National Park Service temporarily closes Brandywine Falls parking lot amid construction, restroom makeover

Cuyahoga Valley National Park closed the Brandywine Falls parking lot and the upper section of the Brandywine Gorge Trail in early May. A section of the Summit Metro Parks Bike & Hike Trail is also closed, making the waterfall inaccessible from that trail.

Due to multiple construction projects in the area, this closure will be in effect until Sept. 30. Park staff will regularly assess conditions and reopen sections when safe to do so.

The boardwalk, falls viewing area and lower section of the gorge trail will remain open. Visitors may park at Boston Mill Visitor Center and take the Stanford Trail to access the falls. Parking in the Boston area typically fills between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., especially on weekends.

“Because we know that this is a popular place to experience in CVNP, we made a good faith effort to keep the area open during a major construction project.” said Superintendent Lisa Petit. “As the work progresses, we have been closely monitoring potential hazards in the area, and we have found that the parking lot is no longer safe for vehicles and pedestrians. Closing it is the only option at this time, and we will reopen it as soon as conditions allow safe access for the public.” 

Earlier this year, the park began a major project to improve visitor amenities by constructing a brand-new restroom with running water and its own wastewater treatment system. Contractors are making progress and are on schedule to complete the project by the end of September. In addition, the Summit County Engineer is replacing a Brandywine Road bridge near the parking lot entrance.

Please respect all closures, and do not attempt to park along the road or turn around in private driveways. ∞