You’re about to go on an epic adventure to Cuyahoga Valley National Park! Here’s what you need to know before you go: 

Start Planning!

• The tour takes about 8 hours to complete. 
• We recommend starting before 9 a.m.
• There are 4 starting points:
  • Interstate 77 North & South 
  • Interstate 480 East & West
• This tour is available in one direction, starting at the north end of the park. 
• There is no entrance fee to visit the park. 
• There are some tour stops that require entrance fees, please see budgeting below for more details. 

Budgeting 

Although the park itself does not have an entrance fee, below is a list of entrance fees for stops on the tour:

1. Hale Farm & Village: Adults – $15.00 | Children (ages 3-12) – $8.00 | Children 2 and under – Free
2. Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad tickets start at $18 for adults and $13 for children (ages 3-12)

Start Packing! 

Here’s our suggested packing list. What you take depends on what you plan to do on the tour.

• Cell Phone with this Tour Downloaded
• Car Phone Charger *Very Important*
• Phone Mount (optional, but very handy)
• Hiking Shoes
• Hiking Clothes (layers during cooler weather)
• Water Bottles
• Bug Spray
• Sunscreen
• Sun Glasses and/or Hat
• Hand Sanitizer
• Snacks/Picnic Lunch/Dinner (if desired)
• Cash/Credit Card for Admission Fees
• First Aid Kit
• Coat or Jacket (For visiting the high-elevation peaks or the caverns)

Hours of Operation

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Here are the hours of operation for the stops on the tour. We strongly recommend checking the hours of operation in advance. 

• Boston Mill Visitor Center: The Boston Mill Visitor Center is open year-round except for New Year's Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas holidays. The visitor center is open daily from 9:30 am to 5 pm.

• Canal Exploration Center: The summer season typically begins in June and ends after Labor Day weekend. Canal Exploration Center has limited hours in the spring and fall and closes for the winter season. Summer: Wed-Sun 10 am-4 pm. Spring & Fall: Sat-Sun 10 am-4 pm. Closed Nov-May.

• Hunt House: Hunt House is open Saturdays and Sundays 10 am-4 pm from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Hunt House is closed for the rest of the year.

• Hale Farm & Village: Public Hours: Saturday – Sunday | 10:00 am – 4:00 pm. Please note, that they are closed on the following holidays: Easter Sunday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day.

• The following areas are only open from Dawn until Dusk:
  • Brandywine Falls
  • Ledges
  • Kendall Lake
  • Happy Days South Parking Area

When’s the Best Time to Visit?

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Although the park is open year-round, the best times to visit are summer and fall. In summer, a majority of the stops are open and in fall, there’s beautiful foliage viewing.

However, that doesn’t mean there’s nothing worth seeing in winter! Many trails are open for cross-country skiing and the scenic Railroad hosts an annual Christmas event. 

Leave No Trace

In Cuyahoga Valley National Park, the Leave No Trace philosophy is a paramount principle for sustainable and respectful outdoor recreation.

Park visitors are encouraged to minimize their impact by staying on designated trails, packing out all waste, and avoiding wildlife.

Embracing these principles ensures that the park remains unspoiled, allowing everyone to enjoy the beauty of Cuyahoga Valley National Park!

Ready to take the tour? Check out Shaka Guide's Cuyahoga Valley National Park Tour!

We hope that we’ve given you all the information you need to make the most of your day. Your vacation is extremely important to us so if you have any questions feel free to reach out at aloha@shakaguide.com.

For more detailed information to help you plan, check out our Cuyahoga Valley National Park Itinerary.

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