Cuyahoga Valley: A River Access Area Closes for a Sturgeon Release

If you're planning a trip to Cuyahoga Valley, keep one short-term closure in mind, since it affects a river access point. The park is closing the Boston Store area on Saturday, September 19, 2026, from 7 am to 1 pm, for a special event: a public sturgeon release into the river.

Three things are affected. The road that serves the Boston Store will be closed, and so will the limited-mobility parking lot. The drop-off and pick-up point near the river landing, the one used to put visitors on the water or take them back out along the river, will also be out of service during that window. In short, if you were counting on starting or ending a paddle here that morning, plan on a different launch point.

A sturgeon release is a reintroduction effort: fish are set free to help the species regain its place in the river. The event is open to the public, so expect a bit of a crowd and some on-site organization. It can be worth a look if you're curious about local wildlife, as long as you're willing to park elsewhere and walk in to the area.

Here's our advice: if your visit falls right on this Saturday and this time window, push your time by the river to the afternoon, once access reopens, or pick another access point in the park. The rest of Cuyahoga Valley isn't affected by this closure, which stays very local and short-lived.

To find your bearings in this area, map out your route, and spot the other points of interest, lean on the Cuyahoga Valley park guide. You'll see how to build your day around this constraint without missing anything essential.