Sometimes plans don’t work out. We had planned to go on a summer trip to Colorado and visit a few parks, but life threw us a curveball. Instead, we headed east to Cuyahoga and Indiana Dunes National Parks as the consolation prize. Our pup, Jasper, also came along because we couldn’t find a dog-sitter so last minute. Each of the following are our picks for the 4 best dog-friendly hikes in Cuyahoga Valley!
While they are not the mountains we love, these parks have their own beauty and opportunities for recreation that brought restoration to our souls! Cuyahoga is also a fantastic park for families in a similar way to Great Smoky Mountain National Park, so get those kids of any age out there and adventuring!
In Cuyahoga, we found both scenery and history, with these being our recommended sites to visit in the park!
4 Best Dog-Friendly Hikes in Cuyahoga Valley National Park
Brandywine Falls
This easy hike, primarily on a boardwalk with a fair amount of stairs, can be done as a 1.4 mile loop or as an out and back trip to the falls from the parking area. The 65 foot falls are pretty and this is the most accessible of all the waterfalls in the park. There is a small parking lot area and the trail is popular, so anticipate a fair amount of people, and pups, along the way. An overlook area gives a good photo spot but be prepared to wait to get your photo!
Blue Hen Falls
This hike, while “harder” than Brandywine, is still not difficult. The trail is good old fashioned dirt, and there is a nice pool at the base of the falls you can splash in.
The parking area on the north side of the road holds only a few cars (about 3 or so), but a good sized lot just across the road on the south side had many more spaces. As often happens, we parked on the south side and there was no one in the north lot. Oh well! Do be careful crossing the road as it is a blind crossing for vehicles and traffic can be heavy. It isn’t a tall waterfall at just 15 feet, but it was quieter and at 3 miles roundtrip perfect for families.
Canal Exploration Center
While this isn’t a hike or dog-friendly, it is a worthwhile stop if you are in the area. For kids of all ages this has the best exhibits on the Cheseapeake and Erie Canalway you will find!
It was the perfect spot to finish our Junior Ranger books and a nice large parking lot also makes it a great place to park and bike from or grab a picnic lunch. It is also right next to one of the locks, so a perfect spot to learn about how locks function and their importance on the Canalway. There is even a diorama inside, which are my favorite parts of visitor centers 
While the building isn’t dog-friendly, there is a nice open grassy area and the trail along the canal to explore.
Ledges Overlook and Loop Trail
We loved the Ledges area of the park. It is a must stop and has both a large picnic pavilion as well as a number of picnic tables and a huge field to throw down a blanket and enjoy the sunshine! The overlook is popular and located in the southwest corner of the large grass field. It is also a great spot to watch a sunset.
The Loop Trail, which is why we came, is a 2.2 mile route that is most interesting in the Rock Cliffs portion. We chose to walk north then east on the green connector trail over to near Ice Box Cave and connected into the loop there, making a big “P” shaped hike and across the field to finish as the southeast portion of the trail is the least scenic. The rock cliffs are interesting and the trail weaves in and around within them, making us feel like we were back in our native Minnesota on the North Shore area along Lake Superior.
Everett Covered Bridge
The Everett Covered Bridge is a super easy hike across an open field to the 1870s vintage structure. It is also a great place to play in the creek and is the last covered bridge in the county. Covered bridges were built to protect the structure by shielding the timber trusses and decking from the elements, and today we can enjoy a super short walk across the distinctive bridge and open field, as well as a photogenic spot for your Christmas cards!
While Cuyahoga is not as stunning as the parks of the west, it is unique in its own right and a great place to explore. Families who bring their bikes would enjoy the trail along the Canalway and the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad is also an option for those interested. We also visited the nearby James A Garfield and First Ladies National Historic Sites and enjoyed their respective tours.
Let us know if you try out any of our picks for 4 best dog-friendly hikes in Cuyahoga or if you have other recommendations for dog-friendly hikes in Cuyahoga that we missed.
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