Kendall Lake Trail Hike Overview
- Length: 1.2 miles (1.93 km) round-trip
- Hiking Time: 25 minutes
- Difficulty: Easy
- Elevation Gain: 29 feet
- Route: Loop
- Best Season: Summer. When hiking is at its most enjoyable and you can even fish and kayak.
- Pets Allowed: Yes (leashed)
- Kid-Friendly: Yes, for all kids
- Wheelchair Accessible: No
- Finding the Trailhead: Located at Kendall Lakes. 1000 Truxell Road, Peninsula, Ohio 44264
Kendall Lake Trail Guide
Kendall Lake Trail (Cuyahoga Valley National Park)
The Kendall Lake Loop Trail is a 1.2-mile trail starting at the Kendall Lake Trailhead right off Truxell Road. To begin, pull into the Kendall Lake parking lot, where you’ll see Kendall Lake and Kendall Lake Shelter. Once you depart your car, head south until you see the Kendall Lake Loop sign.
Take the trail for a few hundred feet before you reach your first intersection. At the intersection, take a right and continue through a beautiful wooded forest. You’ll quickly see on the left a peaceful marsh that is a perfect hot spot for animals like herons, owls, deer, and even coyotes.
Continue along the trail and through more wooded forests. You’ll notice there are numerous side paths you can take to connect to other Kendall Lake trails, but as long as you stay on the main trail, you won’t get lost.
You’ll quickly come up a slight hill, where you’ll see Kendall Lakes to your right. As you continue on the trail for another quarter of a mile, you’ll continue to see the lake throughout the rest of the hike. You’ll also notice several benches where you can bring a picnic, relax, and take in the beautiful scenery.
Before you know it, you will climb up a few short stairs before you reach the highest part of the trail, and then quickly trek back down another set of stairs. You will then hike across the parking lot for a few short feet before getting back to a single-lane path. You’ll notice the trail looks much different as you become surrounded by high grass. In this section, you’ll even hike on a footbridge over a calming creek.
You’ll continue through the forest for another few hundred feet before you get to your final intersection. Take it to the right, and you’ll quickly return to the parking lot and your car. At this point, I recommend exploring the Kendall Lake Shelter, all the outdoor opportunities Kendall Lake has to offer, like fishing and kayaking, and even exploring some of the other trails in the Kendall Lake area.
Alternative Option
If you’ve enjoyed the easy Kendall Lake Trail, you’ll love the Ledges Trail.
The benefits of this hike are the following:
- Like Kendall Lake, it is an easy hike (approximately a mile longer) and is only 5 minutes down the road.
- You can hike to Ledges Observation Point, the best location for sunsets in the entire park, if not all of Ohio.
- Learn a little bit about the history of the Cuyahoga Valley National Park and early settlers in the area.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can bring leashed dogs on the trail at any time of the year. Be careful, though, as this is one of the most popular areas in the National Park.
Yes, this is a moderate hike for kids of all ages. They will love the lake, water activities, and potential animal sightings.
You can hike on this trail any time of the year. However, the summer is the best time to observe a beautiful sunrise or sunset with very few other hikers around.
Yes, trail runners of all levels will enjoy this trail. Not only that, but you can join the other Kendall Lake trails to make it an epic trail run. This is also a favorite of local high schools and cross-country meets.
No, this trail is not recommended for individuals with mobility challenges or physical disabilities.
Deer, squirrels, chipmunks, and rabbits frequent this trail. You may also see red-tail hawks, owls, coyotes, herons, and the occasional fox on the trail.
This relatively easy hike has over 29 feet of elevation gain and relatively easy trails. It can be done for all skill levels.
Yes, the Kendall Lake Trail is well-marked. Follow the signs to create a loop and avoid adding miles to your trip.
Carrying a phone, a backpack, water, hiking boots or shoes, and a light snack are always recommended. In the summer, carrying 2 liters of water is recommended when it is hot and humid due to the altitude and heat.
No, you can hike this trail any time after dawn and before dusk.
It would be best to park at the Kendall Lake trailhead parking lot.
This trail is very crowded, especially in the summer and fall. Expect a crowd no matter when you go, and go during the weekday, morning, or evening to minimize interactions with other visitors.
Kendall Lake Trail Map
Driving Directions
The easiest way to get to Kendall Lake Trail is to input Kendall Lake (1000 Truxell Road, Peninsula, Ohio 44264) into your phone and GPS, as the trail starts here.
Driving Directions:
- When driving to Kendall Lake Trailhead, you will come either east or west on Kendall Park Road/Truxell Road, depending on where you are coming from. You will then turn onto Kendall Lake Trailhead road and park anywhere in the lot.
Learn More About Cuyahoga Valley National Park Hikes
While Kendall Lake Trail is one of the most beautiful hikes in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, numerous fulfilling hikes can be enjoyed during the day or on a long weekend. Check out some of my other favorite hikes below.
- Buttermilk Falls Trail
- Blue Hen Falls Trail
- Towpath Trail
- Stanford Trail
- Brandywine Gorge Loop Trail
- Tree Farm Trail
- Furnace Run Trail
