Come for the Cuyahoga Valley waterfalls, stay for the local wine.
Cuyahoga Valley National Park, an outdoor oasis thats less than 40 minutes from my front door in Cleveland.
The first lesson: Cuyahoga Valleys reason for existing.
Blue Hen Falls in Cuyahoga Valley National Park.Credit:larryknupp/Adobe Stock
Cuyahoga Valleys rangers and volunteers have restored and continue to rewild a region once ravaged by industry.
The Cuyahoga River, for example, burned multiple times in the mid-1900s.
Cleanup efforts have paid off, and the parks 25 river miles now allure animals like herons and beavers.
Arch bridge spanning a river in Cuyahoga Valley National Park.Jon Lauriat/Getty Images
Youll find similar conservation stories throughout the park, including a revitalized marsh where beavers abound.
Its a collection of protected land parcels interspersed with private property.
Also, bring your hiking boots.
White chapel near a lake in Cuyahoga Valley National Park.zrfphoto/Getty Images
A few days of rain and snow can turn the trails into a muddy mess.
Speaking of rain, be ready for unpredictable weather, especially in the spring and fall.
One day could be 60 degrees Fahrenheit and sunny; the next could bring sub-freezing temperatures with snow.
Brandywine Falls in Cuyahoga Valley National Park.Bram/Adobe Stock
you might typically find bathrooms at most major trailheads, but staffing shortages have forced some to close.
Scroll theparks websitefor the latest closures.
Each month brings a new flavor of adventure to the park; thats why I visit year-round.
Forest Trail in Cuyahoga Valley National Park.yenwen/Getty Images
Summer is another great CVNP season, and its definitely the busiest.
Expect showers and muddy trails, but precipitation makes park beacon Brandywine Falls even more dramatic.
Winter brings snowoften a lot of snowand thats great for the parks cold-weather adventures like skiing and snowshoeing.
The living room leading to the bedroom in the Vincent Suite.Ali Harper/Courtesy of Fidelity Hotel
Temperatures often dip below freezing, so pack yourwinter coatand extra layers.
Best Things to Do
Bram/Adobe Stock
Ride the scenic railroad.
TheCuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroadmeanders by the woodlands and along the Cuyahoga River for 26 park miles.
Chase waterfalls.
Cycle the Towpath Trail.
The 87-mile Towpath Trail hugs the former Ohio and Erie Canal.
Visit a vineyard.
Cuyahoga Valley is a dream for fans of farm-to-table dining.
The venue, Sarahs Vineyard, treats guests with a tasting room and restaurant overlooking its grapes.
Take a Cuyahoga Valley safari.
To do so, hit the Beaver Marsh, one of the parks greatest conservation success stories.
Stroll the marshs boardwalk in the morning or evening for the best animal-sighting odds.
Attend a concert.
Go skiing.
Snow lovers can ski and snowboard in the park during the winter, too.
Cuyahoga Valley has 18 trails and nearly 90 skiable acres at the parks Boston Mills and Brandywine ski areas.
Dont miss the routes Ledges Overlook for one of the best Cleveland skyline views in the region.
This route is straightforward, scenic, and short.
It takes around 60 to 90 minutes to complete.
Spend time sitting at the lake watching for herons and other local fauna.
It follows a section of the blue-blaze Buckeye Trail, a 1,400-mile thru-hike around the state.
The property has you snoozing in furnished canvas tents, cabins, or your own tent via primitive campsites.
It was built in 1848 and sits steps from Brandywine Falls.
The six-room property is a true bed-and-breakfast, with a two-course breakfast and evening treats like cookies and cakes.
On a warm day, take time to sip and unwind on the quiet river-view patio.
Sarahs Vineyard
In the parks southern end, youll find my favorite dining stop,Sarahs Vineyard.
Stop here for a post-hike beer and comfort food like mac-and-cheese wedges.
