Cuyahoga Valley National Park

Formerly known as Cuyahoga Valley National Recreation Area, this is one of America’s newest national parks, designated as such in October 2000. The name Cuyahoga comes from a Native American word that meant “crooked,” and refers to the course of the Cuyahoga River, which sweeps in a hundred-mile-long U in northeastern Ohio. Cuyahoga Valley National Park preserves a 22-mile stretch of the river between Cleveland and Akron. The park is set in a picturesque landscape of forests, farmlands, and rolling hills. Among the highlights of the park are 125 miles of hiking trails, including the nearly 20-mile long Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail; Brandywine Falls, plunging 67 scenic feet; and myriad historical attractions. Visitors to the park can hike, bike, horseback-ride, canoe, bird- and mammal-watch, ice fish, cross country ski, golf, learn about canal history, and enjoys dozens of other pursuits in this popular and well-loved national park.