A patchwork of plunging waterfalls, weather-pocked gorges, and forested trails brings nature buffs to Northeast Ohio. The draw? Cuyahoga Valley National Park, an outdoor oasis that’s less than 40 minutes from my front door in Cleveland.

I hike, bike, or run in the 33,000-acre destination almost monthly, and in this local’s guide to Cuyahoga Valley National Park, I’m sharing everything you need to know about visiting Ohio’s only national park.

The first lesson: Cuyahoga Valley’s reason for existing. This urban getaway lacks the drama of national park favorites like Zion or the Grand Canyon, but its conservation successes are quite astonishing. Cuyahoga Valley’s rangers and volunteers have restored and continue to rewild a region once ravaged by industry. The Cuyahoga River, for example, burned multiple times in the mid-1900s. Cleanup efforts have paid off, and the park’s 25 river miles now draw animals like herons and beavers. Bald eagles—absent from the park for seven decades—returned to nest here in 2006, and their numbers continue to soar.

You’ll find similar conservation stories throughout the park, including a revitalized marsh where beavers abound. For now, though, let’s talk logistics for planning your visit to Cuyahoga Valley National Park, from when to visit to where to hike.

How to Get There

Cuyahoga Valley National Park is located about 30 minutes south of Cleveland and just north of Akron. Driving is the easiest way to get to and around the park, so I suggest booking a rental car from Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE) or Akron-Canton Airport (CAK) if you’re flying in.

Know Before You Go

Unlike many national parks, Cuyahoga Valley—which is free to enter—is not a huge swath of public land. It’s a collection of protected land parcels interspersed with private property. The roadways weave in and out of the park proper; one minute you’re in it, the next you’re not. That means there’s no official entrance gate, but you can get your park entrance photo near the Boston Mills Visitor Center or at the intersection of Riverview and Bath roads.

Also, bring your hiking boots. A few days of rain and snow can turn the trails into a muddy mess. Speaking of rain, be ready for unpredictable weather, especially in the spring and fall. One day could be 60 degrees Fahrenheit and sunny; the next could bring sub-freezing temperatures with snow.

You can typically find bathrooms at most major trailheads, but staffing shortages have forced some to close. Scroll the park’s website for the latest closures.

Best Time to Visit

Like the rest of the Great Lakes region, Cuyahoga Valley experiences all four seasons. Each month brings a new flavor of adventure to the park; that’s why I visit year-round.

Autumn is my favorite season in Cuyahoga Valley, as the oaks, hickories, and maples explode with fall colors. The crisp and cool weather, particularly in September and October, is a welcome treat after summer’s thick humidity.

Summer is another great CVNP season, and it’s definitely the busiest. If you’re visiting from June to August, get to the trailhead early or set out in the early evening when it’s cooler and less crowded—particularly on weekends. Summer is the season to paddle the Cuyahoga River, or to partake in one of the park’s unexpected attractions, like attending a concert or sipping wine at a working vineyard.

In the spring, around April and May, Northeast Ohio slowly emerges from winter with bright blooms and verdant forests. Expect showers and muddy trails, but precipitation makes Brandywine Falls even more dramatic.

Winter brings snow—often a lot of snow—and that’s great for the park’s cold-weather adventures like skiing and snowshoeing. Temperatures often dip below freezing, so pack your winter coat and extra layers.

Best Things to Do

Ride the scenic railroad.

The Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad meanders by the woodlands and along the Cuyahoga River for 26 miles. It’s an easy option to journey between the park highlights, and rangers say it’s one of the best ways to see wildlife like bald eagles, particularly in the spring. You can also join the railroad’s special trips, like holiday winter rides or happy hour excursions with drinks and food. The train runs bike- and kayak-aboard specials—you can bring your chosen mode of transportation onto the train one way, then ride it back to your parking spot.

Chase waterfalls.

Brandywine Falls, a spectacle that sends water soaring down 60 feet of shale and sandstone, is arguably the park’s most popular attraction. To see it, take the short boardwalk trail from the parking lot and admire the spray via several viewpoints, including from the side and above.

Cycle the Towpath Trail.

Running for over 90 miles, the Towpath Trail hugs the former Ohio and Erie Canal. It’s a mild biking and walking path that connects downtown Cleveland with the town of New Philadelphia; 20 of the route’s most splendid miles curve through the heart of the park.

