Cuyahoga Valley National Park

Welcome to the audio-described version of Cuyahoga Valley National Park's official print brochure. Through text and audio descriptions of photos, illustrations, and maps, this version interprets the two-sided color brochure that Cuyahoga Valley visitors receive. The brochure explores the history of the park, some of its highlights, and information for planning your visit. This audio version lasts about an hour. We have divided it into 11 sections, as a way to improve the listening experience. Sections 3-5 cover the front of the brochure. The front which features a large illustration of the valley, with text overlaid along three sides. Sections 6-11 cover the back of the brochure. The back consists of an introduction to the four main north-south transportation routes, a driving map of Cuyahoga Valley, an inset map of the National Heritage Area, and trip planning information. 

Cuyahoga Valley National Park is a green space between two cities in northeast Ohio. The 33,000-acre park borders Cleveland to the north and Akron to the south. It is part of the National Park Service, within the US Department of the Interior. Established in 1974, it was the result of local activism and a federal "Parks to the People" policy, born of the environmental and the Civil Rights movements. The park protects 20 miles of the Cuyahoga River, which flows north into Lake Erie. Both waterways were infamous for being polluted and are much cleaner now due to the laws they helped inspire.

The four main arteries pass through the heart of the valley. The river, canal towpath, scenic railroad, and automobile byway extend north and south, linking the valley to the cities. Each year, more than 2 million visitors come to the national park to pursue their interests. There are scenery and wildlife for photographers. There are miles of trails for hiking, biking, horseback riding, paddling, and cross-country skiing. Farms and markets sell fresh food. Venues offer concerts and programs.

To learn more during your visit, our mobile website (www.nps.gov/cuva) includes audio descriptions of park locations and exhibits. Boston Mill Visitor Center has a tactile map of the valley and rangers to answer your questions. To find out more about the resources that are available or to contact the park directly, visit the "Accessibility" and "More Information" sections at the end of this audio-described brochure.

DESCRIBING: Front side of the "Cuyahoga Valley National Park" park map and guide. The brochure is 16.5 by 23.5 inches. It folds into 12 sections (2 by 6) with a folded measurement of 8.25 by 4 inches. 

DESCRIPTION: The front of the brochure is a color illustration of Cuyahoga Valley with a black title band at the top. The illustration is a collage that conveys a birds eye view from Beaver Marsh in the south to Cleveland and Lake Erie in the north. The park story is explained through an introduction titled "Along the Crooked River" and through nine thematic sections that highlight aspects of the illustration. 

The black title band is 16.5 by 1.5 inches. In the upper left corner is "Cuyahoga Valley" in white text. In the upper right corner is a 0.5 by 0.5 inch national park service arrowhead logo with a white mountain, a green tree, and a white bison. To the left, white text reads "Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Ohio, National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior." 

The northern third of the collage includes the Cleveland skyline in the top left corner and the following labeled scenes below: "Canal Exploration Center," "Tinkers Creek Gorge," and "Station Road Bridge." 

The middle third of the collage is the "Heart of the Park." Labeled scenes include: "Boston Mills Ski Resort," "Boston Mill Visitor Center," "Brandywine Falls," and "Deep Lock Quarry." 

The bottom third shows the valley south of Everett with the Beaver Marsh painted at a larger scale along the bottom edge. Labeled scenes include: "Cuyahoga Valley Environmental Education Center," "Everett Covered Bridge," "Ledges," "Kendall Lake," "Blossom Music Center," "Hale Farm and Village," "Indigo Lake,"  "Countryside Farmers' Market at Howe Meadow," "Hunt House," and "Beaver Marsh." There are four labeled arteries that travel south to north through the valley to Cleveland: "Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad," "America's Byway," "Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath Trail," and "Cuyahoga River."

DESCRIBING: Overview of the full page color Illustration of "Cuyahoga Valley National Park." The illustration is 16.5 by 22 inches. The text flows from left to right and from top to bottom.

DESCRIPTION: The painting is divided into thirds for clarity and flow. For further audio description visit each individual section.

The perspective is a bird's eye view over the valley, oriented with the south end of the valley at the bottom and the north end at the top. The southern part of the valley is a larger scale and gets smaller as the illustration moves north. The view follows the meandering "Cuyahoga River" with its many curves from the south end of the park to Lake Erie. The large illustration is mostly composed of shades of green, with different scenes depicting different seasons in the valley. Views of the river, railroad tracks, a walking and biking path, and road come in and out of view at the center of the illustration. 

The illustration begins with the brochure folded showing the top left section of the illustration.  In the top left corner is the Cleveland City skyline with Lake Erie to the right. The four main means of transportation through the park, "Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad," "Cuyahoga River," "Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail," and "America's Byway," are visible as they curve through the north part of the valley toward the city. A yellow train station is on the left edge of the illustration with people standing next to it. From the station, there is a gray bridge that leads to  "Canal Exploration Center." 

The back of the folded brochure is the top right section of the illustration. There are two bald eagles in flight above a green forest. In the bottom right corner is "Tinkers Creek Gorge." 

As you unfold the brochure the whole view of the illustration can be seen. The upper third of the illustration includes the sections of the illustration visible when folded. Below, the bridge marked "Route 82" connects the two sides of the valley. The river, towpath, byway, and railroad tracks pass under the bridge. The smaller "Station Road Bridge" crosses the river below the "Route 82" bridge.

The middle third of the illustration depicts two interstate highway bridges across the valley with "I-271" north of "I-80." Below, the "271" bridge is the village of Boston, also known as the "Heart of the Park." The "Boston Mill Visitor Center" is located in "Boston." Along the left valley wall is "Boston Mills Ski Resort." Along the right valley wall is "Brandywine Falls." Below both bridges the byway, railroad tracks, river, and towpath are moving through the valley. South of the bridges is the village of "Peninsula" with the river, towpath, and railroad running next to it on the left. Along the left valley wall is "Deep Lock Quarry" to the right of the byway.

