

Since one of the most famous fires in 1969, however, the city of Cleveland has made great efforts to clean the waters of the Cuyahoga River, which in turn even earned it the title of River of the Year in 2019. The Cuyahoga River used to be one of the most polluted rivers in the United Sates, with the levels of pollution being so bad that it caught fire at least 13 times.

If you aren’t into fossils or birds, however, and instead enjoy the pure beauty of nature, then head over to one of the prettiest parts of Cowan Lake, a large colony of lotus flowers whose leaves can grow up to two feet in diameter.Īnd then, once you’ve finished up on the water and you’re all paddled out for the day, you can kick back and relax at the park's numerous picnic areas and campsites, head off on the hiking trails, or cast a line in a hope to catch crappie, largemouth bass, and muskellunge. The area is also a popular site for paleontologists as the limestone on which Cowan Lake State Park lies is laden with fossilized plants and animals that died long before the Appalachian Mountains were formed. If you’re into bird watching, then we highly suggest packing some binoculars as there is an abundance of species you won’t want to miss.

Cowan Lake State ParkĬowan Lake State Park has become a popular paddling destination partly because of its calm and tranquil waters and partly because of the numerous bird species that frequent the surrounding beech and maple trees. You’ll find that if you choose to launch your kayak on Big Darby Creek, you’ll be paddling in some of Ohio’s most crystal clear waters, which are home to rare fish and mussel species that you can’t find anywhere else on the planet. In our opinion, part of the reason why Big Darby Creek is such an exceptional place to paddle is because of the excellent water quality. If you’re after a long weekend paddling trip, then look no further than the Big Darby Creek, as this national scenic river runs for a total of 84 miles through some of the midwest's most diverse animal habitats and aquatic systems. The first magnificent and mentionable waterway is the Big Darby Creek still water river which runs its course through northwestern, central Ohio.
