5 Must-Visit Spots in Ohio’s Only National Park

Cuyahoga Valley National Park stands among the most accessible of our nation’s 63 national parks. Covering more than 33,000 acres between Cleveland and Akron, it includes forested trails, rocky ledges, waterfalls and the opportunity to learn what life was like in this part of Ohio when canal boats were cornerstones of trade. Start at the Boston Mill Visitor Center, which opened in 2019, to get an overview of the park and its geography along with guidance on what to see, including these landmark spots. 

Brandywine Falls
The glaciers that once covered Ohio carved the Cuyahoga Valley eons ago, but Brandywine Falls is what put this national park on the map. Look no further than the numerous Cuyahoga Valley National Park patches, posters and pins featuring the 60-foot waterfall. It’s also an easy trip, located just a short walk from the parking area. Spring is a great time to visit and hike the 1.5-mile Brandywine Gorge Loop (check out the vernal pools that form along Brandywine Creek), but the falls are majestic year-round, especially when viewed up close from the boardwalk that descends into the gorge and leads to an observation platform. 8176 Brandywine Rd., Sagamore Hills 44067

Blue Hen Falls
Blue Hen Falls might not be the biggest waterfall in Cuyahoga Valley National Park, but its own personal brand of grandeur — spilling over a wide overhang of rock — has made it a frequently photographed spot. From the Boston Mill Visitor Center, the Blue Hen Falls Trail follows the route of the Buckeye Trail for an arduous 3-mile roundtrip that features a 580-foot elevation change, a 100-foot staircase and plenty of wooded surroundings as it leads to the falls. 6947 Riverview Rd., Peninsula 44264

Beaver Marsh
Taking in the quiet of Beaver Marsh on a summer morning, it’s hard to imagine that this natural oasis was once the site of a junkyard. The 70-acre restored wetlands is today traversed by a wooden boardwalk that is part of the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail and provides perfect vantage points to keep an eye out for the beavers, frogs, turtles and birds that live within the marsh. Visit in the early morning or late evening for prime animal spotting. 0.4 miles north of Ira Trailhead; 3801 Riverview Rd., Peninsula 44264

Everett Covered Bridge
There’s something comforting about a covered bridge, and the red one that crosses Furnace Run within Cuyahoga Valley National Park provides visitors a glimpse of the region’s past. Located in a forested section of the park’s southern half, Everett Covered Bridge was originally built in the 1870s and was once one of the more than 2,000 covered bridges found across Ohio. Rushing waters swept it off its base in 1975, but a multifaceted effort raised funds to rebuild it in 1986. Today, it stands as the last covered bridge in Summit County. 2370 Everett Rd., Peninsula 44264

Ledges Overlook
When it’s time to take in a sunset, head to the Ledges Trailhead, where a short walk leads to an overlook that offers sweeping westward views across Cuyahoga Valley National Park. There’s plenty of room along the rocky overlook, but sunsets here do tend to draw crowds at times, so be sure to get there a bit early to grab your spot. Ledges Overlook sits at the southwest corner of the 1.8-mile Ledges Trail, a relatively tame yet fascinating trek for those who want to take a closer look at the rock formations that have been here for millions of years. 405 Truxell Rd., Peninsula 44264

For more information about these and other locations within Cuyahoga Valley National Park, visit nps.gov/cuva.

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