Get ready for a journey of contrasts as we compare Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Kenai Fjords National Park. On one hand, Cuyahoga Valley in Ohio offers a serene escape with its rolling hills, tranquil rivers, and scenic waterfalls. On the other, Kenai Fjords in Alaska presents a rugged and wild adventure with its glaciers, fjords, and abundant wildlife. Whether you’re seeking a peaceful hike or an adrenaline-fueled excursion, these two parks have it all. So pack your bags and join us as we explore the diverse landscapes and unique attractions of Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Kenai Fjords National Park.
Hiking Trails in Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Kenai Fjords National Park
Cuyahoga Valley National Park in Ohio and Kenai Fjords National Park in Alaska offer diverse hiking experiences. Cuyahoga is known for its rolling hills and lush forests, with easy hikes such as the 1.5-mile Ledges Trail and 2-mile Towpath Trail offering scenic views of waterfalls and the river valley. More challenging hikes are available, like the 6-mile Buckeye Trail, which takes you through rugged terrain.
Kenai Fjords is famous for its glaciers and coastal landscapes. The 2.5-mile Exit Glacier Nature Trail and 2.2-mile Harding Icefield Trail are easy hikes that provide close-up glacier views and panoramic views of the icefield respectively. For a tougher adventure, the 7.5-mile Marmot Cove Trail leads you through remote wilderness with breathtaking views of fjords and glaciers.
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 Kenai Fjords National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harding Ice Field Trail | 15610.598 | 1161.8976 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
| Exit Glacier Trail | 2896.812 | 81.9912 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
Wildlife in Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Kenai Fjords National Park
Cuyahoga Valley National Park (Ohio) is a haven for a variety of wildlife including white-tailed deer, beavers, river otters, red foxes, muskrats, and a wide range of bird species such as warblers, woodpeckers, and vultures. The park also features several wetlands and forests that serve as habitats for these animals.
Kenai Fjords National Park (Alaska) showcases the rugged beauty of the Alaskan coast and is home to diverse wildlife such as sea otters, harbor seals, humpback whales, and Orcas. The park also has a thriving bird population including puffins, cormorants, and bald eagles. In addition to marine life, the park is also home to land animals like brown bears, moose, and mountain goats.
Both parks have unique ecosystems, but Kenai Fjords is known for its coastal and marine wildlife, while Cuyahoga Valley is recognized for its diverse mixture of land-based animals and birds.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Kenai Fjords National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Cuyahoga Valley National Park | Kenai Fjords 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 | 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 | American Pipit |
Mammals
| Cuyahoga Valley National Park | Kenai Fjords National Park |
|---|---|
| Coyote | Coyote |
| American Beaver | American Beaver |
| Muskrat | Muskrat |
| Big Brown Bat | Little Brown Bat |
| Bobcat | Black Bear |
| Striped Skunk | Porcupine |
| Little Brown Bat | Red Fox |
| Deer Mouse | Mink |
| Raccoon | Black-Tailed Deer |
| Silver-Haired Bat | Gray Wolf |
| Hoary Bat | Short-Tailed Weasel |
| Red Fox | California Myotis |
| Long-Tailed Weasel | Snowshoe Hare |
| House Mouse | Northern River Otter |
| Mink | Masked Shrew |
| Gray Fox | Red Squirrel |
| Badger | Montane Shrew |
| Masked Shrew | Lynx |
| Red Squirrel | Wolverine |
| White-Tailed Deer | American Marten |
| Virginia Opossum | Northern Flying Squirrel |
| Meadow Vole | Brown Bear |
| Red Bat | Meadow Mouse |
| White-Footed Mouse | Moose |
| Norway Rat | Pygmy Shrew |
Amphibians
| Cuyahoga Valley National Park | Kenai Fjords National Park |
|---|---|
| Northern Leopard Frog | Wood Frog |
| Eastern Tiger Salamander | |
| Bullfrog | |
| Wood Frog |
Reptiles
| Cuyahoga Valley National Park | Kenai Fjords National Park |
|---|---|
| Racer | |
| Ring-Necked Snake | |
| Common Garter Snake | |
| Eastern Milk Snake | |
| Eastern Fence Lizard |
Insects
| Cuyahoga Valley National Park | Kenai Fjords National Park |
|---|---|
| Orange Sulfur | |
| Painted Lady | |
| Monarch Butterfly | |
| American Painted Lady | |
| European Cabbage White | |
| Buckeye |
Fish
| Cuyahoga Valley National Park | Kenai Fjords National Park |
|---|---|
| Northern Largemouth Bass | Redband Trout |
| Green Sunfish | Longnose Sucker |
| Northern Bluegill Sunfish | Burbot |
| Northern Fathead Minnow | Silver Salmon |
| Golden Shiner | Chinook Salmon |
| European Carp | Slimy Sculpin |
| Northern Pike | Threespine Stickleback |
| Eastern Burbot | Red Salmon |
| Central Mottled Sculpin | Pink Salmon |
| Graceful Catfish | Chum Salmon |
| Black Crappie | Dolly Varden |
| Creek Chub | |
| Goldfish |
Beautiful Landscapes in Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Kenai Fjords National Park
Cuyahoga Valley National Park offers rolling hills, lush forests, the Cuyahoga River and scenic waterfalls, including 65-ft Brandywine Falls.
Kenai Fjords National Park in Alaska boasts stunning glaciers and fjords, including the 700 sq. mi. Harding Icefield and Exit Glacier, a hikeable glacier with great fjord views. Wildlife such as whales, sea lions, and seals can be seen from scenic overlooks.
Things To-Do and Activities in Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Kenai Fjords National Park
Cuyahoga Valley NP in Ohio is known for its scenic train rides, waterfalls, fishing, cycling & hiking. Kenai Fjords NP in Alaska is famous for its glaciers, kayaking, boat tours and wildlife sightings of whales, sea otters & seals. Both parks offer different experiences; CVNP is more accessible with a diverse set of activities, while KFNP offers a rugged Alaskan wilderness experience.
Best Time to Visit Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Kenai Fjords National Park
Cuyahoga Valley National Park has a temperate climate with hot summers and cold winters, while Kenai Fjords National Park has a subarctic climate with cool summers and cold winters. CVNP experiences rain throughout the year with the most in spring and summer, while KFNP experiences heavy rain and snow throughout the year with the most from Oct-Apr. Both parks can have strong winds and coastal storms, but KFNP has more frequent and intense weather.
The best time to visit CVNP is spring/fall for mild weather and outdoor activities, while KFNP is best in summer for mild weather and long days for wildlife viewing. Winter can be good for snow sports in CVNP and winter sports in KFNP, but both parks have challenging weather conditions during winter.
Family Friendliness of Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Kenai Fjords National Park
Cuyahoga Valley NP is more family-friendly with recreational activities like hiking, fishing, and biking, and educational programs like ranger-led hikes and campfire programs. Kenai Fjords NP is more rugged and remote, with activities like kayaking, whale watching and glacier trekking, better suited for adventurous travelers. For families with children, Cuyahoga Valley is a better choice with its accessibility and variety of age-appropriate activities.