Cuyahoga Valley National Park
Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Ohio
Located between the cities of Cleveland and Akron, Cuyahoga Valley National Park is one of the National Park Service Sites in Ohio. In addition to it being the only national park found within this state, it is also the only national park in the US National Park Service to be originally designated as a national recreation area. Cuyahoga Valley gained its national park status in the year 2000.
Given its close proximity to two major urban centers, Cuyahoga Valley National Park is one of the easiest national parks to visit in the United States. A few major highways pass through the park, increasing its accessibility. Therefore, it is no surprise that Cuyahoga Valley is the fifth most frequently visited national park in America.
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Things to Do in Cuyahoga Valley National Park
Opportunities for outdoor activities, such as hiking and bicycling, are abundant in Cuyahoga Valley National Park, as the park features over 125 miles of trails. The most popular trail in the park is the 20 mile-long Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath Trail, which runs parallel to the Cuyahoga River.
The National Park Scenic is a passenger train that travels the length of Cuyahoga Valley National Park. The train operates year-round, but schedules vary depending on month/day. The train is a great way to take in the scenery of the park and to observe wildlife, such as beavers and otters. Tickets start at $15/Adult for a coach seat.
Cuyahoga Valley National Park boasts three different visitor centers, all of which can provide essential information for your visit to the park. Park entrance to Cuyahoga Valley National Park is free to all who wish to explore its many trails and historic sites.
Highlights of Cuyahoga Valley National Park
Brandywine Falls is the most popular and well-known waterfall of the 100 or so that are found within the Cuyahoga Valley. At over 60-feet high, it is the tallest waterfall in both the national park and the region. A wooden boardwalk path with staircases descends into the gorge, giving visitors the view of the falls pictured above.
The Everett Covered Bridge was reconstructed by the National Park Service in 1986 after being destroyed by a flood 11 years earlier. It is the only covered bridge found in Summit County, Ohio.
Visiting Cuyahoga Valley National Park
Cuyahoga Valley National Park is open year-round, therefore your experience can vary depending on when you visit. As with most national parks in America, winter is the low season for tourism. However, due to its neighboring of two major cities, chances are slim that you will have the park to yourself. Summer can be sunny and humid, which also draws crowds.
I made the trip to Cuyahoga Valley National Park on an unseasonably warm day in January and it had rained the night before. This had turned the miles of trails and paths into slippery mud, making for not-so-ideal hiking conditions. Autumn would be an excellent time to explore the park, as I was able to catch a glimpse of the tail-end of some of the fall foliage. The bursting of reds, yellows and oranges on the thousands of trees in Cuyahoga Valley National Park would surely help the National Park Scenic earn its name.
For further reading and information on Cuyahoga Valley National Park, check out the official page for this National Park Service Site.
