Hit Up Cuyahoga Valley National Park For Park And Recreation Month

Lace up your trusty hiking boots or throw on a pair of sneakers, slather the kids with sunscreen and bug spray and remember to pack the snacks. July is National Park and Recreation Month and the 33,000-acre Cuyahoga Valley National Park is brimming with adventure. Pamela Barnes, community engagement supervisor at the park, walks us through three hikes that will appeal to everyone, from the most intrepid explorers to those who favor more familiar terrain. 330-657-2752, nps.gov/cuva

Ledges Trail
Take in a breathtaking sunset atop the spectacular, hemlock-shaded sandstone cliffs that make this family-friendly hike so popular, or extend the 2.2-mile loop by connecting to a network of nearby trails. Modern amenities are always handy: the trailhead boasts a huge parking lot, a reservable shelter, a large mowed field, flushing toilets and an outdoor water fountain. “It gives you a fun sense of adventure, but you can stay safe as long as you just don't walk too close to the edge,” Barnes says. 405 Truxell Road, Peninsula

Oak Hill Trail
Venture to the southern part of the park for a quieter stroll along this flat, unpaved 1.8-mile trail through upland deciduous forest. Bring fishing gear and cast your hooks into Sylvan Pond or follow the signs to the 4.9-mile Plateau Trail for a longer, more challenging hike into dense forest habitat, where you can hear the flute-like call of the wood thrush. “It's a little less visited, so it's a good opportunity for solitude,” Barnes says. 3901 Oak Hill Road, Peninsula

Towpath Trail
Strollers, electric wheelchairs and bikes are all welcome on this 87-mile, multipurpose path, which spans the entire length of the park and beyond, and offers striking views of the Cuyahoga River and the remnants of the Ohio and Erie canal. A pair of bald eagles nests near the Station Road Bridge trailhead, which also features a paved parking lot, picnic tables, restrooms and a water bottle filling station. “You can walk in either direction as far as you would like,” Barnes says. “You can go for miles and miles and miles, or you could go for a half a mile.” 9141 Riverview Road, Brecksville