The bottom third of the illustration is drawn at a larger scale. In the bottom center is "Beaver Marsh." The railroad and byway run along the left border of the marsh. The train is visible on the tracks. The Towpath Trail goes across the marsh on the right. The river is on the far right side. Following the Towpath Trail north from the marsh is "Hunt House," surrounded by farm fields.

The left side of the bottom third includes "Countryside Farmer's Market at Howe Meadow" to the left of the railroad. Above the market along the railroad to the left is "Indigo Lake." To the left of the lake is "Hale Farm & Village." Above the farm is "Everett Covered Bridge" along the left valley wall. Above the bridge is "Cuyahoga Valley Environmental Education Center."

The right side of the bottom third includes "Ledges," "Kendall Lake," and "Blossom Music Center" along the right valley wall. 

Credit: NPS / Greg Harlin

DESCRIBING: Top left (northwest) section of the full page illustration.

DESCRIPTION: The top section of the painting shows a distant view of the city of Cleveland with tall buildings on the left and Lake Erie meeting the skyline. An ore freighter floats on the lake. The four main means of transportation through the park ("Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad," "Cuyahoga River," "Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail," and "America's Byway") are visible as they curve through the north part of the valley toward the city.  

Along the narrow Towpath Trail is a white double roofed building that sits at the crossing of two roads. In front of the building is a canal lock with its long wooden beams and heavy wooden gates. The area is labeled "Canal Exploration Center."  Bridges cross over the canal and river and lead to a small yellow train station to the west. Train tracks parallel the west side of the river. Two people in kayaks paddle northward on the river. On the Towpath Trail, people walk and bike. Along America's Byway, on the far right, is a small white house and a large red barn nestled against a hillside.

RELATED TEXT: Along the Crooked River. Before the Cuyahoga River empties into Lake Erie in downtown Cleveland (above), it snakes through a green, welcoming valley. People have relied on the river for thousands of years. The lower Cuyahoga was part of early transportation networks. Later it powered industry and grew cities. It became infamous for its pollution, rallying the nation. Today a cleaner Cuyahoga River shows us how nature’s renewal benefits the entire metropolitan area.

Cuyahoga Valley National Park protects the river between Akron and Cleveland. It is a patchwork of natural areas, villages, and small farms. Families stroll after dinner along the canal towpath. Water lilies part as a lone beaver swims across a marsh. Valley slopes teem with skiers and sledders in winter. Uplands offer forests, rock ledges, and waterfalls to inspire the spirit.

DESCRIBING: Central section of the full page illustration of Cuyahoga Valley National Park.

DESCRIPTION: The village of "Boston" is in the center of the park and of the painting. The river, railroad tracks, and Towpath Trail all pass through the village. The western valley wall is a snow covered slope with ski lifts. At the base are several low buildings labelled "Boston Mills Ski Resort." The resort is on America's Byway. Across the road to the east, a passenger train with a yellow and red locomotive travels south along the tracks. The train approaches a small yellow station in the village of Boston. 

"Boston Mill Visitor Center" is between the tracks and the river. A walkway connects the visitor center to the station and a parking lot. Smaller buildings cluster around the main visitor center building. 

A road crosses America's Byway and leads east into the village. One and two story buildings line the main street, which fades into the valley's east wall. Just north of the village sits a row of identical yellow buildings labelled "Jaite." Just south of Boston is a high level bridge labelled "Interstate 271." Cars and trucks drive across both bridges spanning the valley.

RELATED TEXT:  Boston, Heart of the Park. Villages like Boston developed along the Ohio & Erie Canal in the early 1800s. By midcentury, Boston had boat yards, a lumber mill, a brickyard, and a warehouse.

Canal transport became obsolete in the 1880s, when the railroad arrived. Along tracks laid on the west side of the river, Valley Railway moved farm produce and goods faster, and at less cost.

One of the newer businesses built beside the tracks made roofing paper and paper sacks to hold flour. The factory’s former company store is now Boston Mill Visitor Center. Here rangers and volunteers can help you plan a visit to suit your interests, time, and needs. The river, train, canal towpath, and scenic byway are only steps away.

DESCRIBING: Top right (northeast) corner of the full-page illustration of Cuyahoga Valley. The scene is labelled "Tinkers Creek Gorge." 

DESCRIPTION: A wooden boardwalk leads to an overlook platform with railings. The platform is perched at the edge of a ridge. Three people, one with binoculars, look out over the gorge. In the distance below, the creek is just visible through the green-and-orange autumn trees. A graphic panel is set at the end of the platform. 

RELATED TEXT: Scenic Views. Cuyahoga Valley has a long history as a place where people from Cleveland and Akron connect with nature. In the 1920s, community leaders established Bedford Reservation, which included Tinkers Creek Gorge, to protect upland scenery. Its deciduous forest offers spectacular color in fall.

DESCRIBING: Top center of the full-page illustration of Cuyahoga Valley. The scene is labelled "Station Road Bridge." 

DESCRIPTION: A bird-eye view of curvy section of river, spanned by two bridges. The river meanders out of view to the left. Valley walls rise steeply on the left and right. Two kayakers paddle the river. To the right, a grey trail runs along the river. An old-style iron truss bridge crosses the river at the bottom of the valley. It connects a parking lot on the left to the grey trail on the right. This is labeled "Station Road Bridge."  A larger bridge, labeled "Route 82," stretches across the top of the valley in the background. It disappears into the trees on both sides. The taller concrete bridge has a flat top, and four arches underneath. The Ohio and Erie Canal parallels the river and the trail. On the left side by the parking lot, a small yellow train station sits along railroad tracks that run along the river and under the concrete bridge. Two adult bald eagles soar in the sky above. They have dark brown bodies, and bright white heads and tails.

RELATED TEXT: Renewal. In 1969 the Cuyahoga River fire in Cleveland focused national attention on water pollution. The fire led to environmental activism, new laws, and the realization that protecting water is a shared responsibility.

When water recovers, wildlife recovers. In 2007 a pair of bald eagles nesting near Station Road Bridge raised the first chick ever recorded in the valley. Visit the park to see people and nature working together.

