Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Mount Rainier National Park are two of America’s finest natural treasures. While Cuyahoga Valley is a lush and serene landscape of rolling hills, dense forests, and meandering rivers, Mount Rainier rises high into the sky, dominating the surrounding landscape with its iconic, snow-capped peak. Both parks offer a wealth of adventure, from scenic hikes and historic sites to cultural attractions and unforgettable natural experiences. Whether you’re seeking a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of city life or a heart-pumping adventure, these two parks have everything you need to create lifetime memories. So gear up and get ready to explore the beauty of Cuyahoga Valley and Mount Rainier!
Hiking Trails in Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Mount Rainier National Park
Cuyahoga Valley National Park (CVNP) and Mount Rainier National Park (MRNP) are two popular destinations for hiking enthusiasts. While CVNP is situated in Ohio, MRNP is located in Washington state and boasts a higher elevation. MRNP contains over 240 miles of trails, including the strenuous 93-mile Wonderland Trail, which circles the mountain. The Sunrise and Skyline Trails offer breathtaking panoramic views and are also popular. In contrast, CVNP has around 125 miles of trails, with the Hemlock Creek Trail being the most challenging hike, a 7.8-mile loop through remote forests and along a scenic creek. On the easier side, MRNP has the Nisqually Vista Trail and Grove of the Patriarchs, both of which offer stunning views with minimal effort. CVNP also has several family-friendly options, such as the Towpath Trail, a 20-mile crushed-stone path along the Ohio & Erie Canal, and the Pine Grove Trail, a 1-mile loop through a pine forest.
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 Mount Rainier National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tolmie Peak Trail | 8851.37 | 463.9056 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Skyline Trail | 8529.502 | 535.8384 | Moderate | loop | 5 |
| Comet and Christine Falls | 6920.162 | 610.8192 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Camp Muir Route Via Skyline Trail | 13518.456 | 1403.9088 | Very Hard | out and back | 5 |
| Burroughs Mountain Loop Trail | 15127.796 | 780.8976 | Moderate | loop | 5 |
| Naches Peak Loop Trail | 5310.822 | 193.8528 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Spray Park Trail to Mount Pleasant | 11104.446 | 635.8128 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Mount Fremont Lookout Trail | 9012.304 | 348.996 | Moderate | out and back | 5 |
| Pinnacle Peak Saddle Trail | 3862.416 | 321.8688 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Summerland Trail | 13196.588 | 655.9296 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
Wildlife in Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Mount Rainier National Park
Cuyahoga and Rainier National Parks offer unique wildlife experiences. Cuyahoga has a variety of animals like white-tailed deer, beaver, and river otter, as well as birds like blue herons and woodpeckers. Rainier, on the other hand, is home to larger animals such as black bears, elks and mountain goats, and birds like dippers and spotted owls. Plant life at Cuyahoga includes wetlands, prairies, and hardwood forests, while Rainier boasts a mix of temperate rainforests, subalpine and alpine regions with wildflowers, ferns, and mosses.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Mount Rainier National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Cuyahoga Valley National Park | Mount Rainier 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 | Great Horned Owl |
| American Robin | Red-Tailed Hawk |
| Great Horned Owl | Barn Swallow |
| Red-Tailed Hawk | Savannah Sparrow |
| Northern Flicker | Great Blue Heron |
| Merlin | Hermit Thrush |
| Barn Swallow | European Starling |
| Savannah Sparrow | Northern Pintail |
| Great Blue Heron | American Wigeon |
| Hermit Thrush | Green-Winged Teal |
| American Kestrel | American Pipit |
| Bald Eagle | Killdeer |
| Song Sparrow | Brown-Headed Cowbird |
| European Starling | Hairy Woodpecker |
| Northern Pintail | Red-Breasted Nuthatch |
