The Most Stunning Waterfall Views Are At This US Midwestern National Park
Whether you're looking to enjoy a camping adventure with the entire family or you just have a heart for time in the great outdoors, the Midwest is a fantastic region to explore. Travelers who are into waterfall viewing and plan to set their sights on Ohio as a vacation destination will want to make time for a stop at Cuyahoga Valley National Park the next time they're here. According to the National Park Service, this is one of eight National Park Service sites adventurers can visit across the state of Ohio.
Located on Riverview Road in Peninsula, Ohio, Cuyahoga Valley National Park sits just about 16 miles north of Akron. Visitors to the park will find 33,000 acres of terrain waiting to be discovered, with a highlight of the journey for many being the opportunity to enjoy waterfall watching at its best. The Cuyahoga River runs through this lush national park, which is open to visitors 24 hours a day. Making a trip this way even more appealing is the fact that no reservations or fees are required to enjoy time at this waterfall-abundant park filled with stunning views just waiting to be admired.
Hike to breathtaking cascades
Cuyahoga Valley National Park has a cascade for everyone. Solo travelers, exploring groups, and those on family vacations will find reasons to be impressed with the waterfalls here. The Akron Beacon Journal listed the number of waterfalls inside the park at 100, so there's no reason to worry about running out of options.
The hardest part is narrowing down which waterfalls to visit in the time you have allotted. For the most dramatic waterfall views, begin your journey on the Brandywine Gorge Trail. This loop is just under 1.5 miles and takes around 35 minutes to complete. The elevation change is only 160 feet, making it a suitable route for hikers of all skill levels. You'll pass through forests and over creeks using a footbridge on the way to see the impressive Brandywine Falls. Here, water flows over rocky ledges that are more than 60 feet high, creating a truly breathtaking scene. It's a view that you're going to want to have your camera ready for from a place on the surrounding observation boardwalk.
For more cascade views, and more of a challenge, make your way to the Buttermilk Falls. You can reach these falls using an unmarked trail that takes you about a mile off the Brandywine Gorge Trail following Spring Creek. Do keep in mind that this route is significantly more rugged than the Brandywine Gorge Trail and best suited to more experienced hikers. Your effort will be rewarded in the form of a 20-foot cascade tumbling over shale ledges as it flows toward the Chagrin River.
Explore man-made falls and abundant wildlife
While many of the cascades found throughout Cuyahoga Valley National Park are designed by nature to inspire visitors, there are man-made waterfalls to enjoy here as well. One of the best examples comes in the form of Mudcatcher Falls. These cascades can be accessed just east of the Towpath Trail and they're a testament to engineering efforts to maintain consistent water levels within the Ohio and Erie Canal.
No matter what waterfalls you choose to enjoy during your trip to Cuyahoga Valley National Park, there are opportunities to pair your cascade viewing with time to admire wildlife as well. The wetlands, forests, and rivers that make up the landscape in the park provide ideal habitats for red and gray foxes as well as coyotes, white-tailed deer, woodchucks, raccoons, and beavers. While the park forests are full of squirrels and chipmunks, the terrain also provides a home for around nine species of bats.
If you happen to be a birding enthusiast, you'll be thrilled to learn the waterfalls of Cuyahoga Valley National Park offer up a natural backdrop for around 250 bird species. A spring visit might have you spotting indigo buntings, wood warblers, and scarlet tanagers. If you come this way in the winter, you'll likely find an opportunity to observe pine siskins and American tree sparrows near the frozen cascades.