Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Guadalupe Mountains National Park are two vastly different national parks that offer unique experiences to visitors. While Cuyahoga Valley is a lush, green landscape with rolling hills and meandering rivers, Guadalupe Mountains is a rugged and arid desert, dotted with towering peaks and steep canyons. Whether you’re an avid hiker, a nature lover, or simply looking for a peaceful escape from the city, both of these parks have something to offer. So pack your bags and get ready for an adventure – it’s time to compare and contrast these two breathtaking national parks!
Hiking Trails in Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Guadalupe Mountains National Park
Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Guadalupe Mountains National Park both offer a variety of hiking trails. Cuyahoga Valley National Park is located in Ohio and is known for its easy trails, such as the Towpath Trail, which follows the historic route of the Ohio and Erie Canal. This trail is relatively flat and offers scenic views of the park’s wetlands and forests. On the other hand, Guadalupe Mountains National Park in Texas is known for its more challenging trails, such as the Guadalupe Peak Trail, which is a 8.5-mile hike to the highest point in Texas. This hike is steep and strenuous, but it offers breathtaking views of the surrounding desert and mountains. Another challenging hike in Guadalupe Mountains National Park is the Devil’s Hall, which is a 4.2-mile hike through a narrow canyon with steep rock walls. Despite the difficulty level, both parks offer a range of hikes for visitors of all skill levels and interests, from scenic walks to strenuous day 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 Guadalupe Mountains National Park
Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Guadalupe Peak Texas Highpoint Trail | 13035.654 | 873.8616 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
Devil’s Hall Trail | 5793.624 | 175.8696 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
McKittrick Canyon Trail | 32508.668 | 1330.7568 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
Smith Spring Trail | 3862.416 | 117.9576 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
Hunter Peak | 12552.852 | 809.8536 | Hard | loop | 5 |
El Capitan Trail | 15449.664 | 514.8072 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
Pratt Lodge via McKittrick Canyon Trail | 7724.832 | 103.9368 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
Devil’s Hall Loop Trail | 5954.558 | 179.832 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
Bush Mountain | 20116.75 | 1085.6976 | Very Hard | out and back | 4.5 |
Pine Springs to McKittrick Canyon | 28485.318 | 1239.9264 | Moderate | point to point | 5 |
Wildlife in Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Guadalupe Mountains National Park
Cuyahoga Valley National Park in Ohio is home to a variety of wildlife including white-tailed deer, raccoons, river otters, beavers and foxes. The park is also a migration stopover for many species of birds such as warblers, vireos, and thrushes. The park features a diverse range of plant life, including hardwood forests, wetlands, and meadows.
Guadalupe Mountains National Park in Texas is famous for its diverse wildlife and scenic beauty. The park has a rich and diverse ecosystem, featuring animals such as black bears, mountain lions, and pronghorns. It is also a birdwatcher’s paradise, with species like the golden eagle, peregrine falcon, and Mexican jay commonly seen in the park. The park is also home to a diverse range of plant life, including desert scrub, pine-oak forests, and riparian areas.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Guadalupe Mountains National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
Cuyahoga Valley National Park | Guadalupe 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 | American Wigeon |
American Wigeon | Green-Winged Teal |
Green-Winged Teal | American Pipit |
Mammals
Cuyahoga Valley National Park | Guadalupe Mountains National Park |
---|---|
Coyote | Coyote |
American Beaver | Big Brown Bat |
Muskrat | Bobcat |
Big Brown Bat | Striped Skunk |
Bobcat | Deer Mouse |
Striped Skunk | Raccoon |
Little Brown Bat | Black Bear |
