Cuyahoga Valley National Park: 24 Hours Hiking Waterfalls, Ledges & Covered Bridges
Join us on a whirlwind 24-hour adventure through the enchanting landscapes of Cuyahoga Valley National Park, a hidden gem nestled between the bustling urban sprawl of Cleveland and Akron, Ohio. This video captures the essence of the park's beauty, from the serene flow of the Cuyahoga River to the majestic Brandywine and Blue Hen Falls cascading softly into verdant, moss-covered rocks. Watch as we explore historic landmarks like the Everett Covered Bridge and walk along the scenic Towpath Trail, retracing the steps of 19th-century canal builders. Let us know what we left off that you love doing here in the comments.
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Пікірлер: 157
I haven't found many videos on Cuyahoga. So to have one of my trusted park bloggers create one is a true gift :) Thank you
@ThroughMyLens
Ай бұрын
Our pleasure! So kind of you to say the channel is one of your favorites!
Thanks for showing Ohio some love 👍
Hocking Hills in Ohio is spectacular and wonderful too…Old Man’s Cave, Rock House, etc….. breathtaking! Awesome video…Thanks!😊
@ThroughMyLens
Ай бұрын
I would love to go there someday, it looks epic!
@fluffyotter1601
Ай бұрын
@@ThroughMyLens I think you will thoroughly enjoy the area:) it’s a favorite of mine. I’m actually surprised it hasn’t become a national park …someday I’m sure….. Enjoy your content….always excellent!
Josh, you have such a terrific way of presenting us with all the highlights, both visually, and orally. That, along with your enthusiasm, research, and smooth, flowing style always make your videos some of the best, IMO.😎👏🏻
I was literally just there this morning at Brandywine Falls. So excited you made it to my home park!! ❤ It’s no Yosemite but it definitely has its perks. 😊
@ThroughMyLens
Ай бұрын
Brandywine was incredible, so beautiful!
@cgriggsiv
Ай бұрын
Did you do the Cascades at Brandywine falls the far back side on that trail where the bed and breakfast is at going down that trail there is approximately 12 cascades each at different various heights
@karens2318
4 күн бұрын
@@cgriggsiv I live in the area and go to CVNP all the time. I've been to the falls but didn't know about the cascades. I'll have to check it out!
@cgriggsiv
4 күн бұрын
@@karens2318 I would be glad to show you but I don't drive My only transportation for this blind person is a mountain bike
I really liked how you inset the park’s map so we could see the particular location.
@ThroughMyLens
Ай бұрын
I figured it was needed since the park is so spread out, glad you liked it!
Wow josh youre really showing us alot of small national park jewels that most wouldnt think of. Thanks 48 nps. Wow
@ThroughMyLens
Ай бұрын
Thanks for watching! Trying to show all of the beauty we can!
A very great way of traveling the world is to always be on your channel! I love it! Thank you! : )
Another great video. Isn’t it funny. Water falling over rocks. So simple but always beautiful and exciting to see. :)
If you go back, it's definitely worth walking the Towpath Trail. I'd recommend taking an entire day and walking it slowly. You will definitely escape the noise of the traffic there, and Peninsula is especially peaceful.
@ThroughMyLens
Ай бұрын
I would love to!
like it when you include food you ate
Oh, if I'd known you were going to be here a month ago, I'd have volunteered myself as a guide. I love my CVNP and your videos! As everyone else (most likely) commented, it's no Zion or Arches, but it's accessible and you can find beauty everywhere you look. To me, the best part is being able to cobble many trails together to make it just right. In other words, your hikes can be as short or long as you like and as strenuous or easy as well and any combination thereof. We're very lucky to have had the influence of John Seiberling and Ralph Regula not just affecting the National Park but the surrounding areas and our county/metro parks as well. I'm glad we were able to surprise you. Come back soon 😁
I live about 10 minutes from the Park. I love it. The towpath trail is good. The Ledges are awsome! Come back in the fall to see all the great colors!
So nice to see CVNP get some love. It’s such a unique park in a lot of ways and often flies under the radar because people love to hate on Ohio. I think one of the most interesting things about it is that it’s like a lot of European national parks in that it was created around the western civilization already living there vs. a lot of the parks in the U.S. that were set aside as parks before being altered by settlers. It’s beautiful in the summer when things are green and the foliage actually muffles a lot of light the traffic noise…and of course, the fall colors are absolutely stunning! Hope you can visit again sometime later in the year to enjoy the rest of the seasonal treasures! ❤
Wow! Cool to see you in my neck of the woods. Never thought I'd see you at our lesser known National Park. You definitely picked a bad time of year though. Summer or better yet the fall are the times when this park is at its best. Thanks for showing off this area of the country.
