Park Tours

Nicole Night

Cuyahoga Valley National Park is 33,000 acres of trails, waterfalls, woods, meadows, and more.

We’ve created four ways for you to experience the best of what your national park has to offer, no matter who you are. Take a tour of the waterfalls, visit the birds and the beavers, hike around the Ritchie Ledges, or ride the train to the farmers’ market!

Tom Jones

1. Tour of the Falls

Difficulty: Brandywine easy, Blue Hen challenging

Drive to see the most stunning waterfalls in your national park! Start at Brandywine Falls (8176 Brandywine Road, Northfield, OH 44067) and enjoy the majestic 65-foot falls from a smooth, level boardwalk. Want to get closer? Take the stairs down to the lower viewing platform for a great photo op.

Next, drive over to Boston Mill Visitor Center, 6947 Riverview Road to hike your way to Blue Hen Falls. Follow the Buckeye Trail up the hill, cross Boston Mills Road, and then 1/2 mile down a steep hill. Keep in mind this hike can be extremely muddy and quite challenging.

Accessibility: Stairs optional at Brandywine Falls. Blue Hen Falls Trail is not accessible by stroller or wheelchair.

Rick McMeechan

2. Birds & Beavers Tour

Difficulty: Easy to Moderate

Park your car at Hunt House (2054 Bolanz Road, Peninsula 44264), then walk just over a mile along the smooth, level Towpath Trail to the Beaver Marsh. Linger on the flat, sturdy boardwalk and you might see beavers, otters, kingfishers, ducks, turtles, and dozens of other wildlife, especially birds.

Walk one mile back to Hunt House and head over to Szalay’s Farm & Market (4563 Riverview Rd, Peninsula, OH 44264, right next to Hunt House), where you can enjoy a snack or drink before heading home.

Accessibility: Total hiking time for 2.2 miles is roughly 45 minutes, not including time spent at the boardwalk. The Towpath Trail and the boardwalk at Beaver Marsh are both wheelchair and stroller accessible. Towpath Trail is crushed limestone and very flat.

Sue Simenc

3. Hike and a Picnic

Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult

Park your car at Ledges Shelter (701 Truxell Road, Peninsula, OH 44264). Follow the road to the right of the kiosk sign that goes past the building to access the trail. Hike 1.2 miles along the Ledges Trail. You’ll pass by the stunning sandstone cliffs that make this part of your national park unique.

After your hike, spread out a picnic blanket or grab a table under the shelter and enjoy a leisurely lunch with your family. Pack a Frisbee so you can play in the field, too.

Accessibility: Ledges Trail is very hike-able but is not suited for wheelchairs, strollers, or people with mobility limitations. Hike carefully, since this trail does have rocks and roots and is slightly hilly.

Gary Whipple

4. Ride the Train to the Farmers Market

Difficulty: Easy

Hop aboard the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad in Cleveland or Akron and enjoy a leisurely ride of 30-60 minutes to Howe Meadow, where the lively, bustling Countryside Farmers’ Market is waiting for you. Shop for fresh produce, baked goods, and gifts from over 60 vendors in the fresh air. You’ll find popsicles, fruits and vegetables, locally-raised meats, handcrafted gifts, and more.

After the market, ride the train home. The train leaves for Akron at 2:00 p.m. and for Cleveland at 3:15 p.m. For a complete train schedule, click here.

Accessibility: Howe Meadow is an open, grassy field with some bumps. The train is wheelchair and stroller accessible.