Cuyahoga Valley National Park and North Cascades National Park are two of America’s most diverse and stunning parks. While Cuyahoga Valley is known for its rolling hills, scenic waterfalls, and verdant forests, North Cascades is a rugged and wild landscape of glaciers, towering peaks, and deep valleys. Whether you’re a seasoned hiker, an avid camper, or just looking to escape the hustle and bustle of city life, these two parks offer something for everyone. So, gear up for an adventure, and come explore these two incredible parks and discover which one is the perfect destination for your next great escape.
Hiking Trails in Cuyahoga Valley National Park and North Cascades National Park
Cuyahoga Valley National Park in Ohio and North Cascades National Park in Washington State are both popular destinations for outdoor enthusiasts. Cuyahoga offers relatively easy hikes such as the Ledges Trail, a 1.5-mile loop with rocky cliffs and scenic views, while North Cascades is known for its rugged terrain, including challenging hikes like the 8.2-mile Cascade Pass Trail that leads to stunning mountain vistas. The Tinker’s Creek Gorge Trail in Cuyahoga provides a 7.5-mile strenuous hike with steep climbs and descents, while the Easy Pass Trail in North Cascades is a 4.5-mile hike to a scenic pass with views of nearby peaks. Both parks offer a diverse range of hiking experiences, from leisurely walks to strenuous mountain climbs.
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 North Cascades National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Lake Trail | 8529.502 | 291.9984 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Cascade Pass and Sahale Arm Trail | 17541.806 | 1175.9184 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
| Sourdough Mountain Trail | 14644.994 | 1555.6992 | Hard | out and back | 4.5 |
| Cascade Pass Trail to Cottonwood Camp | 25588.506 | 1422.8064 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
| Cascade Pass Trail | 10460.71 | 542.8488 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
| Sahale Arm Trail to Quien Sabe Glacier | 19955.816 | 1651.7112 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
| Trail of the Cedars Nature Walk | 3057.746 | 21.9456 | Easy | loop | 4 |
| Fourth of July Pass via Panther Creek Trail | 14966.862 | 759.8664 | Moderate | out and back | 4 |
| Ruby Mountain Summit via Fourth of July and Thunder Creek Trail | 23335.43 | 1949.8056 | Hard | out and back | 4 |
| Gorge Creek Falls Trail | 804.67 | 11.8872 | Easy | loop | 3.5 |
Wildlife in Cuyahoga Valley National Park and North Cascades National Park
Cuyahoga Valley NP in Ohio has diverse wildlife incl. white-tailed deer, coyotes, beavers, foxes & river otters. Over 300 bird species incl. blue heron, wood duck, Baltimore oriole. Wildflowers incl. trillium, hepatica, violets.
North Cascades NP in WA is known for diverse & abundant wildlife incl. black & brown bears, cougars, elk. Over 200 bird species incl. American dipper, Northern goshawk, Clark’s nutcracker. Unique mix of forest & meadow habitats with a wide variety of plants incl. Pacific dogwood, wild roses, western lily.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Cuyahoga Valley National Park and North Cascades National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Cuyahoga Valley National Park | North Cascades 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 | 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 | American Pipit |
Mammals
| Cuyahoga Valley National Park | North Cascades 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 | Red Fox |
| Mink | Long-Tailed Weasel |
| Gray Fox | House Mouse |
| Badger | Puma |
| Masked Shrew | Mink |
| Red Squirrel | Black-Tailed Deer |
| White-Tailed Deer | Wolf |
| Virginia Opossum | Long-Legged Myotis |
| Meadow Vole | Western Long-Eared Bat |
| Red Bat | Ermine |
| White-Footed Mouse | California Myotis |
| Norway Rat | Snowshoe Hare |
Amphibians
