Guide to Cuyahoga Valley National Park

The sinking waterfalls, a patch of weather wandering gorges and forest trails bring the leather of nature to the northeastern Ohio. Error? Kohoga Valley National Park, an outdoor oasis that is less than 40 minutes from the door in front of me in Cleveland.

I am approaching almost 33,000 acres of floor monthly, motorcycle, or running, and in this local leader for the Kiwoga Valley Park, I am sharing everything you need to know about going to Ohio’s only National Park.

First lesson: The current reason for Valley Valley. This urban transit lacks the favorite drama of the National Park, such as Zion or Grand Valley, but the successes in protecting it are amazing. Rangers and volunteers from Kohoga Valley have once restored a region destroyed by the industry. For example, the River Kohoga burned several times in the mid -1900s. The result of cleaning efforts is gone, and the 25 rivers of this park are now attracted to animals and animals like beaver. Bald Eagles, which have been from the park for seven decades, turned to the nest here in 2006, and their numbers are increasing.

You will find similar protection stories throughout the park, including a restorative swamp where the bureaucrats are high. For now, let’s talk about logistics: Kehoga Valley is everything to know about going to the National Park, where to go.

How to get there

Kiwoga Valley is located for about 30 minutes from Cleveland and just north of Akran. The easiest way to go to the driving park and go around, so I suggest that if you are flying, booking rental car from Cleveland Hopkins International Airport or Akran Canton Regional Airport.

Know before going

Unlike many national parks, Kihoga Valley – which is free to enter – is not a huge part of public land. It is a collection of private land parcels with private property. Roadway is built in the park and outside. Within a minute you will be in it, not next. This means that there is no official entrance, but you can get admission picture at your park near the Boston Mills Wisters Center or at the River View and the bathroom intersection.

Also, bring your hiking shoes. Some days of rain and snow can turn trails into mud. Speaking of rain, be prepared for unexpected weather, especially in spring and autumn. One day there can be 60 degrees Fahrenheit and sunny. The next snow can bring sub -independent temperatures.

You can usually find bathrooms at most large trail heads, but staff shortages have forced something to shut down. Scroll the park website for the latest closures.

The best time to see

Like the rest of the Great Leaks region, Kohoga Valley experiences all four season. Each month, the park brings a new adventure taste. That’s why I go a year.

Autumn is my favorite season in Kihoga Valley, as Oaks, hackwases and maple explode with autumn colors. Croar and cool weather, especially in September and October, is a welcome behavior after the summer moisture.

Summer is another great CVNP season, and it is definitely the busiest. If you are visiting from June to August, go to the trail head initially or early in the evening when it is cool and low crowds – especially on the weekends. In the summer, the river Kohoga is the season to pedal, or to participate in one of the park’s unexpected attractions, such as attending a concert or pulling alcohol in a working stream.

In the spring, around April and May, the northeastern Ohio slowly emerges from the winter with bright flowers and strange forests. Expect shores and mud trails, but rain park bacon make brandyne fells even more dramatic.

Winter is snowing-most snowy is very high. Temperatures often sink underneath, so pack your winter coat and extra layers.

Best work to do

Riding on Sank Rail Road.

The Kohoga Valley Rail Road is on the banks of the forest and the river Kohoga, along with 26 park miles. Traveling between the park highlights is an easy option, and Park Rangers says it is a great way to see forest life like Bald Eagles, especially in the spring. You may also be included in special trips to the Rail Road, such as a dedicated fall plant ride, polar expressive winter ride, or cocktail, beer tasting, and mysterious nights of murder throughout the year. The train operates a motorcycle. You can bring your pot to the train in a way, then ride it back to your parking space.

Follow the waterfalls.

Brandy Wine Falls, a spectacle that sends water below 60 feet shell and sand stones, is the park’s most popular attraction. To see this, take a short board walk trail from the parking lot and appreciate the spray through several perspectives, including the side and more.

Cycle the trail with Taupath.

The trail hugged the former Ohio and the Area Canal, 87 miles away. This is a mild bike and a walk that connects the city’s Cleveland to New Philadelphia city. Twenty of the most brilliant festivals in the heart of the park. To enjoy this, rent regular or electric bikes through a century cycle in the main city of the park, the peninsula.

Look at the turn.