Visit a vineyard.

Cuyahoga Valley is a dream for fans of farm-to-table dining. It boasts eight farms across its roughly 50-square-mile footprint, including a working vineyard where you can sample local blends. The venue, Sarah’s Vineyard, treats guests with a tasting room and restaurant overlooking its grapes. Come for the wine, stay for the wood-fired pizza, and time your trip for a night of live music if you’re so inclined.

Take a Cuyahoga Valley safari.

While Cuyahoga Valley doesn’t boast the wildlife of, say, Yellowstone National Park, it does have a handful of animals you can admire. To do so, hit the Beaver Marsh, one of the park’s greatest conservation success stories. Decades ago, rangers and local volunteers transformed this area—once a junkyard—into a healthy 70-acre marsh with beavers, otters, turtles, and numerous avian species. Stroll the marsh’s boardwalk in the morning or evening for the best animal-sighting odds.

Attend a concert.

In addition to a vineyard, Cuyahoga Valley has another unexpected national park attraction: a 19,000-person outdoor music venue, Blossom Music Center. It attracts a lively summer lineup, including regular shows with the Cleveland Orchestra and concerts by a wide range of big-name acts and musicians.

Go skiing.

Snow lovers can ski and snowboard in the park during the winter. Cuyahoga Valley has a number of snowshoeing and cross-country trails and nearly 90 skiable acres at the park’s Boston Mills and Brandywine ski areas. The venues offer everything from easy slopes to black diamonds, as well as on-site equipment rentals and a restaurant.

Best Hikes

Ledges Trail

I take any first-time Cuyahoga Valley visitor on the scenic Ledges Trail, a 2.2-mile loop through some of the region’s most dramatic scenery, with garage-sized rocks and glacier-carved gorges as well as thick woodland that changes color with the season. Don’t miss the route’s Ledges Overlook for one of the best Cleveland skyline views in the region.

Pine Grove Trail

The moderate 2.2-mile Pine Grove Trail weaves you through scenic woods with a gentle, family-friendly elevation. This route is straightforward, scenic, and short. It takes around 60 to 90 minutes to complete.

Salt Run Trail

The roughly three-mile Salt Run Trail loops around more wooded ravines and water bodies, with minimal foot traffic and a stop near Kendall Lake. Spend time sitting at the lake watching for herons and other local fauna.

Blue Hen to Jaite Trail

When I’m craving a longer jaunt, I take this roughly eight-mile loop that oscillates through the park highlights, including Blue Hen Falls. It follows a section of the blue-blaze Buckeye Trail, a 1,400-mile thru-hike around the state. This loop is about as off-grid as you can get in the park, with creek crossings and around 1,000 feet of elevation gain to get the heart pumping.

Places to Stay

Valley Overlook

Camping is prohibited in CVNP, but you can go glamping on the 62-acre Valley Overlook. The property has you snoozing in furnished canvas tents, cabins, or your own tent via primitive campsites.

The Inn at Brandywine Falls

For another convenient stay close to park attractions, try the Inn at Brandywine Falls. It was built in 1848 and sits steps from the namesake cascades. The six-room property is a true bed-and-breakfast, with a two-course breakfast and evening treats like cookies and cakes.

Fidelity Hotel

If you’d rather stay in downtown Cleveland and drive to and from the park, book at the recently opened Fidelity Hotel. The lodging offers 97 sleek rooms and suites across its 11 stories, plus a lounge, bar, and restaurant. It’s adjacent to one of Cleveland’s most impressive architectural marvels, The Arcade—one of the first indoor shopping malls in America.

Places to Eat

Peninsula Coffee House

The Peninsula Coffee House is part java shop, part wine bar, with multiple floors of seating and light bites, including pastries and breakfast sandwiches, to fuel you up for a day on the trails. On a warm day, take time to sip and unwind on the quiet river-view patio.

Sarah’s Vineyard

In the park’s southern end, you’ll find my favorite dining stop, Sarah’s Vineyard. The winery is open most days of the week (check current hours on its website), with a full food menu that varies from artichoke and asiago dip to vineyard nachos, salads, sandwiches, and wood-fired pizzas.

Winking Lizard Tavern

Pub-grub staple Winking Lizard Tavern has multiple locations across Ohio, including in Peninsula, the park’s main town. Stop here for a post-hike beer and comfort food like mac-and-cheese wedges.