Cuyahoga National Park

Lock 39 Trailhead - The Lock 39 Trailhead is one of several entry points for the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail.

In the days when canals were operational, boats were pulled by teams of mules or horses along this path.

If you head south on the towpath trail for a quarter mile from the parking lot, you’ll arrive at Lock 39.

Additionally, from the southern end of the parking lot, you can cross a bridge over the Cuyahoga River.

This bridge leads to the Rockside Station of the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad.

Canal Exploration Center - The Canal Exploration Center is located in a historic canal-side tavern, with a reconstructed canal lock outside. The center is open from Wednesday to Sunday, June through October.

It features interactive exhibits that are enjoyable for all ages and detail the canal’s history.

Tinkers Creek - The first of three overlooks on this tour, the Tinkers Creek Overlook offers views into the Tinkers Creek Gorge, a National Natural Landmark.

Bridal Veil Falls - Bridal Veil Falls is a gentle, cascading waterfall viewable from a boardwalk and bridge over the creek.

You can follow the creek downstream for a quarter-mile to reach the Lower Deerlick Creek Falls.

Egbert Picnic Area - This spacious picnic area includes tables, grills, a shelter, restrooms, and nature trails.

Great Falls of Tinkers Creek - Located in Viaduct Park, the Great Falls of Tinkers Creek is a must-see. A viaduct is a type of bridge supported by arches or columns.

Frazee House and Trailhead - The Frazee House, one of the first brick structures in the valley, was built in the 1820s in the Federal style by Stephen and Mehitable Frazee.

For its time, it was considered a dream home. However, since Ohio was still frontier territory, skilled laborers were scarce.

The family constructed it themselves, even making the bricks from backyard mud and clay. Today, the house is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Chippewa Creek Gorge Overlook - The Chippewa Creek Gorge was carved by glaciers during the last major ice age.

The top rock layer is Berea Sandstone, also used in the construction of the nearby Brecksville Nature Center.

Brecksville Nature Center - Situated on the western edge of the National Park, Brecksville Nature Center offers exhibits on the area’s plants, animals, and history.

There’s a kids’ corner with activities for children and rocking chairs for enjoying nature views through a wall of windows.

The center also features a park, picnic area, nature trails, and a program center for educational events.

Jaite Trailhead - The Jaite Trailhead provides access to a highly recommended section of the Buckeye Trail.

A mile-and-a-half walk from the trailhead leads to old-growth trees that have stood for centuries.

Red Lock Trailhead - At this trailhead, you can explore Lock 34, also known as Red Lock. A half-mile south on the Red Lock Trail takes you to the remains of the old Jaite Paper Mill.

Brandywine Falls - Standing at 60 feet, Brandywine Falls is Ohio’s tallest waterfall. Several boardwalk viewing areas and the remains of an old appliance factory are nearby.

Boston Common Visitor Center - Opened in 2019, the Boston Mill is a state-of-the-art Visitor Center.

Visitors can speak with a park ranger, pick up trail maps, use the restroom, shop at the bookstore, or board the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad.

The Boston Store next door offers souvenirs and food.

Lock 29 Trailhead - Park at the Lock 29 Trailhead to explore the Peninsula on foot.

Shop at the National Park’s Trail Mix store or visit local restaurants, art galleries, gift shops, and more.

Lock 29 is the only canal lock you can walk into! You can also park here to board the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad.

Ledges Trailhead - The Ledges Trail is the most recommended trail on the tour.

This easy, 2-mile loop trail circles the base of a plateau, exploring rocky ledges, crevasses, caves, and overhangs. The rocks here are up to 400 million years old!

Kendall Lake - Created by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1935, Kendall Lake is popular with birdwatchers and fishing enthusiasts.

Great Blue Heron Viewing Area - Between Valentine’s Day and Independence Day, this area is popular for spotting Great Blue Herons nesting nearby.

Hale Farm & Village - Hale Farm & Village is a living history museum where visitors can interact with volunteers in period attire and explore 32 historical structures.

Beaver Marsh - Beaver Marsh is a wetland created by beavers damming a section of the old canal.

Remarkably, this wetland was once an auto salvage yard in the 1970s.

Volunteers from a local Sierra Club branch cleaned it up in the 80s, and wildlife took care of the rest.

Hunt House Visitor Center - Hunt House offers child-friendly nature exhibits and information about nearby attractions.

It also serves as a rest stop for Towpath Trail hikers. A popular farm market next door is open in the summer and fall.