| Cuyahoga Valley National Park | North Cascades National Park |
|---|---|
| Northern Leopard Frog | |
| Eastern Tiger Salamander | |
| Bullfrog | |
| Wood Frog |
Reptiles
| Cuyahoga Valley National Park | North Cascades National Park |
|---|---|
| Racer | Western Terrestrial Garter Snake |
| Ring-Necked Snake | Western Yellowbelly Racer |
| Common Garter Snake | Prairie Rattlesnake |
| Eastern Milk Snake | Common Garter Snake |
| Eastern Fence Lizard | Rubber Boa |
| Western Fence Lizard |
Insects
| Cuyahoga Valley National Park | North Cascades National Park |
|---|---|
| Orange Sulfur | Orange Sulphur |
| Painted Lady | Painted Lady |
| Monarch Butterfly | Red Admiral |
| American Painted Lady | Mourning Cloak |
| European Cabbage White | Silvery Blue |
| Buckeye | Clouded Sulphur |
| Honey Bee | |
| Purplish Copper | |
| Anise Swallowtail |
Fish
| Cuyahoga Valley National Park | North Cascades National Park |
|---|---|
| Northern Largemouth Bass | Redband Trout |
| Green Sunfish | Brook Trout |
| Northern Bluegill Sunfish | Largemouth Bass |
| Northern Fathead Minnow | Longnose Sucker |
| Golden Shiner | Lake Trout |
| European Carp | Burbot |
| Northern Pike | Silver Salmon |
| Eastern Burbot | King Salmon |
| Central Mottled Sculpin | Slimy Sculpin |
| Graceful Catfish | Longnose Dace |
| Black Crappie | Threespine Stickleback |
| Creek Chub | Kokanee |
| Goldfish | Pink Salmon |
| Chum Salmon | |
| Dolly Varden | |
| Cutthroat Trout |
Beautiful Landscapes in Cuyahoga Valley National Park and North Cascades National Park
Cuyahoga Valley NP features rolling hills, forests & streams. Brandywine Falls (65ft) & Ledges Overlook (for views of cliffs & forests) are popular. North Cascades NP is known for peaks & glaciers, incl. tallest peak Goode Mountain. Washington Pass & Diablo Lake Overlooks offer views. Waterfalls incl. 720ft Diablo Lake Falls.
Things To-Do and Activities in Cuyahoga Valley National Park and North Cascades National Park
Cuyahoga Valley National Park in Ohio offers scenic rail excursions and water activities like fishing, kayaking, and canoeing on the Cuyahoga River. Hikers can take trails through the park’s rolling hills, wetlands and forests. North Cascades National Park in Washington State is known for its rugged peaks, glaciers and deep valleys, offering opportunities for backcountry hiking, rock climbing and mountaineering. The park also has scenic drives and campgrounds for those who prefer leisure activities. Both parks attract nature lovers who enjoy exploring diverse landscapes and wildlife.
Best Time to Visit Cuyahoga Valley National Park and North Cascades National Park
Cuyahoga Valley National Park in Ohio has a temperate climate with hot summers and cold winters. The best time to visit is in the spring or fall when temperatures are mild and the park is lush with vegetation. In contrast, North Cascades National Park in Washington has a subalpine climate with long, harsh winters and short, cool summers. The best time to visit is in the summer when the snow has melted and the weather is mild, making it ideal for hiking and camping. Both parks have unique weather patterns that greatly influence the optimal time to visit, so it’s important to consider the weather when planning a trip to either park.
Family Friendliness of Cuyahoga Valley National Park and North Cascades National Park
Cuyahoga Valley National Park is more family-friendly than North Cascades National Park. CVNP offers several kid-friendly activities such as hiking, biking, and scenic train rides, while North Cascades is known for its challenging terrain and wilderness atmosphere. CVNP has picnic areas, playgrounds and educational programs, while North Cascades has limited facilities and is more isolated. However, North Cascades provides opportunities for wildlife viewing and scenic drives. Either way, it depends on what type of outdoor experience you’re looking for, but for a family-oriented trip, CVNP is the better choice.