Hidden between the bustling cities of Cleveland and Akron, Cuyahoga Valley National Park stands as a hidden gem waiting to be explored. The park is a valley straight out of Snow White's backyard. Established in 2000 to preserve the undeveloped land between Cleveland and Akron it is a refuge for native plants and wildlife. The park is complete with wildflowers and birds as far as the eye can see.
Dos:
Stop at Boston Mills Visitor Center: Make sure to visit the Boston Mills Visitor Center to collect your park stamp (always essential). While you're there, explore the center's store, which has interesting books, maps, and fun gifts. The visitor center is about 30 minutes from Cleveland.
Discover Brandywine Falls: Take a leisurely stroll on the boardwalk that leads you to this natural wonder. The 60 foot waterfall is an easy 0.2 miles and is one of the main points of interest in the park being Ohio's tallest waterfall.
Hike the Ledges Trail: An exciting 1.8-mile loop that showcases one of the park's most enchanting features – tall rock formations known as the ledges. These unique rock formations were shaped over millions of years, providing an fun opportunity to explore, walk through, and even climb around on them.
Visit Everett Covered Bridge: The bridge is a historic structure that played a significant role in Ohio's 19th-century covered bridge construction. In the 19th century the state was leading the nation in covered bridge construction and it’s one of the only original remaining bridges. It is also perfectly red and picturesque.
Enjoy the Serenity: Immerse yourself in the peaceful ambiance of the park. Take leisurely walks, listen to the songs of the birds, and breathe in the fresh air. Cuyahoga Valley National Park offers a quieter and more intimate experience compared to some of the busier national parks. We took our time and found a picnic able to make some dinner at before hitting the road.
Shop at a local market: Szalay's is a local sweet corn farm with plenty of fun food finds. We enjoyed some mango salsa and fresh veggies.
Don'ts:
Search for "Hell Town" at Night: Cuyahoga Valley National Park is also known for its share of urban legends. One being the elusive “Hell Town”. If you decide to Spend time looking for a ghost town supposedly inhabited by satanists do that during the day.
Take a wrong turn on a trail: While some trails in the park may seem simple, always be prepared and follow trail markers and download a map. We simply got lost on the most simple of trails after commenting on how we were making such good time….it happens to the best of us people.
Mispronounce the Park's Name: To avoid any confusion, take a moment to ask a park ranger how to correctly pronounce "Cuyahoga." Locals take the pronunciation very seriously and i'm still not sure i'm saying it correctly.
As you soak in the peaceful hometown atmosphere, you'll realize that Cuyahoga Valley offers a respite from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. It's a place where time seems to stand still and where you can truly connect with the beauty around you.
Onto the next sky!
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