“Picture yourself surrounded by rolling hills dotted with vibrant wildflowers, or standing in the midst of a sea of pristine white sand dunes, stretching as far as the eye can see. These are just two of the breathtaking landscapes you can discover at Cuyahoga Valley National Park and White Sands National Park. Both offer unique, unforgettable experiences that will leave you in awe of nature’s beauty. So, if you’re ready for an adventure, or just a peaceful escape, come and explore the wonders of these two amazing parks.”
Hiking Trails in Cuyahoga Valley National Park and White Sands National Park
Cuyahoga Valley National Park and White Sands National Park offer diverse hiking experiences. Cuyahoga Valley boasts trails like Ledges, Towpath, and Beaver Marsh, each with its own level of difficulty. Ledges is a moderate hike showcasing rock formations and scenic views, Towpath is a leisurely hike along Ohio & Erie Canal, and Beaver Marsh is a peaceful boardwalk through wetlands.
At White Sands, visitors can explore its iconic dunes with trails like Alkali Flat, Interdune Boardwalk, and Dune Life Nature Trail. Alkali Flat and Interdune Boardwalk are easy walks, while Dune Life Nature Trail is a strenuous hike through the heart of the dunes with stunning desert views. Both parks offer a range of hiking options for nature enthusiasts, from easy walks to challenging hikes.
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 White Sands 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 | 6 |
Wildlife in Cuyahoga Valley National Park and White Sands National Park
Cuyahoga Valley NP in Ohio features a mix of wildlife incl. white-tailed deer, beavers, foxes, coyotes, raccoons, skunks, squirrels and birds such as bald eagle, great blue heron, pileated woodpecker. Spring/summer offer wildflowers like trillium, Dutchman’s breeches, spring beauty. White Sands NP in New Mexico has a unique landscape of white sand dunes but also supports kit foxes, pronghorns, roadrunners, rattlesnakes, black-tailed jackrabbits, and birds like sandpipers, plovers, shorebirds. The park also boasts cacti and desert plants like yucca, creosote bush, mesquite.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Cuyahoga Valley National Park and White Sands National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Cuyahoga Valley National Park | White Sands 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 | White Sands 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 | White Sands National Park |
|---|---|
| Northern Leopard Frog | Northern Leopard Frog |
| Eastern Tiger Salamander | Wood Frog |
| Bullfrog | |
| Wood Frog |
Reptiles
| Cuyahoga Valley National Park | White Sands National Park |
|---|---|
| Racer | |
| Ring-Necked Snake | |
| Common Garter Snake | |
| Eastern Milk Snake | |
| Eastern Fence Lizard |
Insects
| Cuyahoga Valley National Park | White Sands National Park |
|---|---|
| Orange Sulfur | |
| Painted Lady | |
| Monarch Butterfly | |
| American Painted Lady | |
| European Cabbage White | |
| Buckeye |
Fish
| Cuyahoga Valley National Park | White Sands 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 White Sands National Park
Cuyahoga Valley National Park features rolling hills, scenic riverways, and the Cuyahoga River. Brandywine Falls and Ledges Overlook are popular landmarks. White Sands National Park boasts white sand dunes formed from gypsum crystals, surrounded by the Tularosa Basin and San Andres Mountains. Both parks offer unique natural beauty to explore.
Things To-Do and Activities in Cuyahoga Valley National Park and White Sands National Park
Cuyahoga Valley and White Sands are both popular parks with unique offerings. Cuyahoga Valley offers hiking, biking, scenic drives, picnicking, and scenic train rides. White Sands is famous for its sand dunes, with activities such as sand sledding, hiking, scenic drives and stargazing. Both have scenic drives, hiking, and picnicking, but White Sands also offers birdwatching and a museum. Cuyahoga Valley is a green landscape while White Sands is a desert with white sand dunes.
Best Time to Visit Cuyahoga Valley National Park and White Sands National Park
Cuyahoga Valley National Park (Ohio) has a humid continental climate with cold winters & warm summers. Highs of 75°F (24°C) in July & 32°F (0°C) in Jan. Winters can bring snow & ice, making some trails inaccessible. Best to visit in spring/summer for mild weather & blooming vegetation.
White Sands National Park (NM) has a hot desert climate with hot summers & mild winters. Highs of 90°F (32°C) in July & 50°F (10°C) in Jan. Summer temps can reach over 100°F (38°C) making outdoor activities during the day strenuous. Winter is best for comfortable temperatures & fewer crowds.
Family Friendliness of Cuyahoga Valley National Park and White Sands National Park
Cuyahoga Valley offers family-friendly activities such as hiking, fishing, boat rides, and educational programs, while White Sands has stunning landscapes for sand sledding, picnicking, and a stroller-friendly boardwalk. Both parks have ranger-led activities for kids. If you’re traveling with young children, Cuyahoga Valley may be a better choice with its easier trails and more amenities, while White Sands has a playground. The best park for your family depends on your interests and needs.