Cuyahoga Valley National Park - Towpath

Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail, Akron, OH 44310, USA

Address:	Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail, Akron, OH 44310, USA
Site:	nps.gov
Rating:	5

Location

Photos 1

Reviews 8

Jeremy Riel

A hidden gem between I-80 and I-90! You could spend weeks exploring the Cuyahoga Valley, as the Park provides miles of trails and beautiful landmarks. However, even for the day tripper looking to stop and see the park, Cuyahoga Valley can share many of its rejuvenating outdoors experiences in just a few brief hours. Visitors should consider hiking or biking the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath or riding the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad. Its worth every penny for the train ride to see the park in all its glory. There are no campgrounds in the park, but the network of trails is more than enough to keep people busy. When we visited, it was fun to find a spot to have some picnic food at Boston Store, hit the towpath for a while nearby, and drive for a quick bit to see Blue Hen Falls and Brandywine Falls. We also caught the train through the park to see views that are not normally seen via the Towpath or road. This valley is so full of life that its almost impossible to spot individual species amid the network of residents. Every inch of this park is green, which is an amazing achievement considering this area was incredibly polluted in the mid 20th century (the river caught on fire it was so bad!). Visit the parks visitor centers to find more about the trails and destinations along the valley. Theres no admission fee to the park. Definitely worth the stop to celebrate 100 years of national parks, especially it being so close to home for those who live in the Midwest!

Anon Ymous

I visited CVNP last summer and found some beautiful attractions- the breathtaking beauty of the rugged-feeling ledge area, the relaxing Ohio and Erie Canal towpath, and majestic Brandywine Falls. These attractions are easily worth 5 stars. I also loved the parks historical features, including the village of Boston, the Inn at Brandywine Falls, and the Everret Road Covered Bridge. However, Cuyahoga valleys serenity is shattered by human development. The presence of interstate highways, partially un-historic communities, developed metroparks and even 4(4!) golf courses in Cuyahogas 33,000 acres destroy the natural ambience. I understand that much of this development already existed when Cuyahoga became a National Recreation Area in the 70s and I certainly dont believe that any of the parks plentiful historic features should be removed. But for Cuyahoga to truly be worthy of natural park status, the modern development needs be curtailed.

Luke Hansen

I dont even think I had heard of Cuyahoga Valley National Park until I drove by it on my way to New York three years ago. I am someone who has visited a lot of National Parks so I was quite surprised to hear of one for the first time. I was finally able to visit the park this year and was glad I did. National Parks vary greatly. Some are touristy, others are known for their amazing beauty, and some, like Cuyahoga, are meant to be used. I was pleasantly surprised by this park. It is very well used because it is a popular outdoor activity destination for people living in the Cleveland metro area. There were many bicyclists and hikers on the spring day I was there. It was great to see the park so well used and enjoyed. Though you may not have heard of this park if you arent familiar with Ohio, you should definitely check it out if you are anywhere in the vicinity.

David Korosec

We usually love the towpath, but today was a bad day between Peninsula and Boston Mills. Too crowded, trail filled with inconsiderate walkers and bikers who dont know how to move to the right and let people pass. People just stopping in the middle of the trail so their child could blow their nose. Toddlers darting out in front of bikes. A teenage girl actually sat in the center of the Lock 29 bridge posing for photos, causing bikes in both directions to suddenly come to a stop and nearly causing several accidents. Avoid the trail on a busy holiday, come back on an off weekend or weekday when you can enjoy the beauty without all the idiots. They need more volunteers or signs to educate people on trail ettiquitte and close parking lots when the trail gets too full; the trail can only handle so much traffic.

Jim Jackson

This park is nice, but really its a combination of what I would say are state parks, historic sites and preserves. So in my view, this does not meet the National Park standards. Sorry Ohio, this should not be a National Park. Ive seen 31 national parks to date, and like I said, this one is a nice park, great if you live near hear as its very easy to get to. But its really just a collection historic sites and some mediocre hiking trials. It did seem to have a nice biking system though. So for for people who live in the area, it is a great park. If I live here, Id be in this park all the time just for a nature fix and some alone time. Granted I only spent a day in this park, but in many of the 31 NPs Ive visited, I only spent a day there as well. Only the great ones did I spend more time in.

William Steele

Cool National Park with diverse trails and a beautiful waterfall. Its not as large or scenic as most natl parks, but Cuyahoga is definitely worth a visit if youre in the area. While there are some dirt trails, they also have asphalt trails that strollers, wheelchairs, and bikes can easily navigate. Brandywine Falls, in particular, is a must-see and is only a short hike from the parking lot. The boardwalk to it is wide but has lots of stairs so the best views are not accessible by wheelchair or stroller. The trail that passes north-south on the east side of Brandywine Falls is smooth asphalt navigable by tennis-shoe, but if you hike the short loop around Brandywine youll want to wear boots as it is dirt, has lots of climbs, and gets muddy in spots (I enjoyed it).

Jordan Terry

I enjoy that its easy to take a quick 15-30 minute drive to get away from all the hustle and bustle of daily life. There is an amazing amount of different areas within the park as a whole. All along the canalway you can learn bits of history about the area youre in at the time. Many places to see along and stop and rest for a bit as well like Boston Mills for a fruit popsicle or a quick bite to eat at winking lizard tavern if youre a little hungry or maybe fresh fruits and veggies down around Everett. All in all the trails arent too strenuous and following the Cuyahoga river gives you plenty of time to relax in nature and many picturesque places to capture along the way. This is a wonderful park to make memories with the family or by yourself!

Gary Baddorf

This National Park is in the heart of the Cleveland-Akron area. It is very accessible for those of us living in the area and I-80 and I-271 run through it (although mostly above the valley). Its beautiful driving through in the fall as the trees arching over many of the streets are changing colors. Within the park are dozens of hiking trails (many are managed by the Cuyahoga and Summit Counties MetroParks), ski slopes, sledding hills, picnic areas, pavilions, the TowPath bike & hike trail, the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad, the Cuyahoga River and remains of the Ohio-Erie canal including some of the locks, historic homes, even a historic village, and Blossom Music Center (outdoor concert venue and summer home of the Cleveland Orchestra).