Cuyahoga Valley National Park
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Visit Dog-Friendly Cuyahoga Valley National Park
Cuyahoga Valley National Park might be the only National Park in Ohio, but it’s definitely worth the visit. This is one of the few free National Parks in the United States and offers the chance for a variety of outdoor activities year-round. Once you arrive, you can spend your time doing everything from snowshoeing, kayaking, biking, hiking, and more.
To get the full experience of this dog-friendly park, I suggest spending at least 1-2 days in the area. Make sure you have a vehicle during your visit as Cuyahoga is spread out and you will want to be able to drive to the different sections. Though there are no campsites in the park, there are two lodging options available onsite. For even more choices, Cleveland is less than an hour away!
Is Cuyahoga Valley National Park Dog-Friendly?
You CAN bring your dog (and cat) to Cuyahoga Valley National Park. However, there are a few places where your pets aren’t allowed like all park buildings, the East Rim Mountain bike trail, and the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad Train. Pets must be kept on leashes no longer than 6 ft and can never be left unsupervised during your visit. I would recommend booking a place to stay outside of the park for a more, pet-friendly accommodation.
If you are traveling with your pup, make sure you bring everything your dog needs for a successful road trip.
Boston Mill Visitor Center
Cuyahoga Valley National Park has one visitor center which is conveniently located in the center of the park. This is where you can get your park maps, talk to a ranger, buy souvenirs, and get your National Park Passport (or Pup Memory Passport) stamped! The visitor center is typically open every day from 10 am -4 pm.
Lodging at Cuyahoga National Park
If you’re looking for a place during your visit, you’ll have several options to choose from. Whether you want to camp, relax at a Bed and Breakfast, or stay at a hotel, you will be able to find exactly what you are looking for.
Where to Stay Inside the Park
If you are looking for accommodations inside the park you will have two options: George Stanford House or The Inn at Brandywine Falls.
Stanford House
The Stanford House is a historic farmhouse that provides a nice view of the Cuyahoga River. This property is near Brandywine Falls and the Towpath Trail. The farmhouse has can house up to 30 people and you do book the entire house, so it is great for group trips for friends and family.
Each room has 1-3 beds inside and bathrooms are shared with the other guests. There is also a full kitchen and grill available for use during your stay along with an outdoor fire pit. Pets are not allowed.
Inn at Brandywine Falls
The Inn at Brandywine Falls is a bed and breakfast that overlooks Brandywine Falls. There are 6 bedrooms available in the main house, each with a private bath. There is also a renovated barn on the grounds with two additional suites that can house additional guests. Pets are not allowed in the buildings but there are kennels onsite if you choose to bring your dog with you.
Dog-Friendly Campgrounds Near Cuyahoga National Park
Cuyahoga Valley National Park currently does not allow camping within the park (this includes backcountry camping). But, if you are looking for a place to pitch your tent, there are several dog-friendly campgrounds nearby.
All state park campgrounds are pet friendly but they do have a 2-dog limit per campsite and require proof of rabies vaccination.
Nearby Hotels
For help finding the perfect hotel, you can use our link below.
Booking.comWhere to Eat in Cuyahoga Valley National Park
Across the street from the Boston Mill Visitor Center, you will find a small store named “Trail Mix” that sells food, snacks, and other helpful things for your time at the park.
If you would like more meal choices, a quick search will show you all of the available restaurants nearby. Pick from places like Bob Evans, Courtyard Cafe, Southyard Tavern, and Dos Coronas.
Things to do in Cuyahoga Valley National Park
No matter what time of year you visit, Cuyahoga has plenty of activities to choose from. Bike, hike, ski, kayak, or enjoy a scenic train ride! You’ll have to plan on visiting more than once to experience the best of what this national park has to offer!
Cuyahoga Hiking Trails
You can choose from over 125 miles of hiking trails throughout the park. They range widely in distance and ease so there is a trail for everyone. This is great especially if you (or your dog) aren’t 100% sure what your stamina may be like.
Remember that the park is spread out, so it will be better to plan your day ahead of time. The trails can be separated into 11 different areas to make this process easier. This way you can make your decisions based on what type of landscape or sights you want to enjoy.
