14 Amazing Waterfalls in Ohio: Location Guide 2024
While Ohio may not be as well-known for its waterfalls as some other states, it does have several beautiful cascades worth exploring. Here are some notable waterfalls in Ohio:
- Old Man’s Cave and Cedar Falls (Hocking Hills State Park): Hocking Hills State Park is famous for its stunning landscapes, and Old Man’s Cave and Cedar Falls are two of its most picturesque spots. Old Man’s Cave features a gorge with waterfalls and unique rock formations, while Cedar Falls is known for its 50-foot waterfall surrounded by hemlock trees.
- Brandywine Falls (Cuyahoga Valley National Park): Brandywine Falls is one of the most popular waterfalls in Ohio. Located in Cuyahoga Valley National Park, the falls drop 65 feet and can be accessed via a short boardwalk trail.
- Ash Cave Falls (Hocking Hills State Park): Ash Cave is the largest recess cave in the state and features a seasonal waterfall. The cave’s recessed rock face and the waterfall create a captivating scene.
- Lily Pad Falls (Mohican State Park): Also known as Big Lyons Falls, Lily Pad Falls is located in Mohican State Park. It’s a picturesque waterfall surrounded by lush greenery and a serene setting.
- Lamping Homestead Falls (Wayne National Forest): This waterfall is situated in Wayne National Forest and is part of the Lamping Homestead Recreation Area. It’s a relatively lesser-known spot, providing a quieter setting to enjoy nature.
- Buttermilk Falls (Cuyahoga Valley National Park): Buttermilk Falls is another waterfall worth exploring in Cuyahoga Valley National Park. It’s a smaller waterfall but offers a tranquil setting for visitors.
Keep in mind that the flow of waterfalls can vary based on the season and recent rainfall. Additionally, it’s always a good idea to check trail conditions and accessibility, as well as any park regulations, before planning your visit.
14 Amazing Waterfalls in Ohio: Location Guide 2024
Read In Amazing Paragraph: Several waterfalls can be found throughout Ohio’s state parks, state nature preserves, and designated wildlife areas, which may surprise you, given that the state is primarily agricultural.
While it’s lovely to photograph waterfalls in the spring, they can also be quite impressive in the winter when the chilly Ohio weather transforms them into breathtaking ice creations.
Southern Ohio and the gently rolling Hocking Hills are some of the best places to go waterfall trekking. There are many more waterfalls farther northeast, closer to Cleveland and the Pennsylvania border, than you will find close to Toledo in northeast Ohio.
Consider visiting several Cleveland Metroparks if you want to shoot or see several waterfalls on the same day or during the same vacation. Staying in Cleveland allows you to plan your trip to the parks home to some of the state’s most distinctive waterfalls.
Wherever you begin your journey to discover Ohio’s waterfalls, you will be astounded by the hidden beauty in this midwestern state’s natural scenery. With our ranking of Ohio’s top waterfalls, you can find out where to go. Lets Start Waterfalls Names
1. Cedar Falls
One of Ohio’s most visited waterfalls is the majestic Cedar Falls in Hocking Hills State Park in the southeast. A half-mile hike will get you there rather quickly.
Below the falls, layered sandstone produces the flow of water shown in many pictures and paintings of the area. In the summer, guests may frequently be cooling off their feet or skipping rocks in the pool below the falls.
The amount of rain that falls in the spring and summer affects Cedar Falls’ dynamics. The waterfall frequently has flowing springtime water, culminating in an ocean-like plunge into the pool below. The falls’ speed decreases during the summer, and if there is little rain, it occasionally dries up entirely.
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The most excellent season to visit Cedar Falls is in the spring, when little wildflowers bloom on the forest floor and the weather is more remarkable for hiking. Fall is another excellent season when the trees’ vivid hues make this a well-liked location for an autumn trek.
Address: 19852 State Road 664 S, Logan, Ohio, Hocking Hills State Park
2. Amphitheater Falls
The absorption in Mother Nature’s untainted show of water is the one promise that comes with a location like John Bryan State Park and the protected wildlife region of Clifton Gorge State Nature Preserve.
The majestic Amphitheater waterfall, which is just as attractive frozen in the winter as it is with flowing water in the summer, may be reached from the Gorge Trail in the state park. In western Ohio, close to Yellow Springs, is where the route begins.
As you proceed along the Gorge Trail into the state nature park, you can view the roaring waves in the narrow, steep limestone valley. You may stand on several lookouts above the gorge and hear the roar of the water.
You can reach the tiny settlement of Clifton via the rim trail that runs along the top of the Clifton Gorge; allow additional time to trek the trails and stop for lunch at the Clifton Mill.
Address: 2381 State Road 343 in Yellow Springs, Ohio, Clifton Gorge State Nature Preserve
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3. Horseshoe Falls
Caesar Creek State Park’s pleasant stroll will be a bonus of a visit to Horseshoe Falls. The park is close to the town of Wilmington in southwest Ohio. The 1.8-mile loop in the park, including the Horseshoe Falls cascade, is quite simple to get around on a flat dirt trail. The trailhead is located in Caesar Creek Park’s Wellman Area.