DESCRIBING: Upper right side of the full-page illustration of Cuyahoga Valley, below the "Tinkers Creek Gorge" scene. The scene is labelled "Brandywine Falls." 

DESCRIPTION: A gorge is set into the forested uplands on the east side of the valley. At the top of the gorge, a waterfall tumbles over gray rocks. In the foreground, an observation platform reaches out into the gorge and two people look over the falls. On the opposite side of the gorge, on the left, a white house with small out buildings sits in a green lawn. 

RELATED TEXT: Waterfalls. Visit the park’s many falls in any season. Water tumbles over rocks formed when inland seas covered the continent. Delicate plant communities grow in these moist, cool areas. Brandywine Falls is near the remains of a lost village.

DESCRIBING: The four main transportation arteries thread south to north through the center of the full page illustration of Cuyahoga Valley. The four modes of transportation are labelled at the bottom of the Illustration.

DESCRIPTION: The four main modes of transportation are shown in detail at the bottom edge of the painting. "Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad" is to the right of "Countryside Farmer's Market at Howe Meadow." To the right of the railroad is "America's Byway." The "Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail" goes across the right side of "Beaver Marsh." The "Cuyahoga River" is to the right of the towpath and marsh. Images of the different transportation routes come in and out of view throughout the center of the illustration as it heads north toward Cleveland.

"Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad" is shown as a 15 car train that provides transportation via stations throughout the valley and south to Akron. The train is facing south. The front of the locomotive is yellow. A red horizontal stripe forms a V in the center of the nose, and continues down the length of the train. On the side of the train, the red stripe is wider and has a yellow border above and below. On the first two cars the train is black above the upper yellow border with silver metal below the lower yellow border on the side. The rest of the cars are silver metal except for the striping. The front of the locomotive has two windows. Starting with the third car, there are windows placed along the sides, within the red stripe. The fourth car has a glass observation dome in the middle of the roof. 

A distant second train can be seen at "Boston Mill Visitor Center." There are yellow stations next to railroad tracks by "Canal Exploration Center," "Station Road Bridge, "Boston Mill Visitor Center," and "Indigo Lake." There is a red station in Peninsula.

"America's Byway" is a two lane designated driving route. At the bottom edge of the illustration, the paved road runs beside the railroad. Two cars, red and dark gray, head south and a light gray car heads north. Additional cars can be seen driving along the road throughout the painting. To the right of the byway is "Beaver Marsh." In the distance, the byway passes "Deep Lock Quarry," "Boston Mills Ski Resort," "Jaite," and "Canal Exploration Center."

The "Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail" is a path for people to hike and bike the length of the park and beyond. People can be seen on the boardwalk across "Beaver Marsh." They are walking, biking, and looking out at the marsh. One person uses a wheelchair. The boardwalk's north end has viewing platforms on either side. Below it is a larger octagonal viewing platform, extending left. The trail extends north to "Hunt House," "Peninsula," "Boston," "Station Road Bridge," and "Canal Exploration Center."   

The "Cuyahoga River" begins in the bottom right corner of the illustration and meanders north through the park to Cleveland and Lake Erie. A red and a yellow kayak navigate the blue river near "Beaver Marsh." Additional kayakers are shown below the "I 80" bridge that divides "Peninsula" and "Boston," south of "Station Road Bridge," and near "Canal Exploration Center." At "Canal Exploration Center," two people fish at the river's edge. 

From the bottom of the illustration to "Peninsula," an unlabeled road follows the right side of the river. It intersects two roads. The first leads left to "Hunt House." The second leads right to "Kendall Lake" and the "Ledges." Other east to west roads appear in "Peninsula," "Boston," and "Jaite." 

In the center of the painting, two highway bridges cross the valley horizontally, just south of  “Boston.” Each one is gray and has four lanes.  The lower is labeled “I 80” and the upper bridge is labeled “I 271." The east side of the “I 271” bridge curves up to the right, while the “I 80” bridge remains straight. Each bridge stands on vertical pairs of supports that follow the shape of the valley. These pillars are tallest in the middle and shorter near each end. A half dozen vehicles cross each of the bridges, including the occasional white or red semi trailer. The ends of each bridge fade into misty green near the edges of the illustration.

RELATED TEXT: Transportation. Native Americans who canoed the lower Cuyahoga River found that it offered a favorable portage between the Great Lakes and the Mississippi River. In the 1700s European fur traders set up temporary trading posts along the lower river, where they exchanged cloth, metal, and guns for pelts.

In the early 1800s engineers diverted water from the lower Cuyahoga River for a canal that, for a few decades, was an important link in an inland shipping network.

The Ohio & Erie Canal connected heartland farms to East Coast ports, launched Cleveland and Akron as major cities, and helped build a national trade economy. Today the park preserves and adapts the Cuyahoga Valley’s historic canal, and the railroad that supplanted it, for recreation.

DESCRIBING: Lower right side of the full-page illustration of Cuyahoga Valley, below "Brandywine Falls" and the Interstate "271" and "80" bridges. The scene includes three labelled sites along the valley's southeastern edge.

DESCRIPTION:

Three detailed scenes are stacked vertically in this section. From top to bottom, they are labeled: “Ledges,” “Kendall Lake,” and “Blossom Music Center.” The Ledges and Kendall Lake driveways come off the same unlabeled road. Misty green fog covers the land between the scenes.

"Ledges" is a horizontal, oval-shaped scene that fades to misty green at its edges. A flat-topped, gray-and-green rock formation rises above and around a trail in a forest. The cliff edges taper inward from the top, narrowing toward the base. A trail enters from the bottom left and winds between thin tree trunks, following the base of the rock formation. The trees grow above and below the rock walls.

Between this illustration and the next, a gray road winds horizontally across the landscape with driveways extending up to "Ledges" and down to "Kendall Lake."

"Kendall Lake" has blue-and-purple water and is an irregular "C"-shape. On the right edge, a gray-and-tan building sits in the open space of the "C." To the right of the building is rust-and-green forest. From the building to the middle of the lake is a narrow, rectangular pier.

