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All Cuyahoga Valley National Park visitor centers are closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day. The Canal Visitor Center is open year round from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., daily. (216) 524-1497. It is located in Valley View, Ohio, 1.5 miles south of Rockside Road on Canal Road where Canal and Hillside roads intersect. The Canal Visitor Center serves as both information center and museum. Located at the northern end of the park, it is an ideal stop for maps and other information about the park. Permanent exhibits illustrate 12,000 years of history in the valley, including the history of the Ohio & Erie Canal. This canal-era building once served canal boat passengers waiting to pass through Lock 38. Canal lock demonstrations are conducted on summer weekends by National Park Service staff and by volunteers wearing period costume. A 20-minute slide show about the park and three 30-minute videos about the Ohio & Erie Canal are shown on request. Happy Days Visitor Center is open all year from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday. (330) 650-4636. It is located on State Route 303 in Boston Heights, Ohio. The center is 2 miles east of Peninsula and 1 mile west of State Route 8. Happy Days Visitor Center offers information and a variety of activities. Here you can attend concerts, lectures, plays, and ranger-led special events. This building also houses the park’s Travel Planning Center where you are welcome to use the files and free internet connection to plan your National Park vacations. Hiking trails are also nearby. A 20-minute slide program about the park is shown on request. The Happy Days building was constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1938 and 1939 as a day camp for Akron children.

Hunt Farm Visitor Information Center is open all year, September through May 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., weekends only and June through August 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., daily. (216) 524-1497. It is located on Bolanz Road between Riverview and Akron-Peninsula Roads in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. The Hunt Farm property is typical of the small family farms that dotted the Cuyahoga Valley in the late 19th century. Here you can get information about park activities and see exhibits about the area’s agricultural history. Next to the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail, it is an ideal starting point for a hike or a bicycle ride. Peninsula Depot is a small visitor center with a few exhibits and is used as an information and orientation center for people on foot, bike, and rail. (216) 524-1497. It is open May through August 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., daily, with September through April having varying times. The Peninsula Depot can be found from the intersection of Akron-Peninsula Road and State Route 303 by following signs for the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad. It is the boarding site for CVSR train rides.

During the winter, the Winter Sports Center at Kendall Lake is open for visitor information December 26 – 31 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; January 2 through February 27; weekends 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and January 17 and February 21 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (216) 524-1497. It is located on Truxell Road, 1 mile east of Akron-Peninsula Road. Ski and snowshoe instruction is available by advanced registration at (216) 524-1497. Cross-country ski, snowshoe, and skate rentals are available first come, first served (including children’s cross-country skis). Cross-country ski rental is $15 per day, $7.50 for 3 hours when snow depth has reached at least 6 inches. When snow depth reaches 2 inches, snowshoe rental is available for a $5 rental fee. A valid driver’s license or credit card is required as a deposit. A limited supply of ice skates are available for rent for $3 a pair when the ice depth of Kendall Lake reaches 7 inches. Skating is permitted on cleared area of lake only.

Cuyahoga Valley National Park encompasses 33,000 acres along the banks of the Cuyahoga River and became a national park in 1974. In 2004, the park was visited by 3,215,343 people, placing it among one of the most visited national parks in the system. It contains a truly unique physical environment, formed by the mingling of two diverse geographic regions—the Appalachian Plateau and the Central Lowlands—modified by the comings and goings of multiple glaciations.

Cuyahoga Valley National Park’s proximity to large urban areas, long history of use, and high visitation make it vulnerable to a variety of environmental concerns. More than two million people live within a short drive of the park, and the traffic, nearby development, and associated pollution can affect park resources. Water quality in the park’s rivers and streams varies from good to poor. The Cuyahoga River, although much improved from its days as the “river that burned,” is still not clean enough for recreational activities. Air pollution in northeast Ohio, especially unsafe amounts of ground level ozone, can become an issue on hot, hazy summer days.

Cuyahoga Valley National Park encompasses 33,000 acres along the banks of the Cuyahoga River. It contains a truly unique physical environment, formed by the mingling of two diverse geographic regions—the Appalachian Plateau and the Central Lowlands—modified by the comings and goings of multiple glaciations.

