It’s not common to have a national park with several major highways passing through it, but in Ohio, Cuyahoga Valley National Park is just that! My wife and I stopped here on a cross-country road trip from Wisconsin to New York, and it was the perfect place to stretch our legs and break up the drive.
As the only national park in Ohio and one of only a handful in the midwest, Cuyahoga Valley is a great destination for anyone in the midwest looking to get outside. And, with an escape into nature only minutes from the highway, this park can’t be beat.
Looking to visit, but short on time? I’ve got you covered! Here’s my guide to things to do in one day at Cuyahoga Valley National Park!
So much to see in this national park!
About Cuyahoga Valley National Park
Cuyahoga Valley National Park is a beautiful park located just south of Cleveland, Ohio. Filled with trails, waterfalls, wetlands, and even a scenic train ride, this national park is packed with things to do. The park is a long, thin stretch of land following the Cuyahoga River, allowing for a diverse array of plants and animals to inhabit the park. Cuyahoga Valley is unique in that it is just a short drive from densely populated urban areas like Cleveland and Akron. However, that doesn’t take away from the peaceful feeling once you’re inside the park and surrounded by nature.
Entrance to this national park is free of charge – yet another reason to add it to your itinerary!
For more information on park details and directions, visit the National Parks website.
Read more: The Ultimate U.S. National Parks Guide
Park map provided by the National Parks Service.
Cuyahoga Valley One Day Itinerary
While there is certainly a lot to see at Cuyahoga Valley, it is possible to hit the highlights in one day! Here’s my itinerary for the spots you can’t miss.
Boston Mills Visitor Center – I loved the white building and green trim!
Boston Mill Visitor’s Center
The first stop I make to any national park is the visitor’s center. The Boston Mill Visitor’s Center will have plenty of park information, including maps and park rangers available to answer your questions. Cell phone service is generally available within the park, but I always like to have a physical map of the park just in case. If you have a national parks passport, you can also get it stamped here!
The facilities at this center are really well maintained, making it a great place to use the restroom and fill up on water.
Directly south of the visitor’s center is a covered platform looking out over the Cuyahoga River. There’s a small placard here to commemorate the great work the National Parks Service is completing to restore the area. In 1969, the river was so polluted that it caught on fire. Since then, there have been significant efforts to clean up the water, and therefore improve the surrounding environment. It was really amazing to see the improvement – and to be reminded of the importance of caring for our environment.
The parking lot for the visitor’s center area is fairly small, so when I arrived mid-day on a Saturday, it took about 15 minutes to find parking. Be patient and try to arrive early to avoid the crowds!
The views of Brandywine Falls from the lower boardwalk were just stunning!
Brandywine Falls
Brandywine Falls is a gorgeous 60-foot waterfall located in the heart of Cuyahoga Valley National Park. One of the most popular ways to see the falls is down a boardwalk a short distance from the parking lot. This gets you up close and personal with the water! You can also hike the 1.5 mile Brandywine Gorge Trail, which takes you past the falls, around the back of them, and then around the other side and through the gorge created by the runoff from the falls.
I visited Brandywine Falls on a Saturday afternoon, and I’ll admit that it was also quite crowded. Visitors took their turn walking down the boardwalk to the lower viewpoint, but due to the congestion, I didn’t stay long. However, there is a reason this site is one of the most popular in the park – it’s gorgeous!
As with the visitor’s center, if possible, visit this early in the morning to avoid the majority of the crowds.
The lily pads of Beaver Marsh were just mesmerizing!
Beaver Marsh
The Beaver Marsh was one of my favorite stops in Cuyahoga Valley because it was so unique! Just a short distance from the parking lot is a stretch of wetlands topped with lilypads and filled with diverse wildlife. Beavers (of course), ducks, and over 50 varieties of birds call this area their home. For the best chance to see beavers, visit at dawn or dusk when they are most likely to be active.