Everett Covered Bridge - Originally built in the 1800s, the Everett Covered Bridge was one of about 2,000 at the time.

Now the last surviving covered bridge in Summit County, it was rebuilt in 1986 after flood damage.

Some say the bridge is haunted by the ghost of a farmer who drowned trying to cross the creek.

Oak Hill Trailhead - The Oak Hill Trail is a flat, easy-loop trail around Sylvan Pond. Even in summer, you might have this trail all to yourself.

Tree Farm Trail - Named for its past as a tree farm, the Tree Farm Trail still boasts many evergreen trees.

Deep Lock Quarry Metro Park - The final stop on the tour, located just below the town of Peninsula, offers at least two features worth exploring.

First, there’s Lock 28, known as Deep Lock, the deepest lock on the Ohio and Erie Canal at 17 feet.

Second, there’s an old sandstone quarry. Berea Sandstone from this quarry was used for millstones and canal construction.

Later, the Civilian Conservation Corps used this quarry for local structures.

Indiana Dunes National Park

Heron Rookery Trail Auxiliary (West) Lot - The Heron Rookery trail is a serene 3.3-mile nature walk through a bird sanctuary. A rookery is a collection of nests high in the trees.

Although the Great Blue Herons have moved to new grounds, many other birds can be found, such as:

Kingfishers
warblers
Red-headed woodpeckers
Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers, and more.
In spring, ephemeral flowers like Harbinger of Spring, with small white petals and dark purple stamen, can be seen.

Or Yellow Trout Lilies, whose flowers resemble banana peels.

Mt. Baldy - Mount Baldy is as tall as a 12-story building! Even more impressive, Mount Baldy is a wandering dune.

This means it can move up to ten feet per year. Grass once held the dune in place, but years of tourist activity destroyed it.

Now, wind moves the sand, causing the dune to shift. Mount Baldy is even encroaching on its own parking lot!

Reaching the beach requires a half-mile roundtrip hike around the dune, including stairs.

Central Beach - Central Avenue Beach offers seasonal restrooms and potable water.

Two picnic tables are located at the west end of the parking lot, up the stairs.

The National Park strongly advises visitors to stay on the beach and avoid climbing the dune slopes behind it.

Restrooms are wheelchair accessible, but the beach and picnic tables are not.

There are no lifeguards, so swim at your own risk; rip currents and waves can be hazardous.

In spring and summer, watch Bank Swallows come and go from their nests in the dunes.

Great Marsh Trail - The Great Marsh Trail is a pleasant birding hike with views of the largest wetland complex in the Lake Michigan watershed.

The trail includes a separate wheelchair-accessible paved path with quick access to an observation deck. Look for:

ducks
geese
herons
egrets
warblers, and
red-winged blackbirds

Lake View Beach - In spring, it’s a great spot for catching smelt, a small, oily fish with a fantastic taste. They’re best enjoyed dusted with flour, shallow fried, and eaten whole. Delicious!

1933 Chicago World’s Fair Century of Progress Homes - The five houses in the Century of Progress Historic District debuted at the 1933 Chicago World’s Fair.

The Homes of Tomorrow Exhibit, featuring 12 futuristic houses, was a crowd favorite.

After the fair, a developer bought five homes and moved them here, naming the community Beverly Shores after his daughter.

Now owned by the National Park, the houses are leased to private residents who maintain them.

This means people live in these houses, so you can’t go inside.

Unless you’re lucky enough to get a ticket to the annual tour every September. Tickets usually sell out within an hour.

Dunbar Beach - This beach has seasonal restrooms and potable water. The paved parking lot fills up quickly on summer weekends.

There are no lifeguards, so swim at your own risk; rip currents and waves can be hazardous.

Kemil Beach - A great spot to enjoy the night sky and nocturnal animals, Kemil Beach offers year-round restrooms and potable water.

The paved parking lot fills up quickly on summer weekends. There are no lifeguards, so swim at your own risk; rip currents and waves can be hazardous.

The Dune Ridge Trail, possibly the most diverse short nature trail in the park, runs over forested sand dunes, through Black Oak Savannas, and offers stunning views of The Great Marsh and Lake Michigan. Highly recommended if you have the time.

Calumet Dunes Trailhead - Popular with bird watchers in summer and cross-country skiers in winter, the Calumet Dunes Ridge was once Lake Michigan’s shoreline!

In the last 12,000 years, the water has receded about one and a half miles.

While hiking, imagine what the Calumet Dunes looked like when the lake was right there.

