Indigo Lake

Indigo Lake is a small lake in Cuyahoga Valley National Park, formed in a former sand-and-gravel mine. The public approach is from the Indigo Lake Station area at 4300 Riverview Road: follow the path toward the water. It suits a short walk or picnic, with more trails nearby if you want to keep going.

Paths run around the lake and over to Howe Meadow. From the station area, connector trails also lead east toward the Towpath Trail and west toward Hale Farm & Village. The lake makes a pleasant pause on a longer walk without needing to plan a full day around it.

There are three picnic tables and a vault or composting toilet. The park's picnic listing shows no grills or drinking water at Indigo Lake, and parking is limited. Bring what you need and don't count on a large lot.

The open western edge gives you room to frame the lake against its wooded far shore. When the surface is still, look for the trees in the reflection; mist can catch the light above the water, but it depends on conditions.

Indigo Lake Station beside the access is an operating Scenic Railroad stop, but the building itself isn't historic. The park built it to evoke the small depots once found along the Valley Railway; its yellow paint distinguishes this modern station from the original red depots.