"Blossom Music Center" is a silver-gray pyramid-like structure surrounded by darker-green forest. The pavilion roof is peaked on the right. It widens as it slopes down to a curved left edge with a dark gray shadow below. A light-green lawn wraps around the left side of the building. Below the structure and beyond the lawn is a grey, rectangular parking area. A driveway leads back up toward the structure’s right side.

RELATED TEXT: Parks to the People. Visitors from nearby cities took leisure rides to Cuyahoga Valley via the canal and railway. The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) and Works Progress Administration (WPA) built picnic shelters, lakes, play fields, and parking lots during the Depression. Ledges and Kendall Lake have examples. In the 1950s new roads and highways made possible larger-scale attractions like Blossom Music Center.

Congress established Cuyahoga Valley National Park in 1974 as part of Parks to the People, a civil rights initiative to create national parks in metropolitan areas.

DESCRIBING: Lower left corner of the full page illustration of Cuyahoga Valley, below "Everett Covered Bridge" and to the left of "Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad." The scene includes three labelled sites along the valley's southwestern edge.

DESCRIPTION: Three detailed scenes, two parallel and one below, are in this section. "Hale Farm & Village" is on the western edge of the image. "Indigo Lake" is to the right. "Countryside Farmers' Market at Howe Meadow" is below "Hale Farm & Village" in the left bottom corner of the illustration. Misty green fog and green trees cover the land between scenes.

"Hale Farm & Village" are five red buildings with gray roofs. The top of the scene fades into the misty green fog. The bottom and right of the illustration is surrounded by green forest. There is a road to the right of the buildings with two driveways leading into the site. There is open land between the road and building with green trees throughout. 

"Indigo Lake" has deep purple blue water. The bottom and right side of the lake is surrounded by green forest. Above the lake is a grey horizontal path with forest beyond. To the left of the lake is an open green field that leads into a green forest.

"Countryside Farmers' Market at Howe Meadow" is twenty three square shaped tent canopies and a food truck located on open green lawn. Eighteen canopies and the truck form a rectangular border that disappears out of view. Inside the rectangle are people and five additional canopies, four forming a square and another off on its own. The food truck's awning is open. On the right outer edge of the rectangle are two pickup trucks and several people. Above the rectangle is open green lawn that leads to a green forest. On the right edge of the lawn is a brown barn with a peaked gray roof and a small addition on the left. People stand along a grey path that leads away from the barn's right side. They wave to a passing train. "Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad" and "America's Byway" run parallel, on right, extending from the market to the lake and beyond. 

RELATED TEXT:  Agriculture. Native Americans farmed maize, beans, and squash here. Jonathan and Mercy Hale were among the first European American farmers in the valley. Experience their legacy at Hale Farm & Village, a living history museum. Countryside operates farmers’ markets year round and assists with park leased farms.

DESCRIBING: Lower left side of the full-page illustration of Cuyahoga Valley, below "Deep Lock Quarry" and above "Indigo Lake." The scene includes two labelled sites on the valley's western border.

DESCRIPTION: Two detailed scenes are stacked vertically in this section. The top is labelled "Cuyahoga Valley Environmental Education Center." The bottom is labelled "Everett Covered Bridge." Misty green fog and green forest covers the land between the scenes. 

At the "Cuyahoga Valley Environmental Education Center," two buildings are connected by a driveway and paths on the left. The top building is gray with a white, peaked roof. To the right is a narrow stretch of open land. Below the gray building is a red, L-shaped building with a white, peaked roof. 

"Everett Covered Bridge" is a red structure with a gray roof. On the lower side, two people on horses ride on a path from the bridge. Above the bridge is a horizontal road that goes east with forest above and fields below. The road extends to "America's Byway." Before the intersection, on the north side, is a row of six light-colored buildings with dark roofs and green forest above. The buildings vary in size. The one furthest to the left is a church with multiple roofs and a parking lot. 

RELATED TEXT:  Youth Outdoors. Three scout camps and Camp Mueller, run by the Phillis Wheatley Association (known as the “Black YWCA”), began in the 1930s. The park’s overnight environmental education center serves schools and other groups. For student safety, these sites are closed to the public.

DESCRIBING: Lower middle edge of the full-page illustration of Cuyahoga Valley, to the right of "America's Byway" and left of "Cuyahoga River." The scene included two labelled sites: "Beaver Marsh" and "Hunt House." 

DESCRIPTION: Two detailed scenes are stacked vertically in this section with "Beaver Marsh" below and "Hunt House" above. The scenes are separated by green forest and tan farm fields. 

"Beaver Marsh" takes up the bottom middle of the illustration and disappears off the page. Ducks dot the blue-green water and bare trees cluster at the lower edge. A great blue heron flies overhead. The bird is pale grey and blue with a long neck and beak. "America's Byway" borders the marsh's left side and the "Cuyahoga River" borders the right. The "Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail" runs north-south, crossing the marsh's right side. The boardwalk's north end has  viewing platforms on either side. Below it is a larger octagonal viewing platform, extending left. Multi-colored people dot the boardwalk. To the right, light green vegetation separates the marsh from the river. At the marsh's top edge is green forest with open water that follows the Towpath Trail. 

The Towpath Trail extends up and crosses a pale grey road to "Hunt House." To the right of the trail are three white buildings with green roofs, connected by an arching path. The road runs left to "America's Byway." At the intersection are four red-and-white barns with grey parking lots. The "Hunt House" area has a patchwork of tan farm fields and green forest. 

RELATED TEXT:  Wildlife returns. Beavers were absent from Ohio for a century, but they began to return in numbers in the 1970s. They flooded a former auto salvage yard and created a marsh. Great blue herons and otters have also re-established, thanks to more wetlands and a cleaner river.

DESCRIBING: Back side of the "Cuyahoga Valley National Park" map and guide. The brochure is 16.5 by 23.5 inches. It folds into 12 sections (2 by 6) with a folded measurement of 8.25 by 4 inches. 

