Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Great Smoky Mountains National Park are two of the most captivating parks in the United States. While they both offer breathtaking natural beauty, they each have a unique character that sets them apart. Cuyahoga Valley National Park is a stunning landscape of rolling hills and verdant forests that winds along the banks of the Cuyahoga River. Great Smoky Mountains National Park, on the other hand, boasts some of the highest peaks in the eastern United States, along with a dense cover of misty blue smoke that gives the park its name. Whether you’re a nature lover, a hiker, or just someone looking for a peaceful escape, these two parks are sure to leave you in awe.
Hiking Trails in Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Great Smoky Mountains National Park are two popular destinations for hiking in the United States. Both parks offer a range of trails, from easy walks to challenging hikes. In Cuyahoga Valley National Park, some of the easiest hikes include the Ledges Trail, which is a 1.5-mile loop with scenic rock formations, and the Towpath Trail, a flat and easy hike along the Ohio & Erie Canal. The hardest hike in Cuyahoga Valley is the BlueHen Falls Trail, which is a 2.6-mile round trip hike with steep inclines and rocky terrain. On the other hand, Great Smoky Mountains National Park is known for its longer and more strenuous hikes. Some of the easiest hikes include the Laurel Falls Trail, a 2.6-mile round trip hike to a beautiful waterfall, and the Clingmans Dome Observation Tower, a 0.5-mile round trip hike to an observation tower with panoramic views. The hardest hike in Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the Alum Cave Trail, which is an 11-mile round trip hike with steep inclines, rocky terrain, and several challenging sections. Both parks offer scenic trails and a variety of hiking experiences, but Great Smoky Mountains National Park is known for its longer and more challenging hikes.
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 Smoky Mountains National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alum Cave Trail to Mount LeConte | 17219.938 | 916.8384 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
| Chimney Tops Trail | 5793.624 | 392.8872 | Hard | out and back | 4.5 |
| Rainbow Falls Trail | 8851.37 | 503.8344 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Grotto Falls Trail | 4184.284 | 162.7632 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Laurel Falls Trail | 3862.416 | 120.7008 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Abrams Falls Trail | 7885.766 | 191.7192 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Clingmans Dome Observation Tower Trail | 1931.208 | 100.8888 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Charlies Bunion via Appalachian Trail | 13840.324 | 603.8088 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Ramsey Cascades Trail | 13035.654 | 677.8752 | Hard | out and back | 4.5 |
| Peregrine Peak via Alum Cave Bluffs Trail | 6759.228 | 322.7832 | Moderate | out and back | 5 |
Wildlife in Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Cuyahoga Valley National Park in Ohio and Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Tennessee/North Carolina are both known for their rich and diverse wildlife. In Cuyahoga Valley National Park, visitors can expect to see white-tailed deer, river otters, beavers, muskrats, and foxes. The park is also a popular spot for bird watching, with over 200 species of birds, including the great blue heron, the belted kingfisher, and the Baltimore oriole. In the spring and summer, wildflowers such as the trillium, the jack-in-the-pulpit, and the bluebells bloom, adding to the park’s beauty. On the other hand, Great Smoky Mountains National Park is home to over 65 species of mammals, including black bears, elk, and white-tailed deer. The park is also renowned for its bird watching opportunities, with over 200 species of birds, including the pileated woodpecker, the red-tailed hawk, and the scarlet tanager. In the spring and summer, the park is abloom with wildflowers such as the trillium, the rhododendron, and the mountain laurel.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Great Smoky Mountains National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Cuyahoga Valley National Park | Great Smoky Mountains 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 Smoky Mountains 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 | House Mouse |
| Badger | Panther (Mountain Lion) |
| Masked Shrew | Mink |
| Red Squirrel | Gray Fox |
| White-Tailed Deer | Gray Wolf |
| Virginia Opossum | Snowshoe Hare |
| Meadow Vole | River Otter |
| Red Bat | Masked Shrew |
| White-Footed Mouse | Water Shrew |
| Norway Rat | Red Squirrel |
Amphibians
| Cuyahoga Valley National Park | Great Smoky Mountains National Park |
|---|---|
| Northern Leopard Frog | Northern Leopard Frog |
| Eastern Tiger Salamander | American Bullfrog |
