Cuyahoga Valley and Haleakalā National Parks offer a glimpse into two vastly different worlds, both brimming with natural beauty and adventure. While Cuyahoga Valley is a lush, verdant landscape dotted with rolling hills and tranquil streams, Haleakalā is a rugged, otherworldly terrain of volcanic craters and towering mountains. Whether you prefer to explore the great outdoors on foot, by bike, or simply by car, these parks have something for everyone. And with a wealth of recreational opportunities, from hiking and camping to wildlife watching and scenic drives, both parks are sure to provide a unique and unforgettable experience. So pack your bags, grab your hiking shoes, and get ready to explore two of the most incredible national parks in the world!
Hiking Trails in Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Haleakalā National Park
Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Haleakalā National Park both offer a range of trails for hikers of all levels. CVNP features 20 miles of the Buckeye Trail, a scenic and easy hike along the Cuyahoga River and through its forests. Other easy trails include Ledges Trail, with scenic views, and the flat Towpath Trail along the Ohio & Erie Canal. For more experienced hikers, CVNP offers challenging trails such as Summit Trail to reach the park’s highest point, and Pine Grove Trail, with panoramic views from its overlook.
Haleakalā NP, on Maui, has trails ranging from easy to strenuous. The easy Hosmer Grove Nature Trail is a short nature walk through native trees, while the scenic Pīpīwai Trail leads to a waterfall. On the other hand, Sliding Sands Trail is a challenging descent into the volcanic crater of Haleakalā, passing through cinder cones and colorful rock formations. And for a more strenuous hike, the Halemau’u Trail leads to the summit of the park’s highest peak, with breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape.
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 Haleakalā National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pipiwai Trail and Waimoku Falls | 5471.756 | 249.936 | Moderate | out and back | 5 |
| Sliding Sands Trail | 17702.74 | 851.916 | Very Hard | out and back | 4.5 |
| Seven Sacred Pools Trail (‘Ohe’o Gulch) | 965.604 | 32.9184 | Easy | loop | 4 |
| Halalai’i and Pu’unaue Trail | 20116.75 | 978.7128 | Hard | loop | 5 |
| Halemau’u Haleakala Overlook Trail | 12230.984 | 723.9 | Hard | out and back | 4.5 |
| Haleakala Crater Trail | 18024.608 | 930.8592 | Hard | point to point | 5 |
| Pa Ka’oao Trail | 965.604 | 40.8432 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Leleiwi Overlook Trail | 482.802 | 30.7848 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Pa ka’oao Trail (White Hill Trail) | 804.67 | 32.9184 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Silversword Loop Via Halemau’u Trail | 20116.75 | 1105.8144 | Hard | loop | 4.5 |
Wildlife in Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Haleakalā National Park
Cuyahoga Valley NP in Ohio has a mix of woodland & wetland habitats for white-tailed deer, muskrats, beavers, foxes, bald eagles, great blue herons, turkey vultures, & a variety of deciduous & coniferous trees. Haleakalā NP in Hawaii is known for its endemic species, such as the Hawaiian goose (nēnē), Hawaiian petrel, Hawaiian hoary bat, Hawaiian monk seal, & native Hawaiian plants, from subalpine to tropical forests.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Haleakalā National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Cuyahoga Valley National Park | Haleakalā National Park |
|---|---|
| Peregrine Falcon | Peregrine Falcon |
| Northern Harrier | Northern Harrier |
| Sharp-Shinned Hawk | Rock Pigeon |
| Osprey | House Sparrow |
| Tree Swallow | Northern Mockingbird |
| Mallard | Black-Crowned Night-Heron |
| Canada Goose | Barn Owl |
| Lincoln’s Sparrow | Cattle Egret |
| Ruby-Crowned Kinglet | Ring-Necked Pheasant |
| American Robin | Chukar |
| Great Horned Owl | Ruddy Turnstone |
| Red-Tailed Hawk | Northern Cardinal |
| Northern Flicker | California Quail |
| Merlin | |
