Autumn in Ohio was meant to be spent in the great outdoors.
Yeah, sometimes it may be a little rainy or chilly, but it’s still the best season in Ohio. That’s especially true once the leaves start to change. There are some fantastic adventures you can take around the state this fall. You can keep it lowkey and local by visiting pumpkin patches and corn mazes, or you can embrace your inner adventure geek and head out for some unique hikes and beautiful vistas.
But if you want to see the best Ohio has to offer, Cuyahoga Valley National Park absolutely has to be on your fall bucket list. There are so many fantastic hikes to enjoy and views to take in around the park, that a one-day visit probably won’t feel like enough.
Cuyahoga Valley National Park is legitimately gorgeous no matter what time of year you visit, but it’s downright spectacular in the fall. Cuyahoga Valley National Park generally receives more than 2.2 million recreational visits each year, and that makes it one of the most-visited national parks in the country.
If you only have time to see one thing in CVNP, it should definitely be Brandywine Falls. It’s one of the park’s main attractions, for good reason: it’s jaw-dropping.

The waterfall is 60 feet tall and the top of the falls is surrounded by a tree canopy of fall foliage. A boardwalk will lead visitors to an upper, accessible viewing area for the falls. A lower viewing deck requires visitors to walk down approximately 80 steps.
There are over 125 miles of hiking trails in the park. The trails in the park range from flat to challenging and pass through a variety of habitats like wetlands, woodlands, and fields. The National Park Service has great suggestions for family hikes and for hikes for all ability levels.
One of the best experiences to splurge on while visiting the park is the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad. A ride on the train will take you through the most scenic views of the park.

Tickets start at $18, but if you’re willing to spend a little more, you can book passage in the glass-top train car, which is so worth it.
For more information about planning the perfect trip to Cuyahoga Valley National Park, be sure to visit the official Cuyahoga Valley National Park website or download the National Park Service app.
Featured image via Photo by Niagara66, CC BY-SA 4.0.