Nice video, thanks for sharing. I've never been there, but am planning a trip there. Can't wait! And that room was awesome!
This is one of my most favorite places to visit ❤ The Ledges is my favorite place in the U.S. thus far! So glad to see you visited Cuyahoga Valley National Park!! You're so super close to my state 😉 (Michigan)
@ThroughMyLens
Ай бұрын
That's awesome, it really was great! I would love to visit Michigan!
We live just of few miles from the park and we often visit. Your video summary was excellent. Very well done. You hit the falls at a very good time, but Blue Hen was not flowing as full as I have seen it. The hike there is a challenge, but fun. Urban! That’s how I describe CVNP. I think I have heard others reference urban as the type of park. Again, very well done video. Everyone please visit when in the area. You will not regret it.
First I would like to say that your videos are awesome and I always use them as inspiration for trips. Next I think you should make a video on Kings Canyon National Park and Sequoia National Park on this channel. I would also like to say that your videos are so informative and are a huge help (Before we visit a national park we always watch your videos on that park to see what to expect because your videos are so high quality and we love the way its formatted 👍) so thanks and keep up the great work!
@ThroughMyLens
Ай бұрын
It has been a while since I made it to Kings Canyon, this was the last video I did on the cave tour there kzread.info/dash/bejne/mqSYo7SrlLzVfJM.html
Josh, my wife and I so much enjoy your videos and content. We live in Canton, Ohio so was very cool to see you at our home state National Park! We have been to 8 National Parks since we got married so we have some catching up to do on you! So glad you enjoyed Cuyahoga Valley, hope to see you visit there again! It’s very beautiful and a hidden gem for sure!
@ThroughMyLens
Ай бұрын
So cool, I stopped by Canton to see the Pro Football Hall of Fame when I was there, really awesome spot!
Amazing as usual, missing Pops again, as i'm so used to seeing you both together on these wonderful excursions, keep em coming......Javi G.
@ThroughMyLens
Ай бұрын
We are about to set out on a massive summer road trip so will have a lot of pretty epic videos later this year
You missed Sand Run Metro Park, which is essentially part of CVNP - absolutely stunning scenery. You also need to experience the mind-blowing wineries, breweries, coffees shops and hippie/artsy neighborhoods in the Akron and Cleveland area. It's truly a magical place that is all about nature, the arts and culture.
@ThroughMyLens
Ай бұрын
Sounds amazing! I need to go back!
Thanks for the enjoyable tour. While I grew up in NYC, I have a strong love for mountains, lakes, rivers, anything scenic and not a super tall structure. 😄I admire good architecture but nothing beats nature.
Thank you for a great video of CVNP. It's practically in our backyard, just 20 minutes away and we hike and bike there all the time. I agree about the road traffic. Once the leaves come out like they are now here in May through to October really helps with hiding the roads more. Also, Ohio has quite a few covered bridges to explore.
First! 😄 I always get excited when i get a notification you uploaded a video! My husband and I are gonna sync it now to our tv to watch!!! We love your videos!
@ThroughMyLens
Ай бұрын
Really appreciate you watching the videos!
@cindywestlake6278
Ай бұрын
@ThroughMyLens we live in Oklahoma and are planning on the Roswell, Carlsbad trip Labor Day weekend. We are so glad we found you 2 years ago and we are appreciative of the awesome tips. You have inspired us to plan trips to places we never even thought about. You so a wonderful job Josh! Have a great week!
That is definitely one of the coolest historic bed-and-breakfasts I’ve ever seen! Although we mostly Airstream our locations, our second favorite is historic bed and breakfasts. Thanks for showcasing a less highlighted national park. 🥰
I live in Niles, Ohio, & absolutely love your channel!! If you are still in Ohio, check out Nelson-Kennedy Ledges park in Parkman. Its as beautiful as the ledges you showed us! Thanks for the BEST videoes❤
So cool to see you in this part of the country. I enjoy CVNP but I will agree with some other comments about Hocking Hills. I know coming back to Ohio is a lot to ask, but it is definitely worth a trip and you would love it. Only a little bit outside of Columbus. It is a gem for the state. Most people think there is nothing to do here in Ohio or that it is all flatland and farms, but you have to learn to explore a little bit beyond to find all the beauty. Please go to Hocking Hills.
I live in Florida and will be heading out to Cuyahoga Valley, New River Gorge, and Shenandoah in a couple of weeks. I watched your 3 videos on those 3 parks and learned a ton to make my visit even better. Thank you for making such great videos on our national parks!
We’ve done this last year, also trying to visit all national parks! So far 27!
