Cuyahoga
National Park
Cuyahoga Valley National Park is packed with activities for all ages and abilities, from easy trails to non-hiking adventures, so there’s something for everyone.
The area has a rich history, from Native American tribes to New England settlers. By the 1830s, the Ohio & Erie Canal was running through the valley connecting the Ohio River to Lake Erie, creating a major trade route that helped drive westward expansion.
The Cuyahoga River later became infamous for pollution and even catching fire, but major clean-up efforts turned things around. The area became a National Recreation Area in 1974, the river was designated an American Heritage River in 1998, and finally, in 2000, the valley earned its status as a national park—the only one that started as a recreation area first!
Channel Islands At a Glance
There is no fee to enter Cuyahoga National Park!
Cuyahoga Valley National Park is in Northeast Ohio and unlike many parks tucked far from cities, this one sits right between Cleveland and Akron, making it super easy to get to! The largest airport is Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (30 min), but the Akron-Canton Airport (30 min) has great nonstop flight options on budget airlines like Allegiant, Spirit and Breeze.
We highly recommend visiting during October when you can see the fall foliage, crowds have died down a bit, but everything is still open and running for the season.
The Best Things to do at Cuyahoga National Park
In this guide we’re sharing everything you need to know before visiting, plus the best things to do in Cuyahoga Valley National Park.
Cuyahoga National Park Video
We had the best day exploring Cuyahoga National Park as much as we could by foot, bike, and train!
