How to Spend One Day at Cuyahoga Valley National Park | Dog Friendly Hikes, Restaurants, and More
When you think of Ohio, do you think of one of the top 10 most-visited National Parks? Me neither, and I grew up less than an hour from Cuyahoga Valley National Park!
When I was little, my parents and I would visit Cuyahoga Valley National Park for special events, like the Polar Express night on the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad, but I never truly appreciated how amazing it is to be in such close proximity to a National Park. To be fair, when I was younger, I had a strong aversion to the outdoors (I hated bugs, being sweaty, and didn’t understand the appeal of walking in nature… how things have changed!)
As an adult, I was so excited to discover that Cuyahoga Valley National Park is one of the most dog-friendly parks in the country. There are so many dog-friendly trails and outdoor experiences that you can bring your pup along for, and the park is generally accessible in all seasons. We visited in February and had a fantastic time. However, more farm markets and water sport rentals are open during summer months, so keep this in mind when planning your own visit! Keep reading to see how we spent one day in Cuyahoga Valley National Park, plus additional travel tips if you visit in a warmer season.
One Day in Cuyahoga Valley National Park
Boston Mill Visitor Center
Drive into the park and start your day at the Boston Mill Visitor Center. Get your National Parks passport stamp, pick up a trail map, and chat with a park ranger about the area! The Visitor Center has a fantastic educational display about the flora and fauna of Cuyahoga Valley, and you can see the Boston Mills Ski Area and the Cuyahoga River from just outside the front door.
Brandywine Falls
Next, head just down the road to the iconic Brandywine Falls. (You can also hike from the Boston Mill Visitor Center to Brandywine Falls on a round-trip trail that covers approximately five miles.) Once you arrive at the falls, there are two main viewing opportunities: a 0.1 mile boardwalk and a 1.5 mile trail along the Brandywine Gorge Loop. Both offer spectacular views of the falls and are dog-friendly, so you can choose either viewing experience based on your energy levels. I recommend both if time allows!
Lunch
For lunch, we opted to pack a picnic and ate outside of the Boston Mill Visitor Center. Most trailheads throughout the park have picnic areas attached, so you will always be able to find a comfortable place to eat. If you are looking for a nearby restaurant, I highly recommend Pierogies of Cleveland. With 35 flavors of handmade pierogi, including four vegan options, the selection cannot be beat! For more of a sports bar feel, Fishers offers a menu of pub food such as wings, burgers, and BBQ. Plant-based options are limited, but they do have a black bean burger!
Ledges Trail
After you’ve refueled, head to the Cuyahoga Valley Ledges Trailhead. Along the Ledges Trail, you will see incredible rock formations that were shaped by rushing rivers and glaciers. About halfway through the hike, you will come upon a stunning overlook. (This view is especially gorgeous in the Autumn.) This trail has MANY other connector trails attached, so be sure to download a map ahead of time and follow it closely! The trail is well marked, but it is still easy to get turned around. We ended up hiking closer to four miles before making it back to the car.
Head Home!
And that does it for our single day itinerary in Cuyahoga Valley National Park! After we hiked The Ledges Trail, we drove two hours back to our home in Columbus, OH. I had the best time showing Elliot his first National Park, and we will definitely be back to explore more of what the park has to offer (like kayaks, more hikes, and the scenic railway)!
In-Season Stops
Because we visited in February, some of the best farm markets were not open! If you visit during the Summer / Fall seasons, be sure to check out Szalay’s Farm Market and the Cuyahoga Valley Farmers Market. These stops can be slotted in at any time during the morning or afternoon - just be sure to check for seasonal hours before heading to either!
Szalay’s Farm began in 1931 as a vegetable farm. Now after 92 years and four generations, Szalay’s Farm now specializes in farming sweet corn and hosts an old-fashion farm market that offers a wide variety of fruits, veggies, and prepared goods. If you visit on the weekend, you have to try Szalay’s signature food - roasted street corn dipped in a butter bath! It’s such a Midwest classic.
The Cuyahoga Valley Farmers Market is one of my favorite farmers markets that I have ever been to. It is hosted in a beautiful field in the Cuyahoga Valley, and vendors are comfortably spread out - very different from the sidewalk markets that I’m used to in the city! The market offers a wide selection of locally grown and produced items including prepared foods, fruits, vegetables, fresh cut flowers, maple syrup, locally roasted coffee, and so much more! Dogs are welcome in the market during Yappy Hour (11am-12pm). If you want to bring your pup but don’t want to miss out on your favorite items, you can place a preorder on the market’s website. This is a great option to make sure you get the most popular items, like as the fruit from Dillon Fruit Farm. Their fresh peaches are the best I’ve ever tasted!