It's no secret that Ohio is home to several stunning state and metro parks. But if you've yet to explore Ohio's very own national park, you're missing out. Cuyahoga Valley National Park in northeast Ohio, (located between Akron and Cleveland), features 33,000 beautiful acres of wildlife, diverse plants, breathtaking views, picturesque hiking trails, rugged cliffs and cascading waterfalls. It's a beautiful gem full of places to explore - and it's a park that Ohio is proud to claim.
Here are just a few of the amazing things to do and see in this stunning national park:
Forest stairways and hiking trails lead the way to some breathtaking sights.
There are more than 125 miles of hiking trails in Cuyahoga Valley National Park. The Ledges Trail (pictured) is a must-do. More than 400 million years ago, this area of the park was actually covered by an ancient sea. Melting glaciers helped to form what are now captivating ledges you can hike through.
Be sure to hike to the Ledges Overlook for a truly inspiring view.
An approximately 1,170 foot tall peak, the Ledges Overlook lies southeast of the I-77 and I-80 intersection. You can hike to it via a 4.1-mile, figure-eight trail in the park.
Brandywine Falls is a beloved landmark within the park that you can't miss.
This 65-foot waterfall flows from Brandywine Creek. If you’d rather not take the 1.75-mile hike to the falls, you can drive to the upper and lower boardwalks, which are located just off of Brandywine Road. (A boardwalk option without stairs is also available.)
There are other waterfalls to discover in the park, too.
Blue Hen Falls (pictured) is easily accessible via a .5 mile hike. It's another one of the park's most popular waterfalls.
Buttermilk Falls is a lesser-known waterfall, but it can easily be found.
Downstream from Blue Hen Falls, you'll find this lesser-known gem off the beaten path.
As a bonus hidden gem, the park also contains the only covered bridge left in Summit County.
Everett Covered Bridge is a charming sight to behold... especially in the fall time, as you can see.
You can even tour the park via a scenic train ride.
Tour the park on the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad on Saturdays and Sundays throughout the year until the first weekend in October. For more information click here.
Have you ever personally explored this park before? If so, share any photos you may have with us via our Facebook page and be sure to check out another one of our favorite parks in Ohio in our previous article, If You Live In Ohio, You Must Visit This Amazing State Park.
Subscribe to our newsletter
Get the latest updates and news
Thank you for subscribing!