Helpful Tip:
The parking lots for the more popular trails (Brandywine Falls, Blue Hen Falls, and Ledges Trail) do tend to fill up quickly in the summer months. Try to hike these first thing in the morning so you can find a parking spot. If the parking lot is full, remember you are NOT allowed to park on the roads (they do hand out tickets).
Ohio and Erie Towpath Trail
The Ohio and Erie Towpath Trail is 19.5 miles long and connects to several sections of the park and has 10 different trailheads to choose from. Because it covers such a wide area, it also intersects and even overlaps with other trails frequently. If you don’t want to walk the entire trail, the Towpath does pass by several Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad stations so you can always buy a ticket and ride part of the distance.
Towpath Trail Tips:
- Make sure to stop by Beaver Marsh just north of the IRA trailhead to see wildlife such as beavers, frogs, and turtles. This is also a great birding area.
- The pathway is not very wide so keep your dog close and watch out for bicycles.
Brandywine Falls
Brandywine Falls is one of the most popular places in the park and you can choose between two trails that will lead you to the Falls. Stanford Trail and Brandywine Gorge are both about 1.5 miles long and Brandywine Gorge is wheelchair accessible up to the first overlook. This first overlook is just a short distance down the path for anyone who wants to avoid the full hike.
Buckeye Trail
Buckeye is the longest trail in the park at 33.8 miles. This trail has multiple trailheads so you can easily choose what sections you want to hike. If you access the trail near the Boston Mill Visitor Center, you can hike to Blue Hen Falls. This is another very popular trail consisting of a 3-mile loop or you choose to continue on the Buckeye Trail for a longer hike.
Kendall Lake Area Trails
There are two trailheads for 3 different trails in the Kendall Lake Area to choose from.
- Kendall Lake Trailhead is a 1-mile loop around the lake.
- The Pine Hollow Trailhead is where you can find the Salt Run Trail (3.3 miles) and Wetmore Trail (4.5 miles).
Tree Farm Trail
This 2.75-mile-long trail is exactly as it sounds. It will start out by a pond but eventually lead you to a meadow and tree farm. Make sure to stick to the trail because the tree farm is private property.
Oak Hill and Plateau Trails
- Oak Hill Trail is 1.5 miles and will lead you through some woods and by a lake.
- Plateau Trail is 4.5 miles long and will also take you through a wooded area.
Wetmore Area Trails
Wetmore Area is home to 4 different trails ranging from .6 miles up to 4.5 miles in length. These trails are more popular for horseback riding because the parking lot is very horse-trailer friendly.
Old Valley Carriage Trail
This 5.25-mile-long trail will take you by the Cuyahoga River and overlaps for a small portion with the Towpath Trail. There is an overlook towards the north end of the trail.
Ledges Area Trails
There are 5 trails in this area from 1/2 mile to 3.4 miles in length. When you visit the park, you HAVE to stop and hike the 2.2-mile Ledges Trail. This trail is home to the best overlook in the park and provides gorgeous moss-covered scenery.
- Forest Point Trail– .5 miles
- Haskell Run Trail– .5 miles
- Ledges Trail– 2.2 miles
- Pine Grove Trail– 2.2 miles
- Boston Run Trail– 3.4 miles
Everett Area Trails
This area is home to three separate trails that range from 2- 4.6 miles in length. One of the highlights here is the Everett Covered Bridge which is close to the parking lot if you want to get some quick pictures.
- Furnace Run Trail- 2 miles
- The Perkins Trail– 2.7 miles
- The Riding Run Trail– 4.6 miles
Valley Trail
Valley Trail is 19 miles long and can be accessed from 4 different trailheads. This makes it easy to break it into smaller segments if you don’t want to hike the whole trail. Everett Covered Bridge is at one of the ends of the trail.
Canal Exploration Center
If you are interested in learning how the Ohio and Erie Canals helped influence the nation, make sure to stop here. There are several interactive Canal Era exhibits to explore while learning a little bit about the history of this area.
Hunt House
Hunt House is a nice little stop just off the Towpath trail that has some small nature exhibits and a rest area (with bathrooms). There is also a small parking lot nearby for easy access.
It is open Saturdays and Sundays from April 1st until Memorial Day. From Memorial Day to Labor Day, it is open daily. When it’s open, you can often find volunteers here to answer any questions you may have.
