Ohio's Stunning National Park Has Beautiful Waterfalls And Foliage

In the United States, one of the best ways to experience nature is to visit a national park. These parks range in diversity, meaning there's a place that can appeal to anyone, regardless of what kind of activities you like to do. For example, if you love hiking, you can visit one of the best national parks for hiking and check out a wide variety of scenery. And if you're in the Midwest, one potential option packed with recreation is Cuyahoga Valley National Park.

Located just south of Cleveland, Cuyahoga Valley spans over 33,000 acres surrounding the Cuyahoga River. With so much space to explore, it's easy to spend several days wandering through the valley. There are also many ways to experience the park, including paddling, hiking, fishing, horseback riding, and even sledding during the winter. Or, if you're not looking to work up too much of a sweat, you can meander through the region on the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad. This train follows the river and allows you to see most of the sights from the comfort of your seat, and it's especially scenic during leaf-peeping season.

However, one of the main highlights of this national park is its scenic waterfalls. There are over 100 throughout the park, so it's unlikely that you'll see them all. However, the most popular sites, such as Brandywine Falls, are mesmerizing, so make sure to incorporate as many as you can during your visit.

Much like Georgia's beautiful Tallulah Gorge State Park, Cuyahoga Valley is full of waterfalls. The tallest and most popular is Brandywine, standing at 60 feet. The best way to reach it is by taking the trail from the Boston Mill Visitor Center. If you're looking for a sense of adventure, you can also try to find Buttermilk Falls. The pathway to this waterfall isn't marked, so the trail is not as well kept as others in the park. However, if you do make it, you'll be able to marvel at the layered shale rock that stretches up about 30 feet.

Alternatively, for an easier hike, you can check out Blue Hen Falls, which is downstream from Buttermilk. There is a quarter-mile trail to reach Blue Hen, so you don't have to be an experienced hiker to see it. These falls are not as impressive as Brandywine or Buttermilk, but they are unique because the water cascades off of a rock shelf, rather than pouring down a cliff face. Finally, another beautiful waterfall is Bridal Veil Falls, which you can view from an elevated position. Here, the water pours into a shallow basin.

But while waterfalls are certainly a main point of interest, the fact is that there are over 125 miles of trails throughout the park. If you like geology and steep climbs, you can trek the Hike the Ledges Trail. Or, if you're trying to cover as much distance as possible, you can explore the 20 miles of the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail. This trail actually starts at Lake Erie and ends at a small town called Zoarville, if you're really looking for a challenge.

Since this park is near Cleveland, the easiest way to reach it is by flying into the Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE), one of the few airports where non-passengers can still enter the secure airside terminals. It's only about a 30-minute drive north of the park. However, since you can't camp inside the park, you'll need to find accommodations nearby. Fortunately, as a major travel hub, the Cleveland metro area has plenty of options to fit any budget.

When planning your trip, you may want to consider incorporating fall foliage. Leaf peeping, as it were, is popular in Cuyahoga Valley National Park because many of the trees change colors as the temperatures drop during autumn. According to the park's website, the best time to see the brilliant foliage is during the third week of October, but you can technically visit any time during the month and see a wide array of reds, oranges, yellows, and greens. The site also recommends the Oak Hill Trail for early October and Brandywine Falls for mid-month, as the colors surrounding the falls really make them pop. Also, since the area is popular this time of year, visiting mid-week is a great way to avoid heavy crowds.

Another way to experience Cuyahoga's beautiful foliage any time of year is to take the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad. The fall version spans 24 miles and takes close to four hours to complete. Alternatively, during the holiday season, the train offers a North Pole excursion, complete with Christmas lights and other treats, and lasting 90 minutes.