by Tom Shafer
May 29, 2021
So, the wife and I finally ventured out into the pandemic-improving world during the second week of May, venturing to Cuyahoga Valley National Park in northern Ohio. She had been itching to take a short vacation, and I had been itching to check off the last of our “big” national parks (sixty-three total) – excluding Alaska. Now, those of you who know that I live in Ohio might think it rather ridiculous that I had not already secured this park, being that it is the closest one to me. But in my defense, Cuyahoga Valley is a newer one (designated in 2000) and frankly, I have been pretty busy over the last twenty-plus years.
Okay, so I don’t really have a good excuse, and now feel badly that I have ignored it for long, because all in all, it is a cool national park.
Iconic Brandywine Falls
But it is so very different from the others. It was first labeled as a National Recreation Area in 1974, but the National Park Service targeted it for NP status due to its suburban qualities and proximity to the large cities of Cleveland and Akron. So many of our national parks are located in remote areas far from population centers, and Cuyahoga Valley would provide easy access to a genuine natural experience under the auspices and expertise of the National Park Service. With its NP designation, the NPS has created a park that integrates many small towns, numerous roads and highways, four reservations, and eleven county parks along with its own countless attractions. Oh, and did I mention that this a free one – as in no entrance fee? It is!
The park service does not maintain any campsites within the boundaries (though many private options exist), so we opted for a local bed & breakfast, Cuyahoga Valley Inn, and were not in the least disappointed. The Oviatt Room is large and comfortable, the breakfasts varied and delicious, and the hosts welcoming and helpful. The park itself is just four miles away, and many delightful restaurants are located within a ten-mile radius. CVI is the perfect location to utilize as a hub for activities, and the perfect place to unwind after an arduous (or not so) day in the park.
Redwing blackbird at Brandywine Falls
And as for those activities, there are so many options and such variety. The park maintains 125 miles of hiking trails; 60 miles of all-purpose trails for biking (Century Cycles for rentals), skating, and walking; and 47 miles of trails for horseback riding. The Cuyahoga River is accessible for kayaking (bring your own) and fishing, and during winters, downhill skiing and tubing are available on three separate slopes, and hiking trails provide exceptional cross-country skiing and snowshoeing opportunities.
More sedentary activities exist as well. For history lovers, Hale Farm & Village is an outdoor living history museum that displays a premier collection of artifacts (paintings, textiles, militaria, and Shaker items) from the Western Reserve Historical Society. Art lovers will appreciate and enjoy Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens, a seventy acre estate that includes five historic buildings, ten fully restored historic gardens, and a collection of furnishings that are ninety-five percent original to the estate. Train lovers (and who isn’t?) will relish a ride through the river valley on the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad. And, with our world just now reopening, music lovers will delight in catching favorite performers or the Cleveland Orchestra at Blossom Music Center, an outdoor mecca for entertainment, including an amphitheater, restaurant, art gallery, gardens, and picnic area.
The wife contemplating the Falls 
From the top of Brandywine Falls
Because this was to be a short trip for the wife and me, we intended to spend most of our time on the hiking trails. The Brandywine Falls hike (1.4 miles) tours the park’s most iconic waterfall through a lovely old growth forest. Oddly, Interstate 71 traverses the park here, and is but a stone’s throw from the falls – though you wouldn’t know it because of the forest and roar of the falls. The Ledges hike (2.7 miles from Happy Days Lodge) is an oblong trek around, on top of, and through sandstone cliffs hidden by a hemlock forest – with lots of notches and “caves” to explore. Because of the overhead canopy, this is very shady walk (one that is nice in all seasons), and the hilly terrain provides a nice workout for all who complete the loop.
Hike through the Ledges 
View from the top of the Ledges
In the southern part of the park, a nice boardwalk meanders through and along Beaver Marsh – and past an old lock – on the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail. Snakes, muskrats, beavers, and all sorts of birds call this wetland home, and we found it very relaxing just strolling along taking in the flora and fauna. We also stopped on Bath Road in the southern part of the park to view a large collection of great blue heron nests. It being mid-spring, the nests were a flurry (or furry) of activity due to the babies populating them.
Tree swallow at Beaver Marsh 
Canada geese among the water lillies
An old lock near Beaver Marsh 
Common water snake along the Beaver Marsh path
Of course, we wanted to do so much more, but we accomplished what we wanted in our two full days at Cuyahoga Valley National Park. In addition to our chosen activities, we enjoyed three nice dinners and lunches scattered throughout the area, and evening drinks and cigars (well, me anyway) back at Cuyahoga Valley Inn.
Great blue heron nests 
Great blue heron tending her nest
On the whole, our little reconnaissance trip to CVNP was quite successful. It was certainly nice to be out in the world again, exploring a new place, experiencing one of our newest additions to the Park Service menu. I’m already looking forward to the next adventure – which may take us across the pond to the west coast and Yosemite in 2022!
