Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Death Valley National Park are two of America’s most contrasting national parks. While Cuyahoga Valley offers a lush, green oasis with rolling hills and gurgling streams, Death Valley is a desert wasteland with scorching heat, towering sand dunes, and otherworldly salt flats. Both parks offer unique and unforgettable experiences, but which one is right for you? Whether you’re seeking adventure, relaxation, or a little bit of both, these two parks have something for everyone. So, let’s take a closer look at what makes these two parks so different and so special.
Hiking Trails in Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Death Valley National Park
Cuyahoga Valley National Park in Ohio is a park with rolling hills, scenic waterfalls and picturesque landscapes. The Ledges Trail is one of the easiest hikes and offers scenic views of the surrounding valley. Lake Trail is another easy option, with a gentle walk along the Cuyahoga River. Experienced hikers can tackle the Buckeye Trail, a 20-mile loop that showcases the park’s best scenery.
Death Valley National Park in California is a remote desert wilderness with unique geology and harsh weather. Mosaic Canyon Trail and Badwater Basin Trail are considered easy hikes, with the former leading through a narrow rock canyon and the latter reaching the Western Hemisphere’s lowest point. For a real challenge, the park offers Telescope Peak Trail, a strenuous 11,000-foot ascent, and the Cottonwood-Marble Canyon Loop, a 25-mile trek through rugged terrain.
Most Popular Hiking Trails in Cuyahoga Valley National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ledges Trail | 4184.284 | 46.9392 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Brandywine Gorge Trail | 2735.878 | 65.8368 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Stanford House to Brandywine Falls Trail | 6115.492 | 162.7632 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Blue Hen Falls Trail | 804.67 | 23.7744 | Moderate | out and back | 4 |
| Salt Run Trail | 6759.228 | 123.7488 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Plateau Trail | 7081.096 | 96.9264 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Pine Grove Trail and Ledges Trail Loop from Kendall Lake | 6115.492 | 98.7552 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Buckeye Trail to Valley Bridle Trail Loop | 5471.756 | 119.7864 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Wetmore Bridle Trail | 7563.898 | 169.7736 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath Trail: Brecksville Station | 7081.096 | 20.7264 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
Most Popular Hiking Trails in Death Valley National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Badwater Basin Salt Flats Trail | 2896.812 | 2.7432 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes Trail | 4506.152 | 62.7888 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Zabriskie Point | 643.736 | 15.8496 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Dante’s View Trail | 2574.944 | 109.728 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Telescope Peak Trail | 19312.08 | 1012.8504 | Hard | out and back | 4.5 |
| Golden Canyon Trail to Red Cathedral | 4667.086 | 174.9552 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Golden Canyon and Gower Gulch Loop via Zabriskie Point | 9334.172 | 332.8416 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Mosaic Canyon Trail | 5632.69 | 324.9168 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Death Valley Natural Bridge Road | 6920.162 | 304.8 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Darwin Falls Trail via Old Toll Road | 3057.746 | 68.8848 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
Wildlife in Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Death Valley National Park
Cuyahoga Valley NP in Ohio is known for its diverse wildlife incl. white-tailed deer, beaver, river otter & birds such as great blue heron, pileated woodpecker & Baltimore oriole. It also has a range of plants like wildflowers, ferns & hardwood trees. Death Valley NP in California is known for its arid environment and unique wildlife incl. bighorn sheep, desert tortoise & birds such as burrowing owl, raven & roadrunner. The park is home to plants like creosote bush, Joshua trees & wildflowers which bloom after rainfall.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Death Valley National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Cuyahoga Valley National Park | Death Valley National Park |
|---|---|
| Peregrine Falcon | Peregrine Falcon |
| Northern Harrier | Northern Harrier |
| Sharp-Shinned Hawk | Sharp-Shinned Hawk |
| Osprey | Osprey |
| Tree Swallow | Tree Swallow |
| Mallard | Mallard |
| Canada Goose | Canada Goose |
| Lincoln’s Sparrow | Lincoln’s Sparrow |
| Ruby-Crowned Kinglet | Ruby-Crowned Kinglet |
| American Robin | American Robin |
| Great Horned Owl | Great Horned Owl |
| Red-Tailed Hawk | Red-Tailed Hawk |
