Cuyahoga County: Trails, Water and Culture

In Cuyahoga County, visitor experiences range from extensive trail networks and waterfront landscapes to art collections and places that tell the story of nature and industry. As you plan, consider whether hiking, water, museums or a mix of these themes will shape your stay.

Hiking, Waterfalls and Wetlands

Cuyahoga Valley National Park has more than 125 miles of trails and is open every day of the year. Operating conditions may differ at individual facilities, and closures may occur. Hundreds of miles of trails wind through the more than 25,000 acres of Cleveland Metroparks. Both figures convey the scale of the trail networks, though no single hike needs to cover the same distance.

Beaver Marsh is one of the most diverse natural communities in Cuyahoga Valley National Park. The Towpath Trail crosses the wetland on a boardwalk. Brandywine Falls is 60 feet tall and accessible via a partially accessible boardwalk; conditions on the boardwalk may change when there is ice. The 1.4-mile Brandywine Gorge Loop is wheelchair-accessible as far as its first viewpoint on the boardwalk. Access to the loop may also depend on current conditions.

Another wetland is Lake Abram, the largest remaining glacial wetland in Cuyahoga County. The 2.4-mile Lake to Lake Trail connects Lake Abram with Lake Isaac. At Lake Abram Marsh, there is also a prehistoric play pit and a mastodon excavation site for children to explore. At 48 feet, Mill Creek Falls is the county’s tallest waterfall; you can view it from the small overlook at The Yard.

Waterfronts and Trails by the Water

The Lake Erie Water Trail – Cuyahoga County stretches for more than 20 miles along the lake shore and connects to the Cuyahoga River Water Trail. There are also connections to the Rocky River and Euclid Creek. The Water Trail has 13 access points with safety signs and mile markers. Check access conditions before a paddling trip; individual access points may change.

The 147-acre Edgewater Park includes 9,000 feet of shoreline. Its amenities include dog and swimming beaches, boat ramps, a fishing pier, picnic areas and grills; amenities may change. At Edgewater Beach, you can enjoy scenic waterfront walks, picnics and beach volleyball. For cyclists, hikers and runners on the Towpath Trail, the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad offers one-way shuttle service.

Art, Music and Maritime History

The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame features a Signature Gallery honoring all inducted members by year, a New Inductee Exhibit, In Memoriam and the Power of Rock Experience. Exhibits may change as the museum updates its presentations.

The Cleveland Museum of Art has more than 66,500 works of art spanning 6,000 years of art history. General admission to the permanent collection galleries is free; different admission rules may apply to special exhibitions and events. Transformer Station presents works by emerging artists, time-based media, live music and social experiences. Its program changes over time.

The Great Lakes Science Center is located between the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and Huntington Bank Field. The Science Center has a 500-space parking garage; access and parking rules may change during events. The center is one of only 11 NASA visitor centers in the United States. You can also tour the historic steamship William G. Mather: the restored ship is 618 feet long. During a visit, you can explore cargo holds, the pilothouse, guest cabins and the four-story engine room.

Natural History and Historic Places

At Rocky River Nature Center, you can learn about Ohio’s wildlife today, ancient species such as Dunkleosteus, and prehistoric and pioneer cultures. Trails from the center lead to the riverbank, through a wet forest and onward to ponds, high ground and ancient Native American earthworks.

Brecksville Nature Center opened on June 11, 1939, as a WPA-era Trailside Museum. The landscapes it provides access to include deeply cut wooded gorges, a restored Ohio prairie and glacial river valleys. At North Chagrin Nature Center, you’ll find exhibits with live native animals, a children’s play area, several wildlife-viewing areas and programs led by naturalists.

Squire’s Castle is a 1890s gatehouse modeled on German and English Baroque castles. The open grounds in front are suitable for games and picnics. If you’re also interested in regional goods, West Side Market has more than 70 vendors selling meat, fresh vegetables, seafood, baked goods, dairy and cheese products, and other goods. Its year-round schedule lists hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sundays; check opening hours before your visit.

The Towpath Trail also passes the Canal Exploration Center. When looking for a hotel, you can start by choosing the excursions and themes that matter to you during your stay: trails and wetlands, water activities, art or history. This way, your trip plans reflect the interests that bring you to Cuyahoga County.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: North Olmsted, Brook Park, Cleveland, Beachwood, Richmond Heights, Independence, Mayfield Heights, Strongsville, Lakewood, Fairview Park, Solon, Westlake, Brecksville, Valley View, Bay Village, Warrensville Heights.

For the broader travel overview: Ohio.