You Haven't Lived Until You've Experienced This One Incredible Park In Ohio
By April Dray|Published July 11, 2016
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April Dray
Author
April is the Ohio staff writer for Only in Your State. She is an Ohio native with a Bachelor of Science in Journalism from E.W. Scripps School of Journalism. With more than 10 years of writing experience and a background in news reporting for Ohio newspapers, she's published pieces in multiple print and online publications. When she's not on deadline or chasing after her toddler, she's hunting for hidden gems in Ohio or getting lost in a good book.
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.
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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.)
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.
