It seems there is a bit of everything in Northeast Ohio, giving our region the unrivaled ability to satiate even the most aggressive thirst for adventure. When it comes to outdoor exploration and adventure, nobody can quite compete with the Northeast Ohio area. It is plain to see that this is a pretty special area, but what makes one Cleveland-area cave so special is much less obvious. Its history may surprise you, and, of course, you must take a trip to admire the size of this stone behemoth for yourself.

Welcome to Gorge Metro Park!

Located at 1160 Front Street, Cuyahoga Falls, this stunning park is just a short drive from Cleveland. It is maintained by Summit Metro Parks, who ensure that it stays a clean and family-friendly environment.

The hiking opportunities at this park are incredible.

Hike the 1.8-mile Glens Trail, which will along the edge of the Cuyahoga River. Throughout the colder months, frozen icicles grow on the ledges along this path, creating a palace of ice. A longer and more challenging hike can be found in Highbridge Trail, a route which features 3.2 miles of stunning beauty that connects to Cascade Valley Metro Park.

The entirety of the park is entrancing...

Thousands of years ago, the land of this park was reshaped by the forces of nature. Glacial debris from the retreating ice age blocked the ancient path of the Cuyahoga River, and it was forced to find a new route, thus forming the Gorge for which the park is named.

...but one trail leads somewhere incredibly special.

Gorge Trail is a mesmerizing hike, In total, it ranges 1.8 miles of scenery, but a half-mile round trip section at the beginning of the trail is perfect for hikers of all levels of experience.

Just a half mile from the parking lot, you will encounter an impressive cave.

The cave is carved from Sharon Conglomerate Sandstone, a porous sedimentary stone that allows water to pass through it. In fact, that very quality created the cave when— approximately 12,000 years ago — a massive quantity of water trickled through the sandstone and eroded much of the shale beneath it away.

The size of this cave is imposing.

This striking structure should not be surprising, as the entirety of Northeast Ohio hides sandstone ledges and small caves. Yet, a cave of this size is unrivaled in the region. The cave is an estimated 130 feet wide, 12 feet deep, and is taller than the average human.

The cave has long been a local attraction.

In 1879, High Bridge Glens and Caves Park opened on the property, promising memory-making fun to locals. The amusement park featured mechanical rides and music, and the natural space surrounding the attraction was filled with splendid trails. One of the more beloved natural attractions was Old Maid’s Kitchen, the same cave that continues to amaze us today.

In 1934, the Daughters of the American Revolution renamed the cave.

Now Mary Campbell Cave, the history of the cave's namesake was commemorated with a plaque.

Mary Campbell's story comes to life when you enter the historic cave.

In 1759, a 12-year-old girl was snatched from her home in Western Pennsylvania. The culprit? The Lenape (Delaware) tribe. The region was rocked by the French and Indian War, and young Mary found herself in the middle of it. She assimilated and lived as the child of Chief Netawatwees. She was transported to the tribe's settlement beside the Cuyahoga River, Some believe that she temporarily called this cave home as she was transported to the nearby settlement.

When a treaty ended the war, Mary returned home to her family.

As a result of her kidnapping and adoption, Mary became the first white child in the Western Reserve. Upon her return to captivity, she told entrancing stories of her life. Was the cave ever mentioned? Perhaps, but it is likely that she never resided in the cave. Why? Well, the Delaware built permanent dwellings, making it unlikely that Mary would find herself hunkering down in a cave. It is possible that the cave was used as shelter from precipitation, but its opening would leave anyone within it exposed to the wind.

Regardless of the validity of Mary's legend, the campus of Gorge Metro Park is awe-inspiring.

More than 144 acres contain black gum, tulip, and yellow birch trees, as well as a variety of fauna.

As the park is open daily from 6 a.m. to sunset, there is plenty of time to take in the beauty of the Cuyahoga River's landscape.

The Gorge is entrancing in all seasons, and so, too, is the cave. Hikers and lovers of natural beauty will find this site enlightening.

The history of Gorge Metro Park is hidden in plain sight. Century-old trails criss-cross the land, and a decades-old legend is given new life with each new visitor to the iconic Mary Campbell Cave. What is your favorite attraction at this beloved park?

For another local legend, check out this chilling small-town tale.