Deer Mouse | Porcupine |
Raccoon | Silver-Haired Bat |
Silver-Haired Bat | Hoary Bat |
Hoary Bat | Long-Tailed Weasel |
Red Fox | Mountain Lion |
Long-Tailed Weasel | Mule Deer |
House Mouse | Common Gray Fox |
Mink | Gray Wolf |
Gray Fox | Long-Legged Myotis |
Badger | American Badger |
Masked Shrew | California Myotis |
Red Squirrel | Fringed Myotis |
White-Tailed Deer | Brazilian Free-Tailed Bat |
Virginia Opossum | Townsend’s Big-Eared Bat |
Meadow Vole | Western Harvest Mouse |
Red Bat | Western Small-Footed Myotis |
White-Footed Mouse | Bighorn Sheep |
Norway Rat | White-Tailed Deer |
Amphibians
Cuyahoga Valley National Park | Guadalupe Mountains National Park |
---|---|
Northern Leopard Frog | Tiger Salamander |
Eastern Tiger Salamander | American Bullfrog |
Bullfrog | Red-Spotted Toad |
Wood Frog | Plains Spadefoot |
Reptiles
Cuyahoga Valley National Park | Guadalupe Mountains National Park |
---|---|
Racer | Sonoran Gophersnake |
Ring-Necked Snake | Eastern Racer |
Common Garter Snake | Prairie Rattlesnake |
Eastern Milk Snake | Prairie Ring-Necked Snake |
Eastern Fence Lizard | Hernandez’s Short-Horned Lizard |
Common Side-Blotched Lizard | |
Desert Kingsnake | |
Texas Night Snake | |
Long-Nosed Leopard Lizard | |
Desert Striped Whipsnake | |
Smith’s Black-Headed Snake | |
Big Bend Tree Lizard | |
Eastern Collared Lizard | |
Glossy Snake | |
Long-Nosed Snake | |
Desert Spiny Lizard |
Insects
Cuyahoga Valley National Park | Guadalupe Mountains National Park |
---|---|
Orange Sulfur | Orange Sulfur |
Painted Lady | Painted Ladies |
Monarch Butterfly | Monarch |
American Painted Lady | American Painted Lady |
European Cabbage White | Common Checkered-Skipper |
Buckeye | Clouded Sulphur |
Variegated Fritillary | |
Buckeye | |
Gray Hairstreak |
Fish
Cuyahoga Valley National Park | Guadalupe Mountains National Park |
---|---|
Northern Largemouth Bass | Rainbow Trout |
Green Sunfish | Green Sunfish |
Northern Bluegill Sunfish | |
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 Guadalupe Mountains National Park
Cuyahoga Valley National Park is located in Ohio and is known for its rolling hills, scenic river, and waterfalls. The park’s most famous landscapes include the Brandywine Falls, which is a 65-foot waterfall, and the Ledges Overlook, which offers panoramic views of the surrounding valleys.
Guadalupe Mountains National Park is located in Texas and is known for its rugged mountain range, which includes the highest peak in Texas, Guadalupe Peak. Other famous landscapes in the park include the McKittrick Canyon, which is a picturesque canyon with a stream and autumn foliage, and the Salt Basin Dunes, which is a unique landscape featuring sand dunes and a salt flat.
Things To-Do and Activities in Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Guadalupe Mountains National Park
Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Guadalupe Mountains National Park are popular for different reasons. CVNP features scenic train rides, bike trails, water activities, cultural events, and historical sites. GMNP, on the other hand, is famous for its rock formations, scenic drives, and camping experiences. Both parks offer scenic hikes and opportunities for horseback riding, but GMNP also provides challenging hikes to its summit. Visitors can enjoy a mix of nature, recreation, and culture at both parks.
Best Time to Visit Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Guadalupe Mountains National Park
Cuyahoga Valley NP (Ohio) has moderate weather, with hot summers (80-90°F) & cold winters (20-30°F) with snow. Spring/fall offer mild weather for outdoor activities. Guadalupe Mountains NP (Texas) has a desert climate with hot summers (85-95°F), mild winters (40-50°F) & low rainfall. Best visited in spring/fall for mild weather & outdoor activities.
Family Friendliness of Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Guadalupe Mountains National Park
Cuyahoga Valley is more family-friendly with its railway rides, canal boat rides, and kid-friendly hikes. Guadalupe Mountains is more rugged, with challenging hikes and scenic drives, but limited options for young children. Both have family camping and ranger programs. Cuyahoga Valley is a better choice for families with kids, offering more educational and recreational activities.