DESCRIPTION: The back side of the brochure has fourteen information sections about the park on the left and a driving map on the right.  There is a black title band along the top of the brochure (6.5 by 0.5 inches). In the upper left corner is "Visit the Valley" in white text. 

The left side of the page starts with an introductory sentence on the park in the top left corner. Going from top to bottom the information sections include: "Start at the heart of the park," "Road," "Trail," "Rail," "River,"  "Becoming a National Park," "Landscape," "Wildlife," "Preservation," "Lodging and Events," "Things to Do," "National Heritage Area," "Partners," "Accessibility," and "More Information." 

"Start at the heart of the park" has an accompanying image above its text. The sections "Road," "Trail," and "Rail" are in a row with accompanying images above the text for each. "River" has an image the length of the left side of the brochure with accompanying text set inside the image. "Landscape" has an accompanying image above its text. "Wildlife" has an image captioned "Great Blue Heron with stick" below the "More Information" section. "National Heritage Area" has a small map located to the right of its text. 

The right side of the page is the driving map of the park starting north of the park at "Leonard Krieger CanalWay Center" and ending south of the park in downtown Akron. This includes main roads associated with the park and the park is indicated with green shading. There is a legend along the bottom edge. 

Experience nature, discover history, and pursue recreation in Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Four arteries—automobile byway, canal towpath, scenic railroad, and river—extend north and south. Country roads and trails branch east and west toward ravines, falls, forests, lakes, and farmsteads. 

DESCRIBING: A 2-inch square color photograph inset, left, into a larger photo. 

DESCRIPTION: Three White people stand by a graphic panel with a historic building in the background. On the right, a male, uniformed ranger with a headset microphone speaks to a man and woman wearing jackets.  The listeners are on the left. The building is white with a large porch and many windows. The sky is blue and it is a sunny day.

CREDIT 1: NPS/Ted Toth

DESCRIBING: A contemporary 5 x 2.5 inch landscape photograph in a sepia style shown through a green filter.

DESCRIPTION: Two historic buildings side by side with an evergreen tree in between them. On the left, a two-story building with a large wraparound porch, a front door, and many windows.  On the right there is a one story square building that says "M.D. Garage" over the front doors and windows. The weather is foggy.

CREDIT 2: Copyright Tom Jones

RELATED TEXT:  Start at the heart of the valley. Boston Mill Visitor Center is open daily, with hours that vary seasonally. Rangers, volunteers, and exhibits can answer questions and help orient you. If you arrive before or after hours, see the exhibits in the courtyard.

The train drops passengers off at the station by the main parking lot. Cross the river (east) to reach the canal towpath and see the village of Boston (above). Find snacks and lunch at Trail Mix (store open seasonally). Relax at a shady table as you plan your time in the park.

DESCRIBING: A two-inch square color photograph.

DESCRIPTION: A prominent two-story historic building is in the background, on the left. It is white with green shutters and has two peaks in its roofline. A covered front porch is on the left side. In front of this building is a crowd of approximately 25 people. One person, on the far right, wears a long red dress with a white apron and blue bonnet. The crowd stands on a paved surface on either side of a canal lock, which is a concrete-lined channel. Everyone is watching a lock demonstration. Several people participate by pushing the long wooden arms of the lock gate. The word “Road” is appears above the image.

CREDIT: NPS/Ted Toth

RELATED TEXT: Ohio & Erie Canalway Byway. Attend lock demonstrations in summer (above) at the Canal Exploration Center, a short drive north. Follow the byway signs.

DESCRIBING: A 2-inch square color photograph.

DESCRIPTION: Two White adults wave as they cycle next to each other on a gray, unpaved path. They are wearing identical yellow helmets and light-colored shirts with logos, and tan shorts. There are green leaves on the trees in the background. The word “Trail” appears above the image.

CREDIT: NPS/Robert George

RELATED TEXT: Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail. The popular trail is firm and flat. Mules once walked here as they towed heavy boats.

DESCRIBING: A 2 inch square color photograph.

DESCRIPTION: A historic train, on the left, approaches a yellow station full of waving people. The crowd is consists of Black children and adults of different races. The train is black with a wide, red stripe bordered by yellow that runs down the side. The front of the locomotive is yellow. It is a sunny day and the leaves on the trees in the background are green. The word “Rail” appears above the image.

CREDIT: NPS/Ted Toth

RELATED TEXT: Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad. A scenic excursion ticket allows you to hop on and off the train. Kayakers, cyclists, and through hikers can use the seasonal one way shuttle service.

DESCRIBING: A color 3.5 x 6.5 inch landscape photograph.

DESCRIPTION: 

A line of kayakers with their backs to the camera navigate a bend in a slow moving, shallow river. The river is flowing away from the camera. Their kayaks and safety vests are bright orange. One kayaker is in the foreground on the left. Both river banks are forested. The trees have green leaves. The beach on the right side of the river is rocky. The trees in the background are sunlit, and everything else is in shade. 

CREDIT: NPS/D.J. Reiser

RELATED TEXT: Cuyahoga River. If you’re a skilled paddler you can experience the valley from your kayak or canoe. Travel through the national park on the Cuyahoga River Water Trail at your own risk. Check cuyahogariverwatertrail.org first for important safety information and current access points.

DESCRIBING: A 10 x 23 inch vertical color map. The information is presented from north to south. 

SHORT DESCRIPTION: The driving map of Cuyahoga Valley National Park provides the layout of the park between Cleveland and Akron, Ohio. The map includes amenities, the boundaries of the national park, the boundaries of metropolitan parks inside and adjacent to the national park, and places to visit within the park system. The irregular shape of the national park is narrower in the north and wider in the south. "Boston Mill Visitor Center" is in the center. Portions of the park are privately owned and not accessible to the public.