Consider the transformations these old sand dunes have undergone: melting glaciers, wind, water, and lots of time…

Glenwood Dunes Trail - Popular with hikers, runners, horseback riders, and cross-country skiers, this trail system requires a trail map.

Trail lengths vary from less than 1 mile to 6.8 miles, with extensions reaching over 15 miles.

There are 13 trail junctions, making the trail map essential. At 13,000 years old, the Glenwood Dunes are the park’s oldest!

Indiana Dunes Visitor Center - At the Indiana Dunes Visitor Center, explore educational displays, watch short films about the park, shop at the bookstore, and talk to a park ranger.

A highlight is the Indigenous Cultural Trail, honoring the Indigenous Potawatomi and Miami People who called this land home and educating visitors about their culture and contributions.

The trail showcases their connection to the park’s diverse ecosystems, creating a unique educational experience. For more information, ask a ranger!

Indiana Dunes State Park - This popular spot can get busy! Depending on the time of year or day, park rangers may direct traffic.

You might have to wait in line to enter! Note: the state park requires a separate fee.

For the 3-Dune hiking challenge, head to the Nature Center or go straight to the beach.

There, find a large, art deco park pavilion with a general store and restaurants. A bird observatory is west of the pavilion.

In winter, enjoy the 100-foot sledding hill near the pavilion, called The Devil’s Slide.

History enthusiasts shouldn’t miss the historical marker on the way to the pavilion, marking the 1780 Battle of Petit Fort site.

Porter Beach - Adjacent to the State Park beach, Porter Beach offers no amenities.

However, you can park here and walk a quarter mile along the beach to the state park.

There are no lifeguards at Porter Beach, so swim at your own risk. Seasonal restrooms are available at the parking lot.

• Tours never expire
• Freedom to explore at your own pace
• Offline map (no wifi or data needed)
• Turn-by-turn directions using GPS
• Hours of audio narration with stories, travel tips, and music
• Audio narration plays automatically as you drive

• Private transportation
• Meals and refreshment
• Parking Fees
• Entrance Fees

Experience the stunning landscapes of the Midwest with our Cuyahoga Valley and Indiana Dunes Audio Tour Bundle! Explore the verdant forests, picturesque waterfalls, and historic canals of Cuyahoga Valley National Park, as our guides share fascinating tales about its history and wildlife. Next, visit Indiana Dunes National Park, where you can stroll along sandy beaches, majestic dunes, and diverse ecosystems by Lake Michigan. Discover the unique geology and conservation initiatives in both parks. Ideal for families, nature enthusiasts, and adventurers, this bundle offers a rewarding journey through two of the Midwest’s most breathtaking parks. Just download, plug in your headphones, and embark on the adventure!

Download the Shaka Guide app to access the purchased tours

• Cuyahoga Valley Optional Starting Points: • Interstate 77 North & South • Interstate 480 East & West
• Indiana Dunes Optional Starting Points: • I-94 West, next to the town of New Buffalo • 80/90 West, near Sherwood Forest Paintball • US 421 North, near the Bed & Biscuit Pet Resort
• Get Started Easily: • Book Your Tour: Receive a confirmation and easy instructions via email. • Download the App: Follow the simple steps in your email. • Redeem the Tour: Use the redeem code in your email to redeem the tour in the app. • Prepare Ahead: Download the tour using strong Wi-Fi.
• Begin Your Journey: • Select Your Tour: Go to the My Stuff tab in the Shaka Guide app to launch the tour. • Start the Tour: Select the tour starting point and follow the GPS instructions. • Follow Shaka Guide: Stick to the suggested route and speed for the best experience.
• Why Choose Our Audio Tour: • Cost-Efficient: One tour for the entire vehicle—no per-person fees! • Ultimate Flexibility: Start, pause, and resume on your schedule. • Convenience: Use the tour any day, over multiple days if needed.
• Top Features: • Hands-Free: The tour works automatically - GPS-activated stories, directions, and music play as you drive for a seamless experience. • Works Offline: No need for continuous wifi or data. • Reliable Support: Get help via call, chat, or email.
• Private and Personalized: • Crowd-Free: Enjoy a private tour with just your group. • Customizable Stops: Pick the stops you want and skip the ones you don’t!
• The Ultimate Guided Tour: • Detailed Itinerary: Includes travel tips and recommendations. • Engaging Narration: Captivating stories and history.
• What Our Users Say: • “A fantastic way to explore! Easy to use and very informative.” • “Loved the flexibility to stop and go as we pleased. Highly recommend!”

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.