Somehow, there’s only one national park in the midst of Ohio’s entire 44,825 square miles of landscape. This lovely park, Cuyahoga Valley National Park, is a treat for visitors and locals alike. Following the Cuyahoga River between Akron and Cleveland, this scenic landscape is intrinsically linked with Ohio’s canal-fueled history and the early boom of the milling industry. There’s history and nature galore here, and now Boston Mill Visitor Center in Cuyahoga Valley National Park has been beautifully redone to reflect that. Prepare for an insider’s look at local history, because when you pay a visit to this national park in Ohio, you’ll be blown away by this interesting attraction!
Cuyahoga Valley National Park is a splendid 32,572 acres of natural landscape… and it’s eagerly awaiting your visit.
Doug Kerr/Flickr A mere 2,400 acres of the park is under private ownership, whether those are homes, businesses, or private plots. The rest is raw, untamed Ohio beauty… and it’s calling your name.
This lovely national park — which actually originated as a national recreation area — was established in 1974, and visitors have adored it ever since.
Steve @ the alligator farm/Flickr
Cuyahoga Valley National Park is so beloved, in fact, that it attracts some two million visitors each year.
Doug Kerr/Flickr As the only national park in Ohio, this lovely landscape is a must-see for visitors and locals alike. It is full of history, stunning spots, and native Ohio flora and fauna.
In fact, the park is so visited that they recently renovated the old 1905 Cleveland-Akron Bag Company general store to serve as a brand new visitor center.
Edgar Stephen/Google Images
The planning stage began in 2017, and after $7 million and hundreds of hours of work, the end result is just totally stunning.
Cuyahoga Valley National Park/Facebook This historic building required a bit of restoration to maintain its historic integrity. Its foundation, as you can see, was replaced. Parts of this building, plus two smaller buildings nearby, were rebuilt.
The brand new visitor center, which serves as a “front door” to the park, was unveiled in October of 2019.
Vinod Kuwar/Google Images
In addition to stunning architecture, fascinating exhibits, and the gift shop, visitors will appreciate the expanded parking lot.
Mike Berger/Google Images The contractors that assisted in this total restoration and renovation were local brands, though the National Park Service will be maintaining and operating the building moving forward. Additional safety precautions have also been placed around the active tracks used by Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad.
During your visit, you will learn all sorts of fascinating things about both the park and this historic building.
Niki Mastny/Google Images
In fact, you might not even recognize the old building. A new life has been breathed into it!
Ken Bielecki/Google Images If you have visited CVNP recently but have not paid a trip to the Boston Mill Visitor Center, then you have been sorely missing out. Explore local history and the majesty of Ohio’s national park via the exhibits at this stunning new space. While the building is accessible year-round, be sure to check its hours before you plan your visit. Connect with local history and the splendor of the local national park at the Boston Mill Visitor Center.
You’ll find history galore within the Boston Mill Visitor Center in Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Since opening its doors to the public in 2019, visitors have been wowed by this new space in the national park. Have you visited it yet? Share your thoughts in the comments!
Doug Kerr/Flickr
A mere 2,400 acres of the park is under private ownership, whether those are homes, businesses, or private plots. The rest is raw, untamed Ohio beauty… and it’s calling your name.
Steve @ the alligator farm/Flickr
As the only national park in Ohio, this lovely landscape is a must-see for visitors and locals alike. It is full of history, stunning spots, and native Ohio flora and fauna.
Edgar Stephen/Google Images
Cuyahoga Valley National Park/Facebook
This historic building required a bit of restoration to maintain its historic integrity. Its foundation, as you can see, was replaced. Parts of this building, plus two smaller buildings nearby, were rebuilt.
Vinod Kuwar/Google Images
Mike Berger/Google Images
The contractors that assisted in this total restoration and renovation were local brands, though the National Park Service will be maintaining and operating the building moving forward. Additional safety precautions have also been placed around the active tracks used by Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad.
Niki Mastny/Google Images
Ken Bielecki/Google Images
If you have visited CVNP recently but have not paid a trip to the Boston Mill Visitor Center, then you have been sorely missing out. Explore local history and the majesty of Ohio’s national park via the exhibits at this stunning new space. While the building is accessible year-round, be sure to check its hours before you plan your visit. Connect with local history and the splendor of the local national park at the Boston Mill Visitor Center.
Still not convinced to visit this amazing national park in Ohio? You really do need to drop everything and visit CVNP… it’s a park full of waterfalls, native critters, and endless beauty. To be put simply, you are going to fall in love with this local landscape. It’s a Buckeye State bucket list must!
