|
Activities
Where can I bicycle?
Biking is allowed on the Towpath Trail and roads.The Hike and Bike Trail administered by Metroparks, Serving Summit County is located near the east edge of the park. The paved portion of the Carriage Trail connects the two trails.
Where can I go mountain biking?
Again, bicycles are allowed on the Towpath Trail, the Old Carriage Trail connector, the Mountain Bike Trail in the Cleveland Metroparks, and on roads in the park.
Can I take a street bike on the Towpath?
The Towpath is constructed of finely crushed stone that is suitable for all bicycles. However, some visitors prefer not to take their racing bikes on the trail.
Can I camp in the park?
The park itself does not have any camping. Since there is not camping on the Buckeye Trail, backpackers can be referred to the or given information on Nearby Campgrounds. Visit our lodging page.
Is there a place to stay the night in the park?
Three places are within park boundaries: 1) in Boston, 2) The Inn at Brandywine Falls, a bed-and-breakfast; and 3) , a bed-and-breakfast where you can also store your horse(s). Also Visit our lodging page for lodging outside the park.
Is canoeing or kayaking allowed on the Cuyahoga River?
Canoeing and kayaking are allowed on the river, but they are not encouraged due to poor water quality. Canoers and kayakers also must portage around the low head dams in Peninsula and north of Station Road Bridge.
Where else is boating permitted in the park?
Non-motorized boats are allowed on ponds and lakes as well as in watered portion of the canal. This includes the beaver marsh on the Towpath Trail. Boaters need to portage around Lock 38 in front of Canal Visitor Center because the rushing water of the lock could cause them to capsize. Motorized boats are not allowed because the park lacks launching ramps.
Where can I fish?
The park has a number of fishing ponds which are marked on the park brochure. Fishing is also allowed in the beaver marsh along the Towpath Trail. Kendall Lake is closed to all fishing from December 15 – May 31. All state of Ohio rules apply. Visitors are advised not to eat fish caught in the Cuyahoga River or canal.
Can I collect anything in the park?
National Parks promote a “no collecting” ethic and collecting is not allowed in the park. Exceptions include: 1) Visitors may collect by hand a reasonable quantity of edible fruits, berries, or nuts, for personal use. They may not collect any part of plants that are rare, threatened, or endangered species. 2) Down and dead wood may be collected for use at park picnic areas. Metal detectors are not allowed in the park.
Can I have a campfire in the park?
Fires are permitted in government provided grills or in personally provided grills in picnic areas.
Where can I walk my dog?
Dogs are allowed on all trails in the park. They are required to be on a leash that must be 6 feet or less at all times. The “verbal leash” is not acceptable.
Where can I hike?
The park has many miles of trails. Refer to trail maps.
Where can I ride a horse?
Horses are only allowed on designated trails. These include the Wetmore and Riding Run Bridle Trails administered by the CVNP, as well as bridle trails in Brecksville and Bedford Reservations.
Where can I rent horses?
There are no horse rentals adjacent to the bridle trails in CVNP or the Brecksville and Bedford Reservations. Horses would need to be brought in from elsewhere.
Does the park have shelters which people can rent?
Visitors can rent the Ledges and Octagon Shelters. Reservations are made through Cuyahoga Valley National Park Association (CVNPA), (330) 657-2909, ext.119 or (800) 642-3297, ext. 119. All other picnic areas are first-come, first-serve.
Are we allowed to hike off-trail?
People are allowed to hike off-trail unless otherwise posted.
Where can I do winter sports?
Ice Skating – Virginia Kendall Lake when posted as safe and open
Sledding – Virginia Kendall Hills
Down-hill Skiing – Boston Mills and Brandywine Ski Resorts
Cross-country Skiing – Tree Farm Trail, Boston Run, Cross-country Trail, Old Carriage Trail, and Towpath Trail
Where can I rock climb?
Rock climbing is prohibited in the park. It is allowed by permit only at Hinkley Reservation of the Cleveland Metroparks. Call (216) 351-6300.
