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.