Cuyahoga Valley National Park
Butlers Trail
easy_moderate FamiliesFirst-Time HikersFall Foliage
0.7 mi Distance
150 ft Elevation Gain
Varies Estimated Time
roundtrip Trail Type
What to Expect
Butlers Trail threads through the Wetmore area on a compact loop of rolling wooded terrain — the kind of trail that earns its easy-moderate rating through constant small undulations rather than any single punishing climb. The dirt path stays shaded under a canopy of oak and maple, and the forest floor shifts between dry ridgeline and low damp hollows, giving you a surprising range of character for a sub-mile hike. Footing is generally good but the trail rolls enough that you're always watching your step. The payoff is less about a singular viewpoint and more about immersion — this pocket of the park feels genuinely quiet, especially on weekday mornings when the Towpath crowds are elsewhere. It's a perfect fit for families with young kids taking their first real trail walk, or anyone who wants twenty minutes of actual woods without committing to an afternoon.
Safety Advisory
The trail surface becomes genuinely muddy and slippery after rain — Ohio's clay-heavy soil holds water, and the low hollows can stay wet for days after a storm.
Trail Details
Distance 0.7 miles round-trip
Elevation Gain 150 ft
Difficulty easy_moderate
Estimated Time Varies
Trail Type roundtrip
Pets Not allowed
Season Year-round
Trailhead Butlers Trail
- 1
Park at the Wetmore Trailhead lot off Wetmore Road — it fills fast on weekends, so arrive before 9am or plan a weekday visit to guarantee a spot.
- 2
Wear trail shoes rather than sneakers; the dirt surface turns slick clay after rain and the rolling terrain means ankle support matters more than the mileage suggests.
- 3
Late October through early November the maple canopy goes full flame here — come on an overcast day for richer color saturation without harsh shadows washing out the reds.