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
Address: 5793 Boston Mills Rd, Peninsula, OH 44264, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
National park to visit in Ohio February 07, 2022 Sarah M. What are some other beautiful parks to visit near Cleveland? While Cleveland is just a stone’s throw from Ohio’s one and only national park, there are many, many other parks within a quick drive of the Forest City. This list has some of our favorite Ohio state parks near Cleveland, and all are well-worth checking out! One of our favorite state parks to visit near Cleveland is Tinkers Creek State Park, a total underrated gem in northern Ohio. Here, glacial lakes here have largely turned into marshes and wetlands, setting the scene for some pretty spectacular birdwatching! Beavers and muskrats are common sightings here, too, and the Seven Ponds Trail is a great way to see the park, with a 1.5 mile boardwalk through the marshes. Visit the Ohio DNR website to learn more. Are there any beaches near Cleveland? Absolutely! Northern Ohio is a really beautiful place, and our proximity to the Great Lakes makes for some particularly amazing beaches. We highly recommend visiting Headlands Beach State Park. This state park is home to the largest natural sand beach in Ohio, stretching one mile along the shores of Lake Erie. It’s a summer favorite for Northeast Ohioans. The shores of the beach are home to plants that are typically only found on the Atlantic coast, such as sea rocket and purple sand grass. Get all the details on this beautiful Ohio beach in this article! What are some great hikes near Cleveland? If you’re up for an amazing day hike near Cleveland, lace up your boots and head to Bedford Reservation, one of the crown jewels of The Emerald Necklace (how the Cleveland Metroparks system is known to locals). This stretch of parks spans Cuyahoga County, dipping into neighboring counties, and encompasses some of the most magical untouched and reclaimed landscapes in this part of Ohio. With over 23,000 acres, the parks are diverse and beautiful… but you can find some of the most incredible beauty in the Cleveland Metroparks’ Bedford Reservation. Here, there’s a 7.6-mile trek with a waterfall finish, and believe us when we say it’s truly the most amazing hike near Cleveland!
The OIYS Visitor Center
National park to visit in Ohio
February 07, 2022
Sarah M.
What are some other beautiful parks to visit near Cleveland? While Cleveland is just a stone’s throw from Ohio’s one and only national park, there are many, many other parks within a quick drive of the Forest City. This list has some of our favorite Ohio state parks near Cleveland, and all are well-worth checking out! One of our favorite state parks to visit near Cleveland is Tinkers Creek State Park, a total underrated gem in northern Ohio. Here, glacial lakes here have largely turned into marshes and wetlands, setting the scene for some pretty spectacular birdwatching! Beavers and muskrats are common sightings here, too, and the Seven Ponds Trail is a great way to see the park, with a 1.5 mile boardwalk through the marshes. Visit the Ohio DNR website to learn more. Are there any beaches near Cleveland? Absolutely! Northern Ohio is a really beautiful place, and our proximity to the Great Lakes makes for some particularly amazing beaches. We highly recommend visiting Headlands Beach State Park. This state park is home to the largest natural sand beach in Ohio, stretching one mile along the shores of Lake Erie. It’s a summer favorite for Northeast Ohioans. The shores of the beach are home to plants that are typically only found on the Atlantic coast, such as sea rocket and purple sand grass. Get all the details on this beautiful Ohio beach in this article! What are some great hikes near Cleveland? If you’re up for an amazing day hike near Cleveland, lace up your boots and head to Bedford Reservation, one of the crown jewels of The Emerald Necklace (how the Cleveland Metroparks system is known to locals). This stretch of parks spans Cuyahoga County, dipping into neighboring counties, and encompasses some of the most magical untouched and reclaimed landscapes in this part of Ohio. With over 23,000 acres, the parks are diverse and beautiful… but you can find some of the most incredible beauty in the Cleveland Metroparks’ Bedford Reservation. Here, there’s a 7.6-mile trek with a waterfall finish, and believe us when we say it’s truly the most amazing hike near Cleveland!
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
While Cleveland is just a stone’s throw from Ohio’s one and only national park, there are many, many other parks within a quick drive of the Forest City. This list has some of our favorite Ohio state parks near Cleveland, and all are well-worth checking out! One of our favorite state parks to visit near Cleveland is Tinkers Creek State Park, a total underrated gem in northern Ohio. Here, glacial lakes here have largely turned into marshes and wetlands, setting the scene for some pretty spectacular birdwatching! Beavers and muskrats are common sightings here, too, and the Seven Ponds Trail is a great way to see the park, with a 1.5 mile boardwalk through the marshes. Visit the Ohio DNR website to learn more.
Are there any beaches near Cleveland?
Absolutely! Northern Ohio is a really beautiful place, and our proximity to the Great Lakes makes for some particularly amazing beaches. We highly recommend visiting Headlands Beach State Park. This state park is home to the largest natural sand beach in Ohio, stretching one mile along the shores of Lake Erie. It’s a summer favorite for Northeast Ohioans. The shores of the beach are home to plants that are typically only found on the Atlantic coast, such as sea rocket and purple sand grass. Get all the details on this beautiful Ohio beach in this article!
What are some great hikes near Cleveland?
If you’re up for an amazing day hike near Cleveland, lace up your boots and head to Bedford Reservation, one of the crown jewels of The Emerald Necklace (how the Cleveland Metroparks system is known to locals). This stretch of parks spans Cuyahoga County, dipping into neighboring counties, and encompasses some of the most magical untouched and reclaimed landscapes in this part of Ohio. With over 23,000 acres, the parks are diverse and beautiful… but you can find some of the most incredible beauty in the Cleveland Metroparks’ Bedford Reservation. Here, there’s a 7.6-mile trek with a waterfall finish, and believe us when we say it’s truly the most amazing hike near Cleveland!
