“Get ready for a wild ride through two of America’s most diverse national parks. Cuyahoga Valley in Ohio offers a tranquil escape with its tranquil rivers, rolling hills and scenic railway, while Lassen Volcanic in California is a fiery wonderland with its explosive geysers, boiling mudpots and towering volcanic peaks. Whether you’re a nature lover seeking serenity or an adrenaline junkie seeking adventure, these two parks have something for everyone. So pack your bags and let’s embark on an unforgettable journey through the breathtaking landscapes of Cuyahoga Valley and Lassen Volcanic National Parks.”
Hiking Trails in Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Lassen Volcanic National Park
Cuyahoga Valley National Park in Ohio and Lassen Volcanic National Park in California both offer a variety of hiking trails for all skill levels. In Cuyahoga Valley, easy hikes include Ledges and Brandywine Falls trails, both offering scenic views and minimal elevation change. More challenging hikes include Buckeye and Towpath trails, with longer distances and steeper inclines. In Lassen Volcanic, the Devastated Area loop is a relatively easy hike, while Lassen Peak trail is a strenuous hike with over 2,000 feet of elevation gain and unique views of the park’s volcanic landscapes. Both parks provide breathtaking natural beauty, with Cuyahoga Valley showcasing rolling hills and diverse ecosystems and Lassen highlighting its volcanic formations and hydrothermal features.
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 Lassen Volcanic National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lassen Peak | 8207.634 | 599.8464 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
| Kings Creek Falls Trail | 4345.218 | 143.8656 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Cinder Cone Nature Trail | 7724.832 | 317.9064 | Hard | loop | 5 |
| Brokeoff Mountain Trail | 12230.984 | 786.9936 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
| Mill Creek Falls Trail | 6115.492 | 237.744 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Manzanita Lake Loop | 3057.746 | 13.716 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Devil’s Kitchen Trail | 7402.964 | 187.7568 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Chaos Crags Trail | 6437.36 | 301.752 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Cluster Lakes Loop Trail | 16737.136 | 451.7136 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Boiling Springs Lake Loop Trail | 3701.482 | 75.8952 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
Wildlife in Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Lassen Volcanic National Park
Cuyahoga Valley National Park in Ohio and Lassen Volcanic National Park in California offer diverse wildlife experiences. CVNP has white-tailed deer, beavers, river otters, muskrats, bald eagles, great blue herons, songbirds, wildflowers, and oak, maple, and beech trees. Lassen Volcanic features American marten, mountain lion, black bear, Clark’s nutcracker, mountain bluebird, pygmy owl, lush meadows, and subalpine forests with whitebark pine and red fir.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Lassen Volcanic National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Cuyahoga Valley National Park | Lassen Volcanic 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 | 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 |
Mammals
| Cuyahoga Valley National Park | Lassen Volcanic National Park |
|---|---|
| Coyote | American Beaver |
| American Beaver | Muskrat |
| Muskrat | Bobcat |
| Big Brown Bat | Striped Skunk |
| Bobcat | Raccoon |
| Striped Skunk | Black Bear |
| Little Brown Bat | Silver-Haired Bat |
| Deer Mouse | Hoary Bat |
| Raccoon | Long-Tailed Weasel |
| Silver-Haired Bat | Mountain Lion |
| Hoary Bat | Mink |
| Red Fox | Mule Deer |
| Long-Tailed Weasel | Gray Fox |
| House Mouse | Wolf |
| Mink | Long-Eared Myotis |
| Gray Fox | Snowshoe Hare |
| Badger | Fringed Myotis |
| Masked Shrew | Western Harvest Mouse |
| Red Squirrel | Yuma Myotis |
| White-Tailed Deer | Bighorn Sheep |
| Virginia Opossum | Montane Shrew |
| Meadow Vole | Long-Tailed Vole |
| Red Bat | Ringtail |
| White-Footed Mouse | Virginia Opossum |
| Norway Rat | Wolverine |
Amphibians
| Cuyahoga Valley National Park | Lassen Volcanic National Park |
|---|---|
| Northern Leopard Frog | Bullfrog |
| Eastern Tiger Salamander | |
| Bullfrog | |
| Wood Frog |
Reptiles
| Cuyahoga Valley National Park | Lassen Volcanic National Park |
|---|---|
| Racer | Gopher Snake |
| Ring-Necked Snake | Western Terrestrial Garter Snake |
| Common Garter Snake | Racer |
| Eastern Milk Snake | Western Rattlesnake |
| Eastern Fence Lizard | Ring-Necked Snake |
| Sagebrush Lizard | |
| Common Garter Snake | |
| Common Kingsnake | |
| Rubber Boa | |
| Striped Whipsnake | |
| Western Whiptail | |
| Western Skink | |
| Western Fence Lizard |
Insects
| Cuyahoga Valley National Park | Lassen Volcanic National Park |
|---|---|
| Orange Sulfur | Orange Sulphur |
| Painted Lady | Painted Lady |
| Monarch Butterfly | Monarch Butterfly |
| American Painted Lady | American Painted Lady |
| European Cabbage White | Common Checkered-Skipper |
| Buckeye | Honey Bee |
| Buckeye | |
| Anise Swallowtail |
Fish
| Cuyahoga Valley National Park | Lassen Volcanic National Park |
|---|---|
| Northern Largemouth Bass | Redband Trout |
| Green Sunfish | Brook Trout |
| Northern Bluegill Sunfish | Brown Trout |
| Northern Fathead Minnow | Fathead Minnow |
| Golden Shiner | Golden Shiner |
| European Carp | Silver Salmon |
| Northern Pike | King Salmon |
| Eastern Burbot | Mottled Sculpin |
| Central Mottled Sculpin | Speckled Dace |
| Graceful Catfish | Brown Bullhead |
| Black Crappie | |
| Creek Chub | |
| Goldfish |
Beautiful Landscapes in Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Lassen Volcanic National Park
Cuyahoga Valley: Brandywine Falls (60 ft waterfall), Ledges Trail (breathtaking views), rolling hills, scenic waterfalls, winding river.
Lassen Volcanic: Lassen Peak (largest plug dome volcano), hydrothermal areas (Bumpass Hell, boiling mudpots), scenic lakes (Manzanita, Summit), panoramic summit views.
Things To-Do and Activities in Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Lassen Volcanic National Park
Cuyahoga Valley NP is popular for scenic railway, biking, fishing, canoeing/kayaking. Lassen Volcanic NP is famous for its volcanic activity, hiking, backpacking, camping, skiing. CVNP offers leisure, scenic views. LVNP offers adventure, physical activity.
Best Time to Visit Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Lassen Volcanic National Park
Cuyahoga Valley National Park in Ohio experiences cold winters and warm summers. The best time to visit is from late spring to early fall, when temperatures are mild and the park’s lush vegetation is in full bloom. In contrast, Lassen Volcanic National Park in California experiences hot summers and cold, snowy winters. The best time to visit is during the summer months, when the snow has melted and the park’s geothermal features are accessible. However, visitors should be prepared for potential thunderstorms and hazardous air quality during the summer months due to wildfires. Both parks offer unique experiences, but understanding the seasonal weather patterns is crucial for planning a successful and enjoyable visit.
Family Friendliness of Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Lassen Volcanic National Park
Cuyahoga Valley is a more kid-friendly national park, offering activities like hiking, picnicking, and scenic train rides. Lassen is known for its volcanic features and geothermal wonders but has limited family-friendly activities. For families traveling with children, Cuyahoga Valley is the better choice.