Brecksville Reservation Guide

Brecksville Reservation Overview

• Address: 9000 Chippewa Creek Drive. Brecksville, Ohio 44141
• Hours: Daily, 6:00 am to 11:00 pm
• Activities: Hiking, Biking, Swimming, School Camps, Community Activities, Educational Programs, Horseback Riding, Picnicking, Camping, Playgrounds, Waterfalls, Birdwatching, Fauna and Flora Viewing

Brecksville Reservation History

The Brecksville Reservation was established in 1930, but its history extends further back. It contains beautiful historic vistas over 100 years old, historic structures like a small shelter house built by the Civilian Conservation Corps Camp during the Great Depression, and a short-lived sandstone quarry.

It was also once home to wolves and bears, and early settlers used it for hunting and foraging. You can even find fossils dating back hundreds of years.

Today, the Brecksville Reservation is the largest urban park in Ohio at 3,026 acres. According to the Cleveland Metroparks, “Brecksville Reservation is a study of contrasts. The reservation is deeply cut by seven distinct gorges with various soil and sunlight conditions, fostering the growth of rare, unusual, and endangered plants”.

While there are no bears or wolves, you can still find coyotes, deer, small rodents like squirrels and chipmunks, bald eagles, hawks, and owls throughout the park. It also contains different species of plants that are typically found only in sub-alpine altitudes. Along the creek, you can see numerous types of rock, including Berea Sandstone.

Brecksville Reservation Activities

Brecksville Reservation Hiking Trails

The Brecksville Reservation has nine hiking trails containing over 50 miles of easy to moderately difficult trails. All trails are easy to find and access, easy to navigate, have ample parking lots, good cell phone reception, and are never too far from a road.

While each trail has unique features, expect beautiful creek crossings, large rock formations, abundant pine, maple, and oak trees, stunning wildflowers, rolling dirt hills, and the occasional waterfall.

You’ll also experience numerous birds, including the potential hawk, owl, and even bald eagle. Squirrels, chipmunks, rabbits, and deer frequent the area. You may also see the occasional raccoon, snake, frog, turtle, fox, and coyote. You’ll never experience any predators to humans, making this the perfect hike during any time of the day or season.

Deer Lick Cave Trail

• Deer Lick Cave Trail is a four-mile loop with a moderate trail with rolling hills, a cave, waterfalls, bridges, and wildflowers. An alternative option is to park at the Deer Lick Cave Trail Parking Lot and complete a 1/2 mile loop that contains Deer Lick Cave and a waterfall.

My Mountain Trail

• My Mountain Trail is the newest trail in the Brecksville Reservation and Cleveland Metroparks. It is a two-mile loop on part of the Buckeye Trail and is considered easy. Expect a flat, natural dirt trail with numerous bridge crossings and connections to other trails. The highlight is that it ends at the My Mountain Overlook.

Wildflower Loop Trail

• The Wildflower Loop is a 3/4-mile loop and is one of the most popular trails for families and visitors. It is an easy hike on a natural paved trail following a beautiful winding creek with wooden crossings and flowers. Dogs and kids love to swim in the creek.

Gorge Loop Trail

• The Gorge Loop Trail is a half-mile loop on an easy dirt trail that takes hikers down to Chippewa Creek. Visitors will love the history they learn from the education stations during this hike. This is also the most popular hike in the summer for visitors who want to cool off in the creek.

Hemlock Trail

• The Hemlock Trail is a 1.4 (one-way) out-and-back trail that takes hikers on a relatively easy hike through beautiful pine trees above them. Hikers will also experience the Chippewa Creek Falls and sections of the Chippewa Creek and can even take a break or have a picnic at the Chippewa Picnic Area.

White Oak Trail

• White Oak Trail is an easy half-mile (one-way) out-and-back trail that starts at the Plateau Picnic Area and ends at the famous Oak Grove Picnic Area. This trail will entertain hikers with gentle uphills, windy, flat dirt sections, and even the occasional mud path. Don’t be surprised if you see a plethora of wildlife, too.

Brecksville Reservation All-Purpose Trail

• The All-Purpose Trail is a 4-mile, one-way trail comprised of two sections (2 miles each) that can be completed separately or together. It is the most popular trail in the park for all ages and cardiovascular levels. It is a flat trail that makes it an easy hike or bike ride, with two uphill sections on a paved trail that takes visitors through the entire park.

Brecksville Physical Fitness Trail

• The Brecksville Physical Fitness Trail is a 1.5-mile, out-and-back paved trail comprising 18 exercise stations. Exercises range from stretches to cardiovascular to muscle building. Regardless of age or fitness level, this trail provides individuals seeking active pursuits with a fulfilling and fun experience.

