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WHAT IS IT?33,000 acres of land surrounding 22 miles of the Cuyahoga River, between Cleveland and Akron, Ohio. One Ranger told us the Valley is “geographically unique,” but it looked at lot like Pennsylvania to us.
BEAUTY (7/10)
Cuyahoga Valley National Park could easily be mistaken for your neighborhood park, the place where you walk your dog or ride your bike. In fact, hundreds of people were engaged in those activities while we were there. At least to us, the landscape was very familiar – rolling hills in the background, a winding river, a green mixture of deciduous and coniferous trees. The fact that this land was set aside for public use and that so many people were taking advantage of this natural landscape makes it beautiful.
This was the perfect spot to practice our (very) novice bird-watching skills. Our amateur eyes spotted dozens of birds including red-winged blackbirds, cardinals, Baltimore orioles, red-tailed hawks, red-headed woodpeckers, blue heron and a wild turkey. White-tailed deer, snapping turtles and red and grey squirrels also crossed our path, or I should say, we crossed theirs.
HISTORICAL INTEREST (3/10)
The Cuyahoga Valley area was until very recently designated as a National Recreation Area. It gained National Park status in 2000 thanks to a very active Ohio Congressman. We asked a Ranger to explain the difference between the designations and he said, “very little.” The Ohio and Erie Canal passed through the length of the park. Remains of the locks are still present in several locations.
CROWDS (7/10)
Many of the parking lots around the park were busy, even on weekdays. People of all ages ran, biked and walked using the flat towpath which runs the length of the park or on the numerous interpretive trails. You might need to search for solitude, but we enjoyed being part of this group of people, enjoying the weather and natural beauty that was quite literally in their back yards.
EASE OF USE/ACCESS (5/5)Everything about the park is accessible. The Park can be reached by any of the major highways going through Ohio. It is not far from the PA Turnpike. We stayed with relatives in Brecksville, OH. To reach the park, we made a right out of their driveway, and took a left at the first light. That’s it. The towpath spans the length of the National Park – it is flat, wide enough for two people and paved. The Visitors Centers we entered were accessible to people with disabilities.
CONCESSIONS/BOOKSTORE (2/5)
These could have been better. Each Visitors Center had a slightly different selection – none were fantastic. But is there really much written about Ohio’s Cuyahoga Valley?
COSTS (3/5)
Entrance to the park is free. It is free to park. There is a fee if you want to ride the vintage rail cars of the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad which stops at a number of depots in the park and in small neighboring towns.
RANGER/GUIDE TO TOURIST RATIO (3/5)
There were Rangers at each Visitors Center that was open. All were helpful in suggesting hikes for the day.
TOURS/CLASSES (6/10)
A 20-page schedule of Spring events, including Ranger talks, special Scenic Railroad tours, musical events and fundraisers, is available at each of the Visitors Centers.
Two Visitors Centers, the Canal and Boston Store, have interpretive displays and exhibits on the Ohio and Erie Canal. The Canal VC focuses on life along the canal; Boston Store exhibits show canal boat building in the Valley. We can’t remember if we watched a film, so if we did, it did not leave much of an impression.
FUN (8/10)Hiking in the park offered a welcome break from the fast pace we have been taking through cities in the Northeast. We had time to talk, reflect, birdwatch. It’s always a thrill to come upon white-tailed deer grazing or families of turtles sunning themselves on rocks and logs. So many people were in the park, but we never felt crowded. We did have to walk fast one day to stay ahead of three school buses of rowdy kids, but they didn’t travel far up the path and they didn’t stay long. Seeing so many people appreciate and use this land left us with a good feeling.
WOULD WE RECOMMEND? (7/10)
We spent several days sightseeing around the Cleveland area. Every time we had a few spare hours, we made our way back to Cuyahoga Valley NP. It is a very pleasant place to spend a sunny afternoon.
TOTAL 51/80
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