Cuyahoga Valley National Park

We checked another national park off our list, and I have to admit, Cuyahoga Valley National Park completely surprised me.

After visiting more than 50 national parks, I expected another large, self-contained park with a scenic entrance road and major attractions clustered together. Instead, Cuyahoga Valley is unlike any national park we've visited.

Rather than driving through one continuous park, you're constantly moving between forests, rivers, historic towns, farms, and trailheads. One moment you're surrounded by trees, and ten minutes later you're driving through a small community before entering another section of the park. It feels less like visiting a traditional national park and more like exploring an entire valley where nature and local communities have grown together over generations.

The park stretches for miles along the Cuyahoga River and offers fifteen major attractions connected by scenic roads, hiking trails, bike paths, and the historic Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad. While driving is certainly possible, it quickly became obvious that biking is probably the best way to experience the park. Wide, well-maintained multi-use trails follow much of the river corridor, and throughout the day we passed dozens of cyclists, along with volunteer bike ambassadors helping visitors along the route.

Our first stop was the Boston Mill Visitor Center, where one of the park volunteers spent

several minutes showing us the most popular destinations and offering invaluable advice about parking. Every volunteer we met throughout the day was incredibly friendly and knowledgeable, adding a personal touch that really enhanced our visit.

One piece of advice stood out: if you're traveling in an RV, avoid the popular attractions on weekends. Parking can become extremely limited, even for passenger vehicles. Visiting on a Wednesday morning in late June worked perfectly for us, and we were able to find parking without much difficulty.

Our favorite stop was undoubtedly Brandywine Falls, one of the park's signature attractions.

A short walk through a beautiful wooded area leads to a series of boardwalks and staircases built directly into the hillside. The trail itself is almost as interesting as the waterfall, with wooden walkways blending into exposed rock ledges as they wind through the forest.

The overlook at the top offers a glimpse of the 65-foot waterfall, but the real reward comes after descending the long staircase to the lower viewing platform.

While visitors can't reach the base of the falls, the platform provides an outstanding panoramic view as the water cascades into the gorge below. It's one of the prettiest waterfalls we've seen on our travels and is absolutely worth the climb back up.

Another highlight was Beaver Marsh, a peaceful one-mile round-trip walk along the historic

Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail. The wide gravel path is flat and easy to walk, making it accessible for almost everyone. Along the way, remnants of the old canal remind visitors of the valley's rich transportation history before opening onto the quiet marsh, where wildlife is often spotted.

One thing we especially appreciated about Cuyahoga Valley National Park was how dog-friendly it is. Unlike many national parks where pets have limited access, Kona was able to join us on nearly every trail we explored. We saw dogs everywhere throughout the park, making it one of the most pet-friendly national parks we've visited. Kona certainly approved and logged plenty of miles on the trails.

One of the park's unexpected treasures is its collection of working farms. Eight farms

continue to operate within the national park, preserving the valley's agricultural heritage while producing fresh fruits, vegetables, meats, honey, and other local products.

We stopped at one of the larger farm markets between Beaver Marsh and Peninsula, and it quickly became one of our favorite surprises of the day. The market was overflowing with fresh produce. Sweet corn had just arrived, strawberries were in season, and the aroma of freshly picked berries filled the building as we walked through. Local meats, baked goods, honey, jams, and handmade products lined the shelves. Best of all, the large parking area easily accommodated our RV—something that wasn't always true at many of the park's attractions.

Throughout the day we found ourselves driving ten to twenty minutes between destinations. While the distances aren't great, the constant transitions between wooded valleys, historic villages, and scenic overlooks give the park a very different rhythm than most national parks. It's a place that's meant to be explored slowly rather than rushed through.

For visitors looking for even more adventure, the park also offers approximately 26 miles of paddling on the Cuyahoga River, guided ranger walks, historical programs, scenic train rides, and countless hiking and biking opportunities.

Before leaving Boston Mill Visitor Center, we stumbled across one final hidden gem—a

massive beaver mural painted beneath the nearby bridge. It's tucked away enough that many visitors probably drive right past without ever noticing it, but it's worth taking a moment to seek out.

Cuyahoga Valley National Park may not have towering mountains or dramatic canyons, but that's exactly what makes it special. It's a park built around history, recreation, small communities, waterfalls, forests, and the winding river that connects them all. It rewards visitors who take their time, explore beyond the main stops, and enjoy the journey between destinations.

If you're traveling with a dog, enjoy hiking or biking, or simply want a different kind of national park experience, Cuyahoga Valley deserves a place on your travel list. Just arrive early, especially if you're in an RV, and plan to spend the day wandering rather than rushing from stop to stop. Sometimes the drive between the attractions is just as enjoyable as the attractions themselves.