Buckeye Trail

• The Buckeye Trail is the most popular trail in Ohio and one of the longest hikes in the United States. The Brecksville Reservation has over 15 miles of trail connecting it to the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Expect many rolling hills on single-track, full foliage, wildlife, and creek crossings.

Bridle Trail

• The Bridle Trail contains approximately 20 miles of dirt trail perfect for horseback riding, hiking, and trail running. Expect a creek crossing, long stretches of rolling hills, plenty of flora and fauna, and lots of fun.

Brecksville Reservation Campgrounds

The Brecksville Reservation has one campground, a backcountry campground. This is one of the few community parks with camping; very few visitors know about it, making it a hidden gem.

This campground stands out because it is as perfect for first-time backpackers as for Buckeye Trail thru-hikers. Not only this, but for those visiting the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, this is a great backcountry campground option since the National Park currently has none.

Ottawa Overlook Backcountry Campground

• The Ottawa Overlook Backcountry Campground is a one-night reservable campground on the Buckeye Trail in the heart of the Brecksville Reservation. It has three sites: a kitchen, hangable food storage, a bathroom, and running water. It is the perfect site for thru-hikers and those wanting their first backpacking camping experience.

Brecksville Reservation Picnic Areas

The Picnic Areas of the Brecksville Reservation might be the most popular attraction and activity in the entire park. Currently, there are six picnic areas, two of which are reservable.

These picnic areas typically have pavilions, electricity, trail access, picnic tables and benches, grills, bathrooms, drinking fountains, and ample parking. You may even find the occasional fireplace or open field for children.

The picnic areas can hold anywhere from approximately 10 to almost 200 people and are frequently used for weekend picnics, summer camps, and family gatherings.

Oak Grove Picnic Area

• The Oak Grove Picnic Area is a reservable pavilion and picnic area with a capacity of 190 people. It includes a ball field, drinking fountains, bathrooms, a large parking lot, a fireplace, swings, grills, picnic tables, electricity, a covered pavilion, and trail access. It is the perfect place for a family gathering, camp, or any other event from May through October.

Harriet Keeler Memorial Picnic Area

• The Harriet Keeler Memorial Picnic Area is the park’s most popular first-come, first-serve picnic area. It is in the center of the Brecksville Reservation and is centrally located by the Brecksville Nature Center, Trailside Program Area, and Chippewa Creek. It has a capacity of 150 people and includes a pavilion, bathroom, drinking fountain, playground, electricity, grills, picnic tables, and trail access. It is the perfect non-reservable alternative to the Oak Grove Picnic Area.

Plateau Picnic Area

• The Plateau Picnic Area is one of the most secluded picnic areas in the park. It has a pavilion that can accommodate 30 people and is first-come, first-served. The area also contains trail access, bathrooms, a water fountain, grills, and picnic tables. It is a quiet alternative to some of the more popular picnic areas.

Meadows Picnic Area

• The Meadows Picnic Area is one of the most unique picnic areas in the park. Large oak trees surround it, and a horseshoe pit is available for those who want to access it via horseback riding. The area can accommodate 75 people and includes an open field, drinking fountain, restrooms, swingset, fireplace, grills, a pavilion, a separate cooking shelter, a firepit, a large parking area, and picnic tables.

Chippewa Picnic Area

• The Chippewa Creek Picnic Area is the most minor in the park. It is near a small creek with just two picnic tables, a small restroom, no drinking fountain, a couple of grills, and trail access. It is a good spot for a quick lunch and picnic, but not large gatherings, as it holds just ten people and has no pavilion.

Ottawa Point Picnic Area

• The Ottawa Point Picnic Area is a reservable picnic area in one of the most secluded areas of the park. It has a pavilion and area that can hold 128 people, a small parking lot, a fireplace, charcoal grills, a horseshoe pit, picnic tables, a swing set, a fire pit, and trail access. It is the best picnic area in the parking for those looking for privacy.

Activities

One feature that makes this park one of the best parks in Ohio is the activities. There is something for everyone, regardless of your interest or experience. From horseback riding to playgrounds to educational centers for children and adults alike, you can easily spend a week or more in the park. Not only that, but you can do almost all of these activities during any season!

Horseback Riding

• Horseback riding is one of the most fun yet unknown activities in the Brecksville Reservation. If you have a horse, over 15 miles of rolling dirt trails will take you through some of the park’s most beautiful parts. Expect to cross numerous creeks, trot through beautiful pine tree forests, and see some of the park’s most stunning sights. If you prefer riding in an area or open field, contact the Brecksville Stables for reservation times, private lessons, boarding, and competitions.

