Cuyahoga Valley National Park is nestled between Akron and Cleveland OH, making it a great place to stop as you are passing through the area. That is exactly what I did on my most recent road trip from Washington DC to Michigan, and it was the perfect little stop in between!

Check it out: Road Trip from Washington DC to Ann Arbor, MI Itinerary

One of the first things I ask myself when I decide to visit a new area is, “how much time will I need to explore?” After extensive research, I decided that for my trip in the middle of February, a half day at Cuyahoga Valley National Park would be sufficient. It turned out being the perfect amount of time to explore!

A few things to note about Cuyahoga Valley National Park

In terms of what to expect, it’s important to note that Cuyahoga Valley National Park has a more urban feel to it than most parks. Houses, small communities, and markets share space with this park, so it lacks the “remoteness” you might expect from a national park. You won’t feel the total escape into nature, but it’s an experience wholly unique in its own right. 

It’s also good to note that there are no welcome booths to Cuyahoga Valley National Park, which also means no entrance fee or waiting in long lines to enter. Booyah!

My Itinerary for Cuyahoga Valley National Park

Here are all the things I was able to do in my half day at Cuyahoga Valley National Park:

12pm: Hike Brandywine Falls

This short three-quarter mile hike has some stunning views of the Falls! I would barely call it a hike, seeing as it was more of a walk. There were some stairs to visit the two overlooks – I would recommend going to the upper overlook first, because the lower overlook was more spectacular, and I wanted to save the best for last!

Level up: if you want to kick your hike up a notch, opt to take the Brandywine Falls Loop trail instead. This lengthens your hike to 2.6mi  with a 390ft elevation gain, and still gives you great views of the falls. 

1pm: “Girl dinner” lunch and hike the Ledges Trail in Cuyahoga Valley National Park

After viewing the falls, I was ready for more adventure! I stopped at a local convenience store to pick up “girl dinner” necessities: a PB&J sandwich, goldfish crackers, and peanut butter trail mix. There is more info on food below, but I found the options underwhelming and decided a humble picnic would be the best option for me. I packed my bag and hit the trail!

Ledges Trail is highly regarded in the area, and was definitely a fun walk. It circles a plateau of striking rock formations and provides stunning views along the way. There is an overlook with picnic tables that was just perfect for stopping for lunch!

3pm: Visit Beaver Marsh

This little boardwalk was a delight to go down! On this easy 0.75mi stroll, take your time and keep your eyes out for beavers, great blue herons, and otters. They are easy to miss! Even in the dead of winter, I enjoyed the surrounding wildlife and fallen trees beneath the frozen pond. This is a lovey stop no matter what time of year you visit.

5pm: Leave Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Catch the sunset in Cleveland!

Cleveland OH is a 30 minute drive from Cuyahoga Valley National Park, and in my opinion, has the best spot for sunset viewing when compared with the option of staying in the park. Depending on what time of year you visit, you may want to swap the sunset and getting dinner.

The best place to see the sunset is at Edgewater Beach. During the summer months it sets right over the water and is simply gorgeous! In the wintertime, it shifts to behind the treelines and is still a pretty view. I didn’t catch a pic of it this go around, but the pic below is from my previous visit over the summer. I always enjoy catching the sunset here when I pass through Cleveland.

7pm: Dinner at Zoup!

Listen, I am a soup-and-salad girl through and through. It is one of my favorite meals and there are so many delicious combinations you can make! My favorite soup-and-salad place in the whole WORLD (well, that I’ve found so far) is Zoup. They have locations all over, and luckily there is one in Cleveland! The staff at this particular restaurant were incredible, some of the friendliest people I’ve spoken to. They allow you to sample the soups so you can find one you like, and the menu rotates daily so you can always try new things. I would highly recommend! My go-to is the potato soup and caesar salad, but the chicken pot pie soup is also to die for, and their sandwiches are delicious too. 

After dinner, you are ready to check into your accommodations for the night! Can I be honest? I have yet to find an Airbnb in Cleveland that I’ve enjoyed. If you have any suggestions, please leave them in the comments and I’ll check them out for my next trip!