21 Amazing Places to Photograph in Cuyahoga Valley National Park

The Cuyahoga Valley National Park is a hidden jewel that deserves to be explored, and we’ve put up a photographic guide to help you do just that.

Cuyahoga Valley National Park, located in Northeast Ohio near the city of Cleveland, is more than just a natural wonder. It also has an array of opportunities for visitors to explore and get back to nature. One such opportunity is photography. The whole area is so beautiful that even professional pictures are hard to take because there are no ugly spots and all of them look like postcards. You don’t need any advanced equipment to get amazing shots. All you need is your camera and a desire to have fun as you take in such great photography opportunities.

THE BEST GEAR TO PHOTOGRAPH CUYAHOGA VALLEY NATIONAL PARK

We recommend a high-quality camera as well as it is the holy trinity of equipment, including a wide field of vision lens. 14-24mm or a similar range. You can also get a 24-70mm or comparable lens, along with 70-200mm or a comparable lens.

Don’t fret if you don’t have these lenses, something comparable will do. If you plan to shoot sunsets in the evening, you need to also consider purchasing a tripod.

Best Places to Photograph Cuyahoga Valley National Park

1. BRANDYWINE FALLS

Brandywine Falls is one of the most popular destinations in Cuyahoga Valley National Park. It’s easy to see why. The falls are surrounded by lush forests, rocky cliffs, and some of the best views in Ohio. Visitors can enjoy a small walking trail that circles the falls, or get up close and personal with them via a wooden bridge. Photographers will love the variety of angles at which they can shoot Brandywine Falls.

Brandywine Falls is a beautiful, 80-foot waterfall located in Cuyahoga Valley National Park. You can get a great view of this waterfall from the bridge that crosses over it. However, if you want to get some truly amazing shots of Brandywine Falls, you need to go down into the gorge on one of the two trails that lead upstream from the falls. 

2.  Everett Bridge

This bridge that spans the Cuyahoga Valley, near Akron, is the perfect place to shoot from above the valley on a sunny day. It’s an easy hike and there are many vantage points from which to take pictures. The sunsets here are incredibly beautiful – all you need to do is pack some snacks and get out of sight so as not to ruin other people’s shots. The Everett Bridge is a great place to visit if you love photography. There are many places to stop, sit and relax while taking pictures on your journey around this beautiful park.

3.  The Ritchie Ledges of Virginia Kendall Park

This is a place for you to take amazing photographs! Ritchie Ledges is a wonderful place to photograph in Cuyahoga Valley National Park. This location takes up a lot of space so it’s not ideal for taking photos of a person or small group, however, it makes a great background for large groups, landscapes, and scenic shots.  The best time to go is during or after a rain storm when waterfalls run strong and clouds blanket an otherwise green valley.

4. Blue Hen Falls 

Blue Hen Falls is a little hidden gem tucked away in Cuyahoga Valley National Park. When you see it for the first time, it’s hard to believe that there’s a huge waterfall right off of a highway. The parking lot is very small and limited so try to get here early in the morning before all of the tourists arrive. There are many places to many amazing places to photograph in Cuyahoga Valley National Park.

5. Erie Canal Towpath Trail

The Erie Canal Towpath Trail is one of the most popular trails in Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Explore the numerous areas to capture a wide range of photos—from waterfalls and scenic overlooks, to lush forests and historic rail lines. The trail is an easy two-hour hike, with plenty of opportunities for photo breaks and snacks on the way. The viewpoints along this path are breathtaking and include historic canal locks and dams that date back to the 1800s, where pioneer barges would float through.

6. Indigo Lake

Indigo Lake is a very beautiful and amazing place to photograph. It has a lot of various landscapes and peaks that you can use as a background or foreground. The variety of vegetation is also enormous, so there will be plenty of plants to choose from. It’s a perfect spot for beginning photographers because you will always find new things to photograph every season.

7. Brick Frazee house 

The Brick Frazee House is a beautiful estate near the park’s major cultural attractions, including Blossom Music Center and the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad. Built by industrialist Frank B. Frazee in 1920, its exterior features rusticated stone walls and a grand Palladian window dominating the entry. The estate also boasts gardens with blooming daffodils, tulips, and other flowers in early spring; new grasses in summer; colorful chrysanthemum blooms in fall; and colorful winter bark on dogwoods each year.

Best Places to Photograph Cuyahoga Valley National Park

8. Kendall Lake

If you’re looking for an incredible place to photograph in Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Kendall Lake is it. Located at the intersection of three different ecosystems, this spot has a little something for everyone. Its beautiful ravine and waterfall make it an ideal place for landscape photography, while its rich history and sprawling wetlands attract photographers looking to capture wildlife. Soak up some sun while taking pictures, or head into the woods to get your fill of trees, waterfalls, and wildlife! Don’t forget to pack your camera—you never know what might appear out here!

