• Image of bluebells in the spring

    Cuyahoga Valley

    National Park Ohio

There are park alerts in effect.
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  • Canal Visitor Center Closure

    Canal Visitor Center will be closed for construction, starting Monday, May 6, 2013. It will reopen with new exhibits in early 2014.

  • Riverview Road Closure

    Riverview Rd from the Cuyahoga Falls line north to the Peninsula line will be re-paved, beginning the week of April 22. Expect delays. Flaggers will direct traffic. Work is expected to be completed by Memorial Day weekend.

  • Towpath Trail Closure

    NPS has closed the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail from Hillside Road to Stone Road in Valley View. A section of the trail is not passable due to hazardous conditions caused by erosion. Towpath is expected to be open by Memorial Day, May 27.

  • Bald Eagle Closure in Effect

    RR tracks, and 30 foot right of way on either side, are closed to all foot traffic from the Rt. 82 Bridge at Station Rd, north to the RR tracks at. The Cuyahoga R. downstream of the Brecksville Dam to the Fitzwater Rd Bridge is closed to water activities.

Reservable Picnic Shelters

There are two rustic shelters available for rent in the Virginia Kendall Unit of Cuyahoga Valley National Park (CVNP). The shelters were constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps of American chestnut and locally quarried sandstone. They are located on Truxell/Virginia Kendall Road between Akron Cleveland Road and Akron Peninsula Road. Both shelters are fully accessible.
 
Ledges Shelter

The Ledges Shelter

NPS/TIM FENNER

The Ledges Shelter
701 Truxell Road, 1 mile west of Akron Cleveland Road, Peninsula 44264
Click here for map.

The Ledges Shelter is located near the Ritchie Ledges, approximately two miles of Sharon Conglomerate stone cliffs about thirty feet in height. The shelter is adjacent to a large field and hiking trails. The building has two fireplaces, eight picnic tables inside, eight picnic tables in the outside pavilion, and a large grill outside. It accommodates up to 75 people.

 
Octagon Shelter

Octagon Shelter

©D.J. Reiser

The Octagon Shelter
801 Truxell Road, 1.5 miles west of Akron Cleveland Road, Peninsula 44264
Click here for map.

The Octagon Shelter is named for its shape. During the summer months the walls are removed; they are in place from about October 15 to May 1. The Octagon Shelter is also near the Ritchie Ledges, hiking trails, and a large field. There are seven indoor picnic tables, two fireplaces, and an outside grill. It accommodates up to 50 people.

 

Electricity, Drinking Water, and Restrooms
Limited electricity is available at both shelters. The shelters can accommodate normal household appliances such as coffee pots and crock pots. Drinking water is available at a drinking fountain from May 1 - September 15. Restrooms with flush toilets are available year round.


Availability
Reservations are taken as early as one year in advance of the date based on availability.

Hours of Operation

Dates
Hours of Availability
May 1 - September 30
10 a.m. - 9 p.m.
October 1 - April 30
10 a.m. - 6 p.m.


Fees
$110 weekends and holidays
$80 weekdays

How to Make a Reservation
To make a reservation, visit the on-line national reservation system, www.recreation.gov.

Regulations
Alcoholic beverages are prohibited in Cuyahoga Valley National Park by the Code of Federal Regulations.

A Special Use Permit is required for weddings outside the shelter.

Feeding of wildlife is not permitted. All natural and human resources in Cuyahoga Valley National Park are protected under National Park Service policy. Make no disturbances to manmade structures or natural features.

Frequently Asked Questions:
Is music permitted?
Music is permitted. It cannot exceed 60 decibels; therefore, if the music can be heard in the parking lot, it is too loud. If you use a public address system other than for a disk jockey, a Special Use Permit may be required.

Are the shelters heated?
The only source of heat is the fireplaces. The fireplaces sometimes take the chill off; however they don't truly warm the buildings in winter.

Is wood provided for use in the fireplaces?
Wood is provided; however, the group must provide their own kindling and start the fire themselves.

Can I come look inside the shelter ahead of time?
You can look through the windows but we do not have staff available to open the shelters for viewing ahead of time.

Are the shelters wheelchair accessible?
Both shelters are fully accessible.

Did You Know?

Drawing of a mule driver on the Ohio & Erie Canal.

A young James A. Garfield, 20th President of the United States, worked briefly as a mule boy on the Ohio & Erie Canal, an important cultural resource within Cuyahoga Valley National Park.