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Cuyahoga Valley National Park is located between Cleveland and Akron Ohio. This unique location between two urban cities makes this a great spot for a weekend getaway or an entire week’s vacation. The highlight of the park is the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail, which provides miles of scenic trails for walking or biking along the Cuyahoga River and the historic Canalway. The park also offers miles of hiking trails, waterfalls, historic buildings, farms, and the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad.
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Model Itinerary
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Day 1:
Cuyahoga Valley National Park is very easy to reach by car and is centrally located between two cities. It is 19 miles north from the park center to Cleveland, Ohio, and 16 miles south drive to Akron, Ohio. There are two major airports near the park: Akron-Canton Regional Airport, and Cleveland Hopkins International Airport. There are bed and breakfast options located near the park, and there are plenty of hotel chains available in the surrounding cities. |
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Day 2:
Start at the Boston Store Visitor Center to pick up a park map, hiking trail maps, and find out about any ranger-led activities during your stay. From the visitor’s center, head west toward Brandywine Falls. There is a short boardwalk to the falls overlook to see the second highest waterfall in Ohio. From there, head over to The Ledges (easy 2.2 mile loop) to explore the sandstone cliffs and Ice Box Cave. Try to go on a short ranger guided hike to learn more about the area while you’re there. After lunch, stop to see Everett Covered Bridge and head to Hale Farm and Village, where you can visit a recreated 1860’s farm. End your day with a walk on the Towpath Trial from Ira Trailhead to Beaver Marsh. Go at dusk for the best chance to see birds, beavers, river otters, and other wildlife. |
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Day 3:
Start the day at the Peninsula Depot where you can rent a bike for the day (or bring your own) and head north on the Towpath Trail. From Peninsula, stop at Lock 29, Station Road Bridge, Frazee House, Wilson’s Mill, and the Canal Exploration Center. This National Park Center has a re-created canal outside, and inside offers exhibits that explain the history of the canal era. When you are tired of biking, go to one of the train stations and you and your bike can take the train back to Peninsula Depot. Have dinner at the Winking Lizard in Peninsula and head over to Virginia Kendall Park to see the bats come out at dusk. There are over 100 bats that currently live in the old bathhouse on the lake. Park Rangers offer a bat program most Saturday nights. |
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Day 4:
If you can stay longer than the weekend, you can find more to do in nearby Cleveland or Akron. Cleveland is famous for being home to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, but they also have many other Museums, including the Cleveland Museum of Art, the Museum of Natural History, and the Great Lakes Science Center. You can also tour the house where A Christmas Story was filmed! If you want to spend some time out on the water, you can make plans to go out on Lake Erie for the day. At night, downtown has a vibrant theatre district to explore. |
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Day 5:
One hour west of Cleveland and Cuyahoga NP is the amusement park Cedar Point. Cedar Point is famous for being the “Roller Coaster Capital of the World” with 18 Roller Coasters. If you are truly committed, it is possible to ride all 18 coasters in one day! If roller coasters are not for you, there are plenty of other rides to keep you entertained for the day. |
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Day 6:
If you would like to take a day trip to Akron, you can climb aboard the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad and take a scenic trip through the park and spend the afternoon exploring the city or visiting the Akron Zoo before catching the train back to Cuyahoga. You can check on-line or pick up a train schedule at any visitor center. |
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Day 7:
Return home and start planning your next family adventure! |
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