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Of the 61 National Parks, Cuyahoga Valley National Park is the one you have to see next! This park is conveniently located next to a city with a major airport making it incredibly accessible to travelers. The trails and paths are mostly flat (but not all are handicap accessible) making it easy for explorers of all skill levels. Being so close to Cleveland, Cuyahoga Valley National Park is also perfect for the non-campers. After a day of hiking or biking the trails, drive back to the city for a bite to eat and a good night’s sleep.
No matter what kind of experience you’re looking for, you’re bound to find it here!
Getting to Cuyahoga Valley National Park
Cleveland is the closest city to Cuyahoga Valley National Park, so the easiest way to get to Cuyahoga Valley National Park is to get to Cleveland!
Cleveland Hopkins International Airport is by far the easiest and most accessible airport to fly into, but the Akron-Canton Regional Airport might also be a good option for you.
If flying isn’t your thing, you can always take the Amtrak or a Greyhound to get to downtown Cleveland. If you’re coming from Chicago, New York City, or Toledo, the Megabus is also an option for you, which will give you the chance to score $1 tickets!
No matter which way you get to Cleveland, it would be practically impossible to navigate this National Park without a car. You’ll want to rent one when you get into town if you haven’t driven your own to get here.
If you need more information about renting a car while you’re traveling, check out my post: How to take a Road Trip in a Rental Car.
Where to Stay
Inside The Park
- The Stanford House – a historic building converted into a shared lodging facility inside the park. Individual rooms can only be booked two weeks in advance. There is a shared kitchen inside the home that is available for guests to use.
- The Inn at Brandywine Falls – a bed & breakfast that boasts a view of Brandywine Falls.
- Stanford Campsites – Five primitive campsites along the Towpath Trail. There is no RV parking or camping inside Cuyahoga Valley National Park.
In Cleveland
- The Budget: Red Roof Inn – Independence – Independence is great because it is about half way between Downtown Cleveland and Cuyahoga Valley National Park. There are many affordable hotels in this area.
- The Continental: Drury Plaza Hotel – Cleveland – The Drury hotels are a favorite of mine. I, of course, love them because they’re Missouri-owned! But they also offer a delicious continental breakfast and their “kickbacks” which offer up hefty snacks and mixed drinks on the house.
- The Splurge: The Schofield Hotel – The Schofield catches my eye because of it’s sleek design and it’s beautiful city views. If you’re looking for a Cleveland splurge, this is the place!
- The Destination: Hyatt Regency Cleveland at the Arcade – The Arcade is a Cleveland destination on it’s own. If you’re looking to really make your Cleveland trip top notch, you can stay at this hotel which calls the Arcade it’s home. Fair warning, staying here will not be cheap, but it will create a memory you’ll constantly want to look back on.
Hiking Cuyahoga Valley National Park
Cuyahoga Valley National Park is a great place to go if you’re in the mood for some hiking. Not only are there 20 miles of trails at the Tow Path Trail (see below), but there are many other trails around the park that cater to hikers. The waterfall hikes are perhaps the easiest to see:
- Blue Hen Falls Trail (0.5 Miles) – This tiny trail ends in a small pool of water with a waterfall. Many visitors relax with their feet in the icy cold water after a quick hike in the sun.
- Brandywine Gorge Trail (1.5 Miles) – I love this hike because it is relatively easy, and has multiple observation decks to view the falls from.
- Bridal Veil Falls and the Buckeye Trail (0.2 Miles) – Another easy trail that ends at a beautiful waterfall. Really, there isn’t anything better than that!
If you’re looking for a longer hike, check out these trails:
- The Ledges Trail (2.2 Miles) – This trail was our favorite! There are old staircases to hike down, large mossy rocks, beautiful look out points, and as the name implies, large rock cliffs everywhere that gives Ledges its name.
- Boston Run Trail (3.1 Miles)
- Brandywine Gorge Loop (1.4 Miles)
- Kendall Lake Trail (1 Mile)
Biking in Cuyahoga Valley National Park
There are 20 miles of flat, scenic trails on the Tow Path Trail in Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Bikes can be rented at Century Cycles or Eddie’s Bike Shop along the trail. The best part about biking in the park is that you don’t have to complete a round trip, which means you’re able to be a little more spontaneous with the ride. You’re able to ride as far as you can from your starting point and then when you’re done riding, find your nearest train station and ride the train back to your car! The train is only $5 for bikers and is meant to be used as a form of public transportation.
Riding bikes in Cuyahoga Valley National Park was one of my absolute favorite experiences while visiting, and I highly recommend you make time for it during your trip.
Bonus Places to See
If you’re looking for a different Cleveland experience or if you’re planning to extend your stay beyond two days, be sure to check out my Two Day Cleveland Itinerary for more ideas on where to visit. Here’s a quick overview of some of my favorite spots to check out while you’re in Cleveland.
Two Day Itinerary
If you’re ready to get your trip to Cuyahoga Valley National Park started today, check out my completely free Two Day Cuyahoga Valley National Park Itinerary below, which will include some of my favorite stops from above, plus a few extras.
If you’re interested in my Two Day Cleveland Itinerary, you can check that out over here:
Brandywine Falls! 😍And, The Ledges Trail looks amazing! I love the unique stone steps! We will have to remember this one if we make it out that way!
Ledges was a really unique hike! You’re going to love it!