So glad to see you made it to CVNP! We always enjoy your videos and we’re so excited to see you to Ohio where we live!!
Glad you made it to this little gem. We are from Pittsburgh and have been there three times. Each time was a new very enjoyable experience. Taking the grand kids on the train was a wonderful memory. Park rangers are some of the best we have ever encountered on visiting 30 parks.
@ThroughMyLens
Ай бұрын
That is awesome! I hope to visit Pittsburgh one of these days as well!
The fall is probably the best time to go, great views
I very much enjoy your videos. I believe it is your soft-spoken nature and voice, always Calm , Happy & Informative 👍⭐🩵. I have to add Damn it 😤, now I have another Park to see 😆.
@ThroughMyLens
Ай бұрын
haha appreciate the kind words, I have a lot of fun sharing these new places with everyone
I never have heard of it! But now I wanna go.
Wonderful video! I’ve spent a lot of time at this park, and you really did it justice. Thank you!
Wow, this was great! I was born and raised in NE Ohio and have never been to some of the beautiful places you went and never knew about the covered bridge. Whipps Ledges was our family's favorite place to go and explore. Thank you so much for this video!
@ThroughMyLens
Ай бұрын
So cool you found a few new spots! I loved the Ledges, I could have spent a lot more time there
Visited here for the first time back in early March and was so impressed with the scope of the park and neighboring parks! It is odd to see so much traffic so close to the various parks, but how great to have access to such unique spots for those who live in the nearby cities! Started my day at Brandywine (almost to myself), then headed to Ledges (LOVED) and then explored many of the other same spots you visited. Had a fantastic experience and will definitely be back again! Thanks for sharing - brought back great memories!!
@ThroughMyLens
Ай бұрын
Yea it is a great park to be able to just pop over to if you live close by!
The Ledges overlook is interesting to see in different seasons. The most impressive is in the fall for the colors. There are two metroparks that border the national park. Summit County to the south and Cleveland Metroparks to the north. The Cleveland Metroparks are locally known as the emerald necklace because they surround the Cleveland metro area.
That was so cool! Thanks for sharing.
If you haven’t been add Hocking Hills State Park to your list. A beautiful park and very unique.
Welcome to Ohio! I hope you also had a chance to visit Hocking Hills in Southeast Ohio
It’s a very unique park, that I wouldn’t mind visiting 😁🙌🏽
Cuyahoga, yeah I had that. At first it hurts, but then it got itchy. Went away in a month or so.
9:30 reminded me of "The Erie Canal" song about a mule named Sal, which a lot of us learned in grade school :)
We were just there for the eclipse!
We live in Canton, Ohio and travel to Cuyahoga Valley National Park often. It is a very nice park to visit.
@ThroughMyLens
Ай бұрын
That's awesome! It would be fun to get to know the park a lot more
Welcome to NE Ohio, where the weather is poop 9 months out of the year! I grew up around this national park, so good to see it is getting a little attention. The best time to visit is summer and early fall!
@ThroughMyLens
Ай бұрын
haha! Good to know! Yea, I was surprised it wasn't green yet but still had a great time!
Your itinerary almost matched up with mine but backwards. The Canadian wildfire smoke scared off a lot of people so I basically had all of the trails to myself. I did the train ride through the park the 2nd day which was a unique experience.
Love your enthusiasm, and the visits to our national treasures. I hope to see many of them in the next few years. Hi to pops, too. From another seasoned citizen ;)
@ThroughMyLens
Ай бұрын
I hope you can see a bunch of them as well! Thanks for watching and I will tell pops hi!
@WhislinGary
Ай бұрын
@@ThroughMyLens I have probably watched at least half of them. Planning to travel and boondock camp all 50 States and see the national parks and monuments. I hit like every time. Prost!
Fabulous adventure, Thanks for sharing, wonderful blessings Josh
@ThroughMyLens
Ай бұрын
Glad you enjoyed it!
It’s gorgeous in the fall!
@ThroughMyLens
Ай бұрын
I would love to go back then!
Wow, you hit a lot of stuff in a short amount of time. Impressive!
We really enjoy this NP. Its a great area to get in a variety of hikes, especially with the handful metro parks around. We are going again in a couple of weeks.
@ThroughMyLens
Ай бұрын
I agree, it would be a pretty fun spot to explore more
I’m so glad you are checking out Ohio! I’m originally from Youngstown, Ohio. You brought back some good memories for me. Tampa is my home now after I retired from the Air Force. Thanks for my weekly fix from @throughmylens
@ThroughMyLens
Ай бұрын
No problem! I got a video on Cleveland in a few weeks too!
