Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Wind Cave National Park are two contrasting natural treasures in the US, one showcasing the beauty of the land and the other showcasing wonders underneath it. While Cuyahoga River meanders through the lush Ohio valleys, Wind Cave in South Dakota entices adventure seekers with its mysterious underground maze. Both offer breathtaking vistas, but one is a scenic journey above ground and the other is a journey below. Whether you’re a nature lover or an underground explorer, these two parks offer something for everyone. So fasten your seatbelt and come along as we uncover the unique and captivating qualities of these two amazing parks!
Hiking Trails in Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Wind Cave National Park
Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Wind Cave National Park offer unique and diverse hiking experiences. Cuyahoga Valley, located in Ohio, boasts a range of trails, including easy options like Ledges and Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath, which offers scenic views along an historic canal. More challenging hikes include Brandywine Falls, a steep descent to a 65ft waterfall, and Everett Covered Bridge, a 7-mile trail through hills and streams.
Wind Cave National Park, located in South Dakota, is famous for its cave system, the fourth-longest in the world. Easy hikes include Rankin Ridge, offering panoramic prairie views, and Wind Cave Canyon, a 1-mile trail through a picturesque canyon. For a bigger challenge, try Highland Creek, an 8-mile hike through rugged terrain, or Elk Mountain, an 8.5-mile trek to the park’s highest point with stunning Black Hills 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 Wind Cave National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rankin Ridge Interpretive Trail | 1609.34 | 72.8472 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Wind Cave Canyon Trail | 6115.492 | 64.9224 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Lookout Point Trail and Centennial Trail Loop | 8368.568 | 156.972 | Moderate | loop | 4 |
| Cold Brook Canyon Trail | 4506.152 | 60.96 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| East Bison Flats Trail | 16254.334 | 445.9224 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Boland Ridge Trail | 7724.832 | 248.7168 | Moderate | out and back | 4 |
| Centennial Trail: Highway 87 to Highlander Rd | 13035.654 | 286.8168 | Moderate | point to point | 4.5 |
| Elk Mountain Interpretive Trail | 4023.35 | 99.9744 | Easy | out and back | 3.5 |
| Prairie Vista Loop | 1609.34 | 31.6992 | Easy | out and back | 4 |
| Highland Creek Trail to Centennial Trail Loop | 21887.024 | 443.7888 | Hard | loop | 4.5 |
Wildlife in Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Wind Cave National Park
Cuyahoga Valley NP in Ohio offers a diverse wildlife scene with species such as white-tailed deer, beavers, coyotes, river otters, and black bears. It also attracts over 300 bird species including peregrine falcons, great blue herons, and different warblers & vireos. The park encompasses a variety of vegetation from oak & hickory forests, wetlands to meadows.
Wind Cave NP in South Dakota is famous for its bison & pronghorn herds, as well as its large elk, mule deer, and coyote population. Birdwatching opportunities are also abundant with species like black-billed magpie, mountain bluebird, and burrowing owl. The park boasts a unique ecosystem with a mix of prairie & forest landscapes including Ponderosa pine forests and mixed grass prairies.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Wind Cave National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Cuyahoga Valley National Park | Wind Cave 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 | Wind Cave 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 | Weasels |
| Gray Fox | House Mouse |
| Badger | Mountain Lion |
| Masked Shrew | Mink |
| Red Squirrel | Mule Deer |
| White-Tailed Deer | Wolf |
| Virginia Opossum | Long-Legged Myotis |
| Meadow Vole | Long-Eared Myotis |
| Red Bat | Badger |
| White-Footed Mouse | Ermine |
| Norway Rat | Fringed Myotis |
Amphibians
| Cuyahoga Valley National Park | Wind Cave National Park |
|---|---|
| Northern Leopard Frog | Northern Leopard Frog |
| Eastern Tiger Salamander | Tiger Salamander |
| Bullfrog | Woodhouses Toad |
| Wood Frog | Plains Spadefoot |
Reptiles
| Cuyahoga Valley National Park | Wind Cave National Park |
|---|---|
| Racer | Bull Snake |
| Ring-Necked Snake | Western Terrestrial Garter Snake |
| Common Garter Snake | Racer |
| Eastern Milk Snake | Western Rattlesnake |
| Eastern Fence Lizard | Common Garter Snake |
| Milksnake |
Insects
| Cuyahoga Valley National Park | Wind Cave National Park |
|---|---|
| Orange Sulfur | Orange Sulfer |
| Painted Lady | Painted Lady |
| Monarch Butterfly | Monarch Butterfly |
| American Painted Lady | American Painted Lady |
| European Cabbage White | Red Admiral |
| Buckeye | Mourningcloak |
| Cabbage White | |
| Common Checkered-Skipper | |
| Clouded Sulphur | |
| Variegated Fritillary |
Fish
| Cuyahoga Valley National Park | Wind Cave National Park |
|---|---|
| Northern Largemouth Bass | Brook Trout |
| Green Sunfish | Fathead Minnow |
| Northern Bluegill Sunfish | Long Nose Dace |
| Northern Fathead Minnow | Black Bullhead |
| Golden Shiner | Creek Chub |
| European Carp | |
| Northern Pike | |
| Eastern Burbot | |
| Central Mottled Sculpin | |
| Graceful Catfish | |
| Black Crappie | |
| Creek Chub | |
| Goldfish |
Beautiful Landscapes in Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Wind Cave National Park
Cuyahoga Valley National Park is known for its scenic railway, rolling hills, and the Cuyahoga River, as well as its scenic byway with views of the valley and river. Brandywine Falls, a 65-foot waterfall, is a popular attraction.
Wind Cave National Park is famous for its unique geological formations, including boxwork and frostwork, as well as its rolling hills, prairies, and wildlife (bison, elk). The park’s main attraction is Wind Cave, one of the longest and most complex caves in the world.
Things To-Do and Activities in Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Wind Cave National Park
Cuyahoga Valley NP offers scenic hikes, biking, horseback riding, fishing, boating, scenic railway, and bird watching. Wind Cave NP is known for camping, wildlife viewing, bison and elk herds, and guided cave tours showcasing unique formations. Both parks offer opportunities for outdoor recreation and nature appreciation.
Best Time to Visit Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Wind Cave National Park
Cuyahoga Valley National Park in Ohio and Wind Cave National Park in South Dakota have vastly different climates. Cuyahoga Valley experiences hot summers, cold winters, and moderate springs/autumns. Wind Cave, on the other hand, has a more moderate climate with warm summers, cool winters and low seasonal temp variations. The best time to visit Cuyahoga Valley is from late spring to early autumn due to mild temps and lush vegetation. Winter can be harsh with impassable trails. Wind Cave is best visited from spring to autumn, with June-August being warmest. Winter can bring below freezing temps, making outdoor activities difficult.
Family Friendliness of Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Wind Cave National Park
Cuyahoga Valley National Park is more family-friendly than Wind Cave National Park. CVNP offers many outdoor activities suitable for families, such as hiking, biking and scenic railway tours. Wind Cave National Park is focused primarily on cave exploration and wildlife viewing, making it less ideal for families. Both parks are great destinations, but CVNP is better suited for families seeking a broader range of outdoor activities.