Cuyahoga Valley National Park vs Kobuk Valley National Park

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Cuyahoga Valley National Park vs Kobuk Valley National Park

Looking for a national park adventure that’s out of the ordinary? Look no further than Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Kobuk Valley National Park! These two parks offer vastly different experiences, yet both are equally awe-inspiring. Cuyahoga Valley, located in Ohio, boasts rolling hills, lush forests, and meandering streams, while Kobuk Valley, in Alaska, showcases a rugged and untamed landscape of sand dunes, glaciers, and mountains. Whether you’re a nature lover, an outdoor enthusiast, or simply looking for a unique vacation destination, these two parks are sure to captivate and surprise you. So, get ready to immerse yourself in the beauty and wonder of Cuyahoga and Kobuk Valley National Parks!

Hiking Trails in Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Kobuk Valley National Park

Cuyahoga Valley National Park in Ohio and Kobuk Valley National Park in Alaska offer diverse hiking experiences for visitors. Cuyahoga Valley has over 125 miles of trails, ranging from easy walks to strenuous hikes, including the Ledges Trail, a popular and easy hike with scenic rock formations, and the Buckeye Trail, a challenging hike through backcountry with elevations over 1,000 feet. Meanwhile, Kobuk Valley is known for its sand dunes, the largest in North America, and has two main trails: the strenuous Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes, which takes visitors through a volcanic landscape with steam vents and ash deposits, and the Little Kobuk Sand Dunes, an easier hike with views of sand dunes and the Kobuk River.

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 Kobuk Valley 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 4.6

Wildlife in Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Kobuk Valley National Park

Cuyahoga Valley NP boasts diverse wildlife incl. white-tailed deer, river otters, beavers, and songbirds. Wildflowers, ferns, oak, maple, and beech trees also grow there.

Kobuk Valley NP in Alaska has unique wildlife incl. grizzly bears, caribou, moose, rough-legged hawk, golden eagle. Tundra and Kobuk River surrounds it, with vegetation adapted to harsh climate like wildflowers, shrubs.

Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Kobuk Valley National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.

Birds

Cuyahoga Valley National Park Kobuk Valley 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 Northern Flicker
Northern Flicker Merlin
Merlin Savannah Sparrow
Barn Swallow American Kestrel
Savannah Sparrow Bald Eagle
Great Blue Heron Northern Pintail
Hermit Thrush American Wigeon
American Kestrel Green-Winged Teal
Bald Eagle American Pipit
Song Sparrow Swainson’s Thrush
European Starling White-Crowned Sparrow
Northern Pintail Northern Shoveler
American Wigeon Golden Eagle
Green-Winged Teal Rough-Legged Hawk

Mammals

Cuyahoga Valley National Park Kobuk Valley National Park
Coyote Coyote
American Beaver American Beaver
Muskrat Muskrat
Big Brown Bat Black Bear
Bobcat Porcupine
Striped Skunk Red Fox
Little Brown Bat Mink
Deer Mouse Wolf
Raccoon Short-Tailed Weasel
Silver-Haired Bat Snowshoe Hare
Hoary Bat River Otter
Red Fox Common Shrew
Long-Tailed Weasel Red Squirrel
House Mouse Montane Shrew
Mink Lynx
Gray Fox Wolverine
Badger American Marten
Masked Shrew Grizzly Bear
Red Squirrel Moose
White-Tailed Deer Least Weasel
Virginia Opossum Pygmy Shrew
Meadow Vole Northern Bog Lemming
Red Bat
White-Footed Mouse
Norway Rat

Amphibians

Cuyahoga Valley National Park Kobuk Valley National Park
Northern Leopard Frog Wood Frog
Eastern Tiger Salamander
Bullfrog
Wood Frog

Reptiles

Cuyahoga Valley National Park Kobuk Valley National Park
Racer
Ring-Necked Snake
Common Garter Snake
Eastern Milk Snake
Eastern Fence Lizard

Insects

Cuyahoga Valley National Park Kobuk Valley National Park
Orange Sulfur
Painted Lady
Monarch Butterfly
American Painted Lady
European Cabbage White
Buckeye

Fish

Cuyahoga Valley National Park Kobuk Valley National Park
Northern Largemouth Bass Longnose Sucker
Green Sunfish Lake Trout
Northern Bluegill Sunfish Northern Pike
Northern Fathead Minnow Burbot
Golden Shiner Coho Salmon
European Carp King Salmon
Northern Pike Slimy Sculpin
Eastern Burbot Alaskan Stickleback
Central Mottled Sculpin Pink Salmon
Graceful Catfish Chum Salmon
Black Crappie Dolly Varden
Creek Chub Arctic Grayling
Goldfish

Beautiful Landscapes in Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Kobuk Valley National Park

Cuyahoga Valley NP boasts rolling hills, scenic river views, Brandywine Falls (65ft waterfall), Ledges Overlook for sweeping views, and miles of hiking/biking trails incl. Buckeye Trail.
Kobuk Valley NP in Alaska features the largest Arctic sand dunes (some over 100ft) in the Great Kobuk Sand Dunes, rapids-rich Kobuk River for fishing, and diverse wildlife incl. caribou, grizzly bears, wolves.

Things To-Do and Activities in Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Kobuk Valley National Park

Cuyahoga Valley NP, located in Ohio, offers scenic train rides, river boat tours, bike rides, historic sites, and cultural experiences. Kobuk Valley NP, in Alaska, is famous for large sand dunes, the Kobuk River, wilderness, backcountry camping, wildlife viewing, and guided rafting trips. CVNP is more developed for recreational activities, with trails and visitor centers, while KVNP is a remote wilderness experience with limited facilities. Both parks offer opportunities for nature connection and diverse landscapes.

Best Time to Visit Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Kobuk Valley National Park

Cuyahoga Valley NP in Ohio has a humid continental climate with cold winters and warm summers, averaging 50-80°F (10-27°C). The best time to visit is spring/summer for mild weather and abundant wildlife/vegetation.

Kobuk Valley NP in Alaska has an arctic tundra climate with temperatures -40 to 60°F (-40 to 16°C) and heavy snow/wind in winter. Summer is the best time to visit with warmer weather, salmon run in the Kobuk River, and opportunities to see unique sand dunes and wildlife such as grizzly bears and caribou.

Family Friendliness of Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Kobuk Valley National Park

Cuyahoga Valley NP has a range of family-friendly activities: scenic railway rides, hikes, canal boat tours, junior ranger program, visitor centers with interactive exhibits and picnic areas.
Kobuk Valley NP is more rugged, with limited facilities and activities. While it boasts the largest sand dunes in North America and beautiful Kobuk River, it’s not as accessible or developed as Cuyahoga Valley NP. For families with kids, Cuyahoga Valley NP is a better choice, with more educational and recreational options.

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