🍂 Ohio | Fall Colors at Cuyahoga Valley National Park

A national park reborn from industrial pollution Caught the last colors of fall at Cuyahoga Valley NP — tucked between Pittsburgh and Cleveland, just about a 1.5-hour drive from Pitt. Later, a coworker told me this area was once severely polluted by industry. In 1969, the Cuyahoga River was so contaminated it caught fire 🔥 — a shocking event that helped spark the U.S. environmental movement. No wonder there are so many signs about history and conservation throughout the park. Today, you’d never guess its troubled past — a true phoenix story 🌱 This is one of the smallest national parks, but still offers plenty of trails. On a nice weekend, it gets crowded — arrive before 10 AM or parking is tough! 📍 Station Road Bridge Trailhead Lots of parking, popular with cyclists 🚲 Includes a historic train station — the scenic railway runs north-south through the park. Super photogenic! 📍 Everett Covered Bridge Trailhead Limited parking, easy and short trail. Features a charming red covered bridge — great for photos 📸 📍 Blue Hen Falls A favorite among photographers, but water was low during my visit. Start from Boston Mill Visitor Center — round trip ~2 hours. ⚠️ Slippery climb down to the falls — I slipped and bumped my camera 😬 📍 Brandywine Falls Trailhead More like a quick walk (5 mins) to a stunning waterfall — feels like a real attraction, so it draws crowds. Also heard great things about the Ledge Trail — a 3–4 hour round trip through woods ending with an overlook. Perfect if you have time! #CuyahogaValleyNP #OhioFall #PittsburghGetaway #AutumnHikes #FallFoliage #NatureHeals