Cuyahoga Valley National Park is contained entirely within the Cuyahoga River watershed, which takes on the shape of the “v”-shaped river. The Cuyahoga River begins in Northeastern Ohio’s Geauga County as two bubbling springs that join about 10 miles to the south near Burton. The river flows to the southwest, through thick forests and past rich farm fields, until it reaches the more populated urban areas near Akron, Ohio. At this point, the river hits an east-west continental divide and turns sharply northwestward, forming the bottom of the “v.” The Cuyahoga then flows through CVNP—alongside remains of the Ohio & Erie Canal, through the Historic Districts of Peninsula and Boston, and under the historic Station Road Bridge. The river reaches its terminus in downtown Cleveland, 100 river miles from its source, but only 30 miles as the crow flies.

The Cuyahoga River watershed drains over 810 square miles of Northeastern Ohio. Thirty-seven named tributaries and many unnamed streams, totaling over 1,100 stream miles, enter the Cuyahoga throughout its course. Within CVNP’s portion of the watershed (about 6.5 percent of the total watershed), perennial (permanent) and ephemeral (temporary) streams total over 190 miles in length. Some of the larger tributaries (e.g., Tinkers Creek and Furnace Run) drain areas larger than 50 square miles, while most others range between 2 and 20 square miles.

Known internationally as the “river that burned,” the Cuyahoga River is on the rebound. Where at one time no living thing could survive, now there are spawning fish and rare insect species. Today the river looks like a river should; it no longer flows in colors of the rainbow. Instead, the river flows lazily past forests, fields, and towns, occasionally erupting in white ripples where rocks and pebbles interrupt its flow. The Cuyahoga is not completely healed, however. Even today, combined sewer overflows, runoff from fields and parking lots, and sediments continue to impair the river’s water quality (see water quality section for more information). Throughout Northeast Ohio people are looking out for the river, as government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and volunteers work together to return the Cuyahoga to an acceptable state. Someday, visitors to the park will once again be able to recreate safely on the river.

There are several falls located within the park, but Brandywine Falls is the largest. The rock layers of the 60-foot-tall Brandywine Falls can be read like a book. Each chapter covers millions of years, as ancient seas left behind sediments that were compressed by added layers. The rocks here at the base of the falls were formed more than 400 million years ago. Brandywine Creek and the”bridal-veil” cascades began about ten thousand years ago after the last glacial retreat. The falls have now exposed the harder, yellow-brown Berea Sandstone looming over the softer, deep red Bedford Shale. Since sandstone is more resistant to erosion, the shale below is frequently undercut. As these layers wear away, the story of the earth continues to be revealed. An exhibit near the falls includes a photo of the waterfalls, a map of the area, and a cross-sectional drawing of the rock with Berea Sandstone (320 million years), Bedford Shale (350 million years), and Cleveland Shale (350 – 400 million years) labeled. There is a quaint wooden staircase that leads down to the falls and offers glimpses of small ferns and other plants growing in the nooks and grannies of the surrounding rock sides and ledges where just enough sunlight peeks through the woods. The Brandywine Falls parking lot is located on Stanford Road about 100 feet from Brandywine Road approximately 2 miles south of State Route 82 and 1 mile northwest of Olde Eight in Sagamore Hills, OH.

Cuyahoga’s diverse landscape provides habitat for over 900 plant species. The park’s natural vegetation is composed primarily of mixed-mesophytic forest (approximately 80%), which is characterized by a variety of deciduous tree species growing in conditions that are neither too wet nor too dry. The oak-hickory association is the most widespread; others include maple-oak, oak-beech-maple, maple-sycamore, pine-spruce, and hemlock-beech associations. Several large semi-contiguous tracts of forest remain, but most forested areas are heavily fragmented. Interspersed among these forests are other natural habitats, including older field habitats in various stages of succession, wet meadows, and other wetland habitats. Additionally, a variety of developed lands, including residential areas, golf courses, ski areas and other suburban lands, exist within park boundaries. Agricultural activity, once widespread, continues at low levels within the park.

There are numerous recreational activities offered within the park. The park is recognized as an ideal area for bird watching. There are such a diverse number of species that you can observe nearly 200 different birds from warblers, sandpipers and herons to owls and flycatchers. So all you bird watchers get out your books and binoculars! Ranger-led bicycling activities are conducted at various times and are listed in the park’s Schedule of Events, which is published quarterly and is available at all visitor centers free of charge. Fees may be charged for these programs. Viewing the Cuyahoga Valley landscape from horseback is like no other experience, however there are no horse rentals available in the park. You can take a 20 minute ride or spend the whole day traversing the Wetmore and Riding Run bridle trails or the Cleveland Metro parks Bedford and Brecksville reservation trails. The Valley Trail connects these southern and northern bridle trails. Horseback riding is permitted only on trails signed and designated as horse trails. There are actually four public golf courses located within the parks also.

