Are you considering heading to Cuyahoga Valley National Park? Great choice! We had the pleasure of checking out this amazing park over the summer and had a wonderful time.

The park is oddly situated right outside of Cleveland and not much further from Akron. You really wouldn’t expect so much natural beauty in a place so close to two different major cities, but it is there in the form of the Cuyahoga River, the lush forests, the gorgeous waterfalls, and some deep gorges. Not only that, but because the park sits on the river, it is full of amazing outdoor recreation opportunities as well as tons of fascinating history.

In this article, I hope to tell you everything you need to know to plan an RV trip to Cuyahoga Valley National Park.

Taking an RV to Cuyahoga Valley National Park

First, let’s focus specifically on taking an RV into the park. After all, you will need to know where to go and where to sleep. In this section we will give you this information, as well as a few other pointers.

Where Can I Park an RV in Cuyahoga Valley National Park?

Unfortunately, there is no such thing as Cuyahoga Valley National Park RV camping. That is, there is nowhere to camp within the park itself, and overnight parking is strictly prohibited in all areas of the park. This is a bummer, but it doesn’t mean you can’t take an RV to the park at all.

Cuyahoga Valley National Park has a few lots with parking spaces designed specifically for RVs and other oversized vehicles. There are also some lots that don’t have RV-specific spots but could accommodate an RV during slower times.

Lots with oversized-vehicle-specific parking include:

• Rockslide Station
• Station Road Bridge
• Wetmore Trailhead
• Everett Covered Bridge
• Boston Mill Visitor Center (oversized lot across the street)

Lots that can accommodate larger vehicles during non-peak hours include:

• Canal Exploration Center
• Lock 29 (overflow lot)
• Ledges
• Kendall Lake
• Pine Hollow
• Oak Hill

Keep in mind, RV spots in the majority of these lots are very limited. Want to increase your chances of finding a spot? We recommend you either visit during non-peak hours or head to the Boston Mill Visitor Center and park in the lot that is dedicated to oversized vehicles across the road. From the Boston Mill Visitor Center, you can take the train or ride a bike to many other park attractions.

RV Parks Near Cuyahoga Valley National Park

You may not be able to camp within the national park, but that doesn’t mean you can’t find RV camping near Cuyahoga Valley National Park. In fact, there are tons of great RV parks near Cuyahoga Valley National Park to choose from.

Kenisee Lake RV Campground

We ended up staying in Kenisee Lake RV Campground and daytripping to the park several times. We chose this park because it is part of the Thousand Trails system, which we are members of. You might find this is a good option if you are also a member of Thousand Trails (the campgrounds itself is great). Otherwise, we recommend staying closer to the national park, as the drive in was about an hour long.

Silver Springs Campground

If you need a budget-friendly place that is simple but allows you to stay close by, Silver Springs Campground might just be your place. This is a small, city-run campground that is set in a big field. Sites are grassy and include 30-amp electric hookups. Potable water, a dump station, and toilets are all available, and the campground is located in a city park with amenities such as a playground, sports courts, and a dog park.

Streetsboro/Cleveland SE KOA Holiday

Those who prefer ‘glamping’ will appreciate the Streetsboro/Cleveland SE KOA Holiday. This campground boasts gravel pads, full hookups, and plenty of shade. There are clean bathhouses and laundry facilities available for guest use, and kids love the playground and bounce pillow located near the onsite lake.

You’re sure to be comfortable and totally relaxed while spending time at this lovely RV park!

When to Visit Cuyahoga Valley National Park in an RV

As mentioned above, the best time to try to park in an RV Cuyahoga Valley National Park is when the park is slow. Not sure when non-peak hours are? The slowest seasons tend to be early spring, late fall, and winter. In late spring, summer, and early fall, try to visit before 10am or after 2pm for lower crowds.

Unfortunately, the busiest seasons match up with the times of year when the weather is nicest. If you want a combination of good weather and low crowds, you might try visiting in March, April, September, or October. These months tend to offer good RV camping weather, lovely colors in nature, and relatively low crowd levels.

In any case, we recommend avoiding driving an RV into the park during the winter season. Winters in Cuyahoga Valley National Park get very cold, and below-freezing temperatures aren’t good for an RV’s plumbing system. Additionally, the park does see snow during the winter months, something that can make driving an RV through the park dangerous.

https://youtu.be/jWMq5SsFTLM

Things to Do in Cuyahoga Valley National Park

Now that you know where to find the best RV camping near Cuyahoga Valley National Park—as well as where to park and when to visit—it’s time to talk about things to do in Cuyahoga Valley National Park.

