Day Trip To Cuyahoga Valley National Park
Peninsula, Ohio
Description
Added by Jeff Henderson
Total Driving Mileage: 35 milesDuration: All DayScenic OverlooksSeveral WaterfallsMiles of TrailsRanked 10th Most Visited Nat'l Park by NatGeo in 2012
Cuyahoga Valley National Park is located in Northeast Ohio. Known for a variety of activities this National Park is great for year round visitors. This day trip adventure covers the main attractions and some of the hidden gems in this National Park. We obtained a park map before hand and set out early in the morning. Driving alongside the Cuyahoga River and the historic Ohio & Erie Canal we used the park map and detailed road signs to navigate and explore the park for most of the day.
1.) The first stop on our adventure was Beaver Marsh/Mixed Wetlands Boardwalk. After parking in the designated parking lot, it is a short walk to the boardwalk that crosses a marsh/wetland, home to a variety of wildlife and wildflowers.
2.) After leaving Beaver Marsh take a 5 minute drive to Heronry Wayside, a birdwatching area home to dozens of nesting Great Blue Herons. A designated pull-off on the side of the road is available for parking.
3.) After enjoying some bird watching, head 15 minutes to the next stop, Ritchie Ledges. On the way, a quick pit stop at Kendall Lake was taken. Ritchie Ledges is home to a few trails that weave around old rock formations and a scenic overlook that looks out over the Cuyahoga River Valley.
4.) From the Ledges take a 12 minute drive to the Boston Store Visitor Center, the visitor center for the National Park. Here you can pick up a few souvenirs, meet a couple of Park Rangers, and receive a little park history education.
5.) From the Visitor Center continue 5 minutes to Blue Hen Falls. Park along the road and follow the signs to the Blue Hen Falls Trailhead. There is short hike downhill to this stunning waterfall.
6.) Back tracking from Blue Hen Falls a 15 minute drive will take you to Brandywine Falls, the largest waterfall in the National Park. Here plenty of parking is available and a trail that takes you both above and below the waterfall is provided.
7.) Leave Brandywine Falls and head 20 minutes North to a National Natural Landmark, Tinker's Creek Gorge Overlook. This site overlooks the scenic Tinker's Creek Gorge. Explore the surrounding area on the All Purpose Trail.
8.) From Tinker's Creek Gorge Overlook travel 5 minutes down the road to Bridal Veil Falls. After parking in the marked parking lot, cross the road to get onto the Bridal Trail and take a hike down to the magnificent Bridal Veil Falls.
9.) Wrapping up this adventure drive 10 minutes to Viaduct Park, a Metro-park that borders the National Park. From the parking lot follow the trail down to Great Falls, a hidden urban waterfall that has ruins of an old mill, an old viaduct, and a man made tunnel that the creek flows through.
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