There is a canal boat-building museum called The Boston Store that features exhibits on all aspects of that business. The Frazee House was constructed in 1825 and 1826, the same years the northern section of the Ohio & Erie Canal was built. It is a fine example of an early Federal-style Western Reserve home and features exhibits relating to architectural styles, construction techniques, and the Frazee family. One of the visitor centers does reenactments of how the canal worked to get boats from one water level to another with all of the actors in period costumes. The little town of Peninsula is a great place with lots of history and an old train station where the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad makes a stop. Peninsula also has a yearly celebration where locals in period costumes walk around and expound on life as it was during the canal hay-days.

Hale Farm & Village, while within the boundary of the national park, it is operated by the Western Reserve Historical Society. It is an outdoor living history museum that is just a few miles and 150 years away. Costumed “pioneer” interpreters describe life in the Western Reserve during the formative years of the United States of America. The village features 21 historic buildings to tour and many talented craftspeople. Craft demonstrations include glassblowing, candle making, broom making, spinning & weaving, cheese making, blacksmithing, woodworking, sawmilling, hearth cooking, and pottery making. The farm also features oxen, sheep, cows, and gardens.

Over 125 miles of hiking trails are available for your hiking pleasure. These trails range from nearly level to challenging, and pass through various habitats including woodlands, wetlands, and old fields. Some trails require you to cross streams with stepping stones or log bridges, while others, including the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail, are nearly level and are accessible to all visitors. A portion of Ohio’s Buckeye Trail also passes through the park. Trail maps showing the park’s hiking trails are available at most visitor centers. There are four major designated bicycle trails in and around the Cuyahoga Valley: the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail, the Metro Parks’ Hike & Bike Trail, and the Brecksville and Bedford Reservation All Purpose Trails. Recreational bicycling opportunities at CVNP are limited to those trails, as well as all roads and parking lots. Bicycling is prohibited on all other trails. A designated bicycle connector trail passing north of Indigo Lake provides access to Hale Farm & Village, a historical park managed by the Western Reserve Historical Society. A second connector trail between Red Lock Trailhead and Station Road Bridge Trailhead provides uphill access from the Towpath Trail to the Metro Parks’ Bike and Hike Trail. There are no mountain bike trails in Cuyahoga Valley National Park.

There are numerous ponds in CVNP that are open to fishing as is the Cuyahoga River. Large-mouth bass, bluegill, and catfish are among the fish caught in CVNP lakes and ponds. Eating fish from the river is not recommended because of poor water quality. Catch and release fishing is encouraged in all areas of the park to maintain the fish population needed for continued sport fishing. State of Ohio fishing regulations apply except when CVNP fishing regulations are more stringent. An Ohio fishing license is required. The CVNP Map and Guide marks the best fishing ponds with a fishing icon. There are nine ponds with that symbol within the CVNP boundary. You can pick up a copy of the map at any open visitor center and in brochure racks at many trailheads.

The only waterway available for canoeing within Cuyahoga Valley National Park is the Cuyahoga River. The National Park Service discourages using the river at this time, however, due to highly variable water quality. Due to capacity limitations, combined sewers overflow upstream of the park, resulting in the release of untreated sewage into the river. Contamination of the river from that source and others occurs in an unpredictable fashion, making it impossible for the park to predict safe canoeing conditions.

If you choose to canoe anyway, logical put-in points are at Bath Road, Ira Road, Lock 29 Trailhead in Peninsula, and Station Road Bridge Trailhead just south of State Route 82. If you plan to canoe the river, be aware that two dams exist within the boundaries of CVNP. One is located in Peninsula and the other just south of State Route 82. They both require prior scouting and a short portage. There are currently no canoe liveries serving the segment of the Cuyahoga River that flows through CVNP. There are canoe liveries upstream in the Mantua and Hiram areas. That portion of the river is upstream from the sewage treatment plant and is therefore much more consistently clean. The ponds in the park are open to canoeing. Motorized canoes and boats are not permitted on the ponds.