LONG DESCRIPTION: The driving map of the Cuyahoga Valley National Park is an overview of the park in relation to the areas between Cleveland and Akron. The national park is connected by four transportation arteries that run through the center of the park: "The Cuyahoga River", the "Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad," the "Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail," and the "Ohio & Erie Canalway America’s Byway." The park's "Boston Mill Visitor Center" is located in the heart of the park. Two metropolitan park districts operate county parks within and adjacent to the national park. The national park and its partners offers amenities and areas on interest for visitors.

Four Transportation Arteries

"Cuyahoga River" is shown as a blue line that runs from south to north. The map begins with the river in the Cleveland Metroparks and moves south entering the national park. From the east, "Tinkers Creek" feeds into the river as is flows through "Bedford Reservation." "Furnace Run" feeds into the river by "Hunt House." South of the national park the river flows through Summit Metro Parks' "Cascade Valley." The river begins to turn east, with the "Little Cuyahoga River" feeding into the river from the south. As the river heads east it flows through Summit Metro Parks "Gorge" and curves, heading north. 

"Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad" is shown as a black dashed line that runs from the northern edge of the national park down to Akron. There are 8 train stations. "Rockside Station" is at the northern border of the park near "Lock 39" along Rockside Road. "Canal Exploration Center" has a station on Hillside Road. "Brecksville Station" is located by "Station Road Bridge" on Riverview Road at Chippewa Creek Drive. "Boston Mill Visitor Center" has a station on the byway. "Peninsula Depot" is by "Lock 29." "Indigo Lake" has a station located off the byway. "Botzum" has a station located off the byway in the southern most portion of the park. "Akron Northside" station is south of the national park in downtown Akron.

"Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail" is shown as a bold red dashed line that extends beyond the map, north to Cleveland and south of Akron. North of the national park, towpath access is available at the "Leonard Krieger CanalWay Center" within the "Ohio & Erie Canal Reservation" of Cleveland Metroparks. It is also at "Bacci Park" in the village of Cuyahoga Heights. The national park has 11 trailheads that connect to the towpath. "Lock 39" is at the north end of the park off Rockside Road.  "Canal Exploration Center" has a trailhead off Hillside Road. Just south along the byway, there is additional towpath parking at "Fitzwater" and "Frazee House." The next trailhead along the byway is at "Station Road Bridge." "Red Lock" is on Highland Road across the street from "Brandywine Ski Resort." There are two trailheads in the village of Boston, both on Boston Mills Road. "Lock 29" offers access in Peninsula. "Hunt House" has a trailhead on Bolanz Road. "Ira" Trailhead is located off the byway south of "Beaver Marsh." "Botzum" Trailhead it located on the byway at the southern end of the park. The towpath also moves through Summit Metro Park's "Cascade Valley." 

"Ohio & Erie Canalway America’s Byway" is shown as a yellow line. The route includes Canal Road, Valley View Road, Chaffee Road, Route 82, Riverview Road, Merriman Road, and Memorial Parkway. The "Ohio & Erie Canal Reservation" and "Bacci Park" are along the byway north of the national park. "Canal Exploration Center," "Frazee House," "National Park Service Administrative Headquarters," "Coonrad Ranger Station," "Boston Mills Ski Resort," "Deep Lock Quarry," "Ira" Trailhead, and "Botzum" Trailhead are on the byway within the national park.  

Visitor Centers

Located along the byway in the center of the map, "Boston Mill Visitor Center" is the national park's primary visitor center. It is the only place labeled with white text in a green box. The park has two additional seasonal locations that offer information: "Canal Exploration Center" in the north  and "Hunt House" in the south.

Metropolitan Parks 

Cleveland Metroparks and Summit Metro Parks have portions of their parks within and adjacent to the national park. 

Cleveland Metroparks has two reservations located within the northern portion of the park. "Bedford Reservation" branches off the byway to the east of "Canal Exploration Center." "Brecksville Reservation" branches off the byway to the west of "Station Road Bridge."

Cleveland Metroparks has two other reservations connected to the national park. To the north, the Towpath Trail continues into the "Ohio & Erie Canal Reservation." To the east, the "All Purpose Trail" connects "Bedford Reservation" with "South Chagrin Reservation." 

Summit Metro Parks has 4 metro parks within the southern half of the national park. "Furnace Run" Metro Park is west of "Boston Mill Visitor Center." "Deep Lock Quarry" Metro Park is south of downtown Peninsula. On the southern border of the national park, "O'Neil Woods" Metro Park is west of the Cuyahoga River and "Hampton Hills" Metro Park is to the east. 

Summit Metro Parks has four other parks connected to the national park. "F.A. Seiberling Nature Realm" is south of "Botzum," accessible off the byway via Smith Road. "Sand Run" Metro Park is south of "Nature Realm" along the byway. "Cascade Valley" Metro Park is east of "Sand Run." The towpath, river, and railroad run through it. "Gorge" Metro Park is southeast of "Cascade Valley," along the river. 

Legend

Three shades of green represent the national park, metropolitan parks within its boundary, and metropolitan parks outside its boundary. The legend also includes icons for train stations, restrooms, refreshments, picnic areas, reservable picnic shelters, and ranger stations. A thin, red dashed line represents "Other biking and hiking trails." A grey dashed line represents "Other trails." Each trailhead is shown as an orange dot outlined in black. Each "Countryside Initiative farm" shown as is a green dot. 

Amenities 

Restrooms. The northern third of the park has restrooms at "Rockside Station," "Canal Exploration Center," "Tinkers Creek Gorge," "Bedford Reservation Overlook," "Frazee House," and "Brecksville Stables."  The middle third of the park has restrooms at "Red Lock," "Brandywine Falls," "Brushwood Lake," "Boston Mill Visitor Center," "Lock 29," "Pine Lane," "Horseshoe Pond," "Deep Lock Quarry," "Octagon," "Ledges," "Oak Hill," "Kendall Lake," "Pine Hollow,"  and "Wetmore." The southern third of the park has restrooms at "Everett Covered Bridge," "Hunt House," "Indigo Lake," "Ira," "O’Neil Woods," "Hampton Hills," and "Botzum." There is also a restroom at the "Akron Northside" station.