Where can I swim?
Swimming is not allowed in Virginia Kendall Lake or Indigo Lake. Swimming is not recommended in other areas such as Cuyahoga River due to water quality.
Is there anywhere in the park I can take an off-road vehicle such as a motorcycle or snow mobile?
No
Where can I see an archeological site?
We avoid sharing the location of archeological sites to protect them from looting.
Where are the carriage rides in the park?
The Carriage Trade gives carriage rides to Brandywine Falls, (330) 467-9000.
I want to hold a wedding or take wedding photographs in the park. Can I do it?
Yes. Reservations for weddings at Happy Days Lodge are made through CVNPA, (330) 657-2909, ext.135 or (800) 642-3297, ext. 135. Wedding photographs require a Special Use Permit unless the activity takes place at a reserved shelter. The contact person is Carl Dyer, (440) 546-5944.
What else requires a permit?
In addition to wedding-related activities, Special Use Permits are required for specimen collection, special events, public assembly/meetings, commercial photography, livestock use and agriculture. The contact person is Carl Dyer, (440) 546-5944.
Hours
What are the park hours?
Most areas of the park are open from dawn to dusk. The Towpath Trail however is open 24 hours.
Where can I park my car to use the Towpath Trail at night?
The following parking areas are open 24 hours: Canal Visitor Center, Red Lock, Lock 29, Hunt Farm, Ira Trailhead, and Botzum. The Lock 39, Station Road Bridge, and Boston Store parking areas close at dusk. Deep Lock Quarry is open from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m.
What are the visitor center hours?
Hours vary by season. Canal Visitor Center is open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Boston Store Visitor Center is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday.
Where are restrooms along the Towpath?
Every Trailhead has at least one portable toilet (or vault toilet). Restrooms are located at Hunt Farm, Lock 29, Boston Store, and Canal Visitor Center.
Where are water fountains along the Towpath?
Hunt Farm, Lock 29, Boston Store, and Canal Visitor Center.
Passes
Where can I get an Interagency Senior, Access or Annual Pass?
These entrance passes are issued from Boston Store and Canal Visitor Centers. A visitor can also get the passes anywhere that they are accepted. The benefits follow:
Senior – Lifetime free entrance and 50% discount on limited user fees such as camping fees at all federal public lands; issued to U.S. citizens and permanent residents 62 years old and over; $10.00 fee.
Access – Same benefits as Golden Age; issued to all permanently disabled and blind U.S. citizens and permanent residents who are entitled to federal benefits, free.
Annual Pass – Free entrance for 1 year (until beginning of purchase month of following year) at all National Parks, U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Fish & Wildlife, and Bureau of Reclamation sites; does not provide discount on user fees; $80.00.
Accessability
Where can I take a wheelchair?
Towpath Trail, visitor centers, park headquarters, shelters, Virginia Kendall Lake dock, and the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad. Wheelchair accessibility is being planned for the fishing dock at Horseshoe Pond.
CVNP Characteristics
When was the park established?
Cuyahoga Valley was authorized as a National Recreation Area on December 27, 1974.
When did the name change?
The park's name was changed to Cuyahoga Valley National Park on October 11, 2000
How large is the park?
The boundaries set by the U.S. Congress encompass 33,000 acres. The NPS owns 18,000 acres. Other agencies, parks, or individuals own the rest.
Employment
How do I get a job at the park?
Contact the Human Resources office at (440) 546-5919 or www.nps.gov.
Volunteering
Does the park need more volunteers?
The park has a large and active volunteer program. Prospective volunteers should apply through the Acting Volunteer –In-Parks program manager, Travis White (440)546-5996. Applications may also be filled out online.
Miscellaneous
Which political candidate do you think would be better for National Parks?
This is a tricky question because we cannot use our positions as representatives of the federal government to promote a political candidate. If you are informed about the candidate’s position, you can share it, but let the visitor judge the candidate for themselves.
| 
