Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Voyageurs National Park are two gems in the national parks system, each offering its own unique blend of scenic beauty and outdoor adventure. While Cuyahoga Valley boasts rolling hills and scenic waterways, Voyageurs is characterized by its rugged wilderness, dotted with pristine lakes and towering trees. Whether you’re looking for a peaceful hike or an adrenaline-fueled canoe trip, these parks are sure to deliver. So, lace up your hiking boots, grab your paddles, and get ready for the ultimate national park experience in Cuyahoga Valley and Voyageurs National Parks!
Hiking Trails in Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Voyageurs National Park
Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Voyageurs National Park both offer unique hiking opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts. CVNP offers scenic trails along the Cuyahoga River and through rolling hills, with options ranging from easy boardwalk walks to challenging backcountry treks. Some of the easiest hikes include the Ledges trail, a 1.5-mile loop showcasing towering cliffs, and the Buckeye Trail, a level walk through woodlands. For a more difficult hike, try the strenuous 8-mile round trip to Brandywine Falls. In contrast, Voyageurs National Park is known for its remote wilderness and water-based recreation. Hiking trails here offer views of pristine lakes and forests and are generally less strenuous than those at CVNP. The easiest hikes include the Kabetogama Lake Shore trail, a 1-mile walk along the lake’s edge, and the Rainy Lake Visitor Center Nature trail, a half-mile loop through the forest. For a harder hike, try the 8-mile round trip to Ryan Island. Both parks offer diverse hiking options with stunning natural beauty.
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 Voyageurs National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blind Ash Bay Trail | 5793.624 | 117.9576 | Moderate | out and back | 4 |
| Kabetogama Lake Overlook Trail | 643.736 | 17.9832 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Cruiser Lake to Brown Lake and Anderson Bay | 14001.258 | 224.9424 | Moderate | loop | 4 |
| Beaver Pond Overlook Trail | 482.802 | 1.8288 | Easy | out and back | 3.5 |
| Kab-Ash Trail | 24461.968 | 406.908 | Easy | out and back | 3 |
| Sullivan Bay Trail | 2092.142 | 27.7368 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Black Bay Beaver Pond Trail | 1931.208 | 22.86 | Easy | out and back | 5 |
Wildlife in Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Voyageurs National Park
Cuyahoga Valley NP & Voyageurs NP both have unique wildlife viewing opportunities. Cuyahoga Valley has deer, coyotes, beavers, river otters & birds like pileated woodpecker, great blue heron, scarlet tanager. Voyageurs has aquatic life like loons, bald eagles, ospreys, & land animals like moose, black bears, & wolves. Both parks have diverse plants like wildflowers, deciduous & coniferous trees, & ferns.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Voyageurs National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Cuyahoga Valley National Park | Voyageurs 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 | Voyageurs 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 | Mountain Lion |
| Masked Shrew | Mink |
| Red Squirrel | Common Gray Fox |
| White-Tailed Deer | Plains Wolf |
| Virginia Opossum | American Badger |
| Meadow Vole | Ermine |
| Red Bat | Snowshoe Hare |
| White-Footed Mouse | River Otter |
| Norway Rat | Masked Shrew |
Amphibians
| Cuyahoga Valley National Park | Voyageurs National Park |
|---|---|
| Northern Leopard Frog | Northern Leopard Frog |
| Eastern Tiger Salamander | Wood Frog |
| Bullfrog | |
| Wood Frog |
Reptiles
| Cuyahoga Valley National Park | Voyageurs National Park |
|---|---|
| Racer | |
| Ring-Necked Snake | |
| Common Garter Snake | |
| Eastern Milk Snake | |
| Eastern Fence Lizard |
Insects
| Cuyahoga Valley National Park | Voyageurs National Park |
|---|---|
| Orange Sulfur | |
| Painted Lady | |
| Monarch Butterfly | |
| American Painted Lady | |
| European Cabbage White | |
| Buckeye |
Fish
| Cuyahoga Valley National Park | Voyageurs National Park |
|---|---|
| Northern Largemouth Bass | Largemouth Bass |
| Green Sunfish | Longnose Sucker |
| Northern Bluegill Sunfish | Green Sunfish |
| Northern Fathead Minnow | Bluegill |
| Golden Shiner | Fathead Minnow |
| European Carp | Golden Shiner |
| Northern Pike | Lake Trout |
| Eastern Burbot | Northern Pike |
| Central Mottled Sculpin | Ellpout |
| Graceful Catfish | Mottled Sculpin |
| Black Crappie | Slimy Sculpin |
| Creek Chub | Longnose Dace |
| Goldfish | Black Crappie |
| Black Bullhead | |
| Creek Chub | |
| Brown Bullhead | |
| Smallmouth Bass |
Beautiful Landscapes in Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Voyageurs National Park
Cuyahoga Valley NP is known for its rolling hills, scenic waterfalls (Brandywine Falls), and abundant wildlife. Ledges Overlook offers views of the scenic river valley.
Voyageurs NP boasts pristine lakes, interconnected waterways, and remote wilderness. Visitors can see towering cliffs at Rainy Lake, paddle to remote islands to spot beavers, and enjoy views from Kabetogama Peninsula.
Things To-Do and Activities in Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Voyageurs National Park
Cuyahoga Valley National Park in Ohio and Voyageurs National Park in Minnesota appeal to different types of outdoor enthusiasts. Cuyahoga offers bike trails, fishing, and scenic waterfalls. Voyageurs is known for water activities like boating, fishing, kayaking, and stargazing due to its dark skies. Both offer camping, but Cuyahoga provides a scenic railway. Visitors can pick the park that suits their interests best.
Best Time to Visit Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Voyageurs National Park
Cuyahoga Valley NP in Ohio has warm summers (70-80°F) and cold winters (below freezing), with snow for winter sports. Best time to visit is summer (Jun-Aug) for outdoor activities. Voyageurs NP in Minnesota has more extreme weather, hot summers (70-90°F) & cold winters (below 0°F), with heavy snow for winter sports. Best time to visit is either summer (Jun-Sep) or winter (Dec-Feb) for winter sports.
Family Friendliness of Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Voyageurs National Park
Cuyahoga Valley NP & Voyageurs NP offer a range of family-friendly activities, but each has its own unique features. Cuyahoga Valley NP is more accessible, with a scenic railway, bike rentals & family-friendly hikes, waterfalls. Voyageurs NP has a more remote feel & offers canoeing, kayaking, fishing & stargazing opportunities. Both have campgrounds & ranger programs for kids. The best park for families with children depends on their interests. For a mix of accessibility & outdoor activities, Cuyahoga Valley NP is better. For a remote, wilderness experience, Voyageurs NP is ideal.