Cuyahoga Valley is one of America’s most popular parks, but it wasn’t always so inviting

Cuyahoga Valley National Park may not be a household name, but it’s one of America’s 10 most popular national parks. The Ohio park saw nearly 3 million visitors last year, which was more than bucket-list destinations like Bryce, Glacier and Grand Teton. But it wasn’t always a place people would want to visit. 

“The Cuyahoga River that infamously caught on fire many times, the last time in 1969 down in Cleveland, that river runs through this park and it's named for that,” said Pamela Barnes, the park’s community engagement supervisor and public information officer. “We're about to turn 50 in 2024, and we have been working to restore this valley … People who have left the area, who came back, might be like, wow.” 

Here’s what you should know about visiting Cuyahoga Valley, the latest national park in USA TODAY’s yearlong series:

Why is Cuyahoga Valley National Park unique?

“It's like the epicenter for the modern 20th-century environmental movement,” said Barnes. “Following that worldwide story that was told about the Cuyahoga River came the Clean Water Act, the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency. So this park really has a story of restoration … going from a river that you don't want to be near to a river that we're inviting people to enjoy.”

One place where change is especially evident is the Beaver Marsh.

“That is right in front of your face the story of restoration because you're looking at a marsh that supports over 200 species of birds, residents and those that migrate,” Barnes said. “And that's a wetland that used to be a scrapyard, like a car junkyard.”

Where is Cuyahoga Valley National Park? 

Cuyahoga Valley National Park is about 7 miles from Akron and less than 20 miles from Cleveland.

“It’s right in the middle of these two urban areas, and it just feels like a green island in the middle,” Barnes said.“It's 33,000 acres, 125 miles of trails, and something for everyone to do, so that may come as a bit of a surprise in a metropolitan area.”

The closest major airport is Cleveland Hopkins International Airport, which is a few miles closer than Akron-Canton Airport.

Does it cost anything to go to Cuyahoga Valley National Park?

No. Cuyahoga Valley National Park does not charge entry fees nor require reservations.

What is the best time of year to visit Cuyahoga Valley National Park?

Summer is the most popular time for visits, but Cuyahoga Valley is truly a year-round park.

“It is spectacular in the fall if you go to the Ledges overlook,” Barnes said.”You can just see the colors across the valley. It's just bright, vibrant colors.”

Come winter, the trails open up to cross-country skiing, and downhill skiing is available at two privately run ski resorts within the park’s borders. 

“We have snow shoes that people can borrow for free,” Barnes said. “We have some really pretty fantastic sledding hills too.” 

She said spring is a popular time for bird-watching and hiking.

“A lot of people like to hike throughout the year, but some people find that they might want to stay inside in the winter,” she added with a chuckle.

How many days do you need in Cuyahoga Valley National Park?

Visitors can easily spend a full day or weekend at the park. In addition to places like Ledges and the Beaver Marsh, visitors will want to see the park's picturesque waterfalls.

“The most popular waterfall of course would be Brandywine Falls, and what's great about it is it is accessible for anyone,” Barnes said of the 60-foot waterfall. “It's just a short walk down a wooden boardwalk to a totally accessible viewing area.” 

Because there are several areas within the footprint of the park that are not actually part of the park, Barnes recommends travelers stop at the Boston Mill Visitor Center at the start of their trip.

“Rangers can really help you customize your visit,” she said.

What Native American tribes were in the Cuyahoga Valley?

The park says Native Americans called the park’s winding namesake river “Ka-ih-ogh-ha” or crooked. 

Paleoindians first arrived in the area at the end of the Ice Age, roughly 13,000 years ago, according to the park. Over the millennia, they were followed by Archaic and Woodland peoples. 

The valley’s last longstanding Native people are referred to as the Whittlesey people. The park says it’s not entirely clear why they left the area in the 1600s, but “they were gone before the first (European) explorers passed through the Cuyahoga Valley.”

The park notes several tribes came to the valley in the 1700s, after being forced out of their own lands, including the Ottawa, Ojibwa and possibly Mingo, but by the early 1800s, they’d been pushed out.