There is so much to do in the park that you’re sure to find something that interests you. Not only that, but you might even find you need several days to do everything that catches your interest, so be sure to plan accordingly!

Cuyahoga Valley National Park Visitor Centers

We always like to make our first stop at a national park a visitor center. Luckily, there are three different Cuyahoga Valley National Park visitor centers, so you’ll be able to get to one easily no matter which direction you’re coming from.

Our first stop during our visit was the Boston Mills Visitor Center. It turned out to be a great pick with RV parking, friendly rangers, train access, and exhibits about the park. That said, the Canal Exploration Center would also be a great pick, and Hunt House would work well during the seasons when it is open.

No matter which visitor center you pick, be sure to check for ranger programs during your time in the park and grab Junior Ranger books for the kids. This park even had a Junior Junior Ranger option for kids under 5!

Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad

One of the most unique features of Cuyahoga Valley National Park is the scenic railroad that runs through it. This line weaves through the valley, offering passengers an opportunity to see beautiful views and local wildlife.

We think it’s particularly neat that visitors can hike, bike, or kayak one way and then ride the train back to their starting point!

Hiking

Hiking is always at the top of our list of things to do in any national park. Cuyahoga Valley National Park is home to tons of great hiking trails, so we were not disappointed.

Our favorite trail was definitely the Ledges Trail. This trail weaves around and through huge sandstone rock formations and cliffs. The kids absolutely adored exploring all the nooks and crannies along this trail, and my husband and I appreciated the moss-covered rocks and enchanted forest feel.

Other great trails we saw in Cuyahoga Valley National Park include:

• Brandywine Gorge Trail
• Deer Lick Cave Trail
• Buckeye Trail from Boston Mill Visitor Center to Blue Hen Falls

We were able to do all of these with a two-year-old in tow, so I’m guessing most people would be okay with hiking them.

Of course, these are just a few of the fantastic trails in the park. Since we didn’t have time to experience all of the options, there are likely plenty of gems we didn’t even know about, so be sure to do some exploring of your own!

Biking

Apparently, biking is another of the main things to do in Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Unfortunately, we no longer travel with our bicycles, so we didn’t get to try this firsthand. However, from what we saw of the Towpath trail, we’re guessing riding a bike along it would be an excellent way to experience the park.

Want a more intense Cuyahoga Valley bike riding experience? There are also mountain biking trails available.

Swimming

Hiking was my favorite thing we did in Cuyahoga Valley National Park, but my kids’ favorite thing? That would have to be swimming in the Cuyahoga River.

Swimming is permitted in all areas of the park with the exception of many of the falls, Indigo Lake, and Kendall Lake. Of course, you will need to use common sense when choosing a spot to swim, as deep waters and strong river currents can be extremely dangerous.

We chose to swim at the Boston Store Trailhead River Access, and the water was calm and shallow there on the day of our visit. There was even a rocky beach for me to sit and watch as the kids splashed around.

Paddling

We also saw a lot of people kayaking, paddle boarding, and canoeing along the river. This is allowed and is a great way to enjoy the river. That said, you must bring your own equipment and assume responsibility for your own safety. The NPS does not maintain the river, but they do provide a list of known hazards on this page.

There are several river access sites for paddlers to choose from. These include:

• Lock 29 River Access
• Boston Store Trailhead River Access
• Red Lock Trailhead River Access
• Station Road Bridge River Access

Information on how to reach each of these is available on the same page linked above.

Scenic Spots

Sometimes you don’t feel like hiking long distances or paddling a river to enjoy the beauty nature has to offer. In these cases, scenic overlooks and other pretty spots are the best options for things to do in Cuyahoga Valley National Park.

We saw several of these spots and added a few to our bucket list for when we return. They include:

• Everett Covered Bridge
• Brandywine Falls
• Beaver Marsh
• Tinker’s Creek Gorge Overlook
• Bridal Veil Falls Overlook

https://youtu.be/F2vhUILvzYg

Cuyahoga Valley National Park RV Rental

Ready to go out and have your Cuyahoga Valley National Park adventure? Book your RV rental today, snag a spot in one of the aforementioned campgrounds, and prepare to have an amazing time exploring nature and seeing the amazing beauty Ohio has to offer!