| American Wigeon | White-Crowned Sparrow |
| Green-Winged Teal | Northern Shoveler |
Mammals
| Cuyahoga Valley National Park | Mount Rainier National Park |
|---|---|
| Coyote | Coyote |
| American Beaver | American Beaver |
| Muskrat | Muskrat |
| Big Brown Bat | Big Brown Bat |
| Bobcat | Bobcat |
| Striped Skunk | Striped Skunk |
| Little Brown Bat | Little Brown Bat |
| Deer Mouse | Deer Mouse |
| Raccoon | Raccoon |
| Silver-Haired Bat | Black Bear |
| Hoary Bat | Porcupine |
| Red Fox | Silver-Haired Bat |
| Long-Tailed Weasel | Hoary Bat |
| House Mouse | Long-Tailed Weasel |
| Mink | House Mouse |
| Gray Fox | Mountain Lion |
| Badger | Black-Tailed Deer |
| Masked Shrew | Wolf |
| Red Squirrel | Long-Legged Myotis |
| White-Tailed Deer | Long-Eared Myotis |
| Virginia Opossum | Ermine |
| Meadow Vole | California Myotis |
| Red Bat | Snowshoe Hare |
| White-Footed Mouse | North American River Otter |
| Norway Rat | Masked Shrew |
Amphibians
| Cuyahoga Valley National Park | Mount Rainier National Park |
|---|---|
| Northern Leopard Frog | Tiger Salamander |
| Eastern Tiger Salamander | |
| Bullfrog | |
| Wood Frog |
Reptiles
| Cuyahoga Valley National Park | Mount Rainier National Park |
|---|---|
| Racer | Western Terrestrial Garter Snake |
| Ring-Necked Snake | Common Garter Snake |
| Common Garter Snake | Rubber Boa |
| Eastern Milk Snake | |
| Eastern Fence Lizard |
Insects
| Cuyahoga Valley National Park | Mount Rainier National Park |
|---|---|
| Orange Sulfur | Mourning Cloak |
| Painted Lady | Cabbage White |
| Monarch Butterfly | Silvery Blue |
| American Painted Lady | Purplish Copper |
| European Cabbage White | Anise Swallowtail |
| Buckeye |
Fish
| Cuyahoga Valley National Park | Mount Rainier National Park |
|---|---|
| Northern Largemouth Bass | Rainbow Trout |
| Green Sunfish | Eastern Brook Trout |
| Northern Bluegill Sunfish | Brown Trout |
| Northern Fathead Minnow | Coho Salmon |
| Golden Shiner | Chinook Salmon |
| European Carp | Mottled Sculpin |
| Northern Pike | Slimy Sculpin |
| Eastern Burbot | Threespine Stickleback |
| Central Mottled Sculpin | Kokanee |
| Graceful Catfish | Pink Salmon |
| Black Crappie | Dolly Varden |
| Creek Chub | Cutthroat Trout |
| Goldfish |
Beautiful Landscapes in Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Mount Rainier National Park
Cuyahoga Valley Nat’l Park features rolling hills, waterfalls & a scenic railway. Brandywine Falls (60 ft drop) & Ledges Overlook (cliff vistas) are popular. Mount Rainier Nat’l Park boasts iconic 14,410-ft stratovolcano, panoramic views from summit, subalpine meadows, old-growth forests, & glaciers incl. largest in contiguous 48 states, Carbon Glacier.
Things To-Do and Activities in Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Mount Rainier National Park
CVNP & MRNP offer diverse outdoor activities for visitors. CVNP is a popular destination for picnics, scenic railway rides, and hiking trails. MRNP, with its rugged terrain, is ideal for backpacking, rock climbing, and mountaineering. Both parks offer scenic drives, but MRNP also offers strenuous trails to the summit of Mount Rainier. MRNP has a wider range of camping options, including backcountry & car camping, while CVNP focuses on recreational activities like fishing & kayaking.
Best Time to Visit Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Mount Rainier National Park
Cuyahoga Valley NP in Ohio has seasons with temp ranging from high 60s to mid 80s in summer, high 20s to low 30s in winter, and mild temps in spring & fall. Mount Rainier NP in Washington has a subalpine climate with mild and dry summers (mid 50s to mid 60s) & wet, snowy winters (below freezing). CVNP is best visited in spring/fall for mild weather and colorful foliage, while MRNP is ideal for hiking/camping in summer but can be difficult in winter due to snow.
Family Friendliness of Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Mount Rainier National Park
Cuyahoga Valley NP is better for families with young children, offering scenic railway, easy trails, and educational programs. Mount Rainier NP offers a more rugged, natural experience with glaciers, wildlife, and challenging hikes. Both parks offer scenic beauty and outdoor activities, but CVNP is more family-oriented.