DId you know that Cleveland has a national park in its backyard? Located just south of this Ohio city is Cuyahoga Valley National Park. But just because it’s not as popular as other parks like Yellowstone or the Smokies doesn’t mean it’s not worth a visit! This hidden gem of the Midwest features beautiful waterfalls and impressive rock formations without the huge crowds you typically see at more well-known national parks. Cuyahoga Valley is also a great destination when traveling with kids and has a wide selection of trails friendly for all ages. Below, we share our picks for the best hikes in Cuyahoga Valley National Park for families. Plus, we discuss hotel and food recommendations in the area as well!
BRANDYWINE FALLS
Brandywine Falls is perhaps the most famous attraction in all of Cuyahoga Valley National Park. The best part about it is that a hike isn’t actually required to get to this beautiful waterfall. There is a parking lot right next to the boardwalk leading down to the falls.
However, for families who want to add a little more adventure, we suggest parking at the lot but adding on the Brandywine Gorge Trail either before or after you head down the boardwalk. A few quick facts about this hike:
- It is a 1.5 mile loop from the parking lot. The trail consists of some steps and a bridge, taking you down to the creek level.
- Due to its popularity, we recommend going earlier in the morning before the parking lot fills up.
- The trail connects to others, so if you want additional adventure, consider hiking to Brandywine Falls from the Boston Mill Visitor Center.
BLUE HEN FALLS
Blue Hen Falls is another popular waterfall in Cuyahoga Valley. While it is not as large as Brandywine Falls, it has a much more intimate feel. In fact, you can get right up to the falls and even go for a dip in the water. Unfortunately, on our second visit, the trail was closed. But when it’s open, it’s definitely worth a hike! What else should you know?
- To access the trailhead, you can park at the Boston Mill Visitor Center and take the Buckeye Trail.
- It is about a 3-mile round trip and has several elevation changes and stairs, which may be challenging to others.
- There is an area that requires an unmarked road crossing, so be sure to cross with caution.
THE LEDGES
The Ledges is one of our favorite hikes in Cuyahoga Valley. The trail passes through and gets you up close to amazing rock formations that all ages will enjoy. The immersive hike truly makes you feel small and appreciate the size of the rock walls. This is definitely a can’t miss when you visit this park! Here are some additional details:
- There is a decently-sized parking lot by the trailhead and a reservable shelter.
- It is a 1.8 mile loop, but is connected to a large network of trails in the area if you wish to extend your hike. The signs and paths may get a bit confusing, but it is pretty easy to find your way back to the parking lot.
- The rocky unpaved trail is not too difficult to traverse but you’ll just want to watch your step throughout the hike.
KENDALL LAKE
Near the Ledges Trail is Kendall Lake. This is a great area for a picnic lunch, fishing and overall relaxing. There is also a nice loop trail around the lake for those that want to get a short easy hike in. A few items to remember:
- It is a mile loop that is mostly flat. It is also dog-friendly if you want to bring your furry friend along!
- There is a large parking lot with plenty of spaces available right by the lake.
- We made the mistake of trying to use a cheap umbrella stroller on this trail with our baby. The path was a bit too rough for it and we wished we had brought our jogging stroller instead.
Kendall Lake by Jen Goellnitz is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0.
WHERE TO STAY NEAR CUYAHOGA VALLEY
On our first visit to this national park, we camped in a tent onsite at one of the five primitive campsites available in the park. Since then, Cuyahoga Valley no longer offers camping within the park. If you are set on camping, there are other options available in nearby campgrounds and state parks.
A great hotel option is the Embassy Suites by Hilton Cleveland Rockside. This hotel is located in nearby Independence, Ohio and is just a 20 minute drive away from the park’s Boston Mill Visitor Center. It is also less than 20 minutes away from downtown Cleveland, making it a great central location. The hotel is located on a quieter, secluded street off the main road, which has plenty of dining options. It is also 0.2 miles away from a TopGolf location for additional family fun.
Like other Embassy Suites locations, this one features spacious two-room suites, perfect for families who want to spread out. We loved being able to set up our Pack and Play for our baby in the bedroom and spend time out in the living room while he slept. We of course enjoyed the free cocktail receptions each evening. What we love doing is picking up dinner and grabbing some free drinks from the bar to enjoy in our room. It’s a great way to save money on dining out while traveling! Embassy Suites also typically have a great complimentary breakfast including omelette stations. Unfortunately, we experienced a limited breakfast due to COVID-19, so we cannot provide a full review for this location.
WHAT TO EAT NEAR CUYAHOGA VALLEY
Being located in between Cleveland and Akron, there are plenty of dining options near the park. Below are some of our favorites:
Swensons: this is a regional drive-in restaurant chain with several locations that’s great for the whole family. Pull your car into a parking spot, flip on your headlights and wait for a server to come running to you car. (Yes, the servers actually run between the kitchen and the cars.) The flagship item here is the “Galley Boy”, a double cheeseburger with two special sauces, which we highly recommend. We also love the potato teezers (potato, cheese and jalapeño fried together) and their fruit sodas (California: grape, Florida: orange, Ohio: cherry). They also offer a variety of sandwiches, soups, fried seafood, a children’s menu and milkshakes.
Momocho: Smoked trout guacamole? Goat cheese guacamole? If you want to try some delicious and unique guacamoles, you need to check out Momocho in Cleveland, OH. We first heard of this restaurant on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. (Who else loves that show?) Located in the Ohio City neighborhood of Cleveland, this hip Mod Mex restaurant has a great variety of appetizers and entrees. We highly recommend both the smoked trout and goat cheese guacamoles (those may sound like weird combinations, but you gotta try them!) We also got the Machaca Taquitos, which came with 6 corn tortillas and beef brisket braised with coffee and ancho chiles. Indoor and outdoor seating is available.
Missing Mountain Brewing Company: if you are a craft beer fan, you’ll want to visit Missing Mountain in Cuyahoga Falls. They have an outdoor patio in a beautiful setting along the river in addition to an indoor dining area. They brew a variety of beer styles and a flight is a great way to try a bunch of flavors. Missing Mountain also features a small menu including appetizers, sandwiches, salads and flatbreads. The food is good but a bit overpriced in our opinion. If you can’t stay, be sure to pick up some crowlers or cans to take home!
Winking Lizard Tavern: this is an Ohio chain that serves your typical menu of bar food. Pizza, burgers, nachos, wings: you’ll find it all here. A kids menu is also available for families. We enjoyed the boneless wings (so many good sauce options available!) and the vegetarian pizza. If you stay at the Embassy Suites location we shared about above, there is a Winking Lizard located less than a mile away. Pick up your meal, grab some free drinks from the complimentary hotel happy hour and enjoy a great dinner in the comfort of your room!
LET'S GO HIKING!
Now that you know the best hikes in Cuyahoga Valley for families, plus where to stay and eat nearby, it’s time to start planning your trip to Ohio! If you’re looking for a national park that’s not as crowded but still delivers a beautiful outdoor experience, be sure to add this one to your list. If you have any questions about Cuyahoga Valley, leave them in the comments below. Also, please check out our other National Park guides for more great family adventure ideas!