Listen up Northeast Ohio. Are you paying attention? I sure hope so, because you will soon be able to camp inside, yes you heard that right, INSIDE, Cuyahoga Valley National Park.
Every Top (fill in the number) website for camping in Ohio is about to change because there is a new campgrounds opening. Cuyahoga Valley National Park (CVNP or the valley to locals) had everything. Well, almost everything.
This is a park that has over 125 miles of hiking trails, through rolling hills and creeks, along the Cuyahoga River, down the towpath, and a beautiful waterfall. The towpath is a fantastic place to go for a bike ride, or join in on a night bike held by Century Cycles Bike Shop. The Towpath takes you along the Ohio & Erie Canal and has some great landmarks along the way. You can kayak down the Cuyahoga River. Through some great rapids and see a whole new version of the park. There is even a Ski and Snow Tubing Park. If you love being in nature but you are not in the mood for a walk or bike ride, there is a scenic railroad that is fun for the whole family.
Yep it is a park that has something for everyone, well except camping inside the park. There are plenty of places to camp around the park. Some even within walking distance. That is all changing starting May 2023. Valley Overlook at Camp Mueller will be open to the public, with limited reservations.
Reserve your canvas cabin space now for dates starting May 15th 2023, Valley Overlook at Camp Mueller is opening up reservations of the canvas tent cabins.
According to Valley Overlooks’ website, it is 62 wooded acres, encompassed by Cuyahoga Valley National Park. This privately owned campground will have tent-only sites, furnished canvas tent cabins, and cabin rentals.
Campground Notes
A few things to keep in mind:
- The campground has WIFI
- 2023 Camp Year they are not allowing pets – this may change so check back
- RV, camper, trailer and car camping sites are not available
- Drive up camping is not available – you will have to park and walk to your site
- Campsites will have fire pits and grill attachments
- Showers and Bathrooms are available – some rentals with private facilities
Camp Location & History
Valley Overlook is located at 4451 Akron Peninsula Rd Peninsula OH, 44264. It is one of many privately owned areas of the parks 33,000 acres. The new campground is a half mile from the towpath. A short walk to the Cuyahoga River, and about a mile from Blossom Music Center. Making it a convenient place to stay for the weekend. Whether you want to go for a hike, a bike ride, or have plans to go to a concert. Basically the convenience of this campground will make it a wonderful addition to the National Park.
If you are familiar with CVNP, the campground will be located where Camp Mueller use to be. Camp Mueller was started in 1939, by Phillis Wheatley, as an interracial camp for children from the inner city. Camp Mueller was opened in 1941 as an overnight youth camp in the valley for anyone. Until recently was still owned and operated by the Phillis Wheatley Association.
The camp held events for team building, environmental education, hiking, cooking, and sports. I have not, yet been out to the new camp grounds, but I hope that they preserve this little bit of history and continue to keep the camp alive while profiting from the campgrounds. It is a small piece of African American history that brought happiness to children for over 70 years.
Final Thoughts
In closing the camp grounds is a welcome addition to CVNP. Not to mention well needed. I feel the camp grounds will do very well with the availability of different levels of camping. As well as the growth potential and opening up some new traffic to the park. People that had to travel to come here, then travel to and from a hotel or campsite will now be able to spend evenings right inside the park. I would like to emphasize to the new camp ground that they continue to preserve the history of the location they have purchased.
Happy Camping
Recent Posts
- Excellent Scouting Techniques To Locate Prime Hunting Spots
- Summer Bass Fishing in Ohio
- Deer Hunt Drawing for State River Properties
- Ohio Special Deer Hunt Dates and Locations
- Everything You Need to Know About Bass
