How to elope in Cuyahoga Valley National Park: The complete guide
I’m a little biased because this is my home park (I grew up about 45 minutes south of here), but Cuyahoga Valley is such a hidden gem! The park is settled between the cities of Cleveland and Akron, Ohio and while that sounds like it would be super urban, the park is a 33,000-acre refuge full of rivers, forests, grasslands, wetlands, and historical canal trails as well as geological sites! Established as a national recreation area I'mn 1974 and made a park in 2000, Cuyahoga Valley features a ton of unique flora and fauna and a rich cultural history. Remnants of the Ohio & Erie Canal dot the park’s trails and provide a unique look into a big part of Ohio’s past. From the prolific train rides in the winter to kayaking the river in the summer, the park is a Midwestern dream and such a unique spot for your elopement!
Cuyahoga means “crooked river” and it played a crucial role in the industrial revolution in the Midwest. The river was famous for catching on fire due to pollution in the 60’s, but that event helped to spark Earth Day and spurred the Clean Water Act! Now, the Cuyahoga is an amazing scenic river and the surrounding wetlands and forest are important to the local ecosystem. I can’t wait for you to see all the amazing things the park has to offer.
Click on the photos for original posters, vendors, and venue links.
An Overview of Cuyahoga Valley National Park
Climate & weather:
The park’s weather is pretty consistent for weather in Northeast Ohio as a whole: four distinct seasons, pleasant temperatures, and chilly winters (but not unbearable ones). Always remember to take layers with you because weather can change rapidly!
Spring: Average temperatures range from 40-70 degrees. There’s a lot of rain during this season but all the trees and flowers start to bud. There isn’t too much green in early spring, but wildflowers are blooming, and the trails all open for the season. Summer: Average temperatures range from 60-90 degrees. Humidity is high but there’s almost always a breeze in the forest because of all the trees. Remember that these are peak temperatures for feeling chilly when you get out of the car but hot once you start moving so remember your layers! Fall: Average temperatures range from 30-60 degrees. The forests all change color with the changing of the seasons and they really are stunning. Winter: Average temperatures range from 0-30 degrees. Because the park is so close to Lake Erie, it often experiences lake effect snow (there’s lots of it!) and averages around 61 inches of snow annually! Trails are slippery and it can be very, very cold but isn’t often too extreme.
Peak season:
Most people visit the park during the spring, summer, and fall. Spring and summer are the most popular because of the mild temperatures and ease of doing all the fun activities the area has to offer!
Mid-October is the peak of those warm and gorgeous fall colors in the park and they’re worth seeing! If changing leaves and fall colors are what you’re after, don’t hesitate to wait for October.
Airports, travel, and getting around:
There are lots of ways to explore the park here! Here are a few options:
Enter the park by heading to the Boston Mill Visitor Center at 6947 Riverview Road, Peninsula, Ohio 44264. Remember that your GPS doesn’t always know the best route! It is common to be misdirected. Use coordinates, if you can!
The two closest airports are going to be Cleveland Hopkins International Airport in Cleveland and Akron-Canton Regional Airport in Canton, Ohio. Car rentals are available at both airports!
If you’re staying in Cleveland, the Amtrak train station has stops that will take you to Peninsula and the gateway to the park.
Safety information:
To prevent mosquito bites, steer clear of standing water like puddles, ditches, and containers that hold water like storm drains and catch-basins. Mosquitos can carry West Nile Virus, so make sure to use repellant when doing any outdoor activity. The poison ivy plant has groups of three pointed and glossy leaves that grow alternating on the stem with irregular teeth. Wear long-sleeve shirts and pants and apply calamine lotion and Tecnu on any exposed body parts. When hiking, make sure you bring enough water and always tell someone where you’re going and when you expect to return. If you’re visiting the Ledges, please stay back from the edges since the ground is unstable and hazardous. Be extra careful if you’re there when it rains or snows.
