Cuyahoga Valley National Park in Brecksville, Ohio

May 2022, Weekend and weekday

This park is along the route we took to West Virginia with easy access from I-80. We had initially planned to stop on only one day; however, our plans changed due to construction at the falls. Our original plan was to visit Boston Mill Visitor Center and Brandywine Falls by car, and then hike Ledges Trail on the way to our nearby hotel. When we arrived, we learned the parking lot at Brandywine Falls was under construction, and that the only way to get to the falls was a 5-mile hike (roundtrip). We did not have enough time to hike both areas, so we hiked Ledges Trail the first day, and then stopped again on our return to hike to the falls.

Cuyahoga River behind Boston Mill Visitor Center

Boston Mill Visitor Center

The visitor center was open when we stopped on Sunday afternoon; however, it was not open when we stopped in the afternoon on a weekday. It was fully staffed on Sunday, and employees were very helpful. There is no charge to enter the visitor center, or to hike the trails.

Ledges Trail in Cuyahoga Valley National Park

Ledges Trail

It is quite easy to hike this entire trail, although many people walked to just the main viewing spots. It is a beautiful hike. The entire loop was less than 3 miles.

Ledges Trail in Cuyahoga Valley National Park
Overlook near picnic area below

There are flush toilets near the shelter, and there is a picnic area near the overlook with many spaced out picnic tables. You can connect to Octagon Trailhead and parking lot from Ledges Trail.

Brandywine Falls in Cuyahoga Valley National Park

Brandywine Falls

The hike to Brandywine Falls via Stanford Trail from Boston Trailhead parking lot is about 5 miles round trip. This is not an easy hike, as there are many hills and elevation changes. We also had to step on stones to cross water near a construction area when we got close to the falls. If you happen to be visiting Stanford House, the hike from there is almost 2 miles less. The portion eliminated, however, is the flat easy segment on Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail before connecting to Stanford Trail.

Above: One of the hills on Stanford trail in Cuyahoga Valley National Park
Below: Brandywine Falls in Cuyahoga Valley National Park

We did this hike on a weekday and parked in the Boston Trailhead parking lot because the visitor center and parking lot were both closed. The parking lot was closed off for repairs.

Walkway at Brandywine Falls in Cuyahoga Valley National Park

This is an amazing park! I highly recommend a visit, and hope we can visit again some day.