Tent Camping In Cuyahoga Valley National Park

Wildlife And Hiking Trails In Cuyahoga Valley National Park

Right across from the house is Canal Road and the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail. Even on a cool April day, plenty of joggers, bikers and hikers were using the path to get some sun and exercise. I followed the trail for a couple of miles and veered off the trail down to the water, where the sights were more interesting.

In terms of wildlife, I wasnt expecting much more than ducks and geese. And they were here, of course.

But then I came across this: A snake party!

Three small snakes tangled up in a pile, sensually rubbing their snake parts against each other. A fourth snake, obviously a voyeur, watched from a couple feet away. Heres to freaky reptile love.

Closer to the river was this lean-to shelter frame. Perhaps some wild outdoorsman has been sleeping out here, Survivorman style?

Cuyahoga also has some notable and impressive waterfalls, such as Brandywine Falls. This is not a national park Id drive hours out of my way to visit, but theres plenty of good hiking and biking, so its an ideal destination for locals and folks passing through the Cleveland area.

Cuyahoga Valley: Ohio’s Only National Park

Cuyahoga Valley National Park is the only national park in the state of Ohio. It stretches between Cleveland and Akron, following the Cuyahoga River through some beautiful sections of deciduous forest.

It was first established in 1974 as the Cuyahoga Valley National Recreation Area, and then was designated as a national park in the year 2000.

Cuyahoga Valley is somewhat of an urban park because of its location entrances are not far from the highway, and most people living in northeast Ohio are less than an hour’s drive away from it.

Add to this the fact that CVNP is free to visit, and you get a park that is easily accessible and often visited by locals. The National Park Service lists Cuyahoga Valley as one of the most-visited national parks in the United States because of this but don’t worry it’s not a park that ever feels crowded.

These days, people head to the 50-square-mile park for outdoor activities like hiking and biking, taking advantage of the miles and miles of trails that take you through scenery that varies from marshy wetlands to mossy limestone ledges. There are even a few waterfalls!

Living so close to Cuyahoga Valley National Park now, I’ve become quite proud and protective of it. My husband and I are members of the CVNP Conservancy, and we take our bikes to the park as often as we can.

And now I’m on a mission to make sure other people fall in love with my park, too.

Can You Camp At Cuyahoga Valley National Park

There is no camping within Cuyahoga Valley National Park. There are some private and state park campsites within driving distance, though. Refer to this list for suggestions from the National Park Service.

Have you ever been to Cuyahoga Valley National Park? If not, does this post make you want to visit?

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What Are The 8 National Parks In Ohio

8 Outstanding National Parks in Ohio

• Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument.
• Cuyahoga Valley National Park.
• Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park.
• First Ladies National Historic Site.
• Hopewell Culture National Historical Park.
• James A.
• Perrys Victory & International Peace Memorial.

What To Pack For Your Visit To Cuyahoga Valley National Park

Here are the gears that you should pack for your visit to Cuyahoga Valley National Park

1.Hiking boots. They should have traction and be roomy for more comfort. You will use them when hiking on wild trails. 2. Park map. This will help you in direction purposes and to prevent you from getting lost. 3. Breathable hat. For your protection against direct sunlight 4. Tents. For camping purposes. You will use them for shelter, privacy, and protection while camping or in case of sudden rainfall. 5. Backpack. You will use it to carry things like water bottles and other gear. 6. Water bottle. For carrying water that you will use to keep yourself hydrated while hiking. 7. Binoculars. You will use them for excellent views of wildlife and other attractions from a distance. 8. Headlamp. You will use them for easy visibility at night.

For complete photos and videos of our trip visit our photos on our page

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Where Is Cuyahoga Valley National Park

Cuyahoga Valley National Park is located in Ohio, in the Midwest region of America. It is only 18 miles away from Cleveland.

Cleveland is the second-largest city in Ohio, with approximately 389,000 people. The closest towns to the park are Peninsula, which is only 3 miles away, and Brecksville, about 5 minutes away.

