Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Olympic National Park are two stunning destinations that offer vastly different landscapes and experiences. The former is a peaceful retreat, dotted with rolling hills, sparkling rivers, and lush greenery. The latter, on the other hand, is a rugged wilderness, complete with jagged peaks, pristine lakes, and dense rainforests. Whether you’re in the mood for a scenic hike, a serene picnic, or an adrenaline-fueled adventure, these parks have something for everyone. So, grab your backpack and let’s hit the trail!
Hiking Trails in Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Olympic National Park
Cuyahoga Valley National Park (CVNP) in Ohio and Olympic National Park in Washington State are popular hiking destinations in the US. CVNP is known for its beginner-friendly trails and shorter hikes, such as the Ledges Trail and Towpath Trail, which offer scenic views and historical sites. Olympic National Park offers a wider range of trails, including easy hikes like the Hurricane Ridge Trail and Hoh River Trail, and challenging hikes like the Seven Lakes Basin Trail and Glacier Meadows Trail, both of which climb to high altitudes with awe-inspiring views. Whether you’re looking for an easy or challenging hike, both CVNP and Olympic have plenty of options for all levels of experience.
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 Olympic National Park
Name
Length
Elevation
Type
Difficulty
Visitor Ratings
Hurricane Hill via Hurricane Ridge
4988.954
242.9256
Moderate
out and back
4.5
Mount Storm King
6276.426
638.8608
Hard
out and back
5
Sol Duc Falls Nature Trail
2574.944
77.724
Easy
out and back
4.5
Hoh Rain Forest Hall of Moss
1609.34
23.7744
Easy
loop
4.5
Marymere Falls Trail
2735.878
90.8304
Easy
out and back
4.5
Hoh River Trail
52786.352
1558.7472
Moderate
out and back
4.5
High Divide – Seven Lakes Basin Loop
30577.46
1617.8784
Hard
loop
5
Ruby Beach
2253.076
20.7264
Easy
loop
4.5
Staircase Rapids Loop
3379.614
64.9224
Easy
loop
4.5
Spruce Railroad Trail: Lake Crescent
18024.608
131.9784
Easy
out and back
4.5
Wildlife in Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Olympic National Park
Cuyahoga Valley NP in Ohio has diverse wildlife such as white-tailed deer, river otters, beavers, and red foxes. Over 200 bird species have been seen, including American Bald Eagle, Wood Duck and Warbling Vireo. Reptiles and amphibians like Eastern Box Turtle and American Bullfrog are also present. Olympic NP in Wash. boasts diverse ecosystems like temperate rainforests, subalpine meadows, and coastal beaches, resulting in equally diverse wildlife like Olympic Marmot, Black Bear, and Grey Wolf. The park has 300+ bird species including Harlequin Duck, Bald Eagle, and Rhinoceros Auklet and is a popular spot for birdwatching.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Olympic National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
Cuyahoga Valley National Park
Olympic 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
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
Olympic National Park
Coyote
Coyote
American Beaver
American Beaver
Muskrat
Muskrat
Big Brown Bat
Big Brown Bat
Bobcat
Striped Skunk
Striped Skunk
Little Brown Bat
Little Brown Bat
Deer Mouse
Deer Mouse
Raccoon
Raccoon
Black Bear
Silver-Haired Bat
Porcupine
Hoary Bat
Silver-Haired Bat
Red Fox
Red Fox
Long-Tailed Weasel
Long-Tailed Weasel
House Mouse
House Mouse
Mink
Wolf
Gray Fox
Long-Legged Myotis
Badger
Long-Eared Myotis
Masked Shrew
California Myotis
Red Squirrel
Snowshoe Rabbit
White-Tailed Deer
North American River Otter
Virginia Opossum
Fringe-Tailed Myotis
Meadow Vole
Masked Shrew
Red Bat
Water Shrew
White-Footed Mouse
Western Big-Eared Bat
Norway Rat
Bushy-Tailed Woodrat
Amphibians
Cuyahoga Valley National Park
Olympic National Park
Northern Leopard Frog
Bullfrog
Eastern Tiger Salamander
Bullfrog
Wood Frog
Reptiles
Cuyahoga Valley National Park
Olympic National Park
Racer
Western Terrestrial Garter Snake
Ring-Necked Snake
Common Garter Snake
Common Garter Snake
Rubber Boa
Eastern Milk Snake
Western Fence Lizard
Eastern Fence Lizard
Insects
Cuyahoga Valley National Park
Olympic National Park
Orange Sulfur
Honey Bee
Painted Lady
Monarch Butterfly
American Painted Lady
European Cabbage White
Buckeye
Fish
Cuyahoga Valley National Park
Olympic National Park
Northern Largemouth Bass
Steelhead/Rainbow Trout
Green Sunfish
Brook Trout
Northern Bluegill Sunfish
Largemouth Bass
Northern Fathead Minnow
Salish Sucker
Golden Shiner
Coho Salmon
European Carp
Chinook Salmon
Northern Pike
Longnose Dace
Eastern Burbot
Speckled Dace
Central Mottled Sculpin
Threespine Stickleback
Graceful Catfish
Sockeye Salmon
Black Crappie
Pink Salmon
Creek Chub
Chum Salmon
Goldfish
Dolly Varden
Cutthroat Trout
Beautiful Landscapes in Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Olympic National Park
Cuyahoga Valley NP has rolling hills, scenic riverways, waterfalls (Brandywine 65ft & Blue Hen 60ft), historic sites (Cuyahoga River & Ohio/Erie Canal), scenic trails (Towpath & Ledges).
Olympic NP boasts diverse landscapes: rugged Olympic Mountains, old-growth forests, 60mi Pacific coastline, Hoh Rainforest (140in rain/yr), Hurricane Ridge Visitor Center (panoramic views), Sol Duc Falls Trail (stunning waterfall).
Things To-Do and Activities in Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Olympic National Park
Cuyahoga Valley NP offers hiking, biking, scenic train rides, cultural experiences & historic sites. Olympic NP features stunning landscapes, backpacking, fishing, kayaking, and rafting in its lakes and rivers.
Best Time to Visit Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Olympic National Park
Cuyahoga Valley National Park in Ohio has warm summers (highs in 80s°F), cold winters (lows in 20s°F), and occasional precipitation year-round. The best time to visit is spring/fall for mild temps and colorful foliage. Olympic National Park in Washington has diverse climates: temperate rainforest (Hoh Rainforest), alpine meadows, Pacific coastline. Summer is mild (60s-70s°F), winter brings heavy rainfall/snow in higher elevations. Best time to visit is summer for hiking/exploring various ecosystems or winter for backcountry skiing/snowshoeing.
Family Friendliness of Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Olympic National Park
Cuyahoga Valley NP is more accessible and offers a wider range of family-friendly activities, while Olympic NP offers a more rugged and natural experience. CVNP has bike rentals, scenic railway, picnic areas, a nature center, and educational programs, while Olympic NP’s remote wilderness and challenging hikes may not be ideal for young children. For families with small children, CVNP is a better choice for its accessibility and range of activities.