Best Time to Visit Cuyahoga Valley National Park

Pick a month. Best months are in bold.

The best months to visit Cuyahoga Valley National Park are April, May and June — computed from official NPS visitation (2021–2025 average), NOAA weather normals and daylight. July is the crowd peak (369,056 monthly visits); January is quietest at 26% of peak.

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Best months for fewer crowds

The quietest months at Cuyahoga Valley, leaving out harsh weather and months when main access is typically closed.

Monthly crowd curve

Average monthly recreation visits, 2021–2025 (NPS Visitor Use Statistics). Amber bar = current month.

Cuyahoga Valley month by month

Crowds: NPS Visitor Use Statistics, mean of 2021–2025 (2020 excluded as a COVID-19 anomaly). Weather: NOAA 1991–2020 monthly normals, station STOW 4 SE, OH US (9 mi from park coordinates). Daylight: computed for the 15th of each month at the park's location. Methodology.

How many people visit Cuyahoga Valley each year

Cuyahoga Valley National Park had 3,025,325 recreation visits in 2025, 4% more than 2024 (NPS Visitor Use Statistics). The busiest year since 2015 was 2025, with 3,025,325. Over 2021–2025 it averaged 2,857,286 visits a year, which makes it the 12th most-visited of the 63 national parks.

Calendar-year recreation visits as published by NPS Visitor Use Statistics. 2020 is shown here but left out of the monthly averages above, because the COVID-19 pandemic makes it unrepresentative. See how every park compares: all 63 parks ranked by visits.

What to pack for Cuyahoga Valley in April

Computed from April's weather normals — Cuyahoga Valley's best month above. Visiting another month? Each month page has its own weather-computed list.

• Warm mid-layer (fleece or light puffy) — mornings average 37°F
• Rain shell + pack cover — 3.7″ of precipitation is normal this month
• Waterproof boots — plus navigation and a basic first-aid kit — 3.7″ of precipitation is normal this month

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Common questions

Cuyahoga Valley month by month: notes from the park service

• January: January is Cuyahoga Valley's snowiest month, averaging 13 inches of snow, with days around 33°F and nights near 19°F, according to the park's climate table. Lake-effect snow off Lake Erie can change conditions quickly.
• February: February at Cuyahoga Valley averages 36°F by day and 21°F at night, with about 12 inches of snow, the park says, and winter temperatures can range from the mid-30s down to below zero. The park is open every day of the year, though Brandywine Falls, the Ledges and a few other areas close from dusk until the morning opening.
• March: March starts the thaw at Cuyahoga Valley, with average days of 46°F and nights of 29°F, but still around 11 inches of snow. The park plans Towpath Trail repairs between the Boston Trailhead and Lock 29 in Peninsula, with a tentative closure from March 29 to April 21, 2027, so check the conditions page before planning a towpath ride.
• April: April brings spring rain, new leaves and wildflowers to Cuyahoga Valley, the park says, with average days of 57°F, nights of 38°F and only about 2 inches of late snow. The Towpath Trail section from the Boston Trailhead to Lock 29 has a tentative closure until April 21, 2027 for repairs, so plan towpath walks around it early in the month.
• May: May warms Cuyahoga Valley to average days of 69°F and nights of 48°F, with about 4 inches of rain and only a trace of snow, by the park's figures. The park describes spring as the time visitors are anxious to get back on the trails after a long winter.
• June: June averages 77°F by day and 58°F at night at Cuyahoga Valley, with about 4 inches of rain. Summer here can range from 49 to 95°F and be humid, so the park recommends layers for biking or hiking.
• July: July is Cuyahoga Valley's warmest month, averaging 81°F by day and 62°F at night, with about 4 inches of rain, the park says. Summer can be humid, so dress in layers for long rides.
• August: August at Cuyahoga Valley averages 79°F by day and 61°F at night with about 4 inches of rain. The park notes that summer conditions such as drought can shift when the fall leaves peak.
• September: September cools Cuyahoga Valley to average days of 72°F and nights of 54°F, with about 4 inches of rain, by the park's climate table. A Towpath Trail section between the Boston Trailhead and Lock 29 in Peninsula is tentatively closed for repairs from August 24 to November 20, 2026, so plan rides around that gap.
• October: October is foliage month at Cuyahoga Valley: the park says colours often peak in the first weeks of October, generally around mid-month. Days average 61°F, nights 44°F, and fall can swing from the low 70s to freezing, so come ready for sun, fog, downpours or flurries.
• November: Cuyahoga Valley is open every day of the year, but in November's short days the dusk closures matter more. The park service closes several popular spots from dusk until the morning opening: Brandywine Falls, the Ledges, the Octagon, Kendall Lake, the Happy Days south parking area and the Kendall Hills area on Quick Road.
• December: December returns Cuyahoga Valley to winter, averaging 37°F by day, 25°F at night and about 12 inches of snow; the park gets about 61 inches a year in all. Lake-effect snow off Lake Erie can change the weather quickly.

Each month page carries the full note and the NPS page it comes from.

Dive into a month

Comparing parks for the same trip? See how Cuyahoga Valley ranks against all 63 parks in April, May and June.

Last verified 2026-09-24 · all parks