This National Park Has a Vineyard, Long-distance Bike Trail, and 60-foot Waterfall-and It's Not Where You'd Expect

"A patchwork of plunging waterfalls, weather-pocked gorges, and forested trails brings nature buffs to Northeast Ohio. The draw? Cuyahoga Valley National Park, an outdoor oasis that's less than 40 minutes from my front door in Cleveland. I hike, bike, or run in the 33,000-acre destination almost monthly, and in this local's guide to Cuyahoga Valley National Park, I'm sharing everything you need to know about visiting Ohio's only national park."

"The first lesson: Cuyahoga Valley's reason for existing. This urban getaway lacks the drama of national park favorites like Zion or the Grand Canyon, but its conservation successes are quite astonishing. Cuyahoga Valley's 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 park's 25 river miles now draw animals like herons and beavers."

"For now, though, let's talk logistics for planning your visit to Cuyahoga Valley National Park, from when to visit to where to hike. How to Get There Cuyahoga Valley National Park is located about 30 minutes south of Cleveland and just north of Akron. Driving is the easiest way to get to and around the park, so I suggest booking a rental car from Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE) or Akron-Canton Airport (CAK) if you're flying in."

Cuyahoga Valley National Park spans roughly 33,000 acres less than 40 minutes from Cleveland and north of Akron. The park offers waterfalls, gorges, forested trails and extensive opportunities for hiking, biking, and running. Major conservation successes include restoration and rewilding of industrially damaged lands, cleanup of the Cuyahoga River, return of bald eagles in 2006, and revitalized marshes supporting beavers, herons, and other wildlife. The park contains about 25 river miles and is free to enter. The landscape consists of protected parcels interspersed with private land, with roadways that weave in and out and no official entrance gate.

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