While not a large waterfall, Horseshoe Falls is among the most picturesque in the state, partly due to the natural surroundings and nearby wildlife you may encounter. The waterfall offers a peaceful setting for a picnic when it cascades into the creek below.
Stroll across the 109-foot-long Caesar Creek Swinging Bridge that spans the river before returning to the parking area.
Address: Caesar Creek State Park, 9000 Center Road, Wilmington, Ohio
4. Hayden Run Falls
While most of Ohio’s best waterfalls are found in parks and forests, Hayden Run Falls is in the heart of Central Ohio’s urban sprawl. The waterfall is situated next to a busy road in the Dublin neighborhood of Columbus.
The two-acre area surrounding Hayden Run Falls is a lovely spot for a picnic, a stroll after lunch, or just some alone time. In the park, there are picnic tables. The 35-foot plunge of the waterfall makes it an exhilarating sight after a significant downpour.
The waterfall is significantly smaller during other times of the year, yet its seclusion still makes it pleasant to enjoy. You can either stroll down to the lower part of the falls to view them up close, from the boardwalk, or overlook above. It’s pretty easy to navigate the terrain to get to the waterfall.
Address: 4326 Hayden Run Road, Dublin, Ohio
5. Dundee Falls
At the Beach City Wildlife Area in northern Ohio, Dundee Falls is one of the attractions that cannot be missed. The area’s natural terrain and woodland make a magnificent hike to the falls possible.
Dundee Falls has very continuous water flow year-round, unlike some other waterfalls in Ohio that flow significantly only during specific seasons of the year or after a downpour. Dundee Falls’ water runs through a lovely gorge before entering adjacent Sugar Creek.
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The waterfall is a portion of the almost 2,000-acre Beach City Wildlife Park, close to Dundee, and features hiking paths and rock climbing areas. It’s a short distance to the falls. You should reach the trailhead to the falls from the parking area off Dundee Wilmot Road NW.
Address: 96 Dundee Wilmot Road NW, Dundee, Ohio
6. Blackhand Gorge Waterfalls
In the eastern region of Central Ohio, close to Newark, is the Blackhand Gorge State Natural Preserve, which has several lovely waterfalls. Blackhand Gorge is a fantastic choice if you want to visit several waterfalls in one trip and can make a day of it.
When there is the most water flow, the waterfalls are at their most beautiful in the spring. The Chestnut Trail, a 1.4-mile journey, leads to the first waterfall in Blackhand Gorge.
Chestnut Trail must be accessed from Blackhand Gorge Trail, the park’s primary paved route. It’s pretty easy to get to the trail.
Along the Marie Hickey Trail are the other waterfalls in the vicinity. You may access this route from the north parking lot, where you can observe several waterfalls.
Address: 2200 Gratiot Road SE, Newark, Ohio
7. Cascade Falls
If you love waterfalls but do not love the hikes that are often required to access them, then Cascade Falls in Nelson Kennedy Ledges State Park is your best option. The park and waterfall are located in northeast Ohio near the town of Garrettsville.
It is a short half-mile walk to Cascade Falls along the Yellow Trail, and there is a nice boardwalk that you can use to get here. Cascade Falls offers three vantage points: from above and below and from the cave behind the waterfall.
If you have time to explore more of the park, you will enjoy seeing the topography of the narrow passages and crevices and the unique rock formations called the Devil’s Icebox and Old Maid’s Kitchen.
Address: State Route 282, Nelson Township, Ohio
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8. Big and Little Lyons Falls
Why visit just one waterfall when you can view two of Ohio’s best in one trip? The Big and Little Lyons Falls is about 30 minutes southeast of Mansfield in Central Ohio’s Mohican State Park.
Big Lyons Falls is a stunning waterfall with an 80-foot drop into the Clear Fork Gorge. The cave beneath the waterfall gives the scenery in this wooded area a dramatic touch.
A smaller waterfall called Little Lyons Falls also empties into the Clear Fork Gorge. The 25-foot descent of the falls is difficult to see because of the granite formations, but it is still magnificent to behold from above.
The two-mile loop with a trailhead that departs from the covered bridge is the ideal route to take in both waterfalls. After a significant downpour, when there is the most water gushing over the Big and Little Lyons Falls, it is the most fantastic time to view them.
Address: 3116 State Route 3, Loudonville, Ohio
9. Ash Cave Waterfall
The recessed cave surrounding the Ash Cave waterfall in Hocking Hills State Park is as stunning as the high water tumbling from the limestone wall. One of the most easily accessible waterfalls in the state is Ash Cave, which even has a broad, half-mile route for wheelchairs and buggies. Returning to the waterfall, you walk by towering cliffs and old-growth hemlock trees.
The actual cave is 700 feet broad and narrows by around 100 feet. The waterfall cascades down the 90-foot-high cliff ledge into a tiny pool below. Early people initially used the cave as a shelter.
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The spray from the waterfall’s tumbling water splashes and cools you as you watch it in the summer. The waterfall at Ash Cave is equally fascinating to experience in the winter. A nearly perfect connection of layered ice exists between the pool of frozen water above and the pile of icy water below.