Andrews Nature Play Area

• The Andrews Nature Play Area is the newest attraction to the Brecksville Reservation. It is a small, unique playground for children ages 2 – 12. It is centrally located by a parking lot, bathroom, water fountain, and pavilion. Some fun activities include a bouldering wall, tunnel slide, swingset, stump obstacle course, ropes course, and other stationary playsets on which children can use their imaginations. Best of all, picnic tables and benches make it a perfect spot for family picnics.

Bird Feeding

• Bird Feeding is one of the most exciting and popular activities in the Brecksville Reservation. Families can visit the Brecksville Nature Center on a select few weekends during winter to feed numerous birds, including the famous chickadee, with black oil sunflowers. An expert tip is to make sure you arrive as soon as it opens, as it gets crowded quickly.

Bouldering/Rock Climbing

• Bouldering in the Brecksville Reservation has become one of the most recent legal activities to be allowed. Near Chippewa Creek, there are about a dozen large rocks that rock climbers can climb. This is the perfect activity for beginner to moderate expert climbers.

Brecksville Salamander Migration

• The Brecksville Salamander Migration is the most unique activity in the park and may be one of the most unique activities in all of Ohio. For about one month a year, you can experience more salamanders than you can count coming out of hibernation and crossing a particular part of the park to breeding pools. It’s a fantastic experience that few people have witnessed and educational for visitors of all ages.

Attractions

The Brecksville Reservation is more than picnic areas and walks. It is also home to numerous waterfalls, caves, and educational centers. Unlike other parks, where you have to be a certain skill set and age or have a certain amount of time to visit attractions, this park is perfect for anyone tight on time and for any age or skill set.

Waterfalls

Chippewa Creek Falls

• The Chippewa Creek Falls is the crown jewel of the Brecksville Reservation and one of Northeast Ohio’s most popular waterfalls. It is located right off Royalton Road at the entrance of the Brecksville Reservation. The waterfall is over 20 feet tall and incredibly impressive during heavy rains, but it should not be swum or rafted in.

Deer Lick Cave Falls

• The Deer Lick Cave Falls is a relatively unknown waterfall near the Deer Lick Cave. It is approximately 10 feet tall, is incredibly powerful during heavy rains, and is incredibly picturesque during winter.

Educational Centers

Brecksville Nature Center

• The Brecksville Nature Center is another crown jewel of the Brecksville Reservation. It was opened almost a hundred years ago as one of three trail museums in Northeast Ohio. Today, it serves as an educational center for park visitors. When visiting it, you’ll experience an observation deck for birds and other fauna, a kid’s corner where children can play and learn about the park, and numerous other sections containing information about the park’s history and its flora and fauna.

Brecksville Trailside Program Center

• The Brecksville Trailside Program Center is the newest education center in the Cleveland Metroparks system. Through educational programs, this center connects visitors to the park’s history and will introduce them to its flora, fauna, and landscape. This is also a central hub for summer camps and annual activities like selling native plant species and Earth Day celebrations. It should be noted that it is not open to the public except for certain days of events.

Brecksville Reservation Map

While the Brecksville Reservation is easily accessible and navigatable, a map is always invaluable. Below is the map of the park and its trails. You can also find this map throughout the different trailheads and attractions in the park. You can also visit the Nature Center for a printed version.

Brecksville Reservation Virtual Tour

How to Get There

Getting to the Brecksville Reservation is incredibly easy. All you have to do is put Brecksville Reservation into your phone.

If you don’t have a phone, you can access the park through 3 entrances (2 main entrances and one side road).

• If you are traveling to the park from the south, drive down Brecksville Road and then take a right into Valley Parkway.
• If you are traveling to the park from the North or West, drive down Royalton Road (Route 82) and take a right into Chippewa Creek Road to enter the park.
• If you are driving on Riverview Road, you can take a left (when entering from the South) or right (when entering from the North) onto Chippewa Road to enter the park.

Alternative Park

The Brecksville Reservation is one of Ohio’s most significant community parks. Compared to State Parks and National Parks, though, it is small and can get overcrowded.

If you are looking for a similar park that is bigger, less prone to overcrowding and has similar but more amenities and attractions, you should visit the Cuyahoga Valley National Park.

The National Park has everything that the Brecksville Reservation has and more. Expect abundant hiking and biking trails, the Cuyahoga River to fish and kayak in, train rides and farm explorations, farmer’s markets, visitor centers, picnic areas, and so much more.

The best part about this alternative trip is that it is literally minutes away from the Brecksville Reservation, and some trails even start in the Reservation and end in the National Park.

Frequently Asked Questions

Learn More About the Brecksville Reservation

The Brecksville Reservation is a fantastic community park for locals and tourists. You can easily spend a week or more in the area with many trails and activities. The park is incredibly safe, easy to navigate, and without predators, which other parks in the United States may have; you can visit it during any season and time of day. If you want to learn more about specific areas or details of the park, click on the above sections.