Water rushing through the rapids drowns out the sounds of urban living and presents a scene reminiscent of the valley's wilderness past. A variety of fish live in the river providing prey for Belted Kingfishers and Great Blue and Green-backed Herons. In the spring, Ohio's Sate wildflower, the White Trillium, grows in the floodplain woods along with Wild Ginger and many types of violets. Summer and fall wildflowers also are abundant. After climbing the steps on Oxbow Trail, hikers can stop to catch their breath and turn around to take in an excellent view of the park.
Ridge tops in both areas have dry sandy soil with oaks as the dominate trees.
The Cascade Locks site was designated as a national historic district in 1992 and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. History Cascade Locks tell the story of Akron's early industry and how the city came to be where it is today. This section of the canal, between Akron and the Little Cuyahoga River, was the steepest of the canal's entire 309-mile length. Fifteen locks were necessary in a single mile to climb over the Continental Divide. Locks 10 through 15, of this historic waterway, form the heart of the Cascade Locks Area.