Connecting with nature is always important, but it feels especially prudent in the fall. That may be because we all know that a cold, dark winter lies before us, but it also could be the fact that Ohio’s fall foliage is often fantastic. We highly suggest planning a trip to visit Cuyahoga Valley National Park in Ohio before the season ends… or anytime, really.

Cuyahoga Valley National Park is the only true national park in Ohio.
Lovelyliki / TripAdvisor
Clearly, Ohio goes for quality over quantity, because this is a gorgeous place.
The park lies along the Cuyahoga River between Cleveland and Akron, and it's a wildly popular destination.
Grace Fu / TripAdvisor
Cuyahoga Valley was originally designated as a National Recreation Area in 1974, only to be redesignated as a national park 26 years later in 2000.
Cuyahoga Valley is mainly known for its abundance of waterfalls, walking paths, and historic abandoned sites...
James C / TripAdvisor
... but all you have to do to have an amazing day here is walk around and check out the scenery.
Erik Drost / Flickr
In fact, in the autumn, that might be all you want to do.
The numerous ponds are popular during fishing season, but doing catch-and-release is always highly encouraged.
Jen Goellnitz / Flickr
The idea is to maintain the predator-prey relationship rather than to stock fish for recreational fishing
You'll love stretching your legs on the miles and miles of trails (and these steep steps).
Rebby2k / TripAdvisor
As you can see, the steps lead straight to a waterfall, so it's not so bad.
Cuyahoga Valley features natural, man-made, and private attractions, which is pretty unique for a national park in the U.S.A.
Amanda G / TripAdvisor
Of course, not every event and attraction is available right now. But nature is always open.
Cuyahoga Valley is a breathtaking place in any season, and we're lucky to have it here in Ohio.
Benjamin Lehman / Flickr
That being said, there really is something magical about visiting in the fall.

Have you paid a visit to the one-and-only national park in Ohio lately? If so, we’d love to hear about your experiences… and please share your photos, too!

While Cuyahoga Valley National Park is the only national park in Ohio, it certainly isn’t the only amazing park in the Buckeye State. Here are some of the best, most overlooked state parks in Ohio, each of which is totally beautiful and absolutely worth checking out!

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National Park to visit in Ohio

Sarah M. | January 15, 2022

When is the best time to visit Cuyahoga Valley National Park?

While beautiful all year long, Ohio's one-and-only national park becomes almost sublime during the autumn months. One of Ohio's best-kept secrets, Cuyahoga Valley National Park is a place of immense natural beauty and splendor. Ohio's only national park is located just a short drive from Akron and Cleveland, but it feels like an entire world unto itself. In the fall, Cuyahoga's sugar maples and oak trees paint its trails in bright red and orange hues, rewarding hikers with a dazzling display of color. If you're up for a more intense trek, the Brandywine Gorge Trail is one of the best places to soak up the park's natural beauty; hike up to the 65-foot Brandywine Falls to see panoramic views of fall foliage in all directions. Of course, if you want a more leisurely fall foliage experience, hop aboard the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad for a scenic ride through the park that will render you speechless.

What are some of the best state parks to visit in Ohio?

With more than 70 state parks, the are plenty of beautiful places to explore here in the Buckeye State. From mossy gorges and state forests to hidden waterfalls and stunning lakeshores, there’s always something photo-worthy you’ll find in an Ohio state park. While some of Ohio's state parks are well known (like the lovely and adored Hocking Hills State Park), there are numerous others that fall under the radar. This list has 11 of those oft-overlooked state park gems, each of which is absolutely worthy of a visit! Some of our favorite state parks on the list include: Salt Fork State Park, Alum Creek State Park, Mohican State Park, Nelson Kennedy Ledges State Park, Kelleys Island State Park, Lake Hope State Park, Paint Creek State Park, and John Bryan State Park. What is your favorite Ohio state park to visit? If there's one you'd like to see covered on the website, please nominate it and tell us why!

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