Kendall Lake Winter Sports Center, located on Truxell Road between Akron-Cleveland and Akron-Peninsula Roads, is the hub of winter sports adventure within the park. Nearby are sledding and tobogganing on Kendall Hills, hiking, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, ice skating and ice fishing. There are miles of cross-country trails in the park suitable for all levels of skiers. Check with park staff for trails and areas that will meet your ability level. When snow depth reaches 2 inches, snowshoe rental is available at the Winter Sports Center and at Happy Days Visitor Center. Snowshoes may be used on nearby trails. When sharing a trail with cross-country ski traffic, yield to skiers and take care not to walk in existing ski tracks. The center, a historic structure of American chestnut and locally quarried stone, provides a rustic setting to warm up with a hot drink, and relax after an enjoyable day of outdoor adventure. Staff is available to provide visitors with updated weather forecasts, area maps, and schedules of park events. Join park staff and volunteers by participating in a variety of recreational activities and interpretive programs.

Twenty-two miles of the Cuyahoga River, bordered by a fertile floodplain, wind through the park. In addition to the river and its floodplain, CVNP’s aquatic resources include 220 miles of perennial streams, 1,200 wetlands, and 70 human-made ponds, all supporting a wide diversity of aquatic biota.

The Cuyahoga River, the primary aquatic resource in CVNP, had a pivotal role in the birth of the environmental movement. The river experienced several fires, beginning in 1936 when a spark from a blowtorch ignited debris and oil on the river’s surface. Although the river burned several times after 1936, it was the 1969 fire that focused attention on the state of water bodies throughout the United States. Groundbreaking environmental legislation, including the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement and the Clean Water Act, followed in the early 1970s. Since the passage of this legislation, large point sources of pollution have received significant attention both locally and nationally. For its role in the environmental movement, the Cuyahoga River was designated an American Heritage River in 1998.

Although much progress has been made since the early 1970s to improve water quality in the Cuyahoga River, sections of the river remain on the list of impaired waters as established under Section 303(d) of the Clean Water Act. Portions of the Cuyahoga River Watershed, including the section of river that travels through CVNP, have been classified as one of the 43 Great Lakes Areas of Concern, necessitating the development of a Remedial Action Plan (RAP). The Cuyahoga River RAP works to plan and promote restoration of beneficial uses (e.g., fishing and canoeing) of the lower Cuyahoga and near-shore Lake Erie through remediation of existing pollution problems and prevention of future ones. Beneficial use impairments were identified in the Stage One Remedial Action Plan. Stage Two, implementation and restoration of beneficial uses, is only partially completed. Extensive research and monitoring by numerous agencies have been funded to improve understanding of water quality impairments within the watershed.

Currently, impairments to the water quality of the Lower Cuyahoga River, including portions within the park, are being addressed under the Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) program. A TMDL is a written, quantitative assessment of water quality problems in a water body and contributing sources of pollution. It specifies the amount a pollutant needs to be reduced to meet water quality standards, allocates pollutant load reductions, and provides the basis for taking actions needed to restore a water body. The TMDL will cover impaired river segments from the Munroe Falls Dam in Summit County (upstream of CVNP) to the start of the ship channel in Cuyahoga County (downstream of the park). Several tributaries to the Cuyahoga River will be included as well.

The water quality of the Cuyahoga River within the park is of particular concern to park managers. The river receives discharges of storm water, combined-sewer overflows, and incompletely disinfected wastewater from urban areas upstream of the park. These discharges result in a threat to the health of visitors who come into contact with river water during recreational use (e.g., wading or canoeing). Because park managers are concerned about the threat posed to human health by sewage and pathogen contamination, the park discourages any canoeing, swimming, or wading in the river.

To address concerns of fecal bacteria contamination of the Cuyahoga River, the National Park Service is working with the United States Geological Survey to complete a study that will provide more information on concentrations of indicator organisms associated with the presence of pathogens. The park hopes to gain a better understanding of the ability of indicator organisms to predict the presence of human pathogens and, consequently, risks to human health. This information will improve our understanding of waterborne pathogen occurrence and assist the NPS in making informed decisions about when the water quality in the Cuyahoga River will be safe for recreational use in the future.

The weather in Cuyahoga Valley National Park is typical of Northeastern Ohio: four distinct seasons offering something for everyone. Winter is cold, cloudy, and sometimes snowy. Spring brings rain and warming temperatures. Summer is often hot and humid, with frequent thunderstorms and hazy skies. Fall offers some relief from the heat, as nights cool. Normal temperatures range from the teens to the mid-80s and 90s, although below freezing and 90-100+ degree temperatures occur occasionally.

Current Weather

A field guide and a pair of binoculars are valuable for bird watching. Good hiking shoes or boots are needed for hiking, especially for the more rugged trails. Because the weather at CVNP can be unpredictable, visitors should be prepared for any condition with layered clothing and rain gear.

