One of our favorite parks is the Gorge Metro Park in Cuyahoga Falls, near Chapel Hill Exit off Rt. 8. We love this park because a short walk takes you to a pretty amazing waterfall! Check out more Ohio waterfalls here.
This 155 acre park has plenty for everyone including trails, fishing, picnic areas, and even ice skating in the winter. There are permanent restrooms at the entrance to the park as well.
We always take the Falls path, which is 1.8 miles round-trip if you turn around right at the waterfall although we normally walk a little further down the river. The Falls path runs along the Cuyahoga River, offering beautiful sites year-round. It is lush and full of life this time of year.
There is a floating observation deck that goes right out into the river about 1/2 ways down the trail. There is no fishing allowed here although it would be the perfect spot!
The trail turns into a boardwalk once you get close to the falls, offering safe passage down the steep decline through the wooded forest.
This trail is not handicap accessible and there are many steps to climb back up on the way back, so be forewarned if stairs are not your friends!
The view of the falls over the dam is well worth the walk! The sounds of rushing water is just as wondrous as the sights. You’ll learn about the power of water at the bottom of the dam where signs talk about how hydroelectric power from the dam was used in 1912.
The multi-leveled observation deck has several places to sit and relax. 
If you walk down river, you’ll see more smaller waterfalls. Be careful, some of the paths are not actually park paths and not safe as they run right along the edge of the steep cliffs. Keep a close eye on your kids!
As you can see on the map below, there is plenty to see and explore at the Gorge Metro Park. The waterfalls is just my family’s favorite!
It’s been a while since we visited Mary Campbell’s Cave at the Gorge Metro Park although it is just a short half-mile walk from the parking lot. Below is a photo from the Summit Metro Parks website of Mary Campbell’s Cave. I’ll be sure to update this post with another image once we visit the park again. Or, if you have a photo, please send it to me. 🙂
Add the Gorge Metro Park to your summer bucket list of things to do! It is a fun family outing that is close to the city, so you don’t have to set aside an entire day to get to and enjoy nature!
Gorge Metro Park
1160 Front St.
Cuyahoga Falls, OH 44221
