Brandywine Falls and the Towpath Trail in Cuyahoga Valley
Cuyahoga Valley National Park, OH
- Who it suits
- Families with little kids, families with teens, couples and friends
- How long
- 3 or 4 days
- Getting there
- Drive. A drive from Indianapolis, Chicago, Cincinnati, Columbus, Louisville, Detroit (about 8 hours or less by car).
- Seasons
- Spring, Summer, Fall
Why it works
- Brandywine Falls is a 60-foot waterfall, and a boardwalk with steps takes you into its gorge to view it head-on, with a boardwalk option without stairs also available.
- You can walk or bike the park's 20-mile section of the Towpath Trail, which follows the historic route of the Ohio & Erie Canal.
- From Ledges Trailhead, the trail leads to the rocky cliffs of the Ledges, a striking outcropping of Sharon Sandstone and Conglomerate.
- Kids can become Junior Rangers by completing the Junior Ranger Handbook or activity sheet, and Junior Ranger Challenges and programs are offered in summer.
Watch out for
- The Brandywine Falls boardwalk may be closed during icy conditions, and sections of the Towpath Trail can close for repairs, so check the park's alerts before you go.
- The Brandywine Falls parking area is a very busy location with no overflow parking, and Brandywine Falls closes at dusk.
Sources
- Brandywine Falls is a 60-foot waterfall, and a boardwalk with steps takes you into its gorge to view it head-on, with a boardwalk option without stairs also available. source (checked 2026-11-14)
- You can walk or bike the park's 20-mile section of the Towpath Trail, which follows the historic route of the Ohio & Erie Canal. source 1 · source 2 (checked 2026-11-14)
- From Ledges Trailhead, the trail leads to the rocky cliffs of the Ledges, a striking outcropping of Sharon Sandstone and Conglomerate. source (checked 2026-11-14)
- Kids can become Junior Rangers by completing the Junior Ranger Handbook or activity sheet, and Junior Ranger Challenges and programs are offered in summer. source (checked 2026-11-14)
- The Brandywine Falls boardwalk may be closed during icy conditions, and sections of the Towpath Trail can close for repairs, so check the park's alerts before you go. source 1 · source 2 (checked 2026-11-14)
- The Brandywine Falls parking area is a very busy location with no overflow parking, and Brandywine Falls closes at dusk. source 1 · source 2 (checked 2026-11-14)