Category: | National Park |
Address: | Ohio, USA |
Phone: | +1 330-657-2752 |
Site: | nps.gov |
Rating: | 4.7 |
Working: | Open 24 hours Open 24 hours Open 24 hours Open 24 hours Open 24 hours Open 24 hours Open 24 hours |
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Vyjayanthi Rajan
Cuyagoha Valley National Park Brandywines Trail A national park is an area which is preserved but public facilities like car parking are provided for. The habitat is taken care of while making it accessible for the public too by building boardwalks and viewpoints which help one get close to nature without destroying her. One morning after breakfast we left Cleveland to go on a trail in Cuyahoga valley National Park. We reached the parking lot in about half an hour and after parking our car started on our trail to Brandywine Falls. The whole path was boardwalked and all we had to do was walk along admiring the trees flanking us and hear the rustle of the falling leaves forming a carpet of light brown and dark brown . As we walked along to the lower deck we reached the spot near the Falls which had boards describing the shales. Shale is a sedimentary rock that can be split into fragile slabs. We had a close view of the Falls and then returned back to climb stairs to the upper deck and as we walked along saw the Cuyahoga river path .It was amazing to note that a slow flowing river became a Fall capable of producing electricity once upon a time as it struck against great rocks at a height. The walk on the muddy trail amidst tall trees with the morning sun coming in between trees was fun. There were benches to rest and when we saw a small rivulet went close by, touched the cool waters and sat on a stone to watch it flowing calmly making the rocks visible with dried leaves gliding along. We then went back to the trail and completed our loop walking across the Brandywine Inn and watching birds flying above our heads. The trail was complete in about an hour and we felt healthy with all the oxygen we got. On the trail we saw people with pets , grandparents urging their grandchildren to enjoy the outdoors and a parent carrying an infant like a kangaroo. There was a sense of satisfaction as we completed the trail and drove back home.
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Eric Smith
Grew up in north eastern ohio, this park is what keeps me in the area. It may not be as wide as the grand canyon or as forest filled as denali but, the Cuyahoga Valley National Park will earn a soft spot in your heart. The ability to travel from lowland river basin to pine filled peaks and valleys within a matter of minutes us something most residents take for granted. Multiple family owned and operated farms sell their produce and live stock throught the summer, hundreds of miles of bike and hike trail encompass the park district. Duting winter months the park is home to two beautiful ski resorts. This national park packs it all into a small easy to digest area, as well as no entry fees!
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Karen Zeleznik
This park is awesome and accessible. Good rugged trails, as well as accessible towpath trail. If you are a birder, CVNP gets a wide variety of residents and migrants. My favorite spots are the tracks north and south of the Station Road entrance or the towpath there. Also check out the Beaver Marsh at Ira Road and Riverview Road. If trains are your thing, ride the railroad through the park. A favorite place for hikers, bikers, birders, and runners. If you are lucky our Bald Eagle pair will be home. (North from Station Road parking lot). See the river that has returned to past glories.
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Blake Howard
I appreciate the efforts to restore this area to nature, but it is a little early for it to earn national park status. There is hardly any wilderness here at all, it is very developed. Not many interesting geological features, BrandyWine falls while a nice spot is not even an unusual waterfall in any way. Scenic railroad ride saw more buildings than trees or wildlife, and the conductor showed us that Akron pumps all its waste up to where we were to dump it into the river. Lovely.
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Lauren Zanko
The Cuyahoga Valley National Park will never get the attention as stunning gems out west, but CVNP has its own charm. This is a beautiful national park with a seamless trail system for hiking, biking, horseback riding and more. There is much to see and explore in the crown jewel of the "emerald necklace" that connects with city and county parks all along northeast Ohio. Just remember this is a national park so take only pictures and leave only footprints.
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Stephen Gurski
I grew up hiking, riding horses, and biking in this park. Lots of lovely places to see here. Hale farm is a working period farm/village that should not be missed. The Cuyahoga vally scenic raliroad is a delight especially when being pulled by the guest steam locomotive. The towpath trail follows the cuyahoga river and ohio canal and offers beautiful views of the valley. This is a very open park. No entry fee to the park proper and access from many roads.
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Bill Kaim
Love love love the CVNP did I mention love so much history in the valley .Take a train ride kayak the river bike or walk the Towpath stay at a hostel volunteer and work in the valley go to the art fest bird watching fishing go check out deep lock Quarry or Virginia Kendall Park and look at the fossils or spend the night at Brandywine Falls Bed & Breakfast check out the cemeteries with the old headstones dating back to the 1800s
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Mariah Gillespie
Pros: Five walk in camp sites are great. Close together but still very private. Dog friendly. Beautiful scenery and hikes. Fire wood provided. Closed road makes for a great Cons: $28/night no fire rings (community fire pits only and no cooking at them so bring a camp stove). Fire wood provided for community pit was all wet. No bathrooms. POISON IVY EVERYWHERE Very nice and would recommend to anyone traveling.
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J Skidmore
So many beautiful areas this Park encompasses! Truly a year round park. series of ranger led activities and self guided things to do. Train rides, skiing, hiking on all terrain, rivers streams ponds lakes. Shelters picnic areas bike trails. Our favorite areas are Brandywine falls, the lake with stone shelter in Cuyahoga falls and the Cuyahoga valley train ride.
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jake hathaway
I walk, run or bike this park almost once a week. Spring, summer, fall, winter, beautiful during every season. Plenty of interesting places to stop and eat along the way from Cleveland to Akron. The Cuyahoga valley railway is an easy way to take your bike along the tow path. Definitely a place to check out whether you are visiting or have lived here all along.