National Park Service lands and waters are considered preserves for wildlife, thus digging for bait or capturing bait fish or amphibians is prohibited as is the possession of such bait alive or dead. The National Park Service philosophy in managing ponds and streams is to manage the predator-prey relationship rather than to stock fish for recreational fishing. Kendall Lake is closed to bass fishing from March 15 to May 31 of each year to allow for spawning of Largemouth Bass. Any bass caught in Kendall Lake in that time period must be immediately returned to the lake unharmed. Fishing access for people with physical disabilities is available at Horseshoe Pond and Kendall Lake. Distances from parking lots to ponds vary from less than one hundred yards to one/half mile. Fishing from non-motorized boats is permitted, but boats must display proper registration in accordance with state regulations and personal flotation devices must be worn in accordance with U.S. Coast Guard and state regulations.

Swimming is permitted in all areas of the park except Kendall Lake and Indigo Lake, which are closed to swimming. However, swimming is not encouraged in rivers, streams, or ponds due to highly variable water quality. Specifically, the National Park Service discourages using the Cuyahoga River at this time. After storms, combined sanitary and storm sewers overflow upstream of the park, resulting in the release of untreated sewage into the river. These discharges can pose a threat to visitors who come into contact with river water during recreational use. Please read more about water quality in the Cuyahoga River if you plan to use the river for recreational activities.

When ice thickness reaches 7 inches, a portion of Kendall Lake will be cleared for ice skating. Signs near the water’s edge near the parking lot will indicate whether the lake is open for skating or not. In order to ensure safety on the ice skate only on the section that has been cleared. While it is legal to ice skate on other lakes and ponds in the park, it must be done with extreme caution. Falling through thin ice on a remote pond can be deadly. Always check the ice carefully for sufficient thickness to support your party. Do not venture out onto the ice unless you have had significant experience in “reading the ice” for safety. Avoid skating near the edges as springs can cause thin ice near the banks. Never skate near the pond water outlets or inlets of streams as the associated moving water results in ice that is often much thinner than the surrounding ice. Never skate alone and make certain all members of your party are not on the same section of ice at the same time. If skating with one other person, do not skate together unless the ice is extremely thick. Always have safety gear with you including ropes and floatation devices. Discuss how the safety equipment is to be used prior to going out on the ice. Obey any warning signs you find posted but do not expect to find warning signs at all hazardous locations. In fact, park ponds have hazardous ice skating conditions most of the time.

For winter safety, remember these simple safety tips. Uncontrollable shivering, memory loss, and disorientation are some of the signs of hypothermia. Remember to dress in layers and avoid wearing cotton when recreating this winter as when it gets wet, it tends to stay wet and cold. Keep extremities covered and free from potential frostbite. On sledding hills, to make sledding fun for everyone, follow posted regulations. In general slide down the middle of the hills and walk back up the sides. When skiing, check with park staff for trails and areas suitable for your ability level. ; Ski with a cautious eye on the terrain ahead. Assess steep hills before attempting to go down them. Stay on the marked trails. Use caution when hiking or snowshoeing since packed snow and ice make footing hazardous. When sharing the trail with skiers yield to ski traffic and do not walk in existing ski tracks. Inform family and friends of your intended locations and estimated time of return. There are no phones at the Winter Sports Center or sledding hills. The Cuyahoga Nordic Ski Patrol patrols the cross-country ski trails and sledding hills on weekends.

Do not disturb any wildlife, pick or damage plants, or remove natural or historical features. Do not drink water from the streams and ponds. The Cuyahoga River has navigational hazards and highly variable water quality. People of all ages and abilities use the Towpath Trail; please be courteous. Stay on the right and give a clear audible warning before passing on the left. Yield to horses and avoid startling them. Pets must be restrained on a leash that is six feet or shorter in length on all park lands at all times. Hunting or trapping is prohibited on all federal lands. All Federal lands are closed to viewing or spotlighting an animal with artificial light from a vehicle or the viewing or spotlighting of wildlife with an artificial light other than from a vehicle when in possession of any hunting device. All terrain vehicles, snowmobiles, motorbikes, or off-road vehicles of any kind are not permitted.