| Bullfrog | Wood Frog |
| Wood Frog |
Reptiles
| Cuyahoga Valley National Park | Great Smoky Mountains National Park |
|---|---|
| Racer | |
| Ring-Necked Snake | |
| Common Garter Snake | |
| Eastern Milk Snake | |
| Eastern Fence Lizard |
Insects
| Cuyahoga Valley National Park | Great Smoky Mountains National Park |
|---|---|
| Orange Sulfur | Orange Sulphur |
| Painted Lady | Painted Lady |
| Monarch Butterfly | Monarch |
| American Painted Lady | American Painted Lady |
| European Cabbage White | Red Admiral |
| Buckeye | Mourning Cloak |
| Cabbage White | |
| Silvery Blue | |
| Common Checkered Skipper | |
| Common Sulphur | |
| Honey Bee | |
| Variegated Fritillary | |
| Buckeye | |
| Commom Wood Nymph | |
| Gray Hairstreak |
Fish
| Cuyahoga Valley National Park | Great Smoky Mountains National Park |
|---|---|
| Northern Largemouth Bass | Rainbow Trout |
| Green Sunfish | Brook Trout |
| Northern Bluegill Sunfish | Brown Trout |
| Northern Fathead Minnow | Largemouth Bass |
| Golden Shiner | Green Sunfish |
| European Carp | Bluegill |
| Northern Pike | Common Carp |
| Eastern Burbot | Longnose Dace |
| Central Mottled Sculpin | Yellow Bullhead |
| Graceful Catfish | Channel Catfish |
| Black Crappie | Black Crappie |
| Creek Chub | Black Bullhead |
| Goldfish | Mosquitofish |
| Creek Chub | |
| Goldfish | |
| Smallmouth Bass |
Beautiful Landscapes in Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Cuyahoga Valley National Park offers scenic vistas including Brandywine Falls, a 65-foot waterfall, and the Ledges Overlook for panoramic views of the surrounding valley. The park also features rolling hills and riverfront landscapes along the Cuyahoga River.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is renowned for its diverse landscapes, including the scenic mountain ranges of the Appalachian Mountains, and valleys filled with wildflowers. Visitors can hike to popular overlooks such as Charlies Bunion and Clingmans Dome, the highest point in Tennessee, for breathtaking views. The park is also home to numerous waterfalls, including the 80-foot high Laurel Falls and the towering 100-foot Ramsey Cascades.
Things To-Do and Activities in Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Cuyahoga Valley National Park (CVNP) offers a variety of activities including hiking, camping, scenic train rides, and water-based recreation. It also features several historic sites, such as the restored 19th-century canal lock, and the Everett Covered Bridge. The park is also known for its beautiful waterfalls and rich wildlife population, making it a popular destination for bird-watching and nature photography.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP) is one of the most visited national parks in the US, attracting millions of visitors annually. It offers a range of activities, including hiking, camping, fishing, and horseback riding. The park is also known for its historic log cabins and grist mills, as well as its scenic drives, such as the Newfound Gap Road and the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail. The park is also famous for its diverse plant and animal life, including black bears, salamanders, and the iconic synchronous fireflies.
Best Time to Visit Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Cuyahoga Valley National Park in Ohio has a humid continental climate with cold winters and warm summers. Average temperature in January is around 26°F/-3°C, while in July it’s around 73°F/23°C. Winter activities like snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and sledding are popular at the park. The summer months offer opportunities for hiking, fishing and boating.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park straddles Tennessee and North Carolina and has a temperate subtropical climate. Winter temperatures in the lower elevations of the park average around 45°F/7°C, while in summer they average around 75°F/24°C. The park is known for its stunning fall foliage, with peak leaf viewing typically in mid-October. Winter is mild in the lower elevations, making it a good time for hiking, while the higher elevations receive snow, making it popular for snow sports. Spring brings wildflowers, and summer is peak season for hiking and visiting scenic drives.
Family Friendliness of Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Both Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Great Smoky Mountains National Park offer family-friendly activities, but Great Smoky Mountains is generally considered a better option for families. The park has a variety of kid-friendly hikes, a junior ranger program, and multiple campgrounds. Additionally, the park is also home to several historic sites, such as Cades Cove, that offer a glimpse into the region’s past and can be educational for children. On the other hand, Cuyahoga Valley National Park is known for its scenic railway, which is a popular activity for families, as well as its numerous nature centers and picnic areas.