Well done as always
@ThroughMyLens
Ай бұрын
Thanks you!
So much research....well done mate 👍 Thanks for those waterfalls...very impressive.
@ThroughMyLens
Ай бұрын
Glad you enjoyed it!
Hocking Hills (SW Ohio) is even more amazing - waterfalls, huge cliffs and rock formations and endless hiking trails. I think people seem to forget that eastern Ohio is the Appalachian Foothills so extremely hilly and beautiful. No place compares to the beauty of where I grew up in NE Ohio! Not to mention so many cool hippy and artsy places without close proximity.
@ThroughMyLens
Ай бұрын
I would love to go there, thanks for the reminder!
@maryfettig3378
Ай бұрын
It is amazing!
I live in central Ohio but have never visited the park. However, in 1977, I saw Led Zeppelin in the Richfield Coliseum that no longer exists. It was located in the park before it became the park. There's a historical marker there now.
@ThroughMyLens
Ай бұрын
Oh wow that must have been amazing!
Great video as usual man. Been to a couple places on your recommendation already. Keep em coming! ❤️🤘😎
@ThroughMyLens
Ай бұрын
Glad you have been to a few of the parks! Thanks for watching
Really awesome! We have never been. We’ll need to add this to our list.
@ThroughMyLens
Ай бұрын
It is a fun park to explore for sure. I want to go back and ride the train
I've been wanting to go to this park for a long time. I'm from this part of Ohio living in Kent by Kent State University. When I was a teenager I believe, I went to the Ledges and I remember jumping off the rocks into the water below in a large pit if my memory serves me correctly. I also remember walking around the rocks there and coming to what looked like a cave. It was so dark I would not go any further fearing of falling into a hole or worse! My family is from Akron and there are still relatives in this area. I went to college in North Canton, OH. at Stark Technical College and received my Associates degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology. I went to the University of Akron for one year and later moved to Columbus, OH. and studied Electrical Engineering at Ohio State University. If I don't get there in the future, at least I've seen it through your video. Thank you.
@ThroughMyLens
Ай бұрын
That is awesome that you have such a connection to Ohio! I hope you can visit the park more in the future!
Nice to see you in our part of the country! Biking the tow path is so nice. There are bike rentals in Peninsula, as well as restaurants, and one of Cuyahoga Valley railroad stations. The train is running again BTW after some spring maintenance!
@ThroughMyLens
Ай бұрын
I was bummed to not be able to ride the train, I love trains and thought that was a really cool part of the park
I've been waiting for you to come to Cuyahoga Valley! It is my go-to for hiking. The Ledges Trail overlook is cool! Love that trail! It's awesome for sunsets! There are also trails not directly on the road. (I feel your pain there) I feel bad you had a rainy day, but Ohio weather is so fickle! I hope you can do a do-over day. Come back in the fall! It's beautiful! I love all your videos! ❤ Good luck on your journey to all the national parks!
@ThroughMyLens
Ай бұрын
It was a great time, such a beautiful spot I never expected!
Very nice video great job 👍
awesome
I loved seeing the beautiful Ohio scenery. Should try the Hocking Hills area for seeing beautiful waterfalls and walking trails.
@ThroughMyLens
Ай бұрын
I will have to check that out next time!
As @fluffyotter said Hocking Hills is amazing if you like waterfalls and interesting rock formations and caves. In the Greater Hocking Hills area it is estimated, by a waterfall author, there are up to 600 waterfalls. The falls are spread across the state parks, state forests and private properties. They are much taller than the ones in NE Ohio but do not have the water volume of the NE Ohio falls. NE Ohio is estimated to have approx 200 falls.
Hope to see you and Pops do this hike when it is sunnier.
@ThroughMyLens
Ай бұрын
It would be fun to do the hike again for sure
If you like covered bridges, Ashtabula County Ohio has 15 total covered bridges.
I can appreciate that some national parks preserve more tbsn just pretty scenery. I was listening to a podcast and apparently this area used to be so polluted that the river caught fire. It's really impressive how people have restored the area so that many of the original species, like beavers, have returned. I agree... like Indiana Dunes there is an interesting juxtaposition of nature and industry. But that just shows how easily areas like this might not exist anymore if people didn't step up.
@ThroughMyLens
Ай бұрын
I agree 100%, that is the most impressive thing about this park, how well they restored it all!
The towpath trail is over 90 miles long and goes all the way to new Philadelphia Ohio. It follows the Ohio and Erie Canal.
@ThroughMyLens
Ай бұрын
So awesome, I would love to bike some of it
Thanks for going this. We’re thinking about going here this fall. (We live on east coast.) Was on our list a few years ago but opted for different parks.