Cuyahoga’s diverse landscape provides habitat for 194 species of birds, 91 aquatic macro invertebrates, 43 fish, 32 mammals, 22 amphibians, and 20 species of reptiles. Turkey vulture, red-tailed hawk, and red-shouldered hawk species are the most abundant and widely distributed raptors in the area making bird watching easy. Along many of the hiking trails, you will have no trouble seeing any amount of wildlife. In fawning season, you will readily come across the mother and baby, even in the middle of the road! Mink, in search of fish, snakes, or other foods, often visit wetlands or streams, but are rarely seen. The Beaver Marsh is a fantastic place to see not only beavers, but turtles, birds, and muskrats. They don’t seem to be shy, even with bikers and hikers traversing past on the boardwalk that passes right through the marsh! Observant visitors exploring the Beaver Marsh or other wetlands along the Cuyahoga River are sometimes rewarded with the sight of a northern water snake sunning itself on a half-submerged log or a common snapping turtle peering through the duckweed covering its head like a veil.

Since the CVNP became a national park, there has been an upsurge of several threatened and endangered species in the park. A federally endangered Indiana bat was found within park boundaries in July 2002, the first instance of that species ever recorded in the park. Non-breeding bald eagles, which are federally threatened, have been seen perched high above the Cuyahoga River during winter months. Nineteen bird species that are considered threatened or endangered by the state of Ohio breed in the park or pass through during migration. Great blue herons, never before known to breed in the park, now raise their young in two boisterous rookeries along the Cuyahoga River. Heron nest monitoring has found hundreds of nests perched high above the river and filled with squawking, awkward young from May to July. They are the largest herons found in North America and stand four feet tall, but only weigh slightly over four pounds. They have a wing span of nearly seven feet so they must nest on top of the tall trees in order to reach their nests. Wood ducks, Canada geese and other waterfowl are found throughout the park.

The comparative wilderness of CVNP in a sea of urbanity provides a refuge to mammals. With populations that have increased an average of 9% per year over the past 12 years, white-tailed deer are the most visible mammal in the park, congregating in the early morning and late afternoon hours. Industrious beavers build their lodges and dams on many of the park’s streams and ponds. Coyotes, the masters of adaptation, have made their way back to the Cuyahoga Valley after a long absence. The park offers coyotes good edge habitat with open meadows and fields surrounded by forests, and plenty of food in the form of fruits, nuts, grains, and small mammals. Red and gray foxes take advantage of these same food sources, though gray foxes are considered rare in the park. You may also see painted turtles sunbathing on submerged logs or wild turkeys wandering across open fields.

There is no official entrance fee at Cuyahoga Valley National Park, but there is a charge for admission to concerts, winter lecture series programs, as well as some others. The park encourages all visitors to support the park through the Towpath Tag Donation Program.

There is no camping available in the park. There is camping in the Ohio State Park Campgrounds near CVNP: Findlay Lake State Park, 25381 State Route 58, Wellington, Ohio 44090 (440) 647-4490; Portage Lakes State Park, 5031 Manchester Road, Akron, Ohio 44319 (330) 644-2220; West Branch State Park, 5708 Esworthy Road, Ravenna, Ohio 44266 (330) 296-3239; and Punderson State Park, P.O. Box 178, Newbury, Ohio 44065 (440) 564-2279.

Surrounding the park are Sand Run Metro Park, Furnace Run Metro Park, Bath Nature Preserve, Brecksville Reservation, Bedford Reservation, and Virginia Kendall Park. Besides the state parks, there is James A Garfield National Historic Site, 30 miles away, First Ladies National Historic Site, 41 miles away, Perry’s Victory & International Peace Memorial, 90 miles away, Hopewell Culture National Historical Park, 185 miles away, Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park, 210 miles away, and William Howard Taft National Historic Site, 240 miles away.

Cleveland Hopkins International Airport and Akron-Canton Regional Airport offer many daily flights to the area.

Cuyahoga Valley National Park can be accessed by many different highways, including I-77, I-271, I-80 (Ohio Turnpike), and State Route 8. Park signs are visible from each of these freeways as you get close to the valley.

Approximate Mileage from the following major cities to Cuyahoga Valley:

By Car:

Akron, OH – 24.80 miles
Mansfield, OH – 72.75 miles
Brunswick, OH – 30.52 miles
Cleveland, OH – 13.08 miles
Columbus, OH – 134.81 miles
Canton, OH – 50.64 miles
Toledo, OH – 120.45 miles
Dayton, OH – 207.62 miles

By Plane:

Cleveland-Hopkins International Airport – 16.27 miles
Akron-Canton Regional Airport 41.40 miles

Bus services located downtown Ceveland and Akron are also available to the park.

Cuyahoga Valley National Park, 15610 Vaughn Road, Brecksville, OH 44141
(216) 524-1497
(800) 445-9667

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