Refreshments. The park has two stores called "Trail Mix." One is open seasonally and is located near the "Boston Mill Visitor Center." The other is open year-round and is located near "Peninsula Depot."

Picnic Areas. The northern third of the park has picnic areas at "Lock 39" and "Canal Exploration Center," and four unnamed picnic areas in Bedford Reservation. The middle third of the park has picnic areas at "Brandywine Falls," "Brushwood Lake," "Happy Days Lodge," "Deep Lock Quarry," "Octagon," "Ledges," a unnamed area south of "Deep Lock Quarry," "Oak Hill, "Kendall Lake," and "Pine Hollow." The southern third of the park has picnic areas at "Hunt House," "Ira," "O’Neil Woods," "Hampton Hills," and "Botzum." South of the park there is a picnic area at "F.A. Seiberling Nature Realm." 

Picnic shelters. There are reservable shelters at "Lost Meadow" in Bedford Reservation, at "Octagon," and at "Ledges." There is a nonreservable shelter at "Horseshoe Pond."

Lodging. There are two park-owned lodging facilities. The "Inn at Brandywine Falls" is on Brandywine Road. "Stanford House" is northeast of "Boston Mill Visitor Center" on Stanford Road. 

Ranger Stations. There are four ranger stations, two operated by Cleveland Metroparks and two by the national park. "Bedford Reservation" has a ranger station on Egbert Road. "Brecksville Reservation" has ranger station on Brecksville Road. The national park has the "Coonrad" Ranger Station on the byway, north of Boston, and an unnamed ranger station on the byway, north of "Hunt House."  

National Park Service Administrative Headquarters. Park headquarters is also called "Jaite" and is located on the byway at Vaughn Road. 

Other Biking and Hiking Trails

The Towpath Trail is not the only multi-use trail that provides access to Cuyahoga Valley. In the north, an unnamed trail runs through "Bacci Park" to the Towpath. Another unnamed trail starts on Brecksville Road that connects to the Towpath between "Lock 39" and "Canal Exploration Center." 

The "All Purpose Trail" connects "South Chagrin Reservation" with "Bedford Reservation." This trail turns into the "Bike & Hike Trail" at Alexander Road, just east of Frazee House. "Bike & Hike Trail" runs along the eastern border of the national park from Alexander Road, past "Brandywine Falls," to "Route 303," east of "Happy Days Lodge," and continues southeast. A connector trail branches off at Holzhauer Road and heads west to the Towpath. The "Bike and Hike Trail" splits east of Akron Cleveland Road to head east out of view and south to trailheads for "Barlow" and "Springdale." 

There is also an "All Purpose Trail" that passes through "Brecksville Reservation" from the west and connects to the Towpath Trail at "Station Road Bridge." The trail includes a branch that heads west to the "Overlook" at "Route 82." 

There is an unnamed biking and hiking trail that connects "Hale Farm & Village" in the west to "Indigo Lake" and the Towpath Trail beyond. 

Other Trails

"Bedford Reservation" has trails throughout the park that connect to "Bridal Veil Falls" and "Tinkers Creek Gorge." "Brecksville Reservation" has trails that lead to "Deer Lick Cave" and "Brecksville Stables." Trails off the south end of Meadows Drive connect with trails within the national park.

There is a hiking trail network that connects "Brandywine Falls," "Stanford House," and the Towpath Trail. "Stanford House" also has a trail that head north toward "Brecksville Reservation." 

An unnamed hiking trail passes through Brecksville Reservation to "Blue Hen Falls," "Pine Lane," and other points south.  

South of Peninsula, "Horseshoe Pond" has a trail, accessible via Major Road. "Deep Lock Quarry" has a trail off the byway that is a loop which connects to the Towpath. "Oak Hill" has trails off Oak Hill Road. 

South and east of Peninsula, there is a complex trail network from "Happy Days Lodge" to "Wetmore" Trailhead. These trails connect "Ledges," "Octagon," "Kendall Lake," "Little Meadow," "Crow Foot Gully," and "Pine Hollow." More trails connect "Wetmore" to "Everett Covered Bridge" and points west. 

Summit Metro Parks has a trail at "O'Neil Woods" accessible off Martin Road. "Hampton Hills" has two trailheads, one off Akron Peninsula Road and another off Bath Road. 

Countryside Initiative Farms

There are 11 Countryside Initiative farms in the national park. "Oxbow Orchard" is located northeast of "Canal Exploration Center" on the byway. "Canal Corners Farm & Market" is southeast of "Canal Exploration Center" at the intersection for the byway and Tinkers Creek Road. "Spice Acres" is located southeast of "Brecksville Reservation" along the byway north of the national park headquarters. "Purplebrown Farmstead" is southeast of the visitor center on Hines Hill Road. "Spicy Lamb Farm" is northeast of "Peninsula Depot" on Akron Peninsula Road off Boston Mills Road. "Trapp Family Farm" is located east of "Peninsula Depot" on "Route 303." "Greenfield Berry Farm" is west of "Horseshoe Pond" on Major Road. "Keleman Point Farm" is northeast of "Hunt House" on Akron Peninsula Road. "Sarah’s Vineyard" is north of "Hampton Hills" on Steels Corners Road. "Neitenbach Farm" is north of "Hampton Hills" on Akron Peninsula Road. In addition to the Countryside Initiative farms, "Conrad Botzum Farmstead" is northeast of "O’Neil Woods" on the byway. 

Areas of Interest

Primary points of interest are labeled using a larger font size. North to south, these are "Canal Exploration Center," "Tinkers Creek Gorge," "Brecksville Nature Center," "Station Road Bridge," "Brandywine Falls," "Ledges," "Everett Covered Bridge," "Hale Farm & Village," and "Beaver Marsh."

Secondary points of interest are labeled using a smaller font size. 