@ThroughMyLens
Ай бұрын
I bet it would be incredible in the fall with the colors!
Go to Mill Creek Park in Youngstown Ohio!!!!!!!!
The thunderstorms are normal on spring and summer days they can just be all the sudden storms. We have pop up thunderstorms a good bit in South Carolina if you are ever on Lake Jocassee and Lake Keowee in the afternoon be careful and aware because the afternoon storms can com up all the sudden and be a bit dangerous on the Lake. Another great video Josh as always
@ThroughMyLens
Ай бұрын
Thanks for the tips and thanks for watching the video!
@nicholaspowell7931
Ай бұрын
@@ThroughMyLens You and Pops are the best hope y’all are doing well
Please visit idaho and give us the sights and sounds 😊
Hey you made it into my state! I know it’s not a national park but you should definitely check out hocking hills if you haven’t!
@ThroughMyLens
Ай бұрын
I would love to! Next time for sure
Wow this park is amazing
@ThroughMyLens
Ай бұрын
I had a good time exploring it for sure!
Hocking hills definitely a more interesting park in Ohio. Tinkers creek is incredible frozen.
@ThroughMyLens
Ай бұрын
I would love to go there and to see Tinker's Creek frozen!
That place looks like it would be 10X better during any other time. Looks depressing right now. Bad timing. Worth going back to film it again down the road.
Great content as always! if you don't mind sharing what camera do you use to record these beautiful videos?
What’s the best resource you’ve found when planning your outings/videos? I’m a native to the area that uses a wheelchair, I loved seeing this content since it’s harder to see in person! Thank you for doing this!
@ThroughMyLens
Ай бұрын
For hiking I like All Trails, it is usually great for finding new spots. For other stuff I like to look at the park map or watch other videos / read blogs to see what I want to do.
@mikeyh3219
Ай бұрын
@@ThroughMyLens Thanks for the response! Your videos are always super well researched, was excited to see this one
The small village of Peninsula is worth a stop as well
@ThroughMyLens
Ай бұрын
I will check it out next time!
@bourbontraveler
Ай бұрын
@@ThroughMyLens I live less than 5 miles from the park And you showed me places I’ve never been Thanks
You go to Brandywine falls awesome You went to all the falls like normal people do but you missed buttermilk falls and you missed the smaller Brandywine falls the back side You also missed approximately 15 other waterfalls
@ThroughMyLens
Ай бұрын
Dang! I need to go back now for sure!
Great vid Josh. Did you see the heads carved into the rocks on the Ledges Trail? Kinda cool kinda creepy lol
@ThroughMyLens
Ай бұрын
I didn't see that! I need to go back!
And the train will sometimes have guest steam engines run on the line!!!
Would love if you could start saying if these certain trails/parks allow dogs on them 😁
What time of year were you there in this video? Just noticing the trees were sparse with no leaves. Thank-you.. just curious..
Did you see any goblins in Akron?
Nature's Carpet
If you like waterfalls check out bushkill falls Pennsylvania nine different waterfalls in the same area check out Easton Pennsylvania that's where they make Crayola crayons kids will love them
@ThroughMyLens
Ай бұрын
Sounds amazing, thanks for the tip!
@jameshammer-uw8iq
Ай бұрын
If you do get to go stop at Hershey Pennsylvania it has a children's garden and a 23 acre Rose garden at the main hotel and they have trolley services to take you everywhere you want to go
@jameshammer-uw8iq
Ай бұрын
@@ThroughMyLens if you get to go to Pennsylvania stop at Hershey check out the 23 acre Rose garden at the main hotel it has an amusement park which characters if you stay at the campground they shuttel you back and forth
@jameshammer-uw8iq
Ай бұрын
@@ThroughMyLens if you're looking for an amusement park for kids only with a few adult rides check out Holiday world in Santa Claus Indiana free sunscreen free soda add free parking
didn't even know this exist... not that busy ehh
@ThroughMyLens
Ай бұрын
Yea it is one of the lesser visited ones for sure.
First comment 🎉
@ThroughMyLens
Ай бұрын
🎉🎉🎉
It's pronounced Kai-uh-HOG-uh.
Isn't the beauty of nature majestic? How could anyone see all of this and think it was created by anything other than billions of years of evolution and random chance?
At 1:17 did someone carve that dog figurine into the rocks or is that naturally there? It looks like a small dog with a short upturned tail and short pointy ears looking upwards. At 11:29 when you were explaining about the trail being tough because it goes uphill and downhill both ways, made me think that this must be the proverbial school route many of our parents took in the snow, in the dead of winter. 🥸🤓