Kohoga Valley Farm to Table Dining is a dream for fans. It has eight farms about 50 square miles, including a working stream, where you can model local combination. The venue, Sarah’s turn, cures the tasting rooms and restaurant guests in her grape sight. Come for wine, stay for wood -powered pizza, and if you are so inclined, your journey time for a direct music night.

Take Kohova Valley Safari.

Although Valley does not pride in the wildlife of Kohoga Valley, he says, Yellowstone, it has a handful of animals you can appreciate. To do this, target Beaver Marsh, one of the park’s greatest protection success stories. Many decades ago, Rangers and local volunteers turned the area into a healthy 70 acre swamp with a junk yard, a junk yard once-bavers, authors, turtles and numerous avenue species. Walk in the morning or evening Marsh board walk for the best difficulties of watching animals.

Participate in a concert.

In addition to the turning point, another unexpected national park is attractive in Kiwoga Valley: a 19,000 people’s outdoor music location, the Blooms Music Center. It attracts a living summer lineup, which includes regular shows with Cleveland Orchestra and regular shows with Dave Mathews Band, Jason Eldin, Hollys, Mamford & Sons, Go Doll, and so on.

Go skiing

Even during the winter, the snow -loving parks can do so and snobboards. The Park’s Boston Mills and Brandy Wine have 18 trails and about 90 acres of scables in the Boston Mills and Brande Wine in Kyihoga Valley. Places offer everything from simple slopes to black diamonds, as well as on -site equipment rentals and a restaurant.

The best additions

Legs Trail

I take the first time the Kohoga Valley visit the Natural Leeds Trail, along with the most dramatic scenes in the region, as well as a loop of 2.2 miles, the garage -shaped stones and the glasere, as well as the thick forests that change color with the weather. Do not neglect the edge of the path for one of the best views of the Cleveland Skyline in the region.

Pine Guru Trail

Moderate 2.2 miles Pine Guru Trail binds you through natural forests with beautiful, family friendly height. This path is straight, natural and short. It takes 60 to 90 minutes to complete.

Salt run trail

3.25 mile salt -run trail trails around more forest ditchs and water reservoirs, with minimum toe traffic and stop leaks. Spend time looking for a leak to sit on the leak and other local animals.

Jet Trail from Blue Chicken

When i’m craving a longlight this roughly 8-mile loop that Oscillas through the Park highlights, including Blue Hen Falls and the Towpath Trail. This blue cat follows a part of the Bockey Trail, which is 1,400 miles around the state. This loop is as off -grid as you can go to the park, the crack crossing and pumping the heart nearly a thousand feet high.

Places to live

Valley neglect

Camping in CVNP is prohibited, but in 2023, a new glymping and cabin facility made the park possible overnight: 62 acres neglect the valley. This property has snoopped you through ancient campuses in your own tents, cabins, or your own tents. The Valley Overlook is about four miles away from the Bloom Music Center, so you can even stay here to avoid parking chaos and then withdraw (but don’t forget your head lamp).

Hotel in Brandy Wine Falls

Try hotels in Brandy Wine Falls, near the park attractions for another easier. It was built in 1848 and steps from brandy -fell. The six -room property is a real bed and breakfast, which has two course breakfast and evening behavior like cookies and cakes.

A sincere hotel

If you live in the city of Cleveland and go to the park and drive and drive, try the Federation Hotel, which is a new residence that was opened in the early 2025. In addition to his 11 stories in this residence, 97 sleek rooms and sweets are offered in a lounge, bar and restaurant. It is one of the most impressive architectural mirrors in Cleveland, Arcade, one of the first indoor shopping malls in the United States.

Places for food

Peninsula

The peninsula is the coffee house part Java Shop, Part Wine Bar, which has several seating and light cutting destinations, including pastry and breakfast sandwich, so that you can find fuel for a day on the trails. On a warm day, take time to sip and open the courtyard of the silent stream.

Sarah’s turn

In the southern end of the park, you will find my favorite dining stop, Sarah’s back. Winery is open for most days of the week (check the current times on their website), with a complete food menu that varies from artichokes and Ashigo Dip to grape yards, salads, sandwichs and wood -powered pizza.

Lizard with smart

Pub Grub Staple Winning Lotak Tourin has several places in Ohio, including the Peninsula, the main city of the park. Even after the rest of the Mac and Cheese pitches, stop beer and relief stop.