| Barn Swallow | |
| Savannah Sparrow | |
| Great Blue Heron | |
| Hermit Thrush | |
| American Kestrel | |
| Bald Eagle | |
| Song Sparrow | |
| European Starling | |
| Northern Pintail | |
| American Wigeon | |
| Green-Winged Teal |
Mammals
| Cuyahoga Valley National Park | Haleakalā National Park |
|---|---|
| Coyote | House Mouse |
| American Beaver | Norway Rat |
| Muskrat | Black Rat |
| Big Brown Bat | Domestic Cattle |
| Bobcat | Feral Hog |
| Striped Skunk | |
| Little Brown Bat | |
| Deer Mouse | |
| Raccoon | |
| Silver-Haired Bat | |
| Hoary Bat | |
| Red Fox | |
| Long-Tailed Weasel | |
| House Mouse | |
| Mink | |
| Gray Fox | |
| Badger | |
| Masked Shrew | |
| Red Squirrel | |
| White-Tailed Deer | |
| Virginia Opossum | |
| Meadow Vole | |
| Red Bat | |
| White-Footed Mouse | |
| Norway Rat |
Amphibians
| Cuyahoga Valley National Park | Haleakalā National Park |
|---|---|
| Northern Leopard Frog | Bullfrog |
| Eastern Tiger Salamander | |
| Bullfrog | |
| Wood Frog |
Reptiles
| Cuyahoga Valley National Park | Haleakalā National Park |
|---|---|
| Racer | |
| Ring-Necked Snake | |
| Common Garter Snake | |
| Eastern Milk Snake | |
| Eastern Fence Lizard |
Insects
| Cuyahoga Valley National Park | Haleakalā National Park |
|---|---|
| Orange Sulfur | Painted Lady |
| Painted Lady | Monarch Butterfly |
| Monarch Butterfly | American Painted Lady |
| American Painted Lady | Cabbage White |
| European Cabbage White | Honey Bee |
| Buckeye |
Fish
| Cuyahoga Valley National Park | Haleakalā National Park |
|---|---|
| Northern Largemouth Bass | |
| 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 Haleakalā National Park
Cuyahoga Valley National Park offers scenic waterfalls (Brandywine Falls, Blue Hen Falls), rolling hills, historic sites (Ohio & Erie Canalway) and river valleys.
Haleakalā National Park, in Maui, boasts a massive crater (7.5 mi dia, 2,600 ft deep) with panoramic views, cloud forests, diverse ecosystems (featuring the Silversword plant) and the Pacific Ocean.
Things To-Do and Activities in Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Haleakalā National Park
Cuyahoga Valley National Park in Ohio and Haleakalā National Park in Hawaii offer diverse recreational opportunities. At Cuyahoga Valley, visitors enjoy scenic train rides, bike rides on the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail, bird watching, and fishing. In contrast, Haleakalā draws visitors for its sunrise/sunset viewing, stargazing, bamboo forest, horseback riding, and guided hikes through volcanic landscapes. Both parks offer camping, scenic drives, and ranger-led programs. In summary, Cuyahoga Valley is great for scenic rides, birding, and fishing, while Haleakalā offers unique experiences like sunrise/sunset viewing, stargazing, horseback riding and hikes through volcanic landscapes.
Best Time to Visit Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Haleakalā National Park
Cuyahoga Valley National Park, located in Ohio, experiences a humid continental climate with hot summers and cold winters, while Haleakalā National Park in Hawaii has a sub-tropical climate with hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters. The best time to visit Cuyahoga Valley NP is spring and fall, when the weather is mild and the leaves change color. Summer can be hot and humid while winter can bring snow and icy conditions. At Haleakalā NP, the best time to visit is summer and early fall, when the weather is dry and clear, providing ideal conditions for viewing scenic vistas and doing outdoor activities. Winter and spring can be wet, causing road closures and limiting visibility.
Family Friendliness of Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Haleakalā National Park
Cuyahoga Valley provides more family-friendly options with activities like hiking, biking, and scenic train rides, while Haleakalā is more challenging with its remote location, volcanic terrain, and limited ranger-led kid programs. Thus, for families with young children, Cuyahoga Valley is the better choice for a more accessible, fun experience.