Hiking in Ohio: the Best Cuyahoga Valley National Park Trails

I've traveled to quite a few National Parks, many of which you would consider "off the grid". Places like Mesa Verde National Park and Channel Islands National Park where the miles and miles of empty terrain (or ocean) surrounding their entranceways are complete dead zones when it comes to cell service and reception. It's this ability to cut yourself off from the stress of the news and the craziness of the outside world that also affords you the luxury to enjoy the quiet and solitude that most National Parks provide.

However, when considering hiking in Ohio, Cuyahoga Valley National Park is different from what you'd expect from a typical National Park. I can't complain that the park is conveniently located right outside Cleveland, only a roughly 30-minute drive from downtown, with easy access from the Ohio Turnpike. But it's also this location (and the Turnpike and other expressways which cut through the park multiple times), that makes Cuyahoga unlike other National Parks. It's so much ON the grid, it's surrounded by suburbia. Never have I been to a National Park so engulfed by fancy homes and subdivisions, where to get from one part of the park to the next, you have to fully exit the park boundaries, hop on an expressway and drive through residential neighborhoods. But despite the odd location, Cuyahoga still has many hikes that are both perfect for a day trip and distinctive enough to warrant an excursion to the park.

Grab a Map for the Cuyahoga National Park Trails

The first stop you should make in Cuyahoga Valley National Park is the Boston Mill Visitor Center to grab your park map and plan out your day (BONUS: this park is free to enter!). Like the rest of the park, this was the most unique National Park Visitor's Center I've ever seen. Looking up from the parking lot, you'll see the Ohio Turnpike's ominous concrete structures, as cars and semi-trucks whizz high above your head. Not going to lie, it's a weird sight when you think about the nature you’re planning to immerse yourself in for the remainder of the day.

You'll also notice train tracks near the visitor's center and one of the stops for the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad. With a variety of seating options, this train winds through the National Park and surrounding valley, providing beautiful views. With the ability to hop on and off at different stops, the train is a fun alternative to driving in your car to access additional hiking paths.

Besides the Cuyahoga Valley National Park trails, you can also bike or walk the Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath Trail, a route once reserved for mules towing boats behind them, kayak the Cuyahoga River Water Trail, or check out the Ohio and Erie Canal Byway. Make sure to utilize the beautiful picnic facilities throughout the park for lunch or early dinner as well. I don't know who's funding Cuyahoga or how much the locals are paying in taxes, but the buildings and shelters in the vicinity are the fanciest I've seen in the National Park system. Use them! :)

One of the best starter hikes to get warmed up for the day is the Blue Hen Falls Trail. Located just down the road from the Boston Mill Visitor’s Center, is a quick .5 mile walk which ends at a gorgeous waterfall. Not bad for a roughly 20-minute jaunt! Make sure you leave your car in the visitor’s center parking lot since there is no parking at the trailhead (we learned the hard way).

Hike the Cuyahoga Valley National Park Ledges Trail Loop

The Ledges Trail ended up being our favorite trek during our time exploring the Cuyahoga Valley National Park trails. At 2.4 miles, this hike is relatively easy but can take the better part of an afternoon so you can fully explore the landscape along the way. The route begins in the Ledges parking lot and slowly starts to wind into the forest. After trekking through dense trees stretching up towards the sky, (thankfully providing plenty of shade), you'll realize you're at the top of some pretty steep cliffs. Over the ledge of these cliffs, you'll see moss-covered rock faces with winding tunnels naturally carved into them, formed over thousands of years of erosion. It’s at this point that you completely forget about the expressways and traffic. The silence of the forest will distract you from the fact that you’re hiking in Ohio, instead feeling like you’ve been transported to the Pacific Northwest.

Continuing along the path will lead you down to the base of these tunnels, caverns, and caves. The well-loved Ice Box Cave is located on this route. However, it may be closed off during your trip to help protect the local bat population that inhabits it. But if you're comfortable squeezing into tight spaces, you can walk the full length of some of the walled pathways you looked down on from above, many of which have entrances and exits on each side that only require a bit of ducking and crawling to get through.

If cave tunnels aren't your thing, the Ledges Trail loop has other routes that more easily circumnavigate the cliffs and boulders. As you continue through the trees, winding around the overhangs, you'll make your way to gorgeous Ledges Overlook towards the end of the trail. This overlook will provide you with a stunning view of Cuyahoga Valley looking out over miles and miles of green treetops. Many people utilize this spot for picnics or relaxing in hammocks before continuing on the for the day. If taking a pit stop near such a beautiful view isn't your thing (to each their own! Lol) there is also a sprawling field of grass just past the overlook before you head back to the parking lot. When I say sprawling, I mean a patch of grass bigger than a football field, providing space for everyone to take a break and wind down during the day.

Tackle the Brandywine Falls Hike

If you want to explore picturesque views without the work, Brandywine Falls hike is perfect for you. You can take the quick 10-minute boardwalk path to come face to face with the Falls, a massive waterfall that empties into a smaller river below. For more of a workout, continue to the Brandywine Falls Gorge Trail, a 1.5 mile loop which extends up and over the falls, winding along the lower river until it loops back to the start of the Falls trail. Along the way, you may stumble upon sheep in the back pasture of the Inn at Brandywine next door. There is also easy access to the lazy river further down the trail to take a quick dip to cool off from the summer sun.

Overall, the Cuyahoga Valey National Park trails provide a fun and beautiful escape from city life, especially near the Midwest, where national parks are scarce. It's an easy 5-hour drive from Chicago or an even more relaxed 30-minute drive from Cleveland. Despite being located so close to an urban location, the well-maintained trails, roads, and amenities of the park make it a picturesque spot to spend the day without any additional worries. Pair it with a trip to Indiana Dunes National Park to celebrate both National Parks within the Michigan tristate area!