Cuyahoga Valley National Park Self-Guided Audio Tour Discount Tickets

3.3
★★★★★ ★★★★★
Based on 3 reviews |
location pin icon Ohio, USA
location pin icon Ohio
3.3 /5
3 reviews
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Cuyahoga Valley National Park Self-Guided Audio Tour
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Overview

Explore the magic of Cuyahoga Valley National Park! Begin with a scenic train ride, witnessing nature's beauty unfold. Discover Brandywine Falls, feel the mist and capture family photos at this enchanting waterfall. Bike through winding trails, enjoying the park's scenic wonders. Immerse yourself in the vibrant Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens, exploring intricate landscapes and learning about the estate's rich history. Tune into nature's symphony – the rustle of leaves, babbling brooks, and birdsong. Engage in interactive games, bringing the park's wildlife to life for a fun experience. End your day with a breathtaking sunset, casting warm colors over the park. Whether by train, bike, or on foot, our tour lets you explore Cuyahoga Valley National Park at your own pace. *Download the Shaka Guide app to access your purchased tours.*

End Point

End point

The tour ends at Deep Look Quarry Metro Park along Riverview Road, South of Peninsula, OH.

Language Offered

English-AUDIO

Itinerary

1. Lock 39 Trailhead
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.
Duration: 20 mins
2. Canal Exploration Center
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.
Duration: 30 mins
3. Tinkers Creek
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.
Duration: 5 mins
4. Bridal Veil Falls
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.
Duration: 15 mins
5. Egbert Picnic Area
This is a large picnic area with tables, grills, a shelter, restrooms, and nature trails.
Duration: 10 mins
6. Great Falls of Tinkers Creek
The Great Falls of Tinkers Creek can be found in Viaduct Park. A viaduct is a kind of bridge, supported by arches or columns.
Duration: 20 mins
7. Frazee House and Trailhead
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.
Duration: 10 mins
8. Chippewa Creek Gorge Overlook
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.
Duration: 5 mins
9. Brecksville Nature Center
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.
Duration: 30 mins
10. Jaite Trailhead
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.
Duration: 60 mins
11. Red Lock Trailhead
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.
Duration: 30 mins
12. Brandywine Falls
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.
Duration: 15 mins
13. Boston Mill Visitor Center
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.
Duration: 30 mins
14. Lock 29 Trailhead
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.
Duration: 60 mins
15. Ledges Trailhead
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!
Duration: 60 mins
16. Kendall Lake
Kendall Lake was created by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1935. Today, it’s popular with birdwatchers and fishing enthusiasts.
Duration: 15 mins
17. Great Blue Heron Viewing Area
Between Valentine’s Day and Independence Day, this is a popular area for spotting Great Blue Herons, who nest nearby.
Duration: 10 mins
18. Hale Farm & Village
The Hale Farm & Village is a living history museum where you can interact with volunteers dressed in period attire, and explore 32 historical structures.
Duration: 60 mins
19. Beaver Marsh
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.
Duration: 20 mins
20. Hunt House Visitor Center
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.
Duration: 30 mins
21. Everett Covered Bridge
The original Everett Covered Bridge was built in the 1800s and was one of about 2,000 at the time. It is now the last surviving covered bridge in Summit County. After being damaged in a series of floods, the bridge was rebuilt in 1986. Some people say the bridge is haunted by the ghost of a farmer who drowned trying to cross the creek.
Duration: 15 mins
22. Oak Hill Trailhead
The Oak Hill Trail is a flat, easy-loop trail that circles around Sylvan Pond. Even in the summer, you might have this trail all to yourself.
Duration: 30 mins
23. Tree Farm Trail
Tree Farm trail gets its name because it used to be the site of a tree farm. The farm’s long gone, but plenty of evergreen trees remain.
Duration: 30 mins
24. Deep Lock Quarry Metro Park
This is the final stop on the tour, just below the town of Peninsula. There are at least two features worth hiking to. First, there’s Lock 28, which is also known as Deep Lock, because at 17 feet, it was the deepest lock on the Ohio and Erie Canal. Secondly, there’s an old sandstone quarry. The Berea Sandstone quarried there was used to make millstones and to construct parts of the canal. Later, the Civilian Conservation Corps used this quarry to build some local structures.
Duration: 30 mins

Inclusion

Take the tour when you want

Tours NEVER expire

Audio narration that plays automatically as you drive using GPS

Offline map (map and GPS work completely offline - no wifi or data needed)

Tour Start is Customizable

Tour highlights with activity and restaurant recommendations

Turn-by-turn directions using GPS

Freedom to explore at your own pace - pick the stops you want, skip the ones you don’t

Hours of audio narration with stories, travel tips and music

Exclusion

Meals

Parking Fees

Entrance Fees

Entrance fees

Admission fees

Cancellation Policy

Check mark icon Refundable tickets

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

  • 100% refund if cancelled 1+ days before the start date
  • 0% refund if cancelled less than 1 day(s) before the start date

Additional Info

Wheelchair accessible

Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller

Service animals allowed

Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Travelers must have a smartphone compatible with the Shaka Guide app.

The app must be downloaded and the tour redeemed before arrival.

Strong Wi-Fi or cellular data is required to download the tour in advance.

Location services (GPS) must be enabled on the device

Travelers are responsible for securing any required entrance passes, reservations, or permits before starting

No park entrance fee

Best visited in summer and fall — most stops open in summer; stunning foliage in fall; winter offers cross-country skiing and a scenic Railroad Christmas event

Several stops have limited or seasonal hours — check before you go; Brandywine Falls, Ledges, Kendall Lake, and Happy Days South Parking Area are open dawn to dusk only

Boston Mill Visitor Center open daily 9:30 a.m.–5 p.m. year-round (except major holidays)

Canal Exploration Center closed November–May; limited hours in spring and fall

Supplied by Shaka Guide Apps

Reviews

3.3

★★★★★ ★★★★★
Based on 3 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

5 stars
1
4 stars
0
3 stars
1
2 stars
1
1 stars
0

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