A ribbon of forest, farmland, and the Cuyahoga River winding between Cleveland and Akron, with waterfalls, a scenic railroad, and one of the most accessible parks for a quick day trip.

Park Pass

Join the National Parks Club

A single day is enough to see the highlights, given how compact and accessible the park is from either Cleveland or Akron.

No special permit is required.

Peninsula and Boston Heights are the small towns sitting right within the park's boundaries.

There's no entrance fee — Cuyahoga Valley is free to visit year-round.

Why Visit?:

Cuyahoga Valley is one of the most genuinely accessible national parks in the system — sandwiched between Cleveland and Akron, it's an easy day trip rather than a destination vacation, which makes it a great option if you want a real national park experience without the long-haul travel. Waterfalls, farmland, and a historic scenic railroad all sit within a compact, easy-to-navigate footprint.

It's also one of the few national parks where you can ride a train through the scenery instead of hiking or driving, via the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad.

Things to Do:

Brandywine Falls is the park's signature sight, a 60-foot waterfall reachable via a short boardwalk trail. The Ledges Trail offers a moderate loop through sandstone cliffs and overlooks, one of the more scenic hikes in the park. For something different, ride the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad, which lets you combine train travel with a one-way hike back.

Given its size, Cuyahoga Valley is genuinely doable in a single day even with a late start — worth keeping in mind if you're trying to fit it into a busier Midwest itinerary.

Get the Full Itinerary

Closest airports: Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE) and Akron-Canton Airport (CAK) both sit within about 30 minutes of the park, giving you real flexibility on flights.

Nearby Attractions:

Downtown Cleveland's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and lakefront are about 30 minutes north, and Akron's historic Stan Hywet Hall is a worthwhile stop if you're coming from the south.