Getting To And Around Cuyahoga Valley National Park

From the south, the park is accessible 18 miles from Akron via I-77 and Highway 8, and from the north, travelers from Cleveland can travel I-77 south to Highway 21. The Boston Store Visitor Center marks the entrance to Cuyahoga Valley National Park and is located in the center of the park.

Once inside, there are numerous roads, as this park sits in the midst of several outlying towns and districts. There are many forms of transportation to see the public and private attractions within the park, such as bicycling, walking or riding the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad.

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Activities In Cuyahoga Valley National Park

There are multiple activities available inside this national park that will keep you entertained for days no matter what time of year you choose to visit. The fall provides beautiful scenery throughout the park while the leaves are changing colors. There are also plenty of winter and summer sports to enjoy throughout the rest of the year.

Why Visit Cuyahoga Valley National Park In Your Rv

Cuyahoga Valley is unusual in that it lies between two urban areas and is crisscrossed by metropolitan attractions and amenities. RVs make a perfect home when parked in any of the nearby campgrounds. Then access the region by walking, biking or even riding the train through this unique national park. Theres plent to do and see here, and you should really take the time to make the most of it.

Its the parks unique location that makes it such a wonderful Midwestern destination to visit. Are there other fantastic places to camp in the Midwest? Yes, of course, but theres really no other place out ther like this unique national park. Ohio has a real gem in this park, and its one that will often be overloooked in favor of the other more-famous national parks. You should spend some time at Cuyahoga Valley National Park. You wont regret it.

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Lake Clark National Park Alaska*

Hammocks are allowed in Lake Clark National Park. There are no specific restrictions on their use as you can see in the parks regulations page here. Getting to the park can only be done by flying or boating as there are no roads. Some of the terrains could prove difficult to find a suitable place to hang.

What Is This National Park Known For

To start, it is the only national park located in Ohio! While there are a few National Historic Sites and Monuments scattered throughout the state, this one is in a category all on its own.

CVNP is also known very much as an urban National Park. Roadways wind through the park, and traffic can be heard from the beginning of many hiking trails. Do not let this deter you from visiting.

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Carlsbad Caverns National Park New Mexico

There are no campgrounds within the Carlsbad Caverns National Park, but backcountry camping is allowed with hammocks. You can go hammock camping in the backcountry but it will be very difficult to find a place to hang in this park. The rules page of the parks website says nothing about restricting hammock usage in the backcountry.

Bring Your Horse And Hit The Bridle Trails

Though you must have your own horse to experience this activity, a great way to see the park is on a bridle trail. There arent any guided trail rides or rental options in or near the park.

Seven different trails are designated as bridle trails, and are the only places horses can be taken in the park. Three additional trails are on the designated reservations, for a total of nearly 50 miles of trails.

The best place to park is the Station Road Bridge parking area. Large pull-through spots here are great for horse trailers and buses. The other parking areas could be difficult to navigate with horse trailers.

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Great Smoky Mountains National Park North Carolina And Tennessee

Hammocks are allowed in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. In campgrounds, hammocks may be set up in places where tents would normally be placed. Hammocks may not be set up in an area where resource damage could occur due to hammock usage. These rules can be found in the Superintendents Compendium document.

In the backcountry, hammocks may only be used in designated backcountry campsites. The park has shelters in the backcountry where hammocks may not be used. Backcountry rules for hammocks can be found on the backcountry page of the parks website.

Biscayne National Park Florida

There are no rules expressly against using hammocks in Biscayne National Park. At least not found on the parks rules and regulations page. The campground located within the park has many palm trees that hammocks could be used on. Palm trees are one of the more ideal trees to hang a hammock on. Double-check with park staff since there is a lot of protection given to this National Park.

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Stay In Cuyahoga Falls National Park Cabins

Our Family Camping Backstory

Profs father is an avid fisherman. Naturally, Prof grew up camping as part of his family culture, something not in my cultural DNA. I grew up in the country, so my family didnt see camping as a place of refuge and retreat. Perhaps thats why my dad calls me a city girl, someone who enjoys basking in the comforts of A/C, walking on paved concrete sidewalks, and enjoying the beauty of ancient and modern architecture from the comforts of my hotel room. But as a mother of two boys, I see how much our boys enjoy the outdoors jumping in big pools of water after a rainstorm and biking around town, which meant I would have to embrace all of Gods creation including those pesky bugs. Piano Man recently took an interest in fishing, so that was a new to-do on his checklist of must-do childhood activities too.

