes
- Columbus, Ohio: 2 hours
- Cincinnati, Ohio: 3.5 hours
- Toledo, Ohio: 2 hours
- Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: 2 hours
- Detroit, Michigan: 2.75 hours
Cuyahoga Valley National Park Trails
There are a lot of trails in the area so it can be a bit overwhelming the first time you visit. You won’t be able to do everyone on a short trip, so just pick a few and start exploring!
Some of the most popular Cuyahoga Valley National Park trails are in the Brandywine and Ledges area, so if you’re not sure where to start, those would be good areas to check out first.
1. Brandywine Gorge Loop [Brandywine Falls]
Brandywine Falls is one of the main attractions at Cuyahoga Valley National Park so it’s a great place to start your day. To get to the falls, you need to go down several long sets of steps so it’s not great if you have mobility issues. After enjoying the falls, you can set out on the relatively easy Brandywine Gorge Loop.
- Length: 1.4 miles
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Approximate Time to Complete: 1 hour
- Trailhead Location and Parking: Brandywine Falls Area | 8176 Brandywine Road, Sagamore Hills, Ohio 44067
- Elevation Change: 160 feet
2. Stanford Trail
The Standford Trail breaks off from the Brandywine Gorge Loop and heads to Standford House.
- Length: 1.5 miles
- Difficulty: Moderate to difficult
- Approximate Time to Complete: 1.25 hours
- Trailhead Location and Parking: Brandywine Falls Area | 8176 Brandywine Road, Sagamore Hills, Ohio 44067
- Elevation Change: 190 feet
3. Ledges Trail
The Ledges is one of the most popular trails in Cuyahoga Valley National Park. On this trail, you’ll find really cool rock formations and even a bat cave (which is closed, but still, it’s a bat cave)!
The Ledges Shelter is located inside the trail with ample parking and bathrooms available.
- Length: 2.2 miles
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Approximate Time to Complete: 1.5 hours
- Trailhead Location and Parking: Ledges Shelter | 405 Truxell Road, Peninsula, Ohio 44264
- Elevation Change: 105 feet
4. Pine Grove Trail
The Pine Grove Trail is an easy trail that takes you through a heavily forested area. It’s not a bad idea to bring bug spray on this one to help deter mosquitos. This trail can be accessed via a .4-mile connector from the Ledges Trail.
- Length: 2.2 miles
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Approximate Time to Complete: 1.5 hours
- Trailhead Location and Parking: Ledges Shelter | 405 Truxell Road, Peninsula, Ohio 44264
- Elevation Change: 100 feet
5. Forest Point Trail
Forest Point Trail is a small trail in the Ledges area near the Octagon Shelter.
- Length: .5 mile
- Difficulty: Easy
- Approximate Time to Complete: 30 minutes
- Trailhead Location: Ledges Shelter | 405 Truxell Road, Peninsula, Ohio 44264
- Elevation Change: None
6. Haskell Run Trail
Haskell Run Trail can be accessed via a .1 mile connector from the Ledges Trail or from the Happy Days Lodge.
- Length: .5 mile
- Difficulty: Easy
- Approximate Time to Complete: 30 minutes
- Trailhead Location and Parking: Ledges Shelter or Happy Days Lodge (Parking on Route 303)
- Elevation Change: 70 feet
7. Boston Run Trail
The Boston Run Trail in Cuyahoga Valley National Park is suitable for hiking or cross-country skiing.
- Length: 3.4 miles loop
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Approximate Time to Complete: 2 hours (hiking), 1.5 hours (skiing)
- Trailhead Location and Parking: Ledges Area | Happy Days Lodge Parking on Route 303
- Elevation Change: 80 feet
Explore More: If you’re looking for more great hiking in Ohio, check out Hocking Hills State Park.
8. Lake Trail
The Lake Trail is a short, 1-mile trail that takes you around Kendall Lake.
- Length: 1 mile
- Difficulty: Easy
- Approximate Time to Complete: 45 minutes
- Trailhead Location and Parking: Kendall Lake Shelter | 1000 Truxell Road, Peninsula, Ohio 44264
- Elevation Change: 20 feet
9. Salt Run Trail
The Salt Run Trail is located in the Kendall Lake area. You can park at the Kendall Lake Shelter to access the Salt Run Trail. The trailhead is on the opposite side of the lake from the parking lot. Take the Lake Trail around the lake to find the Salt Run trailhead.