9. Wetlands Boardwalk

Wetlands Boardwalk is a beautiful place to walk and photograph in Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Set next to a stream, the boardwalk takes you through many different types of landscapes – from the forested area by the parking lot, to an open field with a view of the valley, then onto a bridge over wet marshy land before it trails off into the dense forest.

10. Beaver Marsh

This is one of my favorite spots to photograph in Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Beaver Marsh is a peaceful and beautiful place with great opportunities for wildlife, landscapes, and night photography. In the spring, summer and fall it’s easy to get in close to these beavers because they love having their picture taken.

11. Deer Lick Creek

Deer Lick Creek is one of the most amazing places to photograph in Cuyahoga Valley National Park. The small waterfalls and picturesque pools are absolutely captivating. It is a beautiful trail that goes along a creek, and it’s great for taking photographs with the water, as well as on the banks of the creek. There are plenty of areas where you can get fun photos here! This is also a great place to go if you love bird watching, or just spending time alone in nature. It’s easy to get distracted by all of the beauty surrounding you on this hike.

12. Sylvan Pond

The Sylvan Pond Trail winds its way through forest and field, skirting the northern edge of this scenic pond. A variety of wildflowers, birds, and other wildlife are common sights along this trail. The pond shore is a particularly good place to watch migrating waterfowl in spring and fall.

13. Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad

Cuyahoga Valley National Park is a wonderful place to get some good photos, but the Railroad is one of the biggest places! You will find it just off-route 8, in Bath. This area features a cornfield and overlooks that have breathtaking views of the valley, as well as many other landscapes to shoot. In addition, there are plenty of small trails around here for hiking through forests and fields. The park also offers several other viewing areas; however, this location provides the most variety and is great to visit year-round.

Best Places to Photograph Cuyahoga Valley National Park

14. Park shelter

Park shelter is an amazing place to photograph in Cuyahoga Valley National Park. It’s best photographed during sunrise and sunset when the light casts a golden glow on the trees and surrounding area. This place is amazing to photograph, especially all the green and old trees. It has great views, and a small section of it is on the national park grounds. You can walk around for hours with your camera and get lost in your thoughts or just enjoy the scenery.

15. The Great Falls of Tinker`s Creek Gorge

Take a hike and let the natural beauty of Cuyahoga Valley National Park wash over you. This gorge was originally formed by water erosion over time. Tinker’s Creek is the only natural drainage for the area, which makes this Gorge a gorgeous place to photograph. This is perfect for families interested in outdoor activities, with easy hikes along the trail for everyone.

16. Arch Bridge

The 30-foot tall Arch Bridge is a great place to take photos of the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. You can see it from a number of different vantage points, which makes it an ideal place to visit over and over again. Even better, once you find a location that you like, it’s quick and easy for your family or friends to move around until you get the shot you want.

17. Cuyahoga Valley

Cuyahoga Valley is a national park in the United States, located in the state of Ohio. The park encompasses approximately 12,000 acres and includes some of the last preserved lands along the Cuyahoga River and within 60 miles of downtown Cleveland. Cuyahoga Valley National Park is composed of several connected parcels that together form a large green area through which flows the Cuyahoga River. The National Park Service administers the majority of this area.

18. Chagrin Falls

Chagrin Falls is a beautiful place to photograph in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Here you’ll find Chagrin Falls, one of the highest waterfalls in Ohio, as well as many other waterfalls cascading down into idyllic gorges. This National Park also offers beautiful hiking trails and camping areas throughout its 250 square miles.

19. Brecksville Reservation

With picturesque trails and rolling fields, Brecksville Reservation is a great place to hike, run, bike, or cross-country ski. There are plenty of picnic spots with views of the Cuyahoga Valley National Park beyond. There’s also a grove of hickory trees that can give you some great shots if you’re a seasoned nature photographer!

20. Buttermilk Falls

Buttermilk Falls is a very photogenic waterfall located in Cuyahoga Valley National Park, easily accessible via the Gorge Metro Trail. The falls drop approximately 22 feet, give or take an inch or two depending on the time of year. Buttermilk Falls is most impressive after heavy rains when there’s been snow melt and rain in previous months. If you can get there when there’s lots of water flowing over these falls it will make for amazing photographs.

21. Bridal Veil Falls

Bridal Veil Falls is a classic Ohio waterfall. The free-falling water drops 60 feet, cascading over exposed rock formations. On the left side of the falls, you will find a dark cave carved out by the swirling rush of moving water and weathering. This area is blanketed in moss and ferns which give it an even more mystical feel. This popular hike takes you to the top of Bridal Veil Falls and gives you a unique view of the falls from above where it looks like cascading gold threads coming over the cliff edge onto huge boulders below.

These are the Amazing Places to Photograph in Cuyahoga Valley National Park 

Overall, the Cuyahoga Valley National Park is an amazing place to visit and photograph. If you are looking for a change of pace, head to Brecksville! You will get the best of both worlds in this national park. There’s a great farmers’ market every Friday in the summer months and plenty of beautiful local eateries to enjoy.

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