Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Yellowstone National Park are two vastly different American treasures, each offering its own unique blend of natural beauty and adventure. While Cuyahoga Valley is a peaceful oasis of rolling hills, sparkling streams, and tranquil waterfalls, Yellowstone is a geothermal wonderland of geysers, hot springs, and explosive Old Faithful. Whether you’re a seasoned hiker or a first-time visitor, these parks promise an unforgettable experience, from the breathtaking vistas to the diverse wildlife that call these lands home. So grab your camera, lace up your hiking boots, and join us as we explore the contrasting but equally captivating landscapes of Cuyahoga Valley and Yellowstone National Parks!
Hiking Trails in Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Yellowstone National Park
Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Yellowstone National Park offer diverse hiking experiences. In Cuyahoga Valley, trails range from easy river walks to challenging hill hikes. Some easy hikes include the 20-mile Towpath Trail along the Ohio & Erie Canal and the 1.5-mile Ledges Trail through a sandstone gorge. The hardest hike in Cuyahoga Valley is the 4-mile Brandywine Falls Trail, with steep inclines and rocky terrain.
Yellowstone, known for its geothermal features and wildlife, offers a range of hikes, from easy boardwalk trails to strenuous backcountry hikes. Easy hikes include the Old Faithful Geyser boardwalk and the 1-mile Mammoth Hot Springs Terraces Trail. Hard hikes include the 39-mile Bechler River Trail through the remote backcountry and the difficult 8-mile Mystic Falls Trail with steep inclines and rocky terrain.
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 Yellowstone National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mystic Falls, Fairy Creek and Little Firehole Loop | 5632.69 | 184.7088 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Grand Prismatic Hot Spring | 2574.944 | 60.96 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Upper Geyser Basin and Old Faithful Observation Point Loop | 7242.03 | 73.7616 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Canyon Rim North Trail to Inspiration Point | 12713.786 | 349.9104 | Moderate | out and back | 4 |
| West Thumb Geyser Basin Trail | 1609.34 | 17.9832 | Easy | loop | 4 |
| Mammoth Hot Springs Area Trail | 5632.69 | 170.9928 | Easy | loop | 4 |
| Artists Paintpots Trail | 1609.34 | 30.7848 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Avalanche Peak Trail | 7402.964 | 614.7816 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
| Old Faithful Geyser Loop Trail | 1126.538 | 4.8768 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Upper Falls, Lower Falls and Crystal Falls Trail | 6115.492 | 140.8176 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
Wildlife in Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Yellowstone National Park
Cuyahoga Valley National Park (CVNP) in Ohio and Yellowstone National Park (YNP) in Wyoming, Montana and Idaho are both known for diverse wildlife. CVNP is a habitat for white-tailed deer, coyotes, beavers and over 300 species of birds. YNP is renowned for its variety of large mammals such as grizzly bears, wolves, bison, and elk. Both parks offer a range of plant species, including hardwood forests and wetlands in CVNP, and alpine meadows and geysers in YNP.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Yellowstone National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Cuyahoga Valley National Park | Yellowstone 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 | Yellowstone 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 | Mule Deer |
| White-Tailed Deer | Wolf |
| Virginia Opossum | Long-Legged Myotis |
| Meadow Vole | Long-Eared Myotis |
| Red Bat | Badger |
| White-Footed Mouse | Short Tailed Weasel |
| Norway Rat | California Myotis |
Amphibians
| Cuyahoga Valley National Park | Yellowstone National Park |
|---|---|
| Northern Leopard Frog | Northern Leopard Frog |
| Eastern Tiger Salamander | Bullfrog |
| Bullfrog | Woodhouse’s Toad |
| Wood Frog | Plains Spadefoot |
Reptiles
| Cuyahoga Valley National Park | Yellowstone National Park |
|---|---|
| Racer | Racer |
| Ring-Necked Snake | Greater Short-Horned Lizard |
| Common Garter Snake | Rubber Boa |
| Eastern Milk Snake | |
| Eastern Fence Lizard |
Insects
| Cuyahoga Valley National Park | Yellowstone National Park |
|---|---|
| Orange Sulfur | Orange Sulphur |
| Painted Lady | Painted Lady |
| Monarch Butterfly | Monarch |
| American Painted Lady | American Painted Lady |
| European Cabbage White | Red Admiral |
| Buckeye | Mourning Cloak |
| Silvery Blue | |
| Common Checkered Skipper | |
| Common Sulphur | |
| Variegated Fritillary | |
| Commom Wood Nymph | |
| Purplish Copper | |
| Anise Swallowtail |
Fish
| Cuyahoga Valley National Park | Yellowstone National Park |
|---|---|
| Northern Largemouth Bass | Rainbow Trout |
| Green Sunfish | Brook Trout |
| Northern Bluegill Sunfish | Brown Trout |
| Northern Fathead Minnow | Longnose Sucker |
| Golden Shiner | Lake Trout |
| European Carp | Mottled Sculpin |
| Northern Pike | Longnose Dace |
| Eastern Burbot | Speckled Dace |
| Central Mottled Sculpin | Arctic Grayling |
| Graceful Catfish | |
| Black Crappie | |
| Creek Chub | |
| Goldfish |
Beautiful Landscapes in Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Yellowstone National Park
Cuyahoga Valley NP has Brandywine Falls (65ft waterfall), Ledges Overlook (rocky cliffs), and the 20-mile-long Cuyahoga River. Yellowstone NP has Old Faithful geyser, Grand Canyon of Yellowstone, and Mammoth Hot Springs (terraced pools w/ calcium formations).
Things To-Do and Activities in Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Yellowstone National Park
Cuyahoga Valley NP and Yellowstone NP are popular for different reasons. Cuyahoga offers scenic railway, recreational activities like fishing, biking, and ranger-led programs, and a mix of cultural heritage sites. Yellowstone is famous for its geothermal features, such as Old Faithful geyser, hot springs and geysers, and wildlife like grizzly bears, wolves, and elks. Both offer camping, picnic areas, and ranger-led programs, but Yellowstone has more backcountry camping options. Both parks offer scenic drives, wildlife viewing and ranger-led educational programs. Yellowstone appeals to nature and adventure enthusiasts, while Cuyahoga is a mix of outdoor recreation and cultural experiences.
Best Time to Visit Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Yellowstone National Park
Cuyahoga Valley National Park in Ohio has warm summers (up to 80°F) and cold winters (down to 20°F), with moderate temperatures and peak foliage and wildlife in spring and fall. Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming has a subalpine climate, with mild summers (average 60°F) and long, cold winters (average 20°F) with heavy snow (150 inches). Winter access is limited in Yellowstone, so the best time to visit is in summer, when roads are open. The best time to visit Cuyahoga Valley is spring/fall for mild weather and peak wildlife/foliage.
Family Friendliness of Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Yellowstone National Park
Cuyahoga Valley National Park in Ohio and Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming both offer family-friendly activities such as hiking, picnicking, and wildlife watching. Cuyahoga Valley National Park is known for its scenic railway, towpath trail, and numerous educational programs for children. Yellowstone, on the other hand, is famous for its geysers, hot springs, and Old Faithful. Both parks offer ample opportunities to explore and learn, but Yellowstone may be the better option for families with kids due to the unique geological features and the chance to see iconic wildlife such as bison and elk.