Get ready for a thrilling side-by-side comparison of two of America’s hidden gem national parks: Cuyahoga Valley and Great Basin. One boasts rolling hills and lush greenery in the heart of Ohio, while the other showcases the majesty of the Nevada wilderness with the tallest tree and oldest living organism on earth. Whether you’re an adventurous hiker or just looking for a serene retreat, both parks offer a wealth of outdoor activities and breathtaking natural wonders. So, which park will win your heart? Join us as we explore the unique features and highlights of Cuyahoga Valley and Great Basin National Parks.
Hiking Trails in Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Great Basin National Park
Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Great Basin National Park are both known for their diverse hiking trails. CVNP offers a range of hikes, including the easy Ledges Trail, which is a 1.5-mile loop that showcases rock formations and overlooks, and the Towpath Trail, a 20-mile trail that follows the Ohio & Erie Canal. For more challenging hikes, Brandywine Falls is a popular destination, with a 60-foot waterfall and a steep climb. Great Basin NP is renowned for its challenging hikes, such as the 13-mile trek to the summit of the tallest mountain in Nevada, Wheeler Peak. For those seeking a milder hike, the Bristlecone Pine Trail is a 1.5-mile loop that leads to ancient bristlecone pines. Both parks provide a variety of hikes for all skill levels, from leisurely walks to strenuous backcountry expeditions.
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 Great Basin National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wheeler Peak Trail via Stella Lake Trail | 13196.588 | 885.7488 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
| Bristlecone Pine Glacier Trail | 7242.03 | 322.7832 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Alpine Lakes Trail | 4345.218 | 142.9512 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Lehman Cave | 643.736 | 13.716 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Bristlecone and Alpine Lakes Loop | 8529.502 | 308.7624 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive | 37497.622 | 1175.9184 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Baker Lake Trail | 16737.136 | 813.816 | Hard | out and back | 4.5 |
| Teresa Lake | 2414.01 | 92.964 | Moderate | out and back | 5 |
| Baker Lake-Johnson Lake Loop | 20760.486 | 1330.7568 | Hard | loop | 4.5 |
| Lexington Arch Trail | 4667.086 | 340.7664 | Moderate | out and back | 4 |
Wildlife in Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Great Basin National Park
Cuyahoga Valley NP in Ohio & Great Basin NP in Nevada offer distinct wildlife experiences. Cuyahoga Valley is a bird-watcher’s paradise, with American Bald Eagles, Wild Turkeys & Great Blue Herons. Great Basin is home to high-elevation creatures, incl. Mountain Lions, Bighorn Sheep & Pronghorn Antelopes. Great Basin also boasts unique plants, like Bristlecone Pines, while Cuyahoga Valley has a mix of hardwoods & evergreens. Both parks are also home to common small mammals, such as squirrels, raccoons, & deer.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Great Basin National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Cuyahoga Valley National Park | Great Basin 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 | Great Basin 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 | Porcupine |
| Hoary Bat | Silver-Haired Bat |
| Red Fox | Hoary Bat |
| Long-Tailed Weasel | Red Fox |
| House Mouse | Long-Tailed Weasel |
| Mink | House Mouse |
| Gray Fox | Lion |
| Badger | Mink |
| Masked Shrew | Mule Deer |
| Red Squirrel | Gray Fox |
| White-Tailed Deer | Gray Wolf |
| Virginia Opossum | Long-Legged Myotis |
| Meadow Vole | Long-Eared Myotis |
| Red Bat | Badger |
| White-Footed Mouse | Ermine |
| Norway Rat | Californis Myotis |
Amphibians
| Cuyahoga Valley National Park | Great Basin National Park |
|---|---|
| Northern Leopard Frog | Tiger Salamander |
| Eastern Tiger Salamander | Woodhouse’s Toad |
| Bullfrog | Red-Spotted Toad |
| Wood Frog | Canyon Treefrog |
Reptiles
| Cuyahoga Valley National Park | Great Basin National Park |
|---|---|
| Racer | Racer |
| Ring-Necked Snake | Greater Short-Horned Lizard |
| Common Garter Snake | Rubber Boa |
| Eastern Milk Snake | Long-Nosed Leopard Lizard |
| Eastern Fence Lizard | Eastern Collared Lizard |
| Eastern Fence Lizard | |
| Long-Nosed Snake | |
| Desert Spiny Lizard | |
| Western Fence Lizard |
Insects
| Cuyahoga Valley National Park | Great Basin National Park |
|---|---|
| Orange Sulfur | Orange Sulphur |
| Painted Lady | Painted Lady |
| Monarch Butterfly | Monarch Butterfly |
| American Painted Lady | American Painted Lady |
| European Cabbage White | Red Admiral |
| Buckeye | Mourningcloak |
| Cabbage White | |
| Silvery Blue | |
| Common Checkered-Skipper | |
| Clouded Sulphur | |
| Commom Wood Nymph | |
| Purplish Copper | |
| Anise Swallowtail | |
| Gray Hairstreak |
Fish
| Cuyahoga Valley National Park | Great Basin National Park |
|---|---|
| Northern Largemouth Bass | Rainbow Trout |
| Green Sunfish | Brook Trout |
| Northern Bluegill Sunfish | Brown Trout |
| Northern Fathead Minnow | Mottled Sculpin |
| Golden Shiner | Speckled Dace |
| European Carp | Cutthroat Trout |
| Northern Pike | |
| Eastern Burbot | |
| Central Mottled Sculpin | |
| Graceful Catfish | |
| Black Crappie | |
| Creek Chub | |
| Goldfish |
Beautiful Landscapes in Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Great Basin National Park
Cuyahoga Valley National Park is known for its stunning landscapes, including the Brandywine Falls, the Ledges Overlook, and the Beaver Marsh. Great Basin National Park boasts the iconic Lehman Caves and the 13,063-foot Wheeler Peak, the highest point in Nevada. Both parks offer scenic drives, hiking trails, and opportunities to view wildlife.
Things To-Do and Activities in Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Great Basin National Park
Cuyahoga Valley NP, located in Ohio, is popular for scenic walks, picnics, fishing, scenic train rides, and visiting historic sites. Great Basin NP in Nevada offers stargazing, exploring Lehman Caves, challenging hikes, and scenic drives. Both parks offer a mix of outdoor recreation, cultural experiences and scenic beauty for visitors to enjoy.
Best Time to Visit Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Great Basin National Park
Cuyahoga Valley National Park in Ohio has a temperate climate with cold winters and warm summers. Winter temperatures range from 20°F to 40°F, with snowfall possible. Summer temperatures are 60°F to 80°F with high humidity. Spring and fall are the best months to visit, with mild temperatures and scenic displays. Summer can be hot and humid, while winter is harsh.
Great Basin National Park in Nevada has a high desert climate with hot summers and cold winters. Winter temperatures range from 20°F to 40°F, with snowfall possible. Summer temperatures reach 90°F, with low humidity. Spring and fall offer mild temperatures for outdoor activities, but summer is harsh. Winter is cold and snowy, attracting winter sports enthusiasts.
Family Friendliness of Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Great Basin National Park
Cuyahoga Valley National Park is more family-friendly, offering easier accessibility, picnic areas, and multiple kid-friendly trails & visitor centers. Great Basin, while remote, offers unique experiences like stargazing & cave exploring. Both parks have educational programs for kids, but Cuyahoga Valley has more resources for families. The best park for a family trip depends on interests and desired experience.