• Image of bluebells in the spring

    Cuyahoga Valley

    National Park Ohio

There are park alerts in effect.
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  • Tick Alert

    Multiple tick exposures have been reported by visitors to the park. Please be aware that proper shoes, clothing, use of repellent spray, and checking the body for ticks following a visit to the park are the best way to prevent transmission of disease. More »

  • 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.

  • 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.

Picnicking in the Park

Whether you need an area large enough for a family reunion or an intimate spot for two, you'll enjoy picnicking in the park. Picnic areas are scattered throughout Cuyahoga Valley National Park (CVNP); some provide grills, and all have tables. Alcohol is prohibited in CVNP. All picnic areas are first-come, first-served, with the exception of the Ledges and Octagon Shelters. Both can be reserved for a fee.

There are also many picnic areas within the greater boundary of CVNP that are managed by Metro Parks, Serving Summit County and Cleveland Metroparks. The following chart indicates the size and type of the picnic facilities managed and maintained by the National Park Service.

Location Name

# Tables

Grills

Comfort Stations

Water

Boston Store

3

0

yes

at comfort station

Botzum

4

0

yes

no

Brandywine Falls

8

2

yes

no

Canal Visitor Center

9

1

yes

at comfort station

Columbia Run Picnic Area

3

0

no

no

Deep Lock Quarry - MPSSC

8

4

yes

no

Everett

1

0

yes

no

Frazee House Trailhead

1

0

yes

no

Hampton Hills - MPSSC

3

1

yes

no

Happy Days North/Boston Run

3

0

Porta-John

no

Horseshoe Pond

4

1

yes

no

Hunt Farm

1

0

yes

at comfort station

Hunt Farm Parking Lot

3

0

yes

at comfort station

Ira Trailhead

3

0

yes

no

Kendall Lake Shelter

7

0

yes

at comfort station

Ledges Area

38

38

yes

yes

Ledges Shelter

16

1

yes

yes

Lock 29 Trailhead

1

0

yes

at comfort station

Lock 39 Trailhead Rockside Rd.

3

0

no

no

Maplewood Picnic Area

2

0

no

no

Oak Hill

7

0

yes

no

Octagon Area

17

18

yes

yes

Octagon Shelter

8

1

yes

yes

Peninsula Depot

1

0

yes

at comfort station

Pine Hollow

5

5

yes

at comfort station

Sagamore Grove - CMP

2

1

no

no

Shady Knoll

3

2

no

no

Station Road Bridge

4

0

yes

at comfort station

Valley Picnic Area

3

0

no

no

CMO - Cleveland Metroparks

MPSSC - Metro Parks, Serving Summit County

These locations are marked with a picnic table symbol on our Official Map and Guide.

Did You Know?

Water lilies in beaver marsh area of Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Photo by NPS volunteer John Catalano.

Beaver in Cuyahoga Valley National Park impounded water to create a rich, diverse wetland in an area that was once an automobile junk yard? The area is now home to herons, turtles, amphibians, and many aquatic plants.