Along the Cuyahoga River on the highway between Cleveland and Akron, OH, is Cuyahoga Valley National Park. If you’re thinking of going on a day trip, here are seven reasons to visit this U.S. national park.
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It’s The Only National Park in Ohio
There’s always something magical about ticking off all the items on your list. So tick off Ohio National Park on your list, and then brag to your friends that you’ve visited all the national parks in the state, assuming they aren’t aware that there’s only one.
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It’s Free To Enter
Donations are appreciated, but if you’re looking for a fun way to spend a day without spending a lot, visiting the park is a great option.
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The National Park Scenic Excursion Is Gorgeous
If you’d like to get a good taste of what the Valley has to offer, the railroad runs tourist excursions all year. It provides excellent views of the scenery and wildlife, and you can learn about it by listening to the audio tour that’s accessible from your phone. You might spot raccoons, coyotes, skunks, red foxes, bald eagles, moles, Canada geese, and minks. You can buy tickets from the website.
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It Has Many Hiking Trails
With over 125 miles of hiking trails in Cuyahoga Valley National Park, there are hiking trails to suit all abilities. Recommended on the National Park Services website are:
- Blue Hen Falls: An easy 0.5-mile loop
- A Brandywine Falls: An easy 1.5-mile loop
- Linda Falls: A 2-mile loop to the lesser known waterfall that is often dry, but when it runs, is spectacular.
Dogs are allowed on the trail but must be leashed at all times.
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The Camping Opportunities
If you’re following the Buckeye Trail, there are five primitive campsites available close to the trails. Available from Memorial Day to October 31, prices for each campsite start from $25 and can be booked on the Reserve America website.
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Four Great Golf Courses
Inside the park, there are four golf courses.
- Astorhurst Country Club: A par 71, 6083-yard layout with elevation changes unique to Ohio.
- Brandywine Golf Course: A par 72, 6240-yard layout with beautiful scenery. There’s also a par 3 course.
- Shawnee Hills Golf Course: An affordable course with 27 holes featuring gently rolling hills and lots of water hazards plotted around.
- Sleepy Hollow Golf Course: Considered one of the best golf courses in Ohio, this championship layout is a good challenge for all skill levels.
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See The Historic Stanford House
Built in the 1830s by George Stanford, the historic farmhouse was home to one of the first settlers in the Western Reserve. It’s now an in-park lodging facility, but it does have the story behind it left.
With so many interesting activities to do and wildlife to see at Cuyahoga Valley National Park, you can visit it throughout the year and have a unique experience each time. You may even feel like you’re visiting a completely different place.
“Falls River Square – Cuyahoga Falls, OH, By Jon Dawson, (CC BY_ND 2.0)
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