- Length: 3.3 miles
- Difficulty: Moderate to difficult
- Approximate Time to Complete: 2 hours
- Trailhead Location and Parking: Kendall Lake Shelter | 1000 Truxell Road, Peninsula, Ohio 44264 (Take the Lake Trail around the lake to find the Salt Run Trailhead)
- Elevation Change: 16o feet
10. Cross Country Trail
The Cross Country Trail can be accessed from the Kendall Lake Shelter and is suitable for hiking or cross-country skiing.
- Length: 2.5 miles
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Approximate Time to Complete: 1.5 hours (hiking), 1 hour (skiing)
- Trailhead Location and Parking: Kendall Lake Shelter | 1000 Truxell Road, Peninsula, Ohio 44264
- Elevation Change: 16o feet
11. Riding Run Loop
Riding Run Loop is great for hiking and horseback riding.
- Length: 4.6 miles
- Difficulty: Moderate to difficult
- Approximate Time to Complete: 2.5 hours (hiking), 1.5 hours (riding)
- Trailhead Location and Parking: Everett Covered Bridge | 2370 Everett Road, Peninsula, Ohio 44264
- Elevation Change: 260 feet
12. Perkins Loop
Perkins Loop is great for hiking and horseback riding.
- Length: 2.7 miles
- Difficulty: Difficult
- Approximate Time to Complete: 2 hours (hiking), 1.5 (riding)
- Trailhead Location and Parking: Everett Covered Bridge | 2370 Everett Road, Peninsula, Ohio 44264
- Elevation Change: 260 feet
13. Furnace Run Loop
- Length: 2 miles
- Difficulty: Moderate to difficult
- Approximate Time to Complete: 1 hour
- Trailhead Location and Parking: Everett Covered Bridge | 2370 Everett Road, Peninsula, Ohio 44264
- Elevation Change: 240 feet
Pro Tip: Some Cuyahoga Valley National Park trails are good for more than just hiking. You’ll also find trails for horseback riding and cross-country skiing.
14. Valley Trail
Valley Trail is great for hiking and horseback riding.
- Length: 19 miles
- Difficulty: Easy to Difficult
- Approximate Time to Complete on horseback: 7+ hours
- Trailhead Location and Parking: Everett Covered Bridge | 2370 Everett Road, Peninsula, Ohio 44264
- Elevation Change: 360 feet
15. Wetmore Trail
Wetmore Trail is great for hiking and horseback riding.
- Length: 4.5 miles
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Approximate Time to Complete: 2.5 hours (hiking), 1.5 hours (riding)
- Trailhead Location and Parking: Wetmore Trailhead | 4653 Wetmore Road, Peninsula, Ohio 44264
- Elevation Change: 250 feet
16. Butler’s Trail
Butler’s Trail is a small trail that connects to Langes Run Trail and Valley Trail and is suitable for hiking and horseback riding.
- Length: .6 mile
- Difficulty: Easy
- Approximate Time to Complete: 20 minutes (hiking and riding)
- Trailhead Location and Parking: Wetmore Trailhead | 4653 Wetmore Road, Peninsula, Ohio 44264
- Elevation Change: 150 feet
17. Langes Run Trail
Langes Run Trail connects to the Wetmore Trail and is great for hiking and horseback riding.
- Length: 3.5 miles
- Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult
- Approximate Time to Complete: 2.5 hours (hiking), 1.5 hours (riding)
- Trailhead Location and Parking: Wetmore Trailhead | 4653 Wetmore Road, Peninsula, Ohio 44264
- Elevation Change: 190 feet
Read More: National Parks are free on National Public Lands Day!
18. Tabletop Trail
Tabletop Trail is a small trail that connects to the Wetmore Trail and is suitable for hiking and horseback riding.
- Length: .75 miles
- Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
- Approximate Time to Complete: 30 minutes (hiking), 20 minutes (riding)
- Trailhead Location and Parking: Wetmore Trailhead | 4653 Wetmore Road, Peninsula, Ohio 44264
- Elevation Change: 100 feet
19. Oak Hill Trail
Oak Hill Trail connects to the Plateau Trail and is suitable for hiking or cross-country skiing.
