Cuyahoga Valley National Park and New River Gorge National Park and Preserve are two of the most beautiful parks in the US, each with its own unique charm and allure. While Cuyahoga Valley is a lush haven of forests and tranquil streams, New River Gorge is a thrilling landscape of towering cliffs and rushing rapids. Whether you’re seeking a peaceful escape from the city, or an adrenaline-fueled adventure, these two parks have something for everyone. So come along as we explore the contrasts and similarities of these two incredible places, and discover which one is the perfect destination for your next nature escape.
Hiking Trails in Cuyahoga Valley National Park and New River Gorge National Park and Preserve
Cuyahoga Valley National Park (CVNP) and New River Gorge National Park and Preserve (NRGNP) both offer diverse hiking experiences. CVNP features trails ranging from easy walks along the river like the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail, to more challenging hikes such as the Ledges Trail. NRGNP, on the other hand, offers hikes like the Endless Wall Trail that provides scenic views of the New River Gorge, while the Long Point trail offers a strenuous hike with steep inclines and rocky terrain. Both parks offer breathtaking vistas and opportunities for outdoor adventure, and whether you’re seeking a leisurely stroll or a challenging hike, you’ll find it at either CVNP or NRGNP.
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 New River Gorge National Park and Preserve
| 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 | 4.6 |
Wildlife in Cuyahoga Valley National Park and New River Gorge National Park and Preserve
Cuyahoga Valley NP has animals like white-tailed deer, beaver, river otter, coyote, and red fox, 200+ species of birds incl. bald eagle, great blue heron, warblers, and a variety of plants incl. wildflowers, ferns, hardwood trees.
New River Gorge NP is known for black bears, elk, turkey, white-tailed deer, birds like peregrine falcon, raven, and plants like rhododendron, hemlock, oak trees.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Cuyahoga Valley National Park and New River Gorge National Park and Preserve. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Cuyahoga Valley National Park | New River Gorge National Park and Preserve |
|---|---|
| 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 | New River Gorge National Park and Preserve |
|---|---|
| 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 | New River Gorge National Park and Preserve |
|---|---|
| Northern Leopard Frog | Tiger Salamander |
| Eastern Tiger Salamander | |
| Bullfrog | |
| Wood Frog |
Reptiles
| Cuyahoga Valley National Park | New River Gorge National Park and Preserve |
|---|---|
| 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 | New River Gorge National Park and Preserve |
|---|---|
| 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 | New River Gorge National Park and Preserve |
|---|---|
| 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 New River Gorge National Park and Preserve
Cuyahoga Valley NP: Brandywine Falls (65ft waterfall), Ledges Overlook (panoramic views of valleys, rock formations), Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad (passes through Cuyahoga River, Cuyahoga Valley).
New River Gorge NP: New River Gorge Bridge (2nd highest steel-arch bridge), Grandview Sandstone Overlook (views of New River Gorge, Appalachian Mountains), hiking, rock climbing, white-water rafting.
Things To-Do and Activities in Cuyahoga Valley National Park and New River Gorge National Park and Preserve
Cuyahoga Valley National Park is popular for scenic railway rides, historic Towpath Trail, fishing, birdwatching, picnicking and waterfalls. New River Gorge National Park and Preserve is a hub for rock climbing, white-water rafting, zip-lining, and hiking with scenic overlooks. Both offer camping, but New River Gorge also has backcountry options.
Best Time to Visit Cuyahoga Valley National Park and New River Gorge National Park and Preserve
Cuyahoga Valley National Park in Ohio has a humid continental climate with cold winters & warm summers, characterized by moderate to heavy snowfall Dec-Feb and avg temps ranging mid-20s to low-30s°F. New River Gorge in West Virginia has a humid subtropical climate with hot summers and milder winters, occasional snow and avg temps mid-40s to mid-50s°F in winter. The best time to visit Cuyahoga is during spring & fall for mild weather and lush greenery, whereas New River Gorge is best in summer for warm weather and outdoor activities like hiking & rock climbing.
Family Friendliness of Cuyahoga Valley National Park and New River Gorge National Park and Preserve
Cuyahoga Valley NP is better suited for families with children, offering scenic railway, visitor center, picnic areas, and easier trails. New River Gorge NP is more focused on adventure, offering challenging hikes, rock climbing, rafting, making it less ideal for families with young children.