To get to the marsh from the parking lot, turn left down the Towpath Trail. In about a quarter of a mile, you will reach a boardwalk that will take you right through the wetlands, giving you the opportunity to soak in all of the gorgeous wildlife. It’s a popular trail with cyclists, so be respectful of other visitors and stay to the side of the trail when walking.
Everett Covered Bridge was just so photogenic – perfect for the moody fall day when we visited!
Everett Covered Bridge
The Everett Covered Bridge is one of the most popular photography spots in the park! This red, historic bridge also has quite an interesting history if you’re a history nerd like me!
To get to the bridge, park in the Everett Covered Bridge parking lot. This is near the trailhead for the Furnace Run Trail. A road closure near some private homes will stop you from trying to enter from the other side of the bridge (off of Everett and Oak Hill Roads).
The train tracks that carry the scenic train ride through the park can be seen in the distance of the marsh.
Scenic Train Ride
One of the most unique things to do in Cuyahoga Valley is take a ride on the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad! This train runs north and south through the park, making it an easy way to see all parts of the park. The ride takes about 2.5 hours and can choose from a variety of seating options (depending on how luxurious you want your ride to be)!
Unfortunately, during my visit to Cuyahoga Valley, the train was not operating due to the coronavirus pandemic. However, it’s on my to-do list for my next visit!
Seriously so many gorgeous trails and hiking options!
Hiking
If you still have time left in your day, I’d recommend checking out one of the many wonderful hiking trails at Cuyahoga Valley! With over 125 miles of trails, there are endless options to choose from, with varying lengths and levels of difficulty. The National Parks Service lists their favorite trails here!
Where to Stay Near Cuyahoga Valley
After spending one day packing all that you can into your trip to Cuyahoga Valley, you’ll need a good night’s sleep! Nearby cities Cleveland and Akron will provide plenty of hotel or Airbnb options. You can also stay in one of the properties in Cuyahoga Valley, like the Stanford House or the Inn at Brandywine Falls. While there are no campgrounds within the park, there are several campgrounds near the park where you can stay.
The Cuyahoga River is now clean enough to support lots of vegetation (and even be a great place for kayaking).
Packing Considerations
Since your day will be jam-packed with sightseeing, make sure you pack plenty of water and snacks to keep your energy up throughout your trip! I also always wear sunscreen and bug spray when out exploring, especially near the river and wetlands.
Summers can be warm and humid, while winters can be cold and impacted by lake-effect snow from Lake Erie. Dress in layers and plan accordingly!
Finally, while this itinerary doesn’t include any strenuous hikes, wearing hiking shoes may keep your feet more comfortable after walking all day.
As with any time outdoors, be sure to follow the Leave No Trace Principles by respecting the wildlife, disposing of trash properly, and leaving the park in better condition than you found it.
Loving our pit stop at Cuyahoga Valley!
LGBTQ+ Considerations
Cuyahoga Valley is uniquely positioned between two large cities, Cleveland and Akron, which are generally more diverse and liberal. However, the immediate surrounding area does include more farmland and rural towns that tend to be more conservative. LGBTQ+ travelers should keep this dynamic in mind when visiting the park. However, my wife and I didn’t receive any uncomfortable looks or comments during our visit and generally felt comfortable walking around together and taking romantic photos together. Overall, we had a positive experience visiting Cuyahoga Valley and would recommend it to other queer travelers!
Read more: Top Safety Tips for Queer Travelers
Overall
Cuyahoga Valley National Park offers a great refuge for Midwesterners to get away from the cities and into nature! With a diverse array of wildlife and activities, there is truly something for everyone.
Have you visited Cuyahoga Valley National Park? Do you have any other must-sees for a one day trip? Let me know how it went in the comments!
Read more: United States Travel Guide
Note: this post may contain affiliate links. If you click on a link for an affiliate partnership, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps keep this blog up and running. Thanks for your support!
This post was last updated on September 11, 2021.
Leave A Comment