Whether you want to hike, bike, bird-watch, picnic, golf, fish, ski, ride the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad, explore the history of the Ohio & Erie Canal, or attend some National Park ranger- guided programs, concerts, and art exhibits, Cuyahoga Valley National Park may be a very desirable stop. To quote the NPS brochure: "Though such a short distance from urban environments, the park is worlds away.

  The winding Cuyahoga—the "crooked river," as named by American Indians — gives way to rolling floodplain, steep valley walls and ravines, and lush upland forests. Cuyahoga Valley National Park is a refuge for flora and fauna, and provides both recreation and solitude for Northeastern Ohio's residents and visitors. View NPS website: CVNP

Cuyahoga Scenic Railroad

  One attraction in the Park that has been very popular with visitors is the Cuyahoga Scenic Railroad. This is not a toy train but a full-sized, restored, vintage assemblage including climate-controlled coaches obtained from the Seaboard Railroad in the East and the Santa Fe in the Southwest. Your trip will include the Peninsula Depot (see top of col. 2 for directions), the Hale Farm and Village, Inventors' Hall of Fame and the Canal Visitors' Center. This is a round trip ride and gives you an excellent opportunity to see a good portion of the park in air-conditioned comfort - First Class all the way!

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How to get here

  From the Ohio Turnpike (I-80) eastbound, take exit 173, turn left and follow UH-21, crossing I-77. to OH-303. Turn left and follow 303, eastbound, crossing the I-77 and I-271 Interstates, to the Peninsula Visitors Center.

  From the Ohio Turnpike (I-80) westbound, take exit 180 and follow the ramp to OH-8 southbound (this is a freeway). Follow OH-8 southbound to the OH-303 exit. Exit and follow 303 westbound to the Park and the Peninsula Visitors Center.

  At the Peninsula Visitors Center you can determine what you would like to see and get directions (this is a big park). The train depot is also here in case you would like to take a ride. Their website: CVSR

Lodging around the Park

  Lodging is available in the area around the Park. Boston Heights, Macedonia and Richfield are near the Peninsula Visitors' Center boarding site. If you'd rather be up in the I-480 area, Independence
 is near the Independence boarding site. If you'd rather be down at the southern end of the route near the Akron boarding site, here is a list of the hotels in Akron offering discounts.