Cuyahoga Valley National Park Self-Guided Audio Tour

The Lock 39 Trailhead is one of many access points for the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail. Back when the canals were in use, the boats were towed by teams of mules or horses along that path. If you take the towpath trail south for a quarter mile, away from the parking lot, you’ll reach Lock 39. Also from the south end of the parking lot, you can walk across a bridge over the Cuyahoga River. The bridge takes you to the Rockside Station of the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad.(20 min)

Canal Exploration Center is housed inside an old canal-side tavern. And outside, sits a reconstructed canal lock. The center is open five days a week, Wednesday through Sunday. But only from June through October. It has interactive exhibits that are fun for all ages and covers the complete history of the canal.(30 min)

The first of three overlooks on this tour, the Tinkers Creek Overlook lets you look down into the Tinkers Creek Gorge, a National Natural Landmark.(5 min)

Bridal Veil Falls is a gentle, cascading waterfall that you can observe from a boardwalk and bridge over the creek. You can follow the creek downstream a quarter-mile to the Lower Deerlick Creek Falls.(15 min)

This is a large picnic area with tables, grills, a shelter, restrooms, and nature trails.(10 min)

The Great Falls of Tinkers Creek can be found in Viaduct Park. A viaduct is a kind of bridge, supported by arches or columns.(20 min)

The Frazee House was one of the first brick structures in the valley. It was built in the 1820s, in the Federal style, by Stephen and Mehitable Frazee. For the time period, it was actually kind of a dream home. But because Ohio was still technically the frontier, there weren’t any skilled laborers who could build this kind of house. So, the family did it themselves! They even made the bricks out of mud and clay from their backyard. Today, the house is on the National Register of Historic Places.(10 min)

The Chippewa Creek Gorge was carved by glaciers during the last major ice age. The top layer of rock is made up of Berea Sandstone, which was also used in the construction of the nearby Brecksville Nature Center.(5 min)

Brecksville Nature Center sits on the western edge of the National Park. Inside, there are all kinds of exhibits about the plants, animals, and history of the area. There’s a kids' corner, with activities for the little ones. And even some rocking chairs where you can look out through a wall of windows into nature. There’s also a park, picnic area, nature trails, and a program center for educational events.(30 min)

The Jaite Trailhead provides access to a highly recommended section of the Buckeye Trail. Just a mile-and-a-half walk from the trailhead, you can find old-growth trees that have been around for hundreds of years.(1 hr)

At this trailhead, you can inspect Lock 34, also known as Red Lock. If you take the Red Lock Trail a half-mile south, you’ll reach the remains of the old Jaite Paper Mill.(30 min)

At 60 feet high, Brandywine Falls is the tallest waterfall in Ohio. There are several boardwalk viewing areas, and the remains of an old appliance factory right next to the falls.(15 min)

The Boston Mill was opened in 2019 as a new, state-of-the-art Visitor Center. You can speak with a park ranger, pick up trail maps, use the restroom, shop the bookstore, or board the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad, all from the visitor center. You can also visit the Boston Store next door for souvenirs and food.(30 min)

Park your car at the Lock 29 Trailhead to explore the Peninsula on foot. You can shop at the National Park’s Trail Mix store, or visit one of the small towns restaurants, art galleries, gift shops, and more. Lock 29 is also the only canal lock you can actually walk into! You can also park here to board the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad.(1 hr)

The Ledges Trail is the most highly recommended trail on the tour. It’s an easy, 2-mile loop trail around the bottom of a plateau that explores rocky ledges, crevasses, caves, and overhangs. The rocks here are up to 400 million years old!(1 hr)

Kendall Lake was created by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1935. Today, it’s popular with birdwatchers and fishing enthusiasts.(15 min)

Between Valentine’s Day and Independence Day, this is a popular area for spotting Great Blue Herons, who nest nearby.(10 min)

The Hale Farm & Village is a living history museum where you can interact with volunteers dressed in period attire, and explore 32 historical structures.(1 hr)

Beaver Marsh is a wetland created by beavers after they dammed a portion of the old canal. Amazingly, the wetland actually used to be an auto salvage yard, back in the 1970s. Volunteers from a local branch of the Sierra Club cleaned it up in the 80s, and wildlife did the rest.(20 min)

The Hunt House offers child-friendly nature exhibits and information about nearby attractions. It’s also a resting place for those hiking the Towpath Trail. Next door is a popular farm market, open in the summer and fall.(30 min)