Tick safety: Ticks can be found in tall grass and near structures and woodpiles. Always check your body and clothing after spending time in tick areas. If you find one, carefully remove the tick and all parts of the body from your skin using clean tweezers and monitor your health. If you start feeling ill, contact your doctor immediately.
River safety: The rivers are not specifically maintained by the park so if you recreate near them, you’ll be assuming your own risk. Swift currents, log jams, and other issues are common on the river. Always check the quality of the water with the USGS Great Lakes NowCast to make sure you’re not recreating at a time with high bacteria in the water.
Bike safety: If you’ll be biking on the Towpath Trail, remember that it is a shared recreation trail meaning it is open to equestrians, bikers, hikers, and runners. Remember to yield to horses and give a clear warning if you’re passing someone. Always wear a helmet!
Entry fees:
Unlike many other National Parks, entry into Cuyahoga Valley National Park is FREE! Consider making a donation to the Conservancy for Cuyahoga Valley National Park fund.
How to elope in Cuyahoga Valley National Park
Obtaining a permit:
Every wedding or elopement in the park requires a Special Use Permit. There is a $75 non-refundable application fee and you have to get your application to the park office no less than 30 days before your wedding, but I recommend reaching out to them by 90 days out to make sure your application is approved. You may need to pay a monitoring fee of $25-60/hour depending on the complexity of your event or if the park deems it necessary to have staff present, with a 2-hour minimum.
You will not be able to get a permit on the following dates: Memorial Day weekend, Labor Day weekend, Independence Day, or at Brandywine Falls during any weekend or holiday in October (due to how busy it gets).
The following areas are off-limits to permits: Blue Hen Falls, Old Carriage Trail, and East Rim Trail.
This information is the up-to-date information from the park as of 4/2023. Always check with the park and the permitting office to make sure you’re following current guidelines. Please follow the permit guidelines. They help protect the park, the rangers, and most importantly, the environment. Following the rules protects the park for all of us and future generations for years to come.
Getting a marriage license in Ohio:
Any couple trying to apply for a marriage license in Ohio MUST pre=register for a marriage license online and the license is valid for 60 days after it is issued. The application can be made in the county of residence of either person if they live in Ohio, but must be done in the county the ceremony will be in if neither person lives in Ohio. Both parties must be present when applying in person and provide their social security numbers. If either person has been divorced, bring the case number of the divorce paperwork with you and a certified copy of the divorce decree. The license costs $60.
A note on officiants:
You can be married by any ordained or licensed minister of any religious society in Ohio who is licensed to solemnize marriage, a judge, or mayor in Ohio.
Florists near Cuyahoga Valley National Park
A Leave No Trace note about florists: something to consider when thinking about Leave No Trace is how florals will effect the environment. Consider asking your florist to only use native and non-invasive florals in your bouquet to limit the risk of introducing dangerous species to the park.
Best locations in Cuyahoga Valley National Park
Remember that some locations require special permits! Make sure to check with the park to see if there’s any requirements or considerations you need to know about.
Enjoying the rest of Cuyahoga Valley National Park
What to pack:
Because Cuyahoga Valley comes with its own set of unique challenges, here are some tips for packing when you visit:
Sturdy hiking boots and at least a few pairs of wool or synthetic socks to keep your feet warm. Also consider bringing gaiters for river crossings!
A backpack that is fitted correctly and can carry your personal gear, a tent, and a rain fly for your pack.
A rain jacket and pants, NOT a rain poncho.
Warm, quick-drying clothing is very important! Cotton won’t keep you warm if you get wet, so stick to wool or synthetics like polypropylene or nylon. Bring quick-drying pants, at least one long-sleeved shirt, long underwear, a winter hat, waterproof gloves, and a fleece jacket. If you’re coming in the winter, know how to dress for sub-zero temperatures.
A stove, fuel, cookware, water bottles, and water purifying tablets, or a water filter.
A sleeping bag and a pad, if you’re camping
Emergency gear and The Ten Essentials.
