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Cuyahoga Valley National Park
Frequently Asked Questions
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Recreation
Towpath
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. (top of page)
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.(top of page)
Where are water fountains along the Towpath?
Hunt Farm, Lock 29, Boston Store, and Canal Visitor Center.(top of page)
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. (top of page)
Hike and Bike
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. (top of page)
Where can I go mountain biking?
Mountain bikes are permitted in the park on the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail, the connector to Hale Farm, and from the parking lot across Everett Covered Bridge to Everett Road. They are presently prohibited in other areas. (top of page)
Where can I rent a bike?
Century Cycles in downtown Peninsula on Route 303.(top of page)
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Are we allowed to hike off-trail?
People are allowed to hike off-trail unless otherwise posted. (top of page)
Stay the Night
Can I camp in the park?
The park has five primitive campsites located behind Stanford House for hikers and bicyclists using the Towpath Trail. Visit our lodging page for a complete list of nearby campgrounds outside the park.(top of page)
Can I have a campfire in the park?
Fires are permitted in government provided grills or in personally provided grills in picnic areas.(top of page)
Is there any RV camping in Cuyahoga Valley National Park?
No. Try here for places near by to camp lodging page. (top of page)
Water Activities
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. (top of page)
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. (top of page)
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.(top of page)
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.(top of page)
Other Activities
Where can I do winter sports?
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
(top of page)
Where can I rock climb?
Rock climbing is prohibited in the park. It is allowed by permit only at Hinckley Reservation of the Cleveland Metroparks. Call (216) 351-6300.(top of page)
Is there anywhere in the park I can take an off-road vehicle such as a motorcycle or snow mobile?
No(top of page)
Is hunting allowed in Cuyahoga Valley National Park?
Hunting and the use of hunting stands are prohibited in Cuyahoga Valley National Park. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources regulates hunting activities and there may be legal hunting stands on private property adjacent to the park. (top of page)
What areas of the park would you recommend for night sky observation?
CVNP as a protectedNational Park Service site is a wonderful place for night activities. Light pollution is always a factor, being so close to the two major cities of Akron and Cleveland, although is very reduced in CVNP and on moonless nights it is sometimes possible to observe distant deep sky objects as low as eight magnitude, as in the M 57, the ringed nebula. The best place for observing celestial objects in the eastern sky is at Oak Hill Picnic Area. This a high upland area is rarely effected by lowland heavy dew and is among the darkest areas in CVNP.
There are two excellent places for observing the western night sky. The Beaver Marsh is an excellent spot for brighter planets and stars in the early evening, generally one-two hours after sunset until the lowland dew creeps in. For more distant low magnitude objects and for observing well after dark, it is best to star gaze at the Kendall Hills near either the Pine Hallow or Crowfoot Parking Areas off Quick Road. (top of page)
What kinds of activities are available at Cuyahoga Valley National Park?
A trip to Cuyahoga Valley National Park offers a diverse array of activities. Whether you prefer attending ranger-guided programs or park on your own, you can find something to your liking. Take a hike, ride the scenic railroad, explore the visitor centers, attend a concert, or bike the Towpath Trail. Whatever your preferences, the links above will guide you to additional information. http://www.nps.gov/cuva/planyourvisit/things2do.htm(top of page)
Animals
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.(top of page)
Where can I ride a horse?
Horseback riding is permitted only on trails signed and designated as horse trails.These include the Wetmore and Riding Run Bridle Trails administered by the CVNP, as well as bridle trails in Brecksville and Bedford Reservations. Horses need to be brought in as there are no horse rentals adjacent to the bridle trails in CVNP.(top of page)
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.(top of page)
Are dogs allowed in park buildings or on the train?
Only service dogs are allowed.(top of page)
Reservations & Special Uses
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. (top of page)
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. Contact George Giavasis, (440) 546-5941 or e-mail us. (top of page)
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. Contact Carl Dyer, (440) 546-5944 or e-mail us. (top of page)
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. (top of page)
What are the visitor center hours?
Hours vary by season. Current hours are listed here. (top of page)
How do I get to Cuyahoga Valley National Park?
Cuyahoga Valley National Park can be accessed by many different highways, including I-77, I-271, I-80 (Ohio Turnpike), and State Route 8. Park signs are visible from each of these freeways as you get close to the valley. http://www.nps.gov/cuva/planyourvisit/directions.htm (top of page)
Does it cost anything to enter Cuyahoga Valley National Park?
Entrance to the park is free! While there is no official entrance fee at Cuyahoga Valley National Park, we encourage all visitors to support the park through the Towpath Tag donation program.(top of page)
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. (top of page)
Accessibility
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. (top of page)
CVNP Characteristics
When was the park established?
Cuyahoga Valley was authorized as a National Recreation Area on December 27, 1974. (top of page)
When did the name change?
The park's name was changed to Cuyahoga Valley National Park on October 11, 2000 (top of page)
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. (top of page)
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What is the weather like at Cuyahoga Valley National Park?
The weather in Cuyahoga Valley National Park is typical of Northeastern Ohio: four distinct seasons offering something for everyone. Winter is cold, cloudy, and sometimes snowy. Spring brings rain and warming temperatures. Summer is often hot and humid, with frequent thunderstorms and hazy skies. Fall offers some relief from the heat, as nights cool. Because the weather at CVNP can be unpredictable, visitors should be prepared for any condition. (top of page)
Volunteering
Does the park need more volunteers?
The park has a large and active volunteer program. Contact Shelby Lewis, Volunteer Program Assistant, at (330) 657-2909, ext. 109 or slewis@cvnpa.org.(top of page)
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. (top of page)
Where can I see an archeological site?
We avoid sharing the location of archeological sites to protect them from looting. (top of page)
Can I carry a concealed weapon (CCW) in the park if a have a CCW permit?
Concealed weapons are prohibited in Cuyahoga Valley National Park. While in the park, firearms need to be packed, cased, and stored in a manner that will prevent their ready use. They have to be unloaded, disabled, and stored in a locked container (such as a glove compartment or trunk). (top of page)
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. (top of page)
Is there
Is there an Artist-in-Residence program at Cuyahoga Valley National Park?
Unfortunately, the Artist-In-Residence program is on hold due to lack of funding.(top of page)
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