- Length: 1.5 miles
- Difficulty: Easy
- Approximate Time to Complete: .75 hours (hiking), .5 hours (skiing)
- Trailhead Location and Parking: Oak Hill Trailhead | 3901 Oak Hill Road, Peninsula, Ohio 44264
- Elevation Change: 50 feet
20. Plateau Trail
The Plateau Trail connects to Oak Hill Trail and is suitable for hiking or cross-country skiing.
- Length: 4.5 miles
- Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult
- Approximate Time to Complete: 3 hours (hiking), 2 hours (skiing)
- Trailhead Location and Parking: Oak Hill Trailhead | 3901 Oak Hill Road, Peninsula, Ohio 44264
- Elevation Change: 200 feet
21. Tree Farm Trail
Tree Farm Trail is a relatively easy, family-friendly trail next to Horseshoe Pond.
- Length: 2.75 miles
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Approximate Time to Complete: 1.5 hours (hiking), .75 hours (skiing)
- Trailhead Location and Parking: 2167 Major Road, Peninsula, Ohio 44264
- Elevation Change: 80 feet
22. Buckeye Trail
A portion of the statewide Buckeye Trail passes through Cuyahoga Valley National Park. It can be accessed from many different trailheads.
23. Ohio & Erie Towpath Trail
A portion of the Ohio & Erie Towpath Trail passes through Cuyahoga Valley National Park. It can be accessed from many different trailheads.
Accommodations Near Cuyahoga Valley National Park
If you’re looking for a luxury hotel, unfortunately, you’re not going to find it near Cuyahoga Valley National Park. There are, however, several small B&Bs in the area as well as nearby chain hotels.
B&Bs Near Cuyahoga Valley National Park
Inn at Brandywine Falls: 8230 Brandywine Road, Sagamore Hills, Ohio 44067 | 330-467-1812
Fitzwater House: 11000 Chippewa Road, Brecksville, Ohio 44141 | 330-730-2350
Cuyahoga Valley Inn: 3758 Brecksville Road, Richfield, Ohio 44286 | 330-730-2350
Stanford House [Closed for 2020): 6093 Stanford Road, Peninsula, Ohio 44264 | 330-657-2909
Hotels Near Cuyahoga Valley National Park
Baymont by Wyndham Boston Heights/Hudson: 6731 Industrial Parkway, Hudson, Ohio 44236
Hampton Inn Richfield: 4860 Brecksville Road, Richfield, Ohio 44286
Country Inn & Suites by Radisson Macedonia: 7820 Capital Blvd, Macedonia, Ohio 44056
Hampton Inn Stow: 4331 Lakepointe Corporate Drive, Stow, Ohio 44224
Sheraton Suites Akron Cuyahoga Falls: 1989 Front Street, Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio 44221
Explore More: Cuyahoga Valley National Park is an easy drive from several big cities including Cleveland, Columbus, and Pittsburgh.
Cuyahoga Valley National Park FAQ
How much time should I plan to spend in Cuyahoga Valley National Park?
That depends on how much of it you want to see. You can probably complete 3-6 trails in a day depending on length and difficulty. So, you can easily get a taste of the park in just one day or you can plan to stay multiple days to explore more.
How much does it cost to get into Cuyahoga Valley National Park?
Cuyahoga Valley National Park is free to enter and there is no charge for parking.
Is there camping in Cuyahoga Valley National Park?
There is no camping allowed in Cuyahoga Valley National Park including no overnight parking for recreational vehicles. There are many state parks and campgrounds within driving distance of the park that offers camping and RV parking. You’ll find more information here.
Can you drive through Cuyahoga Valley National Park?
Yes, many roads and freeways cut right through Cuyahoga Valley National Park.
How many waterfalls are in Cuyahoga Valley National Park?
There are about 100 waterfalls in Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Brandywine Falls is the tallest at 65 feet and the most well-known.
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Beautiful national park! Our family loves hiking so I love all of the information you shared about each trail.
Thanks! This was our first National Park visit, but it’s definitely not our last!