Bear Spray
Always bring a map! While apps like AllTrails are great, your phone could die or you could drop it in a puddle and poof — there go your maps. Paper maps are still a thing, I promise.
Be prepared with the bug trifecta: the right clothes, bug repellant, and something to treat bug bites. If you can stand it in the summer, pants will help shield you from ticks, black flies, and mosquitos. The same goes for long-sleeved shirts (you can even find some with SPF!).
Remember that sunburns can happen even on cloudy days, and especially on snowy (but sunny) days. Protect that beautiful skin of yours.
What to pack for your elopement:
You wouldn’t forget your dress or your suit (hopefully), but what about all the other little things? Here’s a short list of extras you might be forgetting:
A way to transport your ceremony clothing (whether by wearing it on a hike, packing it in a backpack, or just using garment bags)
Your rings! (A pretty important part, tbh.)
Vow books, clothing accessories (ties, cufflinks, belts, safety pins, stain remover), jewelry, perfume, and deodorant, letters to each other, small trinkets, and anything else you plan on including during your elopement.
All of your legal documents, including park entrance passes, park wedding permits, IDs, and your marriage license (you’ll also need your passports if you’re coming from out of the country).
Where to stay:
What else to do around Cuyahoga Valley National Park:
I grew up in Amish Country in Ohio, so about an hour away from the park. This is my “home” park and it has so much to offer! Cuyahoga Valley is near Cleveland and it’s such a fun city. Because the park sits between Cleveland and Akron, it can feel like it lacks the “adventure” that lots of other parks have but what it lacks in big features it makes up for in American history, environmental action, and lots of trains. I know you can find all the amazing things about the park and Northeast Ohio!
Bike the Ohio & Erie Towpath Trail: The towpath was active from 1827-1913 when mules pulled boats up and down the canal to their destinations. It’s a great way to walk a few miles of the trail, or jump on a rented bike and bike for a long way and take the railroad back with your bike! You can rent bikes in Peninsula from Century Cycles or Pedego Bikes, or bring your own.
Ride the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad: You can ride from Rockside Station in the north in Cleveland to Akron in the south on a 3-hour ride, or take your bike from one end back to the beginning after biking along the towpath. If you’re there in the winter, buy tickets to the train when it turns into the Polar Express with music, lunch, and plenty of hot chocolate!
Hike to Blue Hen Falls: This 3-mile round-trip hike is a doozy! You’ll end up at a 15-foot waterfall on the Buckeye Trail after climbing up 580 feet in elevation. That’s a steep incline! There’s a stone staircase that will take you to the trail. There’s a 200-foot climb down a steep ridge followed by another 100-foot staircase to the ravine floor. It’s worth the
Visit the Farmer’s Market: Szalay’s is a farmer’s market, restaurant, and destination! In the fall ou can explore their 3-acre corn maze and grab some grilled corn on the cob and in the spring and summer pick up some grilled sandwiches, local snacks, ice cream, and see local wares.
Explore Hale Farm and Village: The village is a living history museum part of the Western Reserve Historical Society. There are costumed educators, farm animals, historic structures, heritage-manicured gardens, food and cooking demonstrations, and lots of early American craft and trades. I used to go here on field trips as a kid and it’s still just as cool as an adult!
Go kayaking at Burning River Adventures: Go on an excursion on the Cuyahoga River from anywhere between 2 miles to 6.5 miles, and even take kayaking lessons if you’ve never gone before!
Explore Akron: There are lots of things to do around Akron! Some of my favorites are the Akron Zoo (a smaller option than the Cleveland Zoo), Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens, the Akron Art Museum, going to an event at Lock 3 Park, catching a minor league game at Canal Park, and see a show at the Akron Civic Theatre.
Explore Cleveland: I absolutely love Cleveland! It’s such an underrated city with so much to do! Some of my favorite things to do are to explore Little Italy, wander around the Cleveland Museum of Art, check out the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, eat allllll the things at West Side Market, see the Guardians play at Progressive Field (go Guards!), walk around the many metro parks in the city, and SO much more!