| Northern Flicker | Northern Flicker |
| Merlin | Merlin |
| Barn Swallow | Barn Swallow |
| Savannah Sparrow | Savannah Sparrow |
| Great Blue Heron | Great Blue Heron |
| Hermit Thrush | Hermit Thrush |
| American Kestrel | American Kestrel |
| Bald Eagle | Bald Eagle |
| Song Sparrow | Song Sparrow |
| European Starling | European Starling |
| Northern Pintail | Northern Pintail |
| American Wigeon | American Wigeon |
| Green-Winged Teal | Green-Winged Teal |
Mammals
| Cuyahoga Valley National Park | Death Valley National Park |
|---|---|
| Coyote | Coyote |
| American Beaver | Muskrat |
| Muskrat | Big Brown Bat |
| Big Brown Bat | Bobcat |
| Bobcat | Little Brown Bat |
| Striped Skunk | Deer Mouse |
| Little Brown Bat | Raccoon |
| Deer Mouse | Porcupine |
| Raccoon | Silver-Haired Bat |
| Silver-Haired Bat | Hoary Bat |
| Hoary Bat | House Mouse |
| Red Fox | Mountain Lion |
| Long-Tailed Weasel | Mule Deer |
| House Mouse | Gray Fox |
| Mink | Long-Legged Myotis |
| Gray Fox | Long-Eared Myotis |
| Badger | Badger |
| Masked Shrew | Californian Myotis |
| Red Squirrel | Fringed Myotis |
| White-Tailed Deer | Common Shrew |
| Virginia Opossum | Mexican Free-Tailed Bat |
| Meadow Vole | Townsend’s Big-Eared Bat |
| Red Bat | Bushy-Tailed Woodrat |
| White-Footed Mouse | Western Harvest Mouse |
| Norway Rat | Western Small-Footed Myotis |
Amphibians
| Cuyahoga Valley National Park | Death Valley National Park |
|---|---|
| Northern Leopard Frog | Woodhouse’s Toad |
| Eastern Tiger Salamander | Canyon Treefrog |
| Bullfrog | |
| Wood Frog |
Reptiles
| Cuyahoga Valley National Park | Death Valley National Park |
|---|---|
| Racer | Gopher Snake |
| Ring-Necked Snake | Terrestrial Gartersnake |
| Common Garter Snake | Ring-Necked Snake |
| Eastern Milk Snake | Common Sagebrush Lizard |
| Eastern Fence Lizard | Common Side-Blotched Lizard |
| Rubber Boa | |
| Long-Nosed Leopard Lizard | |
| Smith������S Black-Headed Snake | |
| Tree Lizard | |
| Eastern Fence Lizard | |
| Glossy Snake | |
| Long-Nosed Snake | |
| Western Fence Lizard |
Insects
| Cuyahoga Valley National Park | Death Valley National Park |
|---|---|
| Orange Sulfur | Orange Sulphur |
| Painted Lady | Painted Lady |
| Monarch Butterfly | Monarch Butterfly |
| American Painted Lady | American Lady |
| European Cabbage White | Red Admiral |
| Buckeye | Mourning Cloak |
| Cabbage White | |
| Silvery Blue | |
| Common Checkered-Skipper | |
| Clouded Sulphur | |
| Honey Bee | |
| Variegated Fritillary | |
| Buckeye | |
| Purplish Copper | |
| Gray Hairstreak |
Fish
| Cuyahoga Valley National Park | Death Valley National Park |
|---|---|
| Northern Largemouth Bass | Largemouth Bass |
| Green Sunfish | Mosquitofish |
| Northern Bluegill Sunfish | Goldfish |
| Northern Fathead Minnow | |
| Golden Shiner | |
| European Carp | |
| Northern Pike | |
| Eastern Burbot | |
| Central Mottled Sculpin | |
| Graceful Catfish | |
| Black Crappie | |
| Creek Chub | |
| Goldfish |
Beautiful Landscapes in Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Death Valley National Park
Cuyahoga Valley NP is famous for scenic beauty incl. Brandywine Falls, Ledges Overlook & Cuyahoga River; rolling hills, lush forests & wetlands.
Death Valley NP boasts an otherworldly landscape incl. salt pans, sand dunes, canyons (Badwater Basin, Dante’s View), Artists Drive, colorful hills & canyons.
Things To-Do and Activities in Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Death Valley National Park
Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Death Valley National Park are two vastly different parks with unique attractions. Cuyahoga Valley has scenic railway, abundant wildlife, historic sites, fishing, canoeing and ranger-led programs. Death Valley has extreme landscapes, stunning vistas, night sky viewing, backcountry exploration, off-roading, ranger-led programs and stargazing tours. Both parks offer hiking, camping, and picnicking, but Death Valley also has interpretive walks. Both offer unique activities for visitors to enjoy and create memorable experiences.
Best Time to Visit Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Death Valley National Park
Cuyahoga Valley NP in Ohio has temperate climate w/ 4 seasons: summer warm/thunderstorms, spring/fall mild/occasional rain, winter cold/snow. Best visits: summer/early fall.
Death Valley NP in California has a desert climate w/ hot, dry summers & cool, mild winters. Summer temperatures can reach 120°F, making it the least favorable time to visit. Winter/spring are the most pleasant w/ temps 60°-80°F & wildflower blooms.
Family Friendliness of Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Death Valley National Park
Cuyahoga Valley is more family-friendly than Death Valley. Cuyahoga offers many educational and interactive programs, Junior Ranger activities, guided hikes, picnic areas and playgrounds. Death Valley, on the other hand, can be hot and inhospitable with limited shade and few activities for kids. If traveling with children, Cuyahoga Valley is a better choice.