In the northern half of the map, these are "Terra Vista Natural Study Area," "Alexander’s Mill" (which is also known as "Wilson’s Mill"), "Frazee House," "Red Lock" Trailhead, "Brandywine Ski Resort," "Boston Mills Ski Resort," "Hines Hill Center," "Boston Store and MD Garage," "Blue Hen Falls," and "Stumpy Basin." The Cleveland Metroparks has "Leonard Krieger CanalWay Center" in the "Ohio & Erie Canal Reservation." The "Bedford Reservation" offers "Viaduct Park," "Great Falls," "Bridal Veil Falls," "Shawnee Hills Golf Course," "Lost Meadows," and "Overlook." "Brecksville Reservation" has "Overlook," "Squire Rich Historical Museum," and "Sleepy Hollow Golf Course."  

In the southern half of the map, the secondary points of interest are "Horseshoe Pond," "Oak Hill," "Cuyahoga Valley Environmental Education Center," "Happy Days Lodge,"  "Octagon," "Kendall Lake," "Kendall Hills," "Hunt House," "Indigo Lake," "Howe Meadow," "Ira" Trailhead, "Blossom Music Center," "Porthouse Theatre," and "Heronry Wayside." Summit Metro Parks has a "Visitors Center" at "F.A. Seiberling Nature Realm." South of the national park, "Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens" and "Mustill Store" are in Akron. 

Soon after civic leaders in Cleveland and Akron created Ohio's first two county park systems, they acquired land in Cuyahoga Valley. The first parks in the valley were established in the 1920s. As development pressures grew, advocates called for federal protection. Success came in 1974 when Congress designated the national park.

DESCRIBING: A 3.5 by 2-inch color photograph.

DESCRIPTION: A great blue heron takes off through the air with a stick held in its long, orange beak. This is at the bottom center of the brochure. Its long neck and large wings are extended outward. The blue, gray, and white coloring of the bird is bright. The image has no background.

CAPTION: Great Blue Heron with stick.

CREDIT: Copyright Kris Brown.

RELATED TEXT: Great blue heron with stick. Great blue herons gather in nesting colonies along Bath Road. Bald eagles soar above Station Road Bridge. Muskrats, beavers, and otters swim in Beaver Marsh. Turtles and snakes bask on logs in the canal. 

DESCRIBING: A 2-inch square color photograph.

DESCRIPTION:  A Black woman hikes alone through a forest, down a rocky trail. She is wearing a bright blue coat, a blue hat, and a bright yellow scarf. She is using a hiking pole. Yellow and orange leaves cover the forest floor. In the distance, to her right, is a tall evergreen tree. Directly behind her is wide tree that extends up out of the image. To her left is a cliff wall of large, moss-covered rocks. The word “River” is appears on the image.

CREDIT: NPS/D.J. Reiser

RELATED TEXT: Landscape. Upland streams carve steep ravines into the valley’s forested slopes (above, a visitor at Ledges). In the floodplain, the river winds with relative freedom for 20 miles, past natural features, small villages, and historic farmsteads. Restoring natural flow is vital to healthy waterways.

Preservation. Dive into local history. Some buildings represent the canal era of the early to mid-1800s. Mills, play fields, trails, lakes, camps, and an education center are the legacies of industry, philanthropy, and Depression-era federal programs.

Spend the night at a historic house in the park, or camp at a state or county park. Visit forcvnp.org/lodging. To reserve a picnic shelter for your group, visit recreation.gov. Permits are required for weddings, special events, commercial photography, and filming. Use the ”reserve” button at www.nps.gov/cuva. 

Pick up a free quarterly Valley Guide at the visitor center for a list of programs at over 50 locations within the park. Choose from leisurely or fast-paced ranger-led hikes, workshops, concerts, and other programs for all ages. The park has many trails, some open to horses and mountain bikes. Leashed pets are allowed on most trails.

DESCRIBING: A 1.7 by 4.5 inch color locator map, inset to the right of the National Heritage Area text.

DESCRIPTION: The title at the top of the map reads "Cuyahoga Valley National Park lies within the Ohio and Erie Canalway". Lake Erie is at the top in blue. Ohio is shown in an off-white color. The Ohio and Erie Canalway National Heritage Area is long and narrow. It starts in Cleveland, moves down through Akron, splits through Canton, and ends in New Philadelphia. The National Heritage Area is shown in pale green. Cuyahoga Valley National Park, in dark green, is within the upper third of the National Heritage Area. The U-shaped Cuyahoga River, shown in blue, is in the upper section of the map. The lower Cuyahoga River flows through the national park to Lake Erie at Cleveland. Interstates 90, 71, 77, 480, 271, and 76 are all shown. State Routes 422, 8, and 21 are also shown. Roads are shown in gray.  

RELATED TEXT:  National Heritage Area. The park is part of the Ohio & Erie Canalway National Heritage Area. For information visit ohioanderiecanalway.com.

Conservancy for Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Countryside, and Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad  

We strive to make our facilities, services, and programs accessible to all. 

Audio descriptions for most park locations and exhibits are available via our mobile website (www.nps.gov/cuva). Boston Mill Visitor Center has a tactile map of Cuyahoga Valley and a tactile floor plan. Other tactile exhibits are at Canal Exploration Center, Station Road Bridge Trailhead, Lock 29 in Peninsula, Hunt House, Ira Trailhead, and Beaver Marsh. Audio players are part of the Towpath Trail exhibits at Alexander/Wilson Mill, Station Road Bridge Trailhead, Jaite Mill, and Hunt House. This brochure is also available in a braille format. Hunt House and its restrooms have braille/raised-letter entry signs.

For more information go to a visitor center, check the Valley Guide, visit our website, ask a ranger, or call. For advice from a specialist, email cuva_access@nps.gov. 

Cuyahoga Valley National Park is one of over 400 parks in the National Park System. To learn more about national parks, visit www.nps.gov.

Emergencies call 911 or 440-546-5945

MAILING ADDRESS: 15610 Vaughan Rd., Brecksville, OH 44141 

PHONE: 440-717-3890 

WEBSITE: www.nps.gov/cuva

National Park Foundation. Join the park community. www.nationalparks.org