Address: Hocking Hills State Park, 27291 State Route 56, South Bloomingville, Ohio
10. Chagrin Falls
Chagrin Falls, which can be easily found and is in the same area, is a stunning waterfall. Chagrin Falls is located about 25 miles east of Cleveland in northern Ohio. The Chagrin River, which runs straight through Chagrin Falls, is where the waterfall is situated.
Although the main street bridge is above the falls, you can quickly descend to the lower levels through a boardwalk. The nearby Cuyahoga Valley National Park, which features several other waterfalls, should also be visited if you have extra time or are making a day trip out of it from Cleveland.
Bridal Veil Falls, Blue Hen Falls, Mill Creek Falls, and Buttermilk Falls are a few of the famous waterfalls in the park. The only way to see any of the waterfalls in the national park is to take a little hike.
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11. Paine Falls
The two-tiered Paine Falls waterfall in northeast Ohio is a unique waterfall in the state. It may be found in Paine Falls Park, adjacent to Painesville, Ohio. Although the park includes amenities like restrooms that make it convenient to visit for an afternoon, the waterfall is surrounded by forest.
While Paine Falls is easily accessible, it doesn’t require much walking. An observation deck with a fantastic view of Paine Falls is only a quarter mile from the parking lot.
After a significant downpour or in the fall, when the waterfall is bathed in a gorgeous array of reds, oranges, and yellows from the transforming leaves on the trees, these are the ideal times to view the falls in all their splendor.
Address: 5570 Paine Road, Leroy Twp., Ohio
12. Sheepskin Hollow Falls
Sheepskin Hollow Falls must be at the top of your list for your next excursion if you’re one of those waterfall zealots who will go great distances in quest of something magnificent. Because it is a wild waterfall hidden away in the Sheepskin Hollow Nature Preserve in Columbiana County in eastern Ohio, close to Salem, this waterfall in Ohio is unique.
Only those who are very adventurous should set out to find Sheepskin Hollow Waterfall because the nature preserve is about as primitive as it gets. You can park on the side of the road even though there are no marked parking spaces or trails that return to the falls.
Some signs take you to the waterfall after you enter the protected area. One must climb through dense vegetation and over abandoned railroad tracks to get to the falls.
Address: 51766 Pancake-Clarkson Road, Negley, Ohio
13. Brandywine Falls
There are several impressive waterfalls in Cuyahoga Valley National Park in northeast Ohio, but Brandywine Falls is one of the most breathtaking. The 60-foot waterfall is one of the most visited attractions in the state and park, especially in the fall when the trees’ changing foliage provides a vibrant backdrop.
A boardwalk can be used to watch the falls, but if you have the time and the physical ability, it is worthwhile to go to the foot of Brandywine Falls so you can also take in the beauty of the national park. The waterfall is reachable through a hike from the Boston Mills Visitor Center. A decent alternative is the 1.5-mile Brandywine Gorge Trail. The path leads you to the creek level, meandering along the lovely gorge.
Another choice is to hike along the Ohio & Erie Towpath and Stanford Trails from the Boston Mills Visitor Center to Brandywine Falls. This nearly five-mile journey to the falls and back is a fantastic choice for anyone seeking a lengthier trip.
Because of its popularity, you’ll have the best chance of finding parking at Brandywine Falls if you arrive there early in the day.
Address: 8230 Brandywine Road, Northfield, Ohio
14. Great Falls
The Great Falls at Tinker’s Creek is a top waterfall for photographers because of its beauty but also for the remnants of the area’s history surrounding it. You can find vestiges of a grist mill, electric power plant, and saw mill indicating the importance that water played in this area near Cleveland.
Take a walking path to the Great Falls from Viaduct Park as you learn about the other natural elements surrounding Tinker’s Creek. The 15-foot waterfall pours over sandstone ledges with a width of nearly 80 feet.
Address: Willis Street, Bedford, Ohio
What is the best waterfall in Ohio?
Brandywine Falls is perhaps the most consistent waterfall in all of Ohio, and it’s 65 feet tall as well. Brandywine Falls is located in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park and is easily the most popular attraction in the park. Nothing in Ohio comes remotely close to Twin Sisters after a rainy day.
How many waterfalls does Ohio have?
Flat farmland is probably what comes to mind when you think of Ohio. But, it actually has varied landscapes that provide tons of opportunities to explore nature. In particular, there are about 300 Ohio waterfalls that you could visit!
What is the biggest waterfall in Ohio?
Brandywine Falls
Ohio is home to many beautiful waterfalls, but none compare to the spectacular beauty of the tallest waterfall in the state – Brandywine Falls. This natural wonder is located in Cuyahoga Valley National Park, just a short drive from Cleveland. At 65 feet tall, Brandywine Falls is truly a sight to behold.
What waterfalls are in Ohio?
- Ash Cave Falls.
- Big Spring Hollow Falls.
- Broken Rock Falls.
- Cantwell Cliffs Falls.
- Conkles Hollow Falls.
- Cedar Falls.
- Hidden Falls.
- Lower Old Man’s Cave Falls.
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