Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park are two of America’s most diverse national parks. The former, located in Ohio, boasts rolling hills, serene rivers and tranquil forests, while the latter, located in Hawaii, is an explosive mix of molten lava, steaming vents and rugged landscapes. Both parks offer breathtaking natural beauty, but in very different ways. Whether you’re looking for a peaceful escape in the heart of the Buckeye State or an adventurous journey through a volcanic wonderland, these two parks are sure to captivate and inspire. So come and discover the unique magic of Cuyahoga Valley and Hawai’i Volcanoes, two of America’s most magnificent natural treasures!
Hiking Trails in Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park
Cuyahoga Valley National Park in Ohio and Hawaii Volcanoes National Park in the Hawaiian Islands offer diverse hiking opportunities, from leisurely walks to strenuous hikes. Cuyahoga Valley is known for the 20-mile Towpath Trail, which follows the historic Ohio & Erie Canal, and the 1.5-mile Ledges Trail offering scenic rock formations. The park’s toughest hike is the 7.4-mile Buckeye Trail loop, featuring steep climbs and rocky terrain.
Hawaii Volcanoes NP has several challenging hikes, such as the 4-mile Kilauea Iki Trail through a volcanic crater and the 7-mile Mauna Ulu Trail to a former eruption site. For easier hikes, the park offers the 2-mile Crater Rim Trail along the Kilauea Caldera rim and the 1-mile Devastated Area Trail through the 2018 Kilauea eruption’s impact zone.
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 Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park
Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Kilauea Iki Trail and Crater Rim Trail | 4828.02 | 209.7024 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
Kalapana Lava Viewing | 15288.73 | 196.9008 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
Pu’u Huluhulu via Napau Crater Trail | 4023.35 | 94.7928 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
Halema���uma���u Steam Bluff and Sulfur Banks | 2092.142 | 24.9936 | Easy | loop | 4 |
Puu Loa Petroglyphs Trail | 1931.208 | 25.908 | Moderate | out and back | 4 |
Mauna Loa via Observatory Trail and Summit Trail | 20760.486 | 905.8656 | Very Hard | out and back | 4.5 |
Devastation Trail to Puu Puai Overlook | 1609.34 | 37.7952 | Easy | out and back | 3.5 |
End of Chain of Craters Road Trail to Lava Viewing | 16576.202 | 130.7592 | Moderate | out and back | 4 |
Sandalwood (Iliahi) Trail | 1931.208 | 13.716 | Moderate | loop | 4 |
Halema’uma’u Trail | 2735.878 | 130.7592 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
Wildlife in Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park
Cuyahoga Valley National Park in Ohio has a diverse range of wildlife including white-tailed deer, coyotes, beavers, river otters, and over 300 species of birds like the Great Blue Heron and Bald Eagle. The park offers habitats such as forests, wetlands, and meadows, supporting a variety of plants such as wildflowers and ferns.
Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island of Hawaii boasts unique endemic species like the Hawaiian Goose, Hawaiian Hawk, and Nene. The park has an active volcano and varied ecosystems including rainforests, deserts, and subalpine zones, featuring vegetation like ferns, orchids, and the native Hawaiian ohia lehua.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
Cuyahoga Valley National Park | Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park |
---|---|
Peregrine Falcon | Peregrine Falcon |
Northern Harrier | Canada Goose |
Sharp-Shinned Hawk | Great Blue Heron |
Osprey | Rock Pigeon |
Tree Swallow | House Sparrow |
Mallard | Northern Mockingbird |
Canada Goose | Black-Crowned Night-Heron |
Lincoln’s Sparrow | Wild Turkey |
Ruby-Crowned Kinglet | Barn Owl |
American Robin | Cattle Egret |
Great Horned Owl | Sanderling |
Red-Tailed Hawk | Ring-Necked Pheasant |
Northern Flicker | Chukar |
Merlin | Ruddy Turnstone |
Barn Swallow | Northern Cardinal |
Savannah Sparrow | California Quail |
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 | Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park |
---|---|
Coyote | House Mouse |
American Beaver | Norway Rat |
Muskrat | ‘Iole |
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 | Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park |
---|---|
Northern Leopard Frog | Bullfrog |
Eastern Tiger Salamander | |
Bullfrog | |
Wood Frog |
Reptiles
Cuyahoga Valley National Park | Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park |
---|---|
Racer | |
Ring-Necked Snake | |
Common Garter Snake | |
Eastern Milk Snake | |
Eastern Fence Lizard |
Insects
Cuyahoga Valley National Park | Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park |
---|---|
Orange Sulfur | Painted Lady |
Painted Lady | Monarch Butterfly |
Monarch Butterfly | American Painted Lady |
American Painted Lady | Red Admiral |
European Cabbage White | Cabbage White |
Buckeye | Honey Bee |
Fish
Cuyahoga Valley National Park | Hawai’i Volcanoes 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 Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park
Cuyahoga Valley National Park offers rolling hills, lush forests, and the winding Cuyahoga River. Brandywine Falls (65 ft waterfall), Ledges Overlook (cliff vista), and Towpath Trail (hike with historic locks & canal structures) are popular spots.
Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park is home to active Kilauea (erupting since 1983) and Mauna Loa (largest shield volcano). Jaggar Museum overlook offers views of the eruption, and visitors can explore volcanic landscapes, such as Thurston Lava Tube (underground lava tunnel). Scenic drives, such as Crater Rim drive, offer views of the volcanic caldera and steam vents.
Things To-Do and Activities in Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park
Cuyahoga Valley National Park in Ohio offers scenic railway rides, hiking, biking and ranger-led programs. Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island features unique volcanic activity and landscapes, including the Kilauea volcano, which draws visitors for hiking, ranger-led programs, campgrounds and scenic drives. Both parks offer opportunities for outdoor recreation, but the main attraction is the natural feature and the experience it provides: the scenic railway and lush valleys in Cuyahoga or volcanic landscapes and eruptions in Hawaii Volcanoes.
Best Time to Visit Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park
Cuyahoga Valley National Park in Ohio has a humid continental climate, with warm summers and cold winters. Summer temperatures average in the 70s to 80s, while winter temperatures average in the 20s to 30s. Winter months are mild with occasional snow and ice, but mostly wet. In contrast, Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park in Hawaii has a tropical rainforest climate, with warm temperatures averaging 60s to 80s throughout the year. The park is located on an active volcano and experiences frequent rain and heavy fog, especially in winter. The best time to visit Cuyahoga Valley is during summer or fall due to good weather, while the best time to visit Hawai’i Volcanoes is during the drier months of June to August.
Family Friendliness of Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park
Both Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Hawaii Volcanoes National Park offer unique family experiences, but it depends on interests. Cuyahoga Valley has outdoor activities like hiking, biking, picnicking and cultural attractions like scenic railroad and Canal Exploration Center. Hawaii Volcanoes has live volcanoes and volcanic landscapes, but with rugged terrain and potential danger from volcanic activity, it may be less suitable for young children. It’s best to visit Cuyahoga Valley for a more relaxed experience, while Hawaii Volcanoes is ideal for families who want adventure.