Northeast Ohio

Copyright: US Fish and Wildlife Service West Sister Island NWR

Attractions - If you're in pursuit of a long-distance bike ride, a hike into cavernous rock formations, or a look at some of America's most important park history, then experience Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Here you're offered miles of bike, hike and horseback trail along the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath highlighted by numerous historical stops along the way. There are crevices and ledges to explore, fish to catch, and a Civilian Conservation Corps (Happy Days) Visitor Center. Or if you'd rather visit a smaller public parcel, one with quaint atmosphere, lovely gift shop, historic manor house, and tidy gardens, then don't pass over a visit to Quail Hollow State Park. If speed boating is your thing then you'll want to venture to Berlin Lake or Lake Tappan, U.S. Army Corps of Engineer sites. Enjoy paddling or berry picking? You'll find it at Portage Lakes State Park! In the mood for a farm visit? Malabar Farm in Pleasant Valley was the dream of the Pulitzer Prize-winning author, Louis Bromfield. Today, visitors can see the house and farm existing just as they did in Bromfield's time. Ohio is nicknamed the mother of Presidents and the James Abram Garfield National Historic Site invites you to tour the historic home, carriage house and campaign office. Visitors are enlightened by the bit of trivia born at this site. Upon President Garfield's untimely death, Lucretia Rudolph Garfield, a former student of Garfield's and eventually his wife, added a memorial wing to the home, thus becoming the birthplace of Presidential Libraries in the United States.

Recreation - Recreation opportunities in Ohio explore state and national lands where facilities provide users the enjoyment of hiking, camping, picnicking, mountain biking, horseback riding, viewing historical sites, rock climbing, scuba diving, wildlife watching, boating of various types, fishing, swimming, and an array of winter sports.

Climate - This state has four distinct seasons and a brilliant fall foliage display in it southern woods during mid October. Winter lasts from December through February with average temperatures near 25 degrees F. Low temperatures dip to single digits, but do not often drop below zero. Northern regions of the state receive average snowfall amounts of 55 inches, while the central and southern regions of the state receive lesser amounts with averages near 30 inches. This difference is caused by lake-affect moisture patterns.

Spring temperatures begin to warm the landscapes of Ohio by mid March and are in full swing by April. Temperatures range from 40 through 70 degrees F through the spring months. This season often brings the most rainfall, before the drying heat of summer. Summer can be extremely hot and humid in the interior of Ohio. Temperatures reach above 90 degrees F frequently through July and August. Cooler fall temperatures don't reach the region until mid to late September. This is a pleasant time to visit as the air is crisp with low humidity levels. Ohio's annual precipitation usually reaches slightly above 50 inches.

Location - Northeast Ohio encompasses the industrial towns of Cleveland, Akron, Youngstown, and Canton. The region stretches west to include Lorain and Butler, dipping south to include Dresden. The northern boundary is Lake Erie; the eastern boundary is the state of Pennsylvania.