Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Grand Teton National Park are two of the most beautiful and diverse parks in the United States. While Cuyahoga Valley boasts rolling hills and scenic waterfalls, Grand Teton offers towering peaks and pristine alpine lakes. Both parks offer a wealth of opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts, from hiking to fishing and everything in between. Whether you’re looking for a peaceful escape from the city or a heart-pumping adventure, you’re sure to find it in one of these two incredible parks. So grab your hiking boots and let’s compare these two stunning parks!
Hiking Trails in Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Grand Teton National Park
Cuyahoga Valley National Park, located in Ohio, offers a variety of hiking trails ranging from easy to strenuous. One of the easier trails is the Ledges Trail, which features scenic views of the park’s rock formations and is a 1.5-mile round trip. A more challenging hike is the Buckeye Trail, which spans over 25 miles and winds through the park’s diverse landscapes.
Grand Teton National Park, located in Wyoming, also boasts a range of hiking trails, including some of the most challenging in the country. One of the easier hikes is the Taggart Lake Trail, a 3-mile round trip that leads to a serene mountain lake. For those seeking a greater challenge, the 13-mile round trip to the summit of Grand Teton is a strenuous and rewarding hike that offers breathtaking views from the park’s highest peak.
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 Grand Teton National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cascade Canyon Trail | 15610.598 | 343.8144 | Moderate | out and back | 5 |
| Jenny Lake Trail | 12391.918 | 221.8944 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Taggart Lake Loop | 6598.294 | 130.7592 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Delta Lake via Amphitheater Lake Trail | 14484.06 | 709.8792 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
| Surprise and Amphitheater Lakes Trail | 14323.126 | 896.7216 | Very Hard | out and back | 5 |
| Hidden Falls Trail | 7885.766 | 179.832 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Phelps Lake Trail | 11265.38 | 220.98 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Lake Solitude Trail | 25749.44 | 803.7576 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
| String Lake Trail | 5954.558 | 79.8576 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Taggart Lake and Bradley Lake Loop | 9656.04 | 231.9528 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
Wildlife in Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Grand Teton National Park
Cuyahoga Valley National Park in Ohio offers a mix of deciduous forests, wetlands, and meadows, which support diverse wildlife including deer, beavers, otters, and various bird species such as woodpeckers, blue herons, and hawks. Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming is renowned for its large mammals like grizzly bears, moose, elk, and bison, as well as for birdwatching opportunities for eagles, falcons, and turkeys. Its alpine forests, meadows, and waterways in the Rocky Mountains host a variety of wildflowers and shrubs, including the iconic wild rose.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Grand Teton National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Cuyahoga Valley National Park | Grand Teton 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 | Grand Teton National Park |
|---|---|
| Coyote | Coyote |
| American Beaver | American Beaver |
| Muskrat | Muskrat |
| Big Brown Bat | Big Brown Bat |
| Bobcat | Bobcat |
| Striped Skunk | Striped Skunk |
| Little Brown Bat | Little Brown Bat |
| Deer Mouse | Deer Mouse |
| Raccoon | Raccoon |
| Silver-Haired Bat | Black Bear |
| Hoary Bat | Porcupine |
| Red Fox | Silver-Haired Bat |
| Long-Tailed Weasel | Hoary Bat |
| House Mouse | Red Fox |
| Mink | Long-Tailed Weasel |
| Gray Fox | Mountain Lion |
| Badger | Mink |
| Masked Shrew | Mule Deer |
| Red Squirrel | Wolf |
| White-Tailed Deer | Long-Legged Myotis |
| Virginia Opossum | Long-Eared Myotis |
| Meadow Vole | Badger |
| Red Bat | Ermine |
| White-Footed Mouse | California Myotis |
| Norway Rat | Snowshoe Hare |
Amphibians
| Cuyahoga Valley National Park | Grand Teton National Park |
|---|---|
| Northern Leopard Frog | Northern Leopard Frog |
| Eastern Tiger Salamander | |
| Bullfrog | |
| Wood Frog |
Reptiles
| Cuyahoga Valley National Park | Grand Teton National Park |
|---|---|
| Racer | Gopher Snake |
| Ring-Necked Snake | Rubber Boa |
| Common Garter Snake | |
| Eastern Milk Snake | |
| Eastern Fence Lizard |
Insects
| Cuyahoga Valley National Park | Grand Teton National Park |
|---|---|
| Orange Sulfur | |
| Painted Lady | |
| Monarch Butterfly | |
| American Painted Lady | |
| European Cabbage White | |
| Buckeye |
Fish
| Cuyahoga Valley National Park | Grand Teton National Park |
|---|---|
| Northern Largemouth Bass | Redband Trout |
| Green Sunfish | Brook Trout |
| Northern Bluegill Sunfish | Brown Trout |
| Northern Fathead Minnow | Lake Trout |
| Golden Shiner | Mottled Sculpin |
| European Carp | Longnose Dace |
| Northern Pike | Speckled Dace |
| Eastern Burbot | Arctic Grayling |
| Central Mottled Sculpin | |
| Graceful Catfish | |
| Black Crappie | |
| Creek Chub | |
| Goldfish |
Beautiful Landscapes in Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Grand Teton National Park
Cuyahoga Valley NP has rolling hills, scenic rivers, and abundant wildlife. Key landscapes include Brandywine Falls, Ledges Overlook, and Beaver Marsh. Grand Teton NP is famous for its dramatic mountain range and alpine lakes, including Teton Range, Jackson Lake, and Snake River Overlook.
Things To-Do and Activities in Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Grand Teton National Park
Cuyahoga Valley National Park & Grand Teton National Park are both popular destinations for outdoor recreation. Cuyahoga Valley NP offers scenic trails for biking & hiking, birdwatching, fishing & kayaking along the Cuyahoga River & falls. Grand Teton NP boasts stunning mountain scenery for hiking & camping, and wildlife viewing of moose, elk, bears, and wolves in the Teton Range. Both parks offer a unique blend of scenic beauty and outdoor adventure, appealing to a variety of visitors.
Best Time to Visit Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Grand Teton National Park
Cuyahoga Valley NP in Ohio is characterized by hot summers & cold winters, making late spring to early fall the ideal time to visit with mild temperatures & lush greenery. Summer temperatures can reach 90°F, but also bring frequent rain showers. Winter is less ideal with below-freezing temperatures & snow.
Grand Teton NP in Wyoming has a harsh climate, with cold winters & mild summers. The best time to visit is late spring to early fall with mild temperatures & little snow. Summer temperatures reach up to 80°F with sunny weather, while winter can bring below-zero temperatures & heavy snowfall, making it less ideal but popular for winter sports.
Family Friendliness of Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Grand Teton National Park
Cuyahoga Valley NP offers educational & recreational activities while Grand Teton NP offers scenic views & wildlife sightings. Both have family-friendly facilities, but Grand Teton may be more challenging due to mountainous terrain. It depends on the family’s interests & abilities, but Cuyahoga Valley may be better for families with young children.