Located in northeastern Ohio, Cuyahoga Valley National Park has four distinct seasons, with daytime temperatures ranging from 95 degrees Fahrenheit (35oC) during the height of summer, to 19 degrees Fahrenheit (-7.2oC) in the winter. Average annual rainfall is 39 inches (99 cm), and average annual snowfall is 61 inches (154.9 cm). It’s always a good idea to check current conditions with the National Weather Service in preparation for the weather, especially during winter due to the lake effect snow from Lake Erie.
What can you do during each season? Plenty!
As spring approaches, temperatures begin to warm and winter’s chill fades away. It’s rainy in the springime, so come prepared with a waterproof jacket and hat. Bare tree limbs start sprucing up with new leaf greenery, baby birds peek out at the world from the safety of their nests, and the meadows and forests are painted with colorful wildflowers (bring your camera).
Dutchman's breeches blooming in the springtime, Cuyahoga Valley National Park / Cheryl Osgood via NPS
Speaking of wildflowers, according to park staff
Native spring wildflowers are often called “spring ephemerals” because they appear for such a short time. They must grow and reproduce while temperatures are warm and sunlight can reach the forest floor.
The first to arrive is the skunk cabbage which prefers soggy areas fed by groundwater. Starting in mid-February, look for them near the Ira Trailhead at Beaver Marsh and along the Haskell Run Trail near the Ledges. Their fleshy flowers produce enough heat for them to survive the last of winter.
The next early wildflowers may begin appearing at the end of March, once snow is no longer on the ground. By mid-April, a variety are up and attracting insects for pollination. The blooming frenzy continues through mid-May, until the trees leaf out and cast too much shade. The exact timing of nature’s show varies year-to-year with Northeast Ohio’s notoriously unpredictable weather. It is also impacted by climate change. Once things start, the sequence of wildflowers is fairly predictable.
Coltsfoot (a nonnative which resembles a dandelion), harbinger-of-spring, and spring beauty are often the first bloomers. They are joined shortly by cut-leaved toothwort and bloodroot. Soon large-flowered trillium overshadows them, and squirrel corn and Dutchman’s breeches arrive. Jack-in-the-pulpit begins hiding in his flower, while wild geranium nods nearby. The season’s showstopper is Virginia bluebells which forms a blue carpet along certain streams.
The Stanford Trail blooms early, starting with daffodils which are lovely but nonnative. Bloodroot, trillium, and toothwort pop up a bit later. Look for them closer to the Brandywine Gorge Loop.
Remember to stay on the trail. It may be tempting to get a closer look at that splash of color you see in the distance, but going off trail means damaging fragile landscape. And please do not pick the wildflowers. Some of these flowers take years to bloom. Leave their beauty for others to enjoy.
Virginia bluebells, Cuyahoga Valley National Park / Brian Hunsaker via NPS
Moving into summertime, when school is out and vacations are being planned, it’s peak season for activities like hiking, biking, paddling, and fishing in this national park. Wildlife is out and about hunting and foraging, and there are plenty of birds, both in the trees and on the wetlands, for birders and photographers. The Conservancy for Cuyahoga Valley National Park put together a summer bucket list with things to see and do while visiting the park.
Summer is a great time for a little fishing, Cuyahoga Valley National Park / NPS-Jim Schmidt
As summer fades into autumn, bring your camera to do a little “leaf peeping” for some fall foliage color.
Autumn is a great time to bicycle and enjoy the leaf color along the Towpath Trail, Cuyahoga Valley National Park / NPS file
According to park staff:
Peak color is usually during the third week of October. The timing is mostly tied to the decrease in daylight hours as winter nears. This makes it fairly consistent year to year. Weather is a factor too. Trees under stress from severe drought or other issues will shed their leaves early. Colors are most vivid when we have warm, sunny days and cool, frost-free nights. Cloudy days and too much rain can dull them. Different broad-leaf trees peak at different times, so it is possible to experience splendid autumn foliage the entire month.
The sugar and red maples are usually the first to display spectacular reds, yellows, and oranges. They are followed by the white and pin oak becoming a brownish red. Black gum, dogwood, and northern red oak turn various shades of red. Tulip tree, bigtooth aspen, silver maple, and black maple change to yellow.Avoid the Crowds
[The park] often sees a rise in visitation during the fall leaf-peeping season. Many parking lots fill up around midday on warm, sunny weekends. Avoid the crowd by coming on weekdays, in the mornings, or later in the day.
Early October
Walk the inner loop of the Oak Hill Trail. There you can see the magnificent reds of the maple, glowing oranges of the sassafras, and striking yellows of the white ash and big tooth aspen. This trail is especially scenic in the early morning when the large trees in the open fields and by Sylvan Pond become sunlit.
Mid October
Experience the full autumn spectrum at Brandywine Falls and along the Brandywine Gorge Trail. Colors range from the brilliant reds of the sugar maples to the deep browns of the white oaks. This area is ideal for photography in the late afternoon.
Late October
Head to the Ledges area trails in Virginia Kendall. These are great places to experience the late turning oaks. Also look for the yellows of hazelnut and witch hazel. Both trees peak late because they grow low in the dense forest. Ledges Overlook offers a view of the changing colors across the Cuyahoga Valley.
Other popular places to view and photograph fall colors are Everett Covered Bridge, Hale Farm & Village, Horseshoe Pond, Kendall Lake, Kendall Hills, and Blue Hen Falls.
The leaves have fallen, cold temperatures ensue, winter arrives and there might be a little snow in the forecast. Some activities are curtailed because of the weather, but other activities come into full swing. Of course there is hiking year-round, and ice fishing is popular. Given enough snow, you can cross-country ski, snowshoe, sled Kendall Hills, and even downhill ski and snow tube in places. Dress in layers and watch your step on the icy trails.
Don't let winter snow keep you from hiking the trails at Cuyahoga Valley National Park / NPS-Bob Trinnes
