Get ready for a journey of contrasts and natural wonders! Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Petrified Forest National Park are two of the most unique and fascinating parks in the US. The former is an idyllic escape, a green oasis surrounded by rolling hills and tranquil rivers, while the latter is a desert land with a prehistoric twist, home to petrified trees that defy time and imagination. Both offer unforgettable experiences and stunning sights, making them ideal destinations for nature lovers, history buffs, and adventure seekers alike. So, pack your bags and get ready to explore two of the most captivating parks in the country!
Hiking Trails in Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Petrified Forest National Park
Cuyahoga Valley NP and Petrified Forest NP both offer diverse hiking opportunities. Cuyahoga Valley boasts a variety of trails, including easy walks and strenuous hikes, with breathtaking views of the river and rolling hills. The Ledges Trail offers a moderate hike with striking rock formations and views, while Buckeye Trail is more challenging with steep climbs and rocky terrain. Petrified Forest, on the other hand, has fewer trails but diverse landscapes including badlands, grasslands, and petrified forests. The Giant Logs Trail is an easy hike showcasing large petrified trees, while the Blue Mesa Trail is a strenuous hike to a remote badlands area with panoramic views.
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 Petrified Forest National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Mesa Trail | 1448.406 | 32.9184 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Crystal Forest Trail | 1448.406 | 10.9728 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Painted Desert Rim Trail | 1770.274 | 11.8872 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Petrified Forest Scenic Drive | 46027.124 | 297.7896 | Moderate | point to point | 4.5 |
| Giant Logs Trail | 965.604 | 10.9728 | Easy | loop | 4 |
| Onyx Bridge Trail | 7402.964 | 134.7216 | Moderate | loop | 4 |
| Long Logs and Agate House Loop Trail | 3379.614 | 24.9936 | Easy | loop | 4 |
| Puerco Pueblo Trail | 482.802 | 2.7432 | Easy | loop | 4 |
| Devil’s Playground Loop | 12070.05 | 144.78 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Old Jasper Forest Road | 4184.284 | 53.9496 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
Wildlife in Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Petrified Forest National Park
Cuyahoga Valley NP in Ohio is rich in wildlife, including white-tailed deer, beavers, river otters, and foxes. Birdwatchers can spot over 300 species, including bald eagles, wood ducks, and herons/hawks. The park has a mix of deciduous/coniferous forests with tulip trees, oaks, maples, and pines.
Petrified Forest NP in Arizona boasts petrified wood & colorful badlands, as well as pronghorn antelopes, coyotes, and prairie dogs. Bird species include elegant trogons, phainopeplas, and hawks/falcons. The park has a mix of desert grasslands & arid badlands, with sagebrush, mesquite, and creosote bushes.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Petrified Forest National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Cuyahoga Valley National Park | Petrified Forest 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 | Petrified Forest National Park |
|---|---|
| Coyote | Coyote |
| American Beaver | Big Brown Bat |
| Muskrat | Bobcat |
| Big Brown Bat | Striped Skunk |
| Bobcat | Little Brown Bat |
| Striped Skunk | Deer Mouse |
| Little Brown Bat | Raccoon |
| Deer Mouse | Black Bear |
| Raccoon | Porcupine |
| Silver-Haired Bat | Silver-Haired Bat |
| Hoary Bat | Hoary Bat |
| Red Fox | Red Fox |
| Long-Tailed Weasel | Long-Tailed Weasel |
| House Mouse | Mountain Lion |
| Mink | Mule Deer |
| Gray Fox | Gray Fox |
| Badger | Wolf |
| Masked Shrew | Long-Legged Myotis |
| Red Squirrel | Badger |
| White-Tailed Deer | California Myotis |
| Virginia Opossum | Fringed Myotis |
| Meadow Vole | Brazilian Free-Tailed Bat |
| Red Bat | Pacific Townsend’s Big-Eared Bat |
| White-Footed Mouse | Bushy-Tailed Woodrat |
| Norway Rat | Western Harvest Mouse |
Amphibians
| Cuyahoga Valley National Park | Petrified Forest National Park |
|---|---|
| Northern Leopard Frog | Northern Leopard Frog |
| Eastern Tiger Salamander | Tiger Salamander |
| Bullfrog | Woodhouse’s Toad |
| Wood Frog | Red-Spotted Toad |
| Plains Spadefoot |
Reptiles
| Cuyahoga Valley National Park | Petrified Forest National Park |
|---|---|
| Racer | Gopher Snake |
| Ring-Necked Snake | Western Terrestrial Garter Snake |
| Common Garter Snake | Western Rattlesnake |
| Eastern Milk Snake | Sagebrush Lizard |
| Eastern Fence Lizard | Hernandez’s Short-Horned Lizard |
| Side-Blotched Lizard | |
| Common Kingsnake | |
| Nightsnake | |
| Long-Nosed Leopard Lizard | |
| Milksnake | |
| Striped Whipsnake | |
| Southwestern Black-Headed Snake | |
| Eastern Collared Lizard | |
| Eastern Fence Lizard | |
| Glossy Snake |
Insects
| Cuyahoga Valley National Park | Petrified Forest National Park |
|---|---|
| Orange Sulfur | |
| Painted Lady | |
| Monarch Butterfly | |
| American Painted Lady | |
| European Cabbage White | |
| Buckeye |
Fish
| Cuyahoga Valley National Park | Petrified Forest National Park |
|---|---|
| Northern Largemouth Bass | |
| Green Sunfish | |
| Northern Bluegill Sunfish | |
| Northern Fathead Minnow | |
| Golden Shiner | |
| European Carp | |
| Northern Pike | |
| Eastern Burbot | |
| Central Mottled Sculpin | |
| Graceful Catfish | |
| Black Crappie | |
| Creek Chub | |
| Goldfish |
Beautiful Landscapes in Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Petrified Forest National Park
Cuyahoga Valley NP boasts Ledges Overlook, Brandywine Falls, Cuyahoga River. Petrified Forest NP is known for colorful badlands, petrified trees, Painted Desert & Blue Mesa, formed from ancient sand dunes.
Things To-Do and Activities in Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Petrified Forest National Park
Cuyahoga Valley NP in Ohio offers scenic rail rides, canal boat tours, local farmers markets and historic sites. Petrified Forest NP in Arizona offers backcountry hiking, wilderness camping, ranger-led tours, scenic drives through the Painted Desert, petrified wood, and petroglyphs. Both offer scenic drives and picnic areas. Petrified Forest is popular with hikers & outdoor enthusiasts, while Cuyahoga Valley appeals to wider audience with mix of outdoor recreation and cultural experiences.
Best Time to Visit Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Petrified Forest National Park
Cuyahoga Valley NP in Ohio experiences cold, snowy winters and warm, humid summers. Spring and fall are the best times to visit with mild temps and peak foliage. Petrified Forest NP in Arizona has hot summers (often over 100°F) and cool winters with below freezing nights. Spring and fall are ideal with mild temperatures and vibrant petrified wood and geological formations. Both parks offer scenic beauty and outdoor recreation, but considering weather is crucial to choose the best time to visit.
Family Friendliness of Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Petrified Forest National Park
Cuyahoga Valley NP offers more family activities, such as scenic railway rides, canal exploration, and farm visits. Petrified Forest NP offers a Junior Ranger program, scenic drives and picnic areas, but may not have as many options as Cuyahoga. For families with children, Cuyahoga Valley NP is a better choice due to its wider range of educational and entertaining activities.