Explore the stark contrast between Cuyahoga Valley National Park in Ohio and Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve in Alaska. While Cuyahoga Valley boasts rolling hills, scenic waterfalls, and historic sites, Gates of the Arctic offers a rugged wilderness full of glaciers and pristine peaks. These two parks offer vastly different experiences, but both are perfect for nature lovers seeking adventure. Whether you’re looking for an easy hike or a challenging expedition, these parks have something for everyone. So, buckle up and get ready for a journey that will take you from the heartland to the Arctic, as we compare and contrast these two amazing national parks.
Hiking Trails in Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve
Cuyahoga Valley National Park in Ohio and Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve in Alaska offer vastly different hiking experiences. Cuyahoga Valley has well-established trails like the 20-mile Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail, an easy and scenic path along a historic canal. The Ledges Trail, on the other hand, offers a more strenuous hike with views of rugged cliffs and rock formations. In contrast, Gates of the Arctic is a true wilderness destination with no established trails, requiring visitors to navigate through remote and rugged terrain. Hikes in Gates of the Arctic can range from challenging, such as climbing peaks in the Brooks Range or exploring valleys of the Koyukuk River, to a unique and immersive experience in the Alaskan wilderness.
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 Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shark Valley Trail | 25427.572 | 6.7056 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Anhinga Trail | 2414.01 | 0 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Pa-Hay-Okee Overlook Trail | 321.868 | 0 | Easy | loop | 4 |
| Gumbo Limbo Trail | 643.736 | 0 | Easy | loop | 3.5 |
| Long Pine Key Trail | 24944.77 | 0 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Mahogany Hammock Trail | 643.736 | 0 | Easy | loop | 3.5 |
| Everglades Coastal Prairie Trail | 27358.78 | 4.8768 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Pinelands Trail | 643.736 | 0 | Easy | loop | 3.5 |
| Everglades National Park East Entrance to Flamingo Scenic Route | 58258.108 | 7.9248 | Easy | point to point | 4.5 |
| Nine Mile Pond | 8851.37 | 0 | Easy | loop | 5 |
Wildlife in Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve
Cuyahoga Valley NP in OH has diverse wildlife such as deer, raccoons, foxes, beavers, and otters. Birders may see bald eagles, herons, and songbirds. Wildflowers like trillium and bloodroot can be seen in spring/summer. Gates of the Arctic NP&P in AK is a wilderness area with exotic wildlife like caribou, moose, grizzly bears, and wolves. It’s a birder’s paradise with species like Arctic tern, gyrfalcon, and rock ptarmigan. The tundra landscape has wildflowers, mosses, lichens, and dwarf shrubs like willow and birch.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Cuyahoga Valley National Park | Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| 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 | Savannah Sparrow |
| Savannah Sparrow | Hermit Thrush |
| Great Blue Heron | American Kestrel |
| Hermit Thrush | Bald Eagle |
| American Kestrel | Northern Pintail |
| Bald Eagle | American Wigeon |
| Song Sparrow | Green-Winged Teal |
| European Starling | American Pipit |
| Northern Pintail | Swainson’s Thrush |
| American Wigeon | Hairy Woodpecker |
| Green-Winged Teal | Red-Breasted Nuthatch |
Mammals
| Cuyahoga Valley National Park | Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Coyote | Coyote |
| American Beaver | American Beaver |
| Muskrat | Muskrat |
| Big Brown Bat | Black Bear |
| Bobcat | Porcupine |
| Striped Skunk | Red Fox |
| Little Brown Bat | Mink |
| Deer Mouse | Wolf |
| Raccoon | Short-Tailed Weasel |
| Silver-Haired Bat | Varying Hare |
| Hoary Bat | River Otter |
| Red Fox | Common Shrew |
| Long-Tailed Weasel | Red Squirrel |
| House Mouse | Montane Shrew |
| Mink | Lynx |
| Gray Fox | Wolverine |
| Badger | American Marten |
| Masked Shrew | Grizzly Bear |
| Red Squirrel | Meadow Vole |
| White-Tailed Deer | Moose |
| Virginia Opossum | Least Weasel |
| Meadow Vole | Pygmy Shrew |
| Red Bat | Northern Bog Lemming |
| White-Footed Mouse | |
| Norway Rat |
Amphibians
| Cuyahoga Valley National Park | Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Northern Leopard Frog | Wood Frog |
| Eastern Tiger Salamander | |
| Bullfrog | |
| Wood Frog |
Reptiles
| Cuyahoga Valley National Park | Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Racer | |
| Ring-Necked Snake | |
| Common Garter Snake | |
| Eastern Milk Snake | |
| Eastern Fence Lizard |
Insects
| Cuyahoga Valley National Park | Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Orange Sulfur | |
| Painted Lady | |
| Monarch Butterfly | |
| American Painted Lady | |
| European Cabbage White | |
| Buckeye |
Fish
| Cuyahoga Valley National Park | Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Northern Largemouth Bass | Longnose Sucker |
| Green Sunfish | Lake Trout |
| Northern Bluegill Sunfish | Northern Pike |
| Northern Fathead Minnow | Eelpout |
| Golden Shiner | King Salmon |
| European Carp | Slimy Sculpin |
| Northern Pike | Chum Salmon |
| Eastern Burbot | Dolly Varden |
| Central Mottled Sculpin | Arctic Grayling |
| Graceful Catfish | |
| Black Crappie | |
| Creek Chub | |
| Goldfish |
Beautiful Landscapes in Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve
Cuyahoga Valley NP features Ledges Overlook, Brandywine Falls (65ft), Cuyahoga River, Towpath Trail. Gates Of The Arctic NP boasts Brooks Range, Anaktuvuk Pass, Noatak River, Arrigetch Peaks.
Things To-Do and Activities in Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve
Cuyahoga Valley NP offers scenic train rides, hiking, biking, horseback riding, kayaking/canoeing, and fishing. Gates Of The Arctic NP is more focused on backpacking, wilderness camping, river rafting, and challenging hiking with stunning glacier/alpine views, as well as wildlife viewing opportunities.
Best Time to Visit Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve
Cuyahoga Valley NP in Ohio has a temperate climate with hot summers (60-80°F) and cold winters with snowfall. Best time to visit is May-Oct.
Gates of the Arctic NP & Preserve in Alaska has a subarctic climate, with harsh winters, short cool summers (40-60°F) and is only accessible by air or foot. Best time to visit is late Jun-early Sep. Weather can be unpredictable.
Family Friendliness of Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve
Cuyahoga Valley National Park is more family-friendly than Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve. CVNP offers many kid-friendly activities such as hiking, fishing, canoeing, and scenic train rides. In contrast, Gates of the Arctic is a wilderness park with limited infrastructure and no designated trails, making it less accessible for families with young children. CVNP also has multiple campgrounds, picnic areas, and education centers, while Gates of the Arctic has limited camping options and no visitor services.