Paddling in Cuyahoga Valley National Park
- National Park
- Open 24 hours
- Lakes
- 2
- Rivers
- 22
- Access
- 10
- Boat Ramps
- 8
- Shops
- 0
The Cuyahoga River is the spine of this park — a recovering urban river that winds through northeastern Ohio between Cleveland and Akron, carrying a complicated history and, increasingly, real paddling.
About 26 miles of the river's 100-mile length run through the national park, and that stretch is the paddling here.
The NPS does not maintain the river for recreational use, which means conditions are what the river makes them, not what a manager grooms them to be.
The park section of the Cuyahoga sits downstream of the whitewater gorge near Akron — that Class V stretch is outside the park boundary. Inside the park, the river is moving flatwater with current, not technical whitewater, but it is not without hazard.
The Lock 29 shelf and lowhead dam remnants create a serious hydraulic that demands a portage.
There is also an active river-wide closure near river mile 17, where bridge demolition work has strung barrier cables across the channel; the portage route runs upstream of Fitzwater Road bridge, exiting river left and relaunching river right.
Check the NPS hazard page before any trip — conditions and closures change. The Cuyahoga was designated an Ohio Water Trail in 2019, and the lower half carries National Water Trail status as well.
Access points are spread along the corridor, and the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad runs a program that lets paddlers load a kayak onto the train, ride south to a put-in, and paddle back downstream — a practical solution to the shuttle problem on a linear river with limited road crossings.
For anyone not ready for moving water, Indigo Lake, just off Riverview Road, provides calm flatwater to work on strokes and boat handling before committing to the river.
Bring your own gear or arrange a rental in advance — Cuyahoga Valley Adventures holds a commercial use authorization to operate rentals along the river.
Water levels matter: the Cuyahoga runs on rainfall, and what feels like a gentle float at moderate flows can become a log-strewn push at high water.
Check the gauge at Old Portage before you go, tell someone your plan, and know where every take-out is before you pass it. The river that once caught fire is now a water trail. That's worth paddling.
Top waters to paddle near Cuyahoga Valley National Park
Water and weather conditions (10 day forecast)
See the best times to paddle Cuyahoga Valley National Park and check the forecast before you go.
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Park alerts & road status
Closures and conditions Cuyahoga Valley National Park has posted, from the National Park Service.
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Hours & fees
When Cuyahoga Valley National Park is open and what it costs to get in, from the National Park Service.
Hours
Open 24 hoursCuyahoga Valley National Park is open everyday, 24 hours a day with the following exceptions: Brandywine Falls, Ledges, Octagon, Kendall Lake, and Kendall Hills close from dusk until morning opening.
Entrance fees
No entrance fee is listed for this park.
Parking & getting around
Where to leave the car in Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Lots fill early on busy days, so plan where you will park before you head for the water.
Boston Mill Visitor Center Main Lot
This is a large lot that provides access to Boston Mill Visitor Center. The lot is paved and visitors follow paved pathways to the visitor center. The lot has 106 spaces including 6 accessible, 1 carpool, 2 limited mobility, and 6 fuel efficient vehicle spaces. Six oversized vehicle spaces are located across the street from the main Boston Mill Visitor Center parking area. This lot also contains 9 additional vehicle spaces, 1 fuel efficient vehicle space, and 1 accessible vehicle space.
Accessibility: Six ADA parking spaces are available in the main lot and one is available in the oversized vehicle lot across the street. From the main lot, the spaces provide access via paved pathways to the main visitor center and information plaza.
Brandywine Falls
A midsized paved parking area that provides access to Brandywine Falls (via boardwalk) and the Summit Metroparks Hike and Bike trail.
Accessibility: 4 ADA van-accessible parking spaces, ADA accessible restrooms, ADA accessible boardwalk to view waterfall.
Canal Exploration Center Lot
Medium sized paved lot that provides access to the Canal Exploration Center, the Canal Exploration Center Station, and the Towpath Trail. The lot has a total of 92 spaces with 3 designated accessible spaces. Next to the lot is an accessible restroom with flushing toilets and a water fountain.
