Exploring Ohio’s only national park, 50 years later In 1969, the polluted Cuyahoga River burned, attracting negative national media attention. Then, only three fish species were found to be living in those contaminated waters. Now, in 2026, 77 fish species are thriving. Otter, beaver, and blue heron have also returned to the river’s banks. And people, too, are benefiting from the cleaner waters, enjoying water sports like canoeing, kayaking, and paddling. This new edition of an essential resource for visitors to Cuyahoga Valley National Park features stunning photos of the park from its past and present, showcasing its geology and rich history—including early interactions between the First Peoples and European colonists. Also prominently featured is the Ohio & Erie Canal, which was established 200 years ago, and once ran through the park. At its heart, Cuyahoga Valley National Park Handbook: A Photographic Tour is both practical and poetic, updated to present a more robust account of the river’s renewal and how plants, animals, and people alike have benefited from a healthier Crooked River.
