Reflections & Roots: Hiking the Kendall Lake Loop in Cuyahoga Valley National Park

The Kendall Lake Loop is a gentle, scenic hike that wraps around a quiet lake nestled in the heart of Cuyahoga Valley National Park. The trail meanders through shaded woods, open clearings, and low-lying wetlands, offering a peaceful blend of ecosystems in just 1.5 miles. It’s an easy, family-friendly walk with occasional muddy patches and wooden bridges that add a touch of adventure. Whether you’re looking to reflect by the water or simply stretch your legs in nature, this loop is a refreshing, low-effort escape into the park’s quieter side.

Trailhead elevation 817'

Water none filterable

Don't miss sunset at the lake

Hiking the Kendall Lake Loop

After wrapping up a hike on the nearby Salt Run Trail, I make my way over to the Kendall Lake Loop Trail, just a short drive away, hoping to catch the sunset. The parking lot is mostly quiet—just a few anglers and a small group scanning the sky for bats. With about 40 minutes until the sun sets, I set off on the 1.5-mile loop. The trail begins in a shaded forest, where moss blankets the ground beneath a canopy of mixed hardwoods.

Not far in, it passes through a stone tunnel built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s.

Beyond the tunnel, the path hugs a marshy stretch flanked by hardwoods and pines, the air alive with the croaks of bullfrogs.

It then curves along the lake’s edge, weaving first through dense marsh plants and then a more open section with wider views.

I stop for a moment to take in the lake, where the sky’s reflection shifts from soft blue to pink.

A short wooden staircase leads down into a patch of tall reeds, then over a small footbridge spanning a trickling stream.

Another wooden staircase climbs into a final patch of forest—again a mix of hardwoods and aromatic pines—before the loop closes out back at the trailhead.

Before leaving, I wander over to a cluster of wooden chairs on the Kendall Lake Pier to snap a few photos of the sunset. It’s my first time at the lake during golden hour, and it doesn’t disappoint.

I’ll be back soon—probably for a half-day loop linking Salt Run, Cross Country, and Kendall Lake into one long loop. Next time, I'll stick around a bit longer after sunset.