Winter Sports in Cuyahoga National Park
If you visit Cuyahoga in winter, you can go cross-country skiing, or snowshoeing. You can bring your own gear or rent it from the park. If you do need to rent, stop by the Winter Sports Center at MD Garage (near the Visitor Center) to pick up your gear. The Sports Center is open as long as there are several inches of snow on the ground. You can also find places to go ice fishing, sledding, tubing, and downhill skiing in the area.
Water Activities in Cuyahoga National Park
Cuyahoga Valley is home to several lakes, ponds, and the Cuyahoga River. These are great places to go fishing, just make sure to check the website for up-to-date fishing restrictions and suggestions to find the best fishing spots. Keep in mind that you will need an Ohio fishing license before you go.
You can also kayak or canoe on any of the ponds in the park or on the river. You can pick from 5 different access sites and I highly encourage you to check the website for updated hazard information to help you avoid any incidents on the water. The park does NOT have boats available to rent, so you will have to bring your own.
Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad
Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad provides the opportunity to enjoy the views in the park while relaxing on a train. You can choose to ride in coach, table-top, or in the executive lounge. The tickets generally range from $13-38 dollars. Make sure to check the schedule to find out when the train is running and what special programs they may currently have going on. They do everything from beer or wine tastings to romantic dinners, murder mysteries, and a North Pole Adventure!
The railroad also offers a Bike Aboard program that starts each spring. This way you can bike (or hike) the Towpath Trail and not worry about trying to bike your way back. Just wave the train down at one of the boarding stations, hop on, pay the $5 fare (cash preferred), and relax as it takes you back to where you started. Annual tickets are available for $50 if you live nearby.
Biking in Cuyahoga National Park
There are two trails that you can bike on inside the park; the Towpath or the East Rim Mountain Bike Trails. The Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath Trail goes through a large part of the park. If you are looking for more of a challenge, the East Rim Mountain bike trails have some fun obstacles while you enjoy the scenery. If you need to rent a bike, you can pick one up at Century Cycles.
Questing in Cuyahoga National Park
If you like solving clues, being outside, and collecting stamps, then questing is perfect for you! This activity is similar to geocaching but instead of trading mystery ‘prizes’ when you find the cache, you get a stamp (bring a small notepad) and can sign the logbook.
There are over 40 different quests along the Ohio & Erie Canalway and to make it easy, you won’t need a working GPS to find each box. . You can download the Quest challenges here or find them at the Boston Mill Visitor Center. This program is seasonal and runs from April 15 – November 15.
Horseback Riding in Cuyahoga National Park
There are several horse-friendly trails inside the park if you want to go horseback riding. The Wetmore Area also has a trailer-friendly parking lot. For more trail options you can check out the nearby Cleveland Metropark system.
Dog Travel Tips for Cuyahoga Valley National Park
Keep your pet safe with these dog travel tips for Cuyahoga Valley National Park:
- Bring plenty of water to avoid dehydration.
- Make sure your pets are up to date on Flea/Tick medications.
- Keep an eye out for venomous snakes (copperheads and rattlesnakes).
- Don’t forget to bring a dog-friendly first aid kit just in case of an accident or emergency.
- Bring protective footwear in winter because of snow and ice and in summer when walking on hot pavement.
- Be aware of potential cases of blue-green algae in slow-moving bodies of water before you let your dog get near them.
Nearby Attractions:
Cuyahoga Valley National Park is close to several larger cities in Ohio so you will have numerous types of attractions to choose from.
Nearby Dog-Friendly Attractions:
- Worden’s Ledges
- Bridal Veil Falls (Bedford Reservation)
- DogHouse Hotel
Miscellaneous Nearby Attractions:
Cleveland Attractions:
Toledo Attractions:
If you are traveling to Toledo, we have several guides available depending on your interests.
Why You Should Visit:
No matter what outdoor activity you may be interested in, Cuyahoga Valley National Park has something for you. Take the opportunity to indulge in winter or water sports, bond with your dog or horse on the trails, or go on different quests. The best part is that Cleveland is not that far away if you want a good meal at a restaurant or explore a museum. Make sure to check this National Park off your list!
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