Throughout the year, the Beaver Marsh teams with life. 

Depending on the month, you may be serenaded by choirs 

of countless frogs, watch turtles swim among lily pads, 

glimpse a beaver nibbling on a willow branch, or hear 

northern cardinals call from snowy trees. The Beaver Marsh 

is among the most diverse natural communities in Cuyahoga 

Valley National Park (CVNP). The exceptional scenery and 

wildlife make it one of the park’s most popular destinations. 

Here you can enjoy photography, bird watching, and sharing 

nature with family and friends. Use this bulletin to deepen 

your understanding and enjoyment of this special resource.

Ohio has lost nearly 

90% of its wetlands to 

development. Nationally, 

46% of endangered or 

threatened species need 

wetlands. CVNP protects 

nearly 1,500 individual wetlands 

covering over 1,900 acres of 

parkland. Many of these are less 

than one acre. The 70-acre Beaver 

Marsh is significant because of its size, rich 

seed bed, complex water chemistry, and 

diversity of life.

To measure wetland health, resource 

managers use the Vegetation Index of 

Biotic Integrity (VIBI). In 2011 plant 

surveys revealed that some sections of 

the Beaver Marsh are pristine, while 

others are in moderate to poor condition. 

Scientists found highly sensitive wetland 

plants such as hairy fruited sedge, skunk 

cabbage, marsh fern, speckled alder, 

buttonbush, and sweet-scented water lily. 

In some degraded areas, invasive plants 

such as narrow-leaved cattail, common 

reed, and purple loosestrife are crowding 

out other species. 

The VIBI plant surveys also confirmed 

that there are several microhabitats 

within the marshland, supporting distinct 

plant communities. This mosaic, in turn, 

supports a greater variety of wildlife.

Beaver Marsh

Marshland Restoration

©JEFFREY GIBSON

Sweet-scented water lily blooms 

in summer. ©BRUCE WINGES

Vital Resource

Starting in the 

19th century, land 

development drained 

the original wetland. 

The Ohio & Erie Canal 

came through. Darwin 

Carter had a dairy farm 

on part of the property. 

Just before the National Park Service 

purchased the land, an auto repair shop 

was here, surrounded by old cars and 

worn-out parts. During the establishment 

of CVNP, efforts by humans and beavers 

transformed this site back into a wetland.

In 1984, the Portage Trail Group of the 

Sierra Club organized a site clean-up. 

Together with the National Park Service, 

they hauled away car parts, bed springs, 

and accumulated trash. Plans for the 

property were unresolved; the young park 

was considering building a parking lot here.

Around the 

same time, 

beavers started 

returning to 

the valley. They 

had been absent 

from Ohio for 

over a century, 

trapped out for 

their fur. Beavers 

built a system of 

dams that flooded the area. By altering their 

environment and creating deep water, 

beavers can enter their lodge underwater 

and swim to gather building supplies and 

food, avoiding the dangers of land. 

Humans cleaned up and preserved the 

land. Beavers restored natural water 

levels, awakening long-dormant seeds in 

the soil. Wetland plants returned, creating 

habitat for diverse wildlife.

The auto repair shop on Riverview Road. 

NPS COLLECTION

Beaver. ©CHERYL OSGOOD

Cuyahoga Valley National Park Service

U.S. Department of the Interior

Cuyahoga Valley National Park
The Beaver Marsh is located 1⁄4 mile 

north of Ira Trailhead along the Towpath 

Trail. The easy walk is accessible by 

wheelchair or stroller. The Towpath 

Trail can be congested here. Please 

exercise caution by staying to the 

right and watching for passing cyclists. 

If you are out at night, wear reflective 

clothing and carry a flashlight. 

Interested in becoming more involved in 

wildlife conservation? Citizen Scientists 

volunteer to monitor amphibians and 

birds at park wetlands during the spring. 

Wildlife Watchers assist visitors in 

observing wildlife at the Beaver Marsh and 

other locations. For information, contact 

the volunteer office at 330-657-2299 or 

volunteer@forcvnp.org. 

The Beaver Marsh reminds us of what can 

happen when natural places are protected 

and natural processes are allowed to 

occur. However, we must remain vigilant 

to threats that could undermine its 

pristine qualities. As you enjoy the serene 

beauty and abundant wildlife, consider 

your role in ensuring that the Beaver 

Marsh has a bright future.

©JEFFREY GIBSON

www.nps.gov/cuva

www.dayinthevalley.com

EXPERIENCE YOUR AMERICATM

Visiting and Volunteering

The marshland boardwalk offers 

opportunities for watching wildlife at any 

time of year. Each season has its rewards. 

Spring

As the marshland thaws in early spring, 

look for beaver during the late afternoon. 

Their internal clocks can be out of sync 

with the timing of dusk, a result of being 

confined to their lodge over winter. 

Late afternoon is also when muskrats 

start to appear from their cattail lodges. 

Muskrats are much smaller than beavers 

and have a more rounded head. Their 

tail is rat-like, not paddle-shaped. 

Wood ducks and other 

waterfowl return in 

mid-March. A variety of 

songbirds stopover during 

peak migration from late April 

through May. By late May, it 

is common to see snapping 

and painted turtles basking on 

floating logs. 

Summer

Over 40 bird species nest 

annually at the marsh. Early 

summer is the best time to observe them. 

Search for Baltimore oriole, tree swallow, 

wood duck, marsh wren, sora, and Virginia 

rail. Early summer is also when small 

beaver kits first venture out of the lodge. 

In early morning, sleek otters play and 

groom. On sunny days, northern water 

snakes bask on logs along the shorelines. 

On warm evenings, listen for courting 

green frogs and bullfrogs among the 

water lilies. At dusk, bats dart on fluttery 

wings, hunting insects. 

Fall

During this 

season, beavers 

store softwood 

branches, such 

as willow and 

aspen, in front 

of their lodge 

as a winter 

food supply. 

Look for 

southbound 

waterfowl 

during the fall 

migration which starts to peak in late 

October. Sometimes you can spot more 

than 20 wood ducks within the marsh 

and surrounding channels. 

Winter

By mid-December, the marsh is usually 

completely frozen over. Beaver mostly 

remain in their warm, cozy lodge, 

venturing out to feed on their cache of 

branches or on 

tubers of nearby 

water lilies. 

They are active 

throughout the 

winter and do 

not hibernate. 

Along the 

shorelines 

and among 

the cattails, 

search for 

tree sparrows, 

white-throated 

sparrows, 

and—if you are 

lucky—a swamp 

sparrow.

An otter is a rare sight. 

©PETE HENDRICKSON

Wood ducks. ©CHERYL OSGOOD

Nesting Baltimore oriole. ©JIM SCHMIDT

Cattails in winter. ©ED TOEREK

Observing Throughout the Year