• Image of bluebells in the spring

    Cuyahoga Valley

    National Park Ohio

There are park alerts in effect.
show Alerts »

  • 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. Final resurfacing and striping will take place following the Memorial Day holiday.

  • 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.

Cuyahoga Valley Trails Council

Alternative Spring Break Students

Alternative Spring Break students work on improving trails in the park.

©MIKE KOSMYNA

Volunteer for the Enjoyment of Others!
No Experience Necessary

Purpose
The Cuyahoga Valley Trails Council (CVTC) was organized in 1985 to "promote, coordinate, and participate in the building, inspection, maintenance, improvement, and enjoyment of trails in and around the Cuyahoga Valley."

The CVTC works with the National Park Service to carry out the development of the planned network of over 200 miles of trails in Cuyahoga Valley National Park (CVNP). With guidance from the National Park Service and from CVNP's 1985 Trail Plan, the CVTC sponsors numerous trail work projects which involve both the maintenance of existing trails and the development of new trails.

Organization
The CVTC is a nonprofit, 501(C)(3) corporation, directed by a Board of Trustees representing four trail user groups: hikers, bicyclists, equestrians, and crosscountry skiers. The CVTC is not a membership organization; all are welcome to participate in any activities sponsored by the CVTC. To sign-up for the monthly newsletter, E-Trails, click here.

Trail Work
Trail work projects are scheduled once a month from March through December, usually on the third Saturday of the month. Anyone can be a trail work volunteer; no experience, special skills, or special tools are required. Volunteers clear new trails, install drainage systems, build bridges and steps, and perform many other vital maintenance functions. Materials are provided by the National Park Service. Fully trained crew leaders direct each project. Visit www.cvtrailscouncil.org to view work schedules.

Special Projects
The CVTC assists CVNP with special events and cleanup projects, such as RiverDay, National Trails Day, and National Public Lands Day. The CVTC provides ideas for worksites and leadership for events.

Stanford Trail Bridge
In 2008, CVTC purchased and installed the $15,000 fiberglass bridge on the Stanford Trail. Click here for photos.

Brandywine Gorge Trail Bridge
In October 2009, CVTC volunteers worked alongside NPS staff to assemble and install the Brandywine Gorge Trail Bridge, a 3-section, 165-foot long, fiberglass bridge spanning Brandywine Creek. Read more.

Publications
The CVTC produces the popular Trail Guide Handbook: Cuyahoga Valley National Park, a comprehensive guide to all the trails in CVNP and The Nature of the Towpath, a natural history guide to the Towpath Trail. CVTC publications are available at CVNP visitor centers and at numerous outfitters, bookstores, and specialty shops in Northeast Ohio. Proceeds from the books support CVTC activities.

Did You Know?

Image courtesy of Cleveland Museum of Natural History

American Indians in the Cuyahoga Valley were influenced by the Hopewell Culture, which created large mound complexes in central Ohio from 100 B.C. – A.D. 500? In the Cuyahoga Valley, American Indians built small mounds rather than large ceremonial centers.