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CS Untch
What an amazingly beautiful, naturally sculpted, strikingly out of the ordinary creation. Hiking can be challenging, or take the easy trail. Definitely worth bringing your camera. I was really, truly, delightfully surprised. And, BONUS... Saw a very large snake, not going to attempt to identify it...but, it was large and black, and awesome!
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Nina Njus
A beautiful place to bike and hike with many ranger led activities. Pea gravel and asphalt main Towpath trail may not be suited for high end racing style bikes. Many well maintained hiking trails thru a wide variety of terrains. Park rangers are accessible and knowledgeable. Some camping and over night stay places available in park.
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Kristin Castenschiold
A pretty spot but having visited so many other national parks we were not sure why this one was not just a recreation area. The falls were pretty but with a road behind them they sort of lost their charm. We enjoyed the ledges trail the most. Great if you are in the area but not worth going specifically for.
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Dave Trendler
Beautiful and interesting little park with a surprising variety to offer visitors. Just a few miles of hiking brings a pretty river, canals and railroads, gorgeous waterfalls, cool dark forests sometimes filled with cicadas, and fascinating cliffs and rock formations. Rangers are enthusiastic and welcoming.
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Gabriel Younker
This is by far one of the best parks in the nation!!! I did a Half Marathon here last weekend and it was awesome. Our family is in the park a couple times a month either hiking or biking the trails and eating at local spots! There are countless things to do here, and you will not be disappointed.
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Jeevan Thomas
Thought of seeing fall here this week. But Michigan seems far better in terms of color. This park has a few water falls, but needs more water to see it attractive. Visitors centre has restrooms with limited capacity. The directions given by staff were helpful to select a few top destinations.
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Mel Harter
Good place to go if you need to get out with your family. Lots of places to go and each area is completely different from the next. Some trails at other places are pretty monotonous. This one allows you to travel around a lake, hike on trails, go to a creek, see an old cemetery, and more.
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Elizabeth Striegl
My favorite place. I love that it is free. Awesome hiking, biking and sightseeing. Usually not too busy which is also a plus. The beaver marsh and blue hen falls are my two favorite places in the park but Boston is great for a first time visitor. I am so happy I live so close to the park
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Biltz family
whats not to love? beautiful views, nice trails. so many different activities. join one of many trail running groups, take your bike on a bike path. love this place and an easy way to burn a ton of calories without knowing it. you pay taxes to this place, go reap the benefits. Biltz
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brian potucek
Blufffs on either side of the Cuyahoga river are the highlight of this park. The ledges area being the best. If your a bicycle rider this is your park. Smooth flat trail that follows the river for 25 miles or so. Than take your bike on the train for the way back. Nice family park
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Shane Schaffer
The scenery and the towpath trail are the gem of Northeast Ohio. This park made it an easy transition when I moved to Akron. Peninsula is a great little town that you can rent bikes and grab some food at the Winking Lizard. Definitely worth checking out and exploring.
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Greg Jackson
Premier place in the Cleveland/Akron area to take a bike ride, hike, herons, turtles, Cuyahoga River along Tow Path Trail. Many would like to see the Tow Path one day to be paved, especially after winter thaw or rain, most of the path will remain muddy for awhile.
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Colleen Schlechte
Beautiful National Park, located close to Cleveland, Akron and Canton. Lots of areas to see wildlife, hike and bike. There is a Blue Heron nesting area that is a great place to view a large number of herons hatching every spring. Beautiful colors in the fall!!
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alberto izquierdo
Fantastic, booking the dome car, you are in a transparent bubble. Volunteers will explain the park.
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Chris Bloomfield
Great urban National Park. In it we was a bunch of wildlife. (2 kinds of turtles, 2 kinds of snakes, river otters, herons, frogs, bunch of different birds) We took some nice hikes and kids earned their junior ranger badges from a super nice ranger.
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Michaela Jarrell
Saw OAR and Train play at the amphitheater here, other than the sound going out for the lawn seats during the main performance, it is a beautiful place and I plan to go back here for more shows and to the national park for hiking and train rides!!
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Team 108
Different than some of the major parks but still awesome. Brandywine Falls and Blue Hen Falls are must sees and easily accessed via very short hikes. Another must see is The Ledges. Tons of running/hiking trails and a very popular area for bikes.
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John Frank
Great park - like others have said, ride your bike and then ride the train back to where you started on Bikes Aboard. Many hiking trails and they are never crowded. Eagles, deer at dusk, blue herons are all there to see. Love it and visit weekly!
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Nick Tolley
Place was awesome, since visiting i have recomended to all of my loved ones. Great sights to see, and you didnt have to walk far to see the majority of them. Very kid friendly and i beleive it was also handicap accessible. 5 stars for sure
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Colin Ross
IT IS A FABULOUS PARK! IT IS ALSO FREE, UNLIKE MANY NATIONAL PARKS. The only complaint I have is there are usually a lot of ticks around, but there is so many hiking and recreation options that you could spend weeks there if you wanted to!
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AUSTIN GREENLEE
This is a great national park hidden in Ohio, I used to run in a cross country meet here every year and it was simply breath taking. To think something like this is hidden in Ohio is great. It is also the only National Park in Ohio!
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Brooks Kelley
One really nice area to visit besides Brandywine Falls is the Ledges Area Trail that goes into the gorge. This goes down and up so is a harder walk but worth it. The tow path canal is also interesting for an easy walk or ride.
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Lara Carl
This is such a great park! Great waterfalls and hiking. The Ledges hike is a must! Dog friendly and lots of spots to get wet and cool off in the humid Ohio summers! Next time we stop through we will definitely bring bikes!
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Newklearbong
Great places to hike nice falls and ledges to see, all out just a great place to escape if your tired of the city or just tired of being a couch potato, also you can pedal down the towpath and enjoy nice scenery that way.