Itinerary (One Day Total) – November 2021 & July 2024

• Brandywine Falls Trail (Nov 2021) – 1.4 miles
• Scenic Train Ride (July 2024)
• Ledges Trail (July 2024) – 2.4 miles

---

Cuyahoga Valley National Park

Cuyahoga Valley National Park in Ohio is a unique urban park, notable as the only U.S. national park with a scenic railroad operating entirely within its boundaries, the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad.

The park is also well known for the 20-mile Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail, which preserves a historic 19th-century transportation route.

We first visited in November 2021, making a quick stop at the Boston Mill Visitor Center before hiking the short Brandywine Falls Trail. This easy walk along the boardwalk leads to one of the park’s most popular waterfalls.

Our second visit in July 2024 coincided with the seasonal operation of the scenic train. We rode from Akron to Peninsula, and while the ride itself felt somewhat underwhelming with limited scenery, it was still a unique experience to travel by train within a national park.

That summer, we also explored the Ledges Trail, a 2.5-mile loop considered one of the park’s best hikes. The trail winds through striking rock formations, and walking inside the narrow Crevice was especially memorable.

We also took the opportunity to visit the nearby Viaduct Falls at Viaduct Park, just outside the park’s boundary.