Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve are two vastly different parks that offer a range of outdoor experiences. While Cuyahoga Valley is known for its lush forests, rolling hills, and meandering river, Great Sand Dunes is a unique destination for adventure seekers with towering sand dunes that rise up from the desert landscape. Whether you seek a tranquil hike, an exciting sandboarding session, or a chance to witness nature’s splendor, these parks have something for everyone. So, lace up your hiking boots, grab your sunscreen, and prepare for an unforgettable journey to two of America’s most fascinating national parks.
Hiking Trails in Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve
Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Great Sand Dunes NP&P offer diverse hiking options. In CVNP, trails range from easy walks to strenuous hikes, totaling over 125 miles. The Buckeye Trail is a flat 2.7-mile easy loop through wetlands and forests while the Ledges Trail is a 1.5-mile challenging hike featuring steep cliffs and rocky terrain. At Great Sand Dunes, the unique landscapes include towering sand dunes, with the 1.5-mile Dunes Overlook Trail offering moderate views of the dunes and the surrounding mountains. The 4.6-mile High Dune Trail is a more demanding hike, climbing over 700 feet to the top of the tallest dune.
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 Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High Dune Trail | 4828.02 | 191.7192 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
| Mosca Pass Trail | 10299.776 | 444.7032 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Dunes Trail from Pinyon Flats | 7242.03 | 290.7792 | Hard | loop | 4.5 |
| Sand Dunes Loop Trail | 8046.7 | 225.8568 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Upper Sand Creek Lake Trail | 11909.116 | 598.932 | Very Hard | out and back | 4.5 |
| Medano Lake Trail | 12713.786 | 697.992 | Moderate | out and back | 4 |
| Montville Nature Trail | 804.67 | 26.8224 | Easy | loop | 4 |
| Dunes Overlook Sand Ramp Trail | 2414.01 | 80.772 | Moderate | out and back | 3.5 |
| Little Medano Creek Trail to Medano Lake | 40394.434 | 1079.9064 | Moderate | out and back | 4 |
| Wellington Ditch Trail | 2896.812 | 47.8536 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
Wildlife in Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve
Cuyahoga Valley National Park in Ohio boasts diverse wildlife like white-tailed deer, river otters, beavers, and coyotes. Birds like bald eagles, great blue herons, and warbler species are a birdwatcher’s delight. The park is rich in native wildflowers, ferns, and hardwood trees.
In contrast, Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve in Colorado features unique sand dunes and a variety of wildlife, including pronghorns, black-tailed prairie dogs, mule deer, and bird species such as mountain plover, golden eagle, and American kestrel. The park is also home to sagebrush, yucca, and piñon pine.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Cuyahoga Valley National Park | Great Sand Dunes 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 | 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 Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| 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 | Mule Deer |
| Badger | Gray Fox |
| Masked Shrew | Long-Legged Myotis |
| Red Squirrel | Long-Eared Bat |
| White-Tailed Deer | Badger |
| Virginia Opossum | Ermine |
| Meadow Vole | Snowshoe Hare |
| Red Bat | Masked Shrew |
| White-Footed Mouse | Water Shrew |
| Norway Rat | Brazilian Free-Tailed Bat |
Amphibians
| Cuyahoga Valley National Park | Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Northern Leopard Frog | Northern Leopard Frog |
| Eastern Tiger Salamander | Tiger Salamander |
| Bullfrog | Woodhouse’s Toad |
| Wood Frog | Plains Spadefoot |
Reptiles
| Cuyahoga Valley National Park | Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Racer | Bull Snake |
| Ring-Necked Snake | Western Terrestrial Garter Snake |
| Common Garter Snake | Western Prairie Rattlesnake |
| Eastern Milk Snake | Greater Short-Horned Lizards |
| Eastern Fence Lizard | Milksnake |
| Eastern Fence Lizard |
Insects
| Cuyahoga Valley National Park | Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Orange Sulfur | |
| Painted Lady | |
| Monarch Butterfly | |
| American Painted Lady | |
| European Cabbage White | |
| Buckeye |
Fish
| Cuyahoga Valley National Park | Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve |
|---|---|
| Northern Largemouth Bass | Brook Trout |
| Green Sunfish | German Brown Trout |
| Northern Bluegill Sunfish | Cutthroat Trout |
| 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 Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve
Cuyahoga Valley National Park:
– Cuyahoga River and its valley
– Brandywine Falls (60ft)
– Ledges Overlook with scenic cliffs and rock formations
Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve:
– Tallest sand dunes in North America
– Medano Creek, a seasonal stream along the base of the dunes
– Star Dune (750ft), the tallest dune
Things To-Do and Activities in Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve
Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve both draw visitors for their unique landscapes and outdoor recreation opportunities. Cuyahoga Valley is popular for its scenic railway and bike trail along the Cuyahoga River, as well as its recreational opportunities such as fishing and wildlife viewing. In contrast, Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve draws visitors for its towering sand dunes, offering activities such as sand sledding, hiking, and camping. Both parks also offer ranger-led programs and educational opportunities for visitors to learn about the natural and cultural history of the area. Additionally, Cuyahoga Valley has a number of historic sites, such as the Everett Road Covered Bridge, which visitors can explore, while Great Sand Dunes has the Medano Creek, a seasonal stream that runs through the park and is a popular spot for swimming and picnicking.
Best Time to Visit Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve
Cuyahoga Valley National Park in Ohio has a humid continental climate with warm summers and cold winters. The average temperature in January ranges from the mid-20s to low 30s, with occasional snow and ice storms. Summer temperatures average from the low 70s to the mid-80s. The park is best visited in spring and fall due to mild weather and full blooms or colorful foliage.
Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve in Colorado has a semi-arid climate with cold winters and hot summers. Summer temperatures can reach 90s, while winter temperatures can drop to single digits with occasional snowfall. Monsoon storms can bring heavy rain in summer. Spring and fall are the best times to visit with mild weather and accessible dunes for hiking and recreation.
Family Friendliness of Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve
Cuyahoga Valley National Park offers a variety of family-friendly activities, including hiking, fishing, and canoeing. There are also numerous educational and interactive programs. Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve offers sand sledding, sandboarding, and hiking. Both parks offer scenic views and opportunities to explore nature, but Great Sand Dunes may be more appealing to families with children who enjoy more physically active recreation.