Day trips

Cuyahoga Valley National Park: A Free Day Trip from Youngstown

Ohio's national park has no entrance fee and is about an hour from Youngstown. Here's what to do, what to bring, and how to plan a late-fall or winter visit.

Updated · 2 min read · By the Valley Weekender team

Brandywine Falls pouring over a rock ledge in Cuyahoga Valley National Park in fall
Brandywine Falls, Cuyahoga Valley National Park · Photo: Erik Drost, CC BY 4.0
On this page
  1. What to do
  2. Visiting in late fall and winter
  3. Bonus: free national park days
  4. Make a day of it

One of the best free days out from the Mahoning Valley is a national park. Cuyahoga Valley National Park (CVNP) stretches between Cleveland and Akron along the Cuyahoga River. It's about 54 miles from downtown Youngstown, roughly an hour and 10 minutes to the Boston Mill Visitor Center area.

Need to know
  • Cost: Free. The National Park Service says no entrance pass is required.
  • Start at: Boston Mill Visitor Center, where you can also buy some America the Beautiful passes (call ahead December–April).
  • Food: Available in the Boston and Peninsula areas only. Bring water, since some locations have none.
  • Weather: The NPS says snow can fall from October through May, and lake-effect snow can change conditions quickly.

What to do

  • Hike. The park has trails for every level. Its waterfalls, including Brandywine Falls, are the most popular stops, so arrive early on weekends.
  • Bike or walk the Towpath Trail. It follows the route of the historic Ohio & Erie Canal and is flat, which makes it good for kids and casual riders.
  • Ride the scenic railroad. The Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad runs through the park. Check its schedule for seasonal and holiday trains.
  • Catch a ranger program or concert, and pick up a Junior Ranger handbook for the kids.

Visiting in late fall and winter

The NPS says fall foliage usually peaks in mid-October. By November, the leaves are mostly down, the crowds thin out, and the views of waterfalls and ledges open up. Expect daytime temperatures anywhere from the 50s down to freezing at night, and muddy trails from the freeze-thaw cycle. The park recommends dressing in layers with a non-cotton base layer and wearing waterproof boots or sturdy shoes.

Bonus: free national park days

CVNP is free every day, but if you're planning a trip to another national park that charges a fee, the NPS's remaining 2026 fee-free days are Oct. 27 (Theodore Roosevelt's birthday) and Nov. 11 (Veterans Day). Admission is free those days for U.S. citizens and residents.

Make a day of it

Pair the park with the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton or the Rock Hall in Cleveland. Each is roughly 40–50 minutes from the park.

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