Cuyahoga Valley National Park vs Guadalupe Mountains National Park

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Cuyahoga Valley National Park vs Guadalupe Mountains National Park

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.

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