The Underrated Local Park Near Cleveland Where You Can Watch Busy Beavers Work
By Nikki Rhoades|Published December 18, 2023
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Nikki Rhoades
Author
Nikki is a lifelong Ohioan with a love for literature. She holds a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Akron and has enjoyed publishing her written work since 2007. She has a love of travel and does so frequently, though she believes that home is where the heart is — she continues to work in and around Cleveland as a digital content specialist to this day, working on everything from commercial scripts and social media posts to grassroots marketing initiatives.
Once upon a time, we Ohioans regrettably neglected the local landscape. In the 1970s, pollution was rampant, and even before that, dumps were a common sight. In what is now the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, the old Krejci Dump tainted the landscape. Heck, dumps aside, it took a lot to make the national park near Cleveland sing. Things like farming and canal work changed the natural landscape, but fortunately, it wasn’t permanent. Restoration efforts have helped nature-loving Ohioans bring our natural world back to life, and few places tell that story quite like Beaver Marsh in Peninsula, Ohio. This gorgeous landscape in the national park has quite the tale to tell, but its path to redemption wasn’t completely spearheaded by humans. Beavers helped, too, and you can still see them working when you visit the park today.
Nestled within the serene landscapes of Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Beaver Marsh stands as a testament to the resilience of nature.
Beaver Marsh is a beautiful stretch of wetland in the only national park in Ohio. While its natural beauty is a draw for nature lovers, this pretty place also has an incredible story to tell. This diverse park, home to beavers, herons, red-winged blackbirds, and a myriad of other critters, has undergone a remarkable transformation from a historical canal site to a thriving natural wetland.
In the park and throughout the area, evidence of the Ohio & Erie Canal can still be spotted.
This historic canal, combined with early land development, initially impacted the the natural wetland ecosystem. Up until late 1970s and early 1980s, the landscape around Beaver Marsh was... well, not marshy. With the creation of Cuyahoga Valley National Park, a commitment to conservation helped bring the natural landscape back to its former glory.
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The efforts of local beaver populations, combined with a helping hand from humans, brought new life to the formerly dry wetland.
Beavers, believe it or not, had previously been a rarity in Ohio. Trapping led to near-extinction, but once their numbers bounced back, these cute critters set out to restore the wetland. As humans cleaned up litter and worked to restore the landscape, the beavers worked on improving water levels. Native wetland plants reemerged, and they helped foster an environment capable of sustaining a diverse array of wildlife..
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Today, Beaver Marsh is one of the most biodiverse landscapes in all of Cuyahoga Valley National Park.
Herons gracefully wade through the shallow waters, red-winged blackbirds add movement to the air, and a diverse array of critters find refuge in the restored wetland. Keep your eyes peeled as you hike the park's trails and boardwalks... you never know what you'll see!
Beaver Marsh is designated as an Important Bird Area by the National Audubon Society, and there's activity here all year-round.
While many birds leave Ohio during the colder months, a great deal stay active here in the winter. Local wetlands offer a great opportunity to see them in action! From heron to sparrows to woodcocks, there's always something taking flight here.
To get to Beaver Marsh, you'll want to park at Ira Trailhead and hike on the Towpath Trail for about half a mile. When you approach the marsh, you'll know! In the spring, peeper frogs fill the air with song. Throughout the rest of the year, birds take over, and all sorts of mammals cautiously creep across the landscape. Deer are common here, but if you're lucky, you'll see an otter or two, too! (Otters, like beavers, were once extirpated from Ohio. Fortunately, restoration efforts by the Ohio Division of Wildlife have also brought them back.)
For many hikers, the boardwalks here are a huge draw.
I love a good boardwalk hike, as they allow you to get up close and personal with landscapes that are otherwise inaccessible. Walking out into the wetland is a real treat... I particularly love the red-winged blackbirds, which are a common but welcome sight in the Ohio landscape. Their unique call is downright musical.
For the casual nature lover, the main draw here is the opportunity to sit and admire wildlife.
Flora and fauna alike are abundant here. Expect to encounter many gorgeous species, like this stunning blue tree swallow. I recently learned that blue feathers are actually not blue... it's not a natural pigment! Instead, the color comes from how keratin interacts with light.
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This easy hike near Cleveland is a treat for nature lovers, birdwatchers, and little adventurers.
This park is an excellent way to introduce children to the wonder that exists here in Ohio. Plus, the park offers an incredible way to discuss the importance of preserving natural landscapes... perhaps with a little help from cuties like beavers!
There's so much to love about this hidden landscape in Cuyahoga Valley National Park.
To get to Beaver Marsh, park at 3801 Riverview Rd, Peninsula, OH, 44264 and head north on the Towpath.
Beaver Marsh in Peninsula is a gorgeous landscape near Cleveland that’s well worth a trip. It’s one of many Important Bird Areas in the region, but nestled amidst the beauty of the national park, it’s a treat like no other.
While you’re exploring Cuyahoga Valley National Park, budget a bit of time to visit Brandywine Falls. Its staircase hike is just as unique as a boardwalk experience, and the massive waterfall here is too stunning for words.
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