Happy First Day of Fall! Cuyahoga Valley National Park in Ohio is gorgeous in every season, but there’s just something special about Blue Hen Falls as the autumn shades come into their full glory. Over 125 miles of trails are available for your hiking pleasure in the park. These trails range from nearly level to challenging, and pass through various habitats including woodlands, wetlands and fields. Some trails require you to cross streams with stepping stones or log bridges, while others, including the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail, are nearly level and are accessible to all visitors. The cooler temperatures and lovely fall colors combined are the perfect invitation for an autumn stroll. Photo courtesy of Gabe Leidy.

Throughout the year, Beaver Marsh at Cuyahoga Valley National Park in Ohio teems with life. Depending on the month, you may be serenaded by choirs of countless frogs, watch turtles swim among lily pads, glimpse a beaver nibbling on a willow branch or hear northern cardinals call from trees. The Beaver Marsh is among the most diverse natural communities in the park. The exceptional scenery and wildlife make it a popular destinations, where visitors can enjoy photography, bird watching and sharing nature with family and friends. Photo by Anthony Boarman (www.sharetheexperience.org).

Today is Save the Eagles Day! Our national symbol since 1782, bald eagles are some of the most well-known and respected birds in the country. When photographer Jim Kaftan first came across this nest covered in snow, he didn’t see the eagle and worried about the eggs. Moments later, he witnessed this majestic scene as the eagle (was in the nest all along) shook off the snow to free their wings. If you’ve ever watched an eagle cam or seen them on a nest, it’s likely you know how determined they are as parents. Here’s to plenty of future eagles. Photo of a bald eagle with widespread wings over their nest at Cuyahoga Valley National Park in Ohio, courtesy of Jim Kaftan.

You’ll need to make more than one visit if you really want to enjoy fall colors at Cuyahoga Valley National Park in Ohio. Different trees peak at different times, so each journey into this gorgeous forest offers a unique experience. Throughout October and November, maples, oaks, gums and dogwoods put on a splendid show you don’t want to miss. Photo at Blue Hen Falls by Craig Walton (www.sharetheexperience.org).

In the summer of 1969, the Cuyahoga River caught on fire in Cleveland a few miles north of Cuyahoga Valley National Park in Ohio. It was not the first Cuyahoga River fire or the biggest. Despite its small size, it holds a place in our memory as a reflection of poor treatment of the environment. Fifty years have passed since that impactful event and much of the story following the fire is positive and inspirational. Cuyahoga Valley National Park is part of the story. Established five years after the fire in 1974, the park now protects 22 miles of the river and 33,000 acres of its watershed. Come enjoy this lovely landscape and hear the story of a river renewed. Photo of Brandywine Creek just before it flows into the Cuyahoga courtesy of Nick Hoeller.

National parks are more than massive western landscapes. Cuyahoga Valley National Park in Ohio is a calming escape from the nearby urban centers of Cleveland and Akron. When you walk through the woods past waterfalls and wildlife to find your perfect spot along a babbling stream, you’ll know why national parks are national treasures. Every park has a secret to share. It’s up to you to get out there discover them. Photo by Jerry Jelinek (www.sharetheexperience.org).

Welcome to the forest! An easy escape from the urban centers of Cleveland and Akron, Ohio, Cuyahoga Valley National Park offers amazing opportunities for outdoor exercise, gorgeous views and exhilarating encounters with wildlife. Now is a good time to spot red foxes, as these clever and cute animals spend the winter on the prowl for mates and food. Their luxurious red fur also stands out against the white snow. Photo by Cary Dell (www.sharetheexperience.org).

Meet us at the Cuyahoga River for a picnic, a bike ride, a hike or an afternoon of fun! Twenty-two miles of the Cuyahoga River wind and weave through the Cuyahoga Valley, forming the backbone of Cuyahoga Valley National Park in Ohio. This landscape gives way to deep forests, rolling hills and open farmlands. No matter where you end up in the park, it’s sure to be beautiful! Photo by Jeffrey Gibson, National Park Service.

A walk in the woods can feel like an escape from the stress of modern life. Enveloped by green, sheltered by the forest canopy, it’s easy to surrender to the songs of birds and the whisper of a flowing stream. Close to the urban centers of Cleveland and Akron, Cuyahoga Valley National Park in Ohio offers miles of hiking, biking and riding trails, numerous waterfalls, picturesque meadows and the peace you’re looking for. Photo by Amjad Zwaid (www.sharetheexperience.org).

If you’re looking for fall colors on public lands, Blue Hen Falls in Cuyahoga Valley National Park has to be on the list. An easy drive from Cleveland and Akron, Ohio, the falls are one of the most popular spots in the park and a great place to #OptOutside. Decked in orange and yellow leaves, the forest around the picturesque falls is peaceful and welcoming. Photo by Jennifer Lhost (www.sharetheexperience.org).