Cuyahoga Valley National Park Picnic Shelters
Cuyahoga Valley National Park is a destination for millions of visitors each year who enjoy hiking, riding the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad , biking and picnicking.
Whether you need an area large enough for a family reunion or just an intimate spot for two, Cuyahoga Valley is an ideal destination. Picnic areas are scattered throughout the park. Two rustic shelters, Ledges and Octagon, are available for reservation in the Virginia Kendall Unit of Cuyahoga Valley National Park.
Cuyahoga Valley's two shelters are fully-accessible. The Civilian Conservation Corps constructed them with American chestnut and locally quarried sandstone. The shelters are located near Ritchie Ledges, an area with approximately 2 miles of Sharon conglomerate stone cliffs about 30 feet (9m) tall. A large play field and hiking trails are available near each shelter.
Ledges Shelter accommodates up to 75 people. It has two fireplaces and eight picnic tables inside, as well as eight tables in the outside pavilion and a large grill.
Octagon Shelter accommodates up to 50 people. During the summer months its walls are removed; they are in place from October 15 to May 14. Seven indoor picnic tables, two fireplaces and an outdoor grill are provided.
Both shelters have electricity for normal two-pronged household appliances such as coffee pots and crock pots. Drinking water is available at a drinking fountain from May 1 to September 15. Restrooms with flush toilets are available year-round.
Need to Know
Only the shelter and the large grill adjacent to the shelter are reservable; the fields and restrooms are open to the public.
SHELTER HOURS:
May 1 - September 30: 10 a.m. to 9.p.m.
October 1 - April 30: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Both shelters gates are closed at dusk until morning.
Space heaters and other large appliances are not permitted. The fireplaces are for ambient heating and do not heat the entire building; dress warmly in winter months.
KEY CODE PICK-UP:
Keys for the shelter are kept in a lock box on site. The access code for the key box must be picked up at the Boston Mill Visitor Center located at 6947 Riverview Road, Peninsula, Ohio 44264. The access code may be picked up between 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For reservations occurring on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, or New Years Day, the code must be picked up a day in advance. Reservation holder must must bring a copy of the permit when picking up the access code. Rental fees must be paid in advance to receive a key. At the conclusion of the rental, leave the key in the drop box located near the shelter.
Decoration of shelters must not alter the historic structures in any way, including damage from nails, tacks or tape.
Alcoholic beverages are prohibited in Cuyahoga Valley National Park.
Bounce houses and other inflatables are not permitted.
Catering trucks and guest vehicles are prohibited from using the service driveway. The service driveway gate cannot be opened for public use
A Special Use Permit is required for weddings outside the shelter. Visit the Permits & Reservations page on the park website for more information.
There are two bins of firewood provided with a reservations. The group must provide their own kindling and start the fire themselves. Requests for additional wood are not available.
Don't Move Firewood: Help protect our forests! Prevent the spread of tree-killing pests by obtaining firewood at your destination and burning it on-site. Moving firewood is illegal in some states.
Ice Box Cave (at the Ledges) is closed year-round to all park visitors in an effort to slow the spread of White-Nose Syndrome. This emerging fungal disease has killed millions of bats in the US. The main method of transfer of the disease is by bat to bat transmission. Humans can also transport the fungal spores on their shoes, clothes and gear from contaminated sites to new sites. Please help protect our bats! Respect all posted trail restrictions and closed areas. Read more at Bats in the Park on our website. https://www.nps.gov/cuva/learn/nature/bats-in-the-park.htm
Visit the Cuyahoga Valley National Park website for more information and Things to Do in the park!
CANCELLATION POLICY: Cancellations more that 14 days before arrival will receive a refund minus a $10 cancellation fee. Cancellations less than 14 days out will forfeit the entire fee. However, the reserving party may be given an opportunity to reschedule the reservation (based on availability) within 12 months of the original reservation by contacting the park.
Natural Features
The Cuyahoga River flows through the park for 22 miles (35 km), fed by more than 190 miles (306 km) of perennial (permanent) and ephemeral (temporary) streams. The Beaver Marsh and other wetlands, many lined with cattails and dense patches of duckweed, provide a home for many of the park's reptiles and amphibians and help filter pollutants from the water.
Nearby Attractions
Visit Brandywine Falls, the historic Boston Store Visitor Center, Ritchie Ledges, the Beaver Marsh and the Everett Road Covered Bridge. These are some of the more popular attractions in the park.
Recreation
With many different facilities and attractions in the park, there is something to interest everyone. Most shelter areas have open fields for games and nearby hiking trails.Visitors enjoy riding the scenic railroad, exploring the visitor centers, catching one of the summer concerts, attending one of the ranger-guided programs, biking the Towpath Trail or picnicking in one of the park's picnic shelters.
Changes & Cancellations
Cancellations more that 14 days before arrival will receive a refund minus a $10 cancellation fee. Cancellations less than 14 days out will forfeit the entire fee. However, the reserving party may be given an opportunity to reschedule the reservation (based on availability) within 12 months of the original reservation by contacting the park.
Contact Information
Default
15610 Vaughn Road Brecksville OH 44141
Phone Number
For campground inquiries, please call: 440-717-3890 OR 330-657-2752
Rental Options
Learn more about gear rental options for your trip
Driving Directions
Ledges Shelter:
701 Truxell Road
Boston Township, Peninsula, OH 44264
Octagon Shelter:
801 Truxell Road
Boston Township, Peninsula, OH 44264
Click here for the quickest routes to Cuyahoga Valley National Park.
Available Campsites
- Site Octagon, Loop CUYAHOGA , Type Group Picnic Area
- Site Ledges , Loop CUYAHOGA , Type Group Picnic Area
