Celebrate 50 Years of Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Ohio

This December, Cuyahoga Valley National Park — one of the more easily accessible national parks in the country, as it’s just a short drive from Cleveland — celebrates its 50^th anniversary. Established as a National Recreation Area in 1974 and achieving national park status in 2000, this park offers more than 33,000 acres of forests and farmland, with activities including hiking, kayaking, scenic train rides and more.

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The 50^th anniversary celebration will go on all through 2025, so what can you expect if your travels take you to this corner of Ohio in the next year?

You’ll be able to catch national speakers as part of the park’s Lyceum Lectures series, discussing the park’s history and legacy. Guided hikes are also on offer, as are river excursions, in case you’re not up to exploring on your own. Concerts and art events will also take place for those who consider themselves more cultural travelers than outdoor adventurers.

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A mural project is part of the celebration, and the new mural can be seen on the Boston Mills Road Bridge abutment. The mural, entitled Wild Urban Refuge, has been described as “a testament to the enduring spirit of nature amidst bustling city life” — just like the national park itself.