Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Shenandoah National Park are two of America’s hidden gems, offering visitors breathtaking landscapes and endless outdoor adventures. While Cuyahoga Valley boasts the winding Cuyahoga River and historic sites, Shenandoah boasts rolling hills and scenic overlooks. Whether you’re in the mood for a peaceful hike or an action-packed day of rock climbing, these parks have it all. So lace up your hiking boots, pack a picnic, and get ready to explore the natural beauty of Cuyahoga Valley and Shenandoah National Park!
Hiking Trails in Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Shenandoah National Park
Cuyahoga Valley NP and Shenandoah NP are two popular hiking destinations offering diverse trails. Cuyahoga Valley in Ohio has rolling hills, scenic waterways, and easy trails like the 20-mile Towpath Trail along the Ohio & Erie Canal, and the 1.5-mile Ledges Trail with rock formations and overlooks. On the other hand, Shenandoah in Virginia boasts views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The easiest hikes in Shenandoah include the 1.4-mile Dark Hollow Falls Trail to a 70-foot waterfall, and the 6-mile White Oak Canyon Trail with several waterfalls. For experienced hikers looking for a challenge, there’s the strenuous 9-mile Old Rag Mountain hike with rocky terrain, steep inclines, and a summit. Cuyahoga’s hardest hike is the Buckeye Trail, a 100-mile loop that takes several days to complete.
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 Shenandoah National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Old Rag Mountain Loop | 13840.324 | 736.7016 | Hard | loop | 5 |
| White Oak Canyon and Cedar Run Trails Loop | 14484.06 | 722.9856 | Hard | loop | 4.5 |
| Dark Hollow Falls Trail | 2253.076 | 171.9072 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Bearfence Mountain Trail | 1609.34 | 73.7616 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Hawksbill Gap Loop via Appalachian Trail | 4184.284 | 228.9048 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Rose River Trail | 5632.69 | 256.9464 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| White Oak Canyon Trail | 15288.73 | 733.9584 | Hard | out and back | 4.5 |
| Stony Man via Appalachian Trail | 2414.01 | 97.8408 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| South River Falls Trail | 7402.964 | 387.7056 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Little Stony Man Loop via Appalachian Trail | 5471.756 | 263.9568 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
Wildlife in Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Shenandoah National Park
Cuyahoga Valley NP in Ohio and Shenandoah NP in Virginia offer different wildlife experiences. Cuyahoga has diverse mammals such as beavers, coyotes, deer, and river otters. Birdwatchers can find species like bald eagle, vultures, and hawks. Park also features rare wildflowers and old-growth forests. Shenandoah is known for its abundant black bears, and also has raccoons, deer, and foxes. Common bird species include pileated woodpecker, indigo bunting, and scarlet tanager. Shenandoah also boasts mountain laurel and rhododendron among its diverse plant life.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Shenandoah National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Cuyahoga Valley National Park | Shenandoah 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 | Shenandoah 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 | Silver-Haired Bat |
| Red Fox | Hoary Bat |
| Long-Tailed Weasel | Red Fox |
| House Mouse | Long-Tailed Weasel |
| Mink | House Mouse |
| Gray Fox | Mountain Lion |
| Badger | Gray Fox |
| Masked Shrew | River Otter |
| Red Squirrel | Masked Shrew |
| White-Tailed Deer | Water Shrew |
| Virginia Opossum | Red Squirrel |
| Meadow Vole | White-Tailed Deer |
| Red Bat | Virginia Opossum |
| White-Footed Mouse | Marten |
| Norway Rat | Northern Flying Squirrel |
Amphibians
| Cuyahoga Valley National Park | Shenandoah National Park |
|---|---|
| Northern Leopard Frog | Northern Leopard Frog |
| Eastern Tiger Salamander | |
| Bullfrog | |
| Wood Frog |
Reptiles
| Cuyahoga Valley National Park | Shenandoah National Park |
|---|---|
| Racer | Black Racer |
| Ring-Necked Snake | Ringneck Snake |
| Common Garter Snake | Common Garter Snake |
| Eastern Milk Snake | Common Kingsnake |
| Eastern Fence Lizard | Milksnake |
| Eastern Fence Lizard |
Insects
| Cuyahoga Valley National Park | Shenandoah National Park |
|---|---|
| Orange Sulfur | Orange Sulphur |
| Painted Lady | Painted Lady |
| Monarch Butterfly | Monarch |
| American Painted Lady | American Lady |
| European Cabbage White | Red Admiral |
| Buckeye | Mourning Cloak |
| Cabbage White | |
| Silvery Blue | |
| Common Checkered Skipper | |
| Clouded Sulphur | |
| Variegated Fritillary | |
| Buckeye | |
| Commom Wood Nymph | |
| Gray Hairstreak |
Fish
| Cuyahoga Valley National Park | Shenandoah National Park |
|---|---|
| Northern Largemouth Bass | Rainbow Trout |
| Green Sunfish | Brook Trout |
| Northern Bluegill Sunfish | Brown Trout |
| Northern Fathead Minnow | Largemouth Bass |
| Golden Shiner | Green Sunfish |
| European Carp | Bluegill |
| Northern Pike | Common Carp |
| Eastern Burbot | Mottled Sculpin |
| Central Mottled Sculpin | Longnose Dace |
| Graceful Catfish | Yellow Bullhead |
| Black Crappie | Creek Chub |
| Creek Chub | Brown Bullhead |
| Goldfish | Smallmouth Bass |
Beautiful Landscapes in Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Shenandoah National Park
Cuyahoga Valley National Park features rolling hills, lush forests, and the winding Cuyahoga River. Brandywine Falls, a 65-foot waterfall, and Ledges Overlook, a scenic vista overlooking sandstone cliffs, are popular destinations.
Shenandoah National Park offers the Blue Ridge Mountains, with scenic overlooks such as Hawksbill and Old Rag Mountain. Dark Hollow Falls, a 70-foot waterfall, is a popular hike. The park also features streams and valleys for exploring.
Things To-Do and Activities in Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Shenandoah National Park
Cuyahoga Valley NP is known for scenic railway, trails, fishing, boating, camping and ranger activities. Shenandoah NP is famous for scenic drive, hiking, wildlife viewing, horseback riding, camping and ranger activities. Cuyahoga is near urban areas with cultural and historical sites, while Shenandoah is more serene and remote.
Best Time to Visit Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Shenandoah National Park
Cuyahoga Valley Nat. Park in Ohio has a humid continental climate with hot summers (70-80°F, occasionally 90°F+) and cold winters (20-30°F with snow/ice). Best to visit in spring/fall for mild weather and blooming greenery. Shenandoah Nat. Park in Virginia has a humid subtropical climate with hot, humid summers (avg. 80°F, occasionally 90°F+) and cool winters (40-50°F, occasional snow/freezing rain). Autumn is the best time to visit for famous fall foliage and mild temperatures.
Family Friendliness of Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Shenandoah National Park
Cuyahoga Valley National Park in Ohio and Shenandoah National Park in Virginia both offer family-friendly activities. Cuyahoga has easy hikes, a scenic railway and picnic areas. Shenandoah has challenging hikes, a scenic drive, picnic areas, camping, wildlife viewing and a wider range of educational programs for children. If traveling with kids, Shenandoah may be a better choice due to its wider range of educational activities. Both parks have plenty for families to enjoy.