However, I am not completely out of touch with nature. I have gone camping a few times before, but I am not sure those times counted. Years ago, my college church group would go on an overnight camping trip somewhere in Austin. Theyd squeeze a bunch of people in rental tents from UTs recreational department, build a small campfire, and eat all sorts of excellent Korean BBQ grilled meats with rice. But most of my memories were of sleeping in the rain, catching a cold, getting eaten by bugs, or having to walk to the nearest rest area to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night.

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Katmai National Park Alaska

Hammocks are allowed in Katmai National Park. There are no specific restrictions on their use besides following the obvious leave no trace principles. You may find it difficult to use a hammock in many areas of the park. For specific rules on this park, you can see the Superintendents Compendium document here.

Kobuk Valley National Park Alaska

Hammocks are allowed in Kobuk Valley National Park. There are no specific restrictions on hammock usage. Like a lot of parks in Alaska, Kobuk Valley has no roads and no designated campgrounds. Getting to the park can only be done by flying. Some of the terrains could prove difficult to find a suitable place to hang.

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Npf’s Impact In The Parks

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Hocking Hills State Park

One of Ohios most famous state parks for tourism and leisure is Hocking Hills State Park. It sits in one of the most scenic parts of the state. It has waterfalls, caves, sandstone cliffs, and lush foliage. Fall is the most common time to move away from the park. If youre considering a weekend vacation to live in the nearby lodge, make reservations as far in advance as possible. Several cabins start booking a year in advance. The park has five main hiking areas to visit, along with different paths that match differing rates of ability.

Old Mans Cave is typically the first stop for new hikers to the region. The trails are more crowded, particularly on weekends. You must visit the view list should feature Cantwell Cliffs, Cockles Hollow, Cedar Falls, and Rock House. Hocking Hills has a complete range of outdoor entertainment opportunities including canoeing, zip liner, horseback riding and rock climbing. Each of these activities is provided by independent operators in the region. Its worth your time to swing by the visitor center on your way to the park to get maps and reviews for reliable tour companies.

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Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park Colorado

Hammock camping in the campgrounds located within Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park should be relatively easy since many of the campgrounds have a lot of trees. There are no rules expressly forbidding hammock camping in the campgrounds.

Backcountry camping is also allowed in the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. Hammock camping within the park is very doable, as is hanging a hammock for day use purposes. Nowhere on their policies page or related documents is there any rule that says hammocks may not be used. Of course, you should always be considerate and ask the park staff if you want to be extra cautious.

National Park Of American Samoa American Samoa

There is no camping or hammock usage allowed in the National Park of American Samoa. 90% of the land is owned by the local people and so in order to use any of the lands, you must get permission from the owner. The same goes for hanging a hammock. Hammocks are usually found near the lodging areas on the island, but for any personal hammock use, you would need permission from landowners.

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What Is The Most Popular Park In Ohio

Hocking Hills State ParkSpectacular Ash Cave, part of Hocking Hills State Park. LOGAN, Ohio With more than 4 million annual visitors, Hocking Hills easily tops the list of Ohios most-popular state parks. Counting visitors to the parks, however, isnt easy. Ohio state parks unlike parks in many other states are free to enter.Aug 28, 2020

Hike Or Bike The Towpath Trail

Historically, the Towpath was a trail along a canal where horses or mules would literally tow boats and barges up the canal. They were extremely important for transporting goods before boat engines and trains were developed.

This extremely slow method of transportation has long been replaced, but the historic trails remain. Many have been converted to multi-use trails. This one is no exception.

About 20 of the almost completed 101 miles of this trail cross through CVNP.

There are 11 trailheads with parking areas along the parks portion of the Towpath Trail, and you can cover as much or as little of the trail as youd like. Interpretive and informational signs are placed along the trail to provide the history of points of interest and an excuse to take a break!

This trail is open 24 hours.

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