This Ohio Train Ride Leads To The Most Stunning Fall Foliage You've Ever Seen
By Sarah McCosham|Published September 30, 2022
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Sarah McCosham
Author
I write like it's my job - because it is! I have a Master's in English and love words: crossword puzzles, Scrabble games, Wordle, and, of course, good, old-fashioned books.
I'm a writer and editor at OnlyInYourState, and a contributing writer at Cincinnati Magazine. I love the Great Outdoors and am endlessly awestruck by this beautiful country of ours. Coffee keeps me going, yoga keeps me sane, my kids keep me grounded, and my writing keeps me inspired.
Cuyahoga Valley National Park truly is Ohio’s proudest crown jewel. Hilly and lush, full of rivers and valleys, it’s a pristine place that takes on divine beauty during the height of fall foliage. It’s the kind of immersive beauty that’s best enjoyed slowly and deliberately, and the National Scenic Park Ride aboard the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad is the perfect way to do just that. Each fall, this Ohio train takes lucky adventurers on the journey of a lifetime, through some of the most stunning fall foliage you’ve ever seen.
One of Ohio's best-kept secrets, Cuyahoga Valley National Park is a place of immense natural beauty and splendor. Although the park was designated as a National Recreation Area in 1974, it didn't officially join the ranks as an official national park until 2000.
Cuyahoga Valley NP is located just a short drive from Akron and Cleveland, but it feels like an entire world unto itself. This 33,000-acre expanse in the Cuyahoga River Valley is home to gorgeous wetlands, lush forests, numerous waterfalls, gorges, and breathtaking scenery and overlooks.
The park is arguably at its most dazzling in the fall, when its abundant sugar maples and oak trees paint the trails in bright red and orange hues, rewarding hikers with a dazzling display of color.
If you're up for a more intense trek, the Brandywine Gorge Trail is one of the best places to soak up the park's natural beauty; hike up to the 65-foot Brandywine Falls to see panoramic views of fall foliage in all directions.
But the hiking and biking trails aren't the only way to enjoy the seasonal splendor of Ohio's national park darling; if you want a more leisurely fall foliage experience, hop aboard the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad for a scenic ride that will render you speechless!
Guests can opt to board at the railroad's two train depots: Rockside Station, located at 7900 Old Rockside Rd.,
Independence, OH, 44131 and Akron Northside Station, located at 27 Ridge St.,
Akron, OH, 44308.
Sit back and relax as the train weaves through the Cuyahoga Valley and races along with the rushing Cuyahoga River. The route provides passengers the opportunity to possibly spot eagles, deer, beavers, and herons in their natural habitat.
But the highlight of the Fall Flyer is, hands down, the fall foliage. The kaleidoscope of fall colors in this region of Ohio easily rivals Vermont or Maine. But it's even better, because this sublime seasonal experience is one you can have right here in the beautiful Buckeye State!
Have you taken a ride aboard the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad in past seasons? While fall is a magical time of year in Ohio, this train ride takes the entire experience to new heights. Visit the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad website for more information on the Fall Flyer excursion… rides book up fast!
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