Accessibility: An accessible flushing bathroom, water fountain, and access to a railroad station for the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad.
Hunt Farm Lot
A medium paved lot with access to the Towpath Trail and Hunt Farm.
Accessibility: The parking lot is close to accessible flushing restrooms and a water fountain.
Indigo Lake Lot
A small gravel lot with access to Indigo Lake, the Towpath Trail, and Indigo Lake Station. The size and location of the lot means it is usually full.
Ira Trailhead Lot
A medium sized paved lot with access to the Towpath Trail and Beaver Marsh.
Accessibility: There are non-flushable accessible restrooms in the parking lot.
Kendall Lake Lot
A large paved parking lot with access to Kendall Lake, the Loop Trail, Salt Run Trail, and Cross Country Trail. Access to wider Ledges Trail system from these trail systems is possible.
Accessibility: The Kendall Lake lot provides access to flushing restrooms, a water fountain, and an accessible pier.
Ledges Trailhead Parking
A large 223-space parking lot that provides 8 accessible spaces and access to the Ledges shelter, trail, and restrooms.
Accessibility: A paved parking lot with 8 ADA accessible spaces provides access to a paved pathway, shelter, and restrooms. The trail to the Ledges is not ADA accessible.
Lock 29 Trailhead Main Lot
This is a 43-space accessible parking lot that serves the Lock 29 Trailhead (Towpath access) and the Peninsula Boarding Station for the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad.
Accessibility: A 43-space paved parking area provides access to the fully ADA accessible towpath trail, restrooms and a boarding station for the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad.
Octagon Lot
A large paved lot, with tiered parking spaces. Octagon provides access to the Octagon Shelter, Ledges Trail system, and Forest Point Trail.
Accessibility: Accessible flushing restrooms and a water fountain are available in the picnic shelter.
Getting around
The park is easily accessible by car from all directions. A good place to start your visit is at Boston Mill Visitor Center: 6947 Riverview Road, Peninsula, 44264. Cleveland Hopkins International Airport and Akron-Canton Regional Airport offer many daily flights to the area. Car rentals are available at both airports. Bus stations are located in downtown Cleveland and Akron. Some local bus routes including RTA's 19A, 54, 77, and 90 routes stop near the park. There is an Amtrak station in downtown Cleveland.
Directions on nps.govPaddle smarter with real-time insights
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Paddling near Cuyahoga Valley National Park
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Gateway towns
Where to base yourself for paddling in Cuyahoga Valley National Park.
Sits inside the park with trail access, the Scenic Railroad depot, bike rentals, lodging, and dining steps from the Towpath Trail.
Southern gateway city with hotels, restaurants, and walkable amenities close to the park's southern trails and entrances.
Northern gateway with hotels near the park's northern trailheads and the Brecksville Reservation entrance.
- HudsonOH
Nearby town on the park's eastern edge offering lodging and dining for visitors exploring that side of the park.
Cuyahoga Valley National Park paddling rules
The park's own rules, on top of Ohio licenses and regulations. Limits, fees and closures change, so check the park's page before you go.
Bring Your Own Equipment
The park does not provide or rent paddling gear. You must supply your own canoe, kayak, or small boat to access the Cuyahoga River Water Trail.
Paddle at Your Own Risk
The NPS does not maintain the river for recreational use. Know your skills and limits, check current hazard updates before launching, and never paddle alone.
Active River Closure in Effect
A river-wide closure is in place near river mile 17 due to bridge demolition and construction. Follow posted signs and portage as directed.
Watch for Fixed River Hazards
Permanent hazards including dam remnants, bedrock shelves, and submerged structures exist at multiple points. Check the hazard details listed for each river access site before you put in.
Use Caution in the Shipping Channel
The last four miles of the downstream paddle toward Cleveland enter an active shipping channel shared with large freighters and motorized boats. Proceed with extra caution in this section.
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