Surrounded by urban areas, Cuyahoga Valley National Park provides a refuge for wildlife. The park’s 33,000 acres contain forest, field, river, and wetland habitats that offer food, water, shelter, and open space to wild animals. The park’s fragmented configuration and land use history have a strong effect on the ...

NATURE & SCIENCE Just a short drive from the major metropolitan areas of Cleveland and Akron, Cuyahoga Valley National Park covers 33,000 acres along the banks of the Cuyahoga River. Though such a short distance from the urban environment, the park is worlds away. The winding Cuyahoga—the “crooked river,” as ...

Natural Features & Ecosystems Cuyahoga Valley National Park is a surprise for many visitors, as most people do not expect such an array of natural features so close to the city. Twenty-two miles of the Cuyahoga River, fed by more than 190 miles of perennial (permanent) and ephemeral (temporary) streams, ...

Wildflowers The diverse plant habitats of CVNP create perfect settings for enjoying wildflowers. In the springtime, the park's forests come alive with ephemeral (short-lived) wildflowers, especially in moist areas near creeks. Before the trees spread their leaves and block sunlight, the forest floor is a living canvas, painted with ...