Hiking Trails In Ohio With Gorgeous Waterfalls | Ultimate Hiking Guide

In this guide, you will learn about everything Ohio has to offer when it comes to hiking and waterfalls. where to go, what to do, safety- everything you need is in this guide. Ohio offers some of the best hiking trails with beautiful waterfalls! I will show you the best ones that Ohio has to offer.

20 Hiking Trails In Ohio With Waterfalls You Should Explore

Here are some of the best Hiking Trails In Ohio with their respective waterfalls! I have included a couple of videos at the bottom of this article to help you get started.

Before you start hiking, make sure you are prepared for what’s ahead of you. Especially if it is your first time hiking, take someone who has hiked before with you. Make sure they can help keep an eye on you and that both of you know what may be ahead.

Before leaving or exploring any new areas- tell somebody where exactly you will be going, when to expect your return, and bring some sort of communication device in case anything goes wrong.

1. Clifton Gorge State Nature Preserve

Clifton Gorge is one of the few spots in Ohio where you can explore both a gorge and a cave. This spot also has numerous waterfalls! To see these gorgeous waterfalls, hike along the Gorge Trail. Along this trail, there are many gorgeous areas to stop and rest. You may even be able to go behind the waterfalls!

2. Strouds Run State Park

Women walking with her dog in park Woman With A Face Mask Walking Her Dog In Park. parks stock pictures, royalty-free photos & images

Strouds Run has some of the best waterfalls in Ohio, so I had to put it on this list! There are two main ways you can see these awesome falls: hike along Strouds Run Gorge Trail or follow Strouds Run Valley Trail. I recommend taking the Valley Trail first then following up with the Gorge trail for an awesome adventure! However, if you’re feeling adventurous, take both trails and have a blast exploring all of the awesome areas of Stroud’s run.

3. The Ledges of Little Miami River

Woman floating down a river in inner tube Summer adventure  River stock pictures, royalty-free photos & images

The Ledges of Little Miami River is one waterfall spot that does not get talked about a lot. However, it definitely deserves to be seen! The best way to explore this area is by taking the Ledges Trail and then following up with the River Trail as you make your way back to your car. This trail has all kinds of beautiful areas that overlook cliffs and waterfalls.

4. Old Man’s Cave

Silhouette of a male person at the cave entrance Man exploring caves in Julian Alps mountains, Slovenia, Europe. old man cave stock pictures, royalty-free photos & images

Old Man’s Cave is one of the most popular and easily accessible waterfalls in Ohio. It’s perfect for beginners! The best way to explore this area is by taking all different trails as you make your way through the gorge. You can take a few different routes and try out each trail so that you never get bored exploring this gorgeous place!

5. Glen Helen – Little Miami National and State Park

Glen Helen is one of the most unique waterfalls in Ohio. It is a really neat area that you can explore to get up close and personal with the falls! There are three different trails you may take to see these awesome falls, including Hemlock Gorge Trail, Rattlesnake Trail, and Cedar Falls Trail. I recommend checking out all three during your visit in order to have an enjoyable time exploring here!

6. Clifton Mill

Clifton Mill has some of the best waterfalls in all of Ohio. To experience these pretty little gems, check out their trail system which includes 3 waterfalls- Bridal Veil Falls, Luna Falls, and Aukerman Creek Waterfall! Each one is more gorgeous than the other and all three can be seen along a .8-1.8-mile hike!

7. Burr Oak State Park

Female hiker surrounded by beautiful fall colors Female hiker in the mountains on a fall day with vibrant fall trees. state park stock pictures, royalty-free photos & images

Burr Oak is one of Ohio’s top parks to explore, so it definitely made this list! This park offers some great waterfalls during the fall season, but you may still see one during the winter months as well. If you’re up for an adventure, check out Brandywine Falls and Rock House Falls by taking the separate trails that lead to them together. These two beautiful falls are separated by an awesome cave that is really neat to explore as well!

8. Cuyahoga Valley National Park: Boston Ledges Area

The Boston Ledges area in Cuyahoga Valley National Park is such a unique place to explore! This area has the perfect combination of waterfalls and cliffs that make it one of Ohio’s most interesting places to visit. I recommend following Boston Mill Road to see some pretty views and then checking out Brandywine Falls for a great adventure.

9. Hocking Hills

Old Man’s Cave in Hocking Hills is definitely not enough- there are many other spots in this park you can check out! To get more of what Old Man’s Cave has to offer, take Echo Trail and see many different areas like Punch Bowl Falls and Cedar Falls. These two falls are separated but both can be seen from one spot! You may even feel as if you’re going through a totally different trail because of how many different areas you will see!

10. Jefferson Proving Grounds Gorge Trail

The Gorge Trail at Jefferson proves grounds are one of the most unique trails I’ve ever seen- AND it has waterfalls! There are two great falls on this trail, including Glow Worm Falls and Indian Creek Waterfall. However, there are other spots along this trail that absolutely make the whole journey worth it (Indian Rock House anyone?!)

11. Mohican-Memorial State Forest: Lower Twin Creek Falls Area

Mohican-Memorial has a lot of waterfalls and many of them are near each other! The best way to explore these falls is by taking the Lower Twin Creek Falls and Ridge Runner Trails together. These trails will take you on a journey all over this beautiful forest and you’ll see several different kinds of falls along with lots of great places to explore!

12. Otterbein University: Ijams Nature Center

Views of Sweetwater Creek Mill Images of Sweetwater Creek and paper mill. state park stock pictures, royalty-free photos & images

This nature center in Westerville has one waterfall that everyone needs to witness at least once in their life- Glen Eden Falls! This gorgeous area is surrounded by cliffs, caves, and forests which makes it really special during the fall season when everything is changing colors. To get there, follow either Glen Eden Road or Eden Trail (they both lead to the same place!)!

13. Paine Creek (Blanchester)

Paine Creek is another great spot in Ohio that has more than one waterfall. There are actually over ten waterfalls along Paine Creek, but I’ll list the two most popular ones here. To get to them, follow Clifton Gorge Road to see Lower Falls and follow Little Miami Scenic Trail to visit Upper Falls!

14. Rocky Fork State Park: Twin Valley South Area

Twin Valley is another wonderful state park with so many spots to explore! For these falls, you’ll want to check out Twin Valley South which will take you on a hike all around this beautiful park. Along the way, you may stumble across either of these beautiful falls.

15. Tinkers Creek State Park: Twin Valley North Area

Redwood trail through trees in the forest Giant trees and lush forest in the Humboldt Redwoods State Park California, USA state park stock pictures, royalty-free photos & images

This state park is actually a part of the Ohio State Park System, so there are MANY trails to explore here! I recommend visiting this area during the fall season because there are so many great places you can see from these trails. Along the way, you might see either of these two waterfalls!

16. Turkeyfoot Falls (Old Man’s Cave)

There are many different kinds of waterfalls in Hocking Hills and they’re all unique in their own way! These falls might be best experienced while hiking through the gorge trail though because it isn’t too far out of your way- especially if you’re already at Old Man’s Cave! The other option is to visit Little Grand Canyon just to see the falls- but that is an additional two miles one way you could be adding to your hike!

17. Wolf Creek Falls (Lake Hope State Park)

Wolf Creek Falls is part of Lake Hope State Park and offers a great challenge for those who like to explore! It’s 1.8 miles out and back which means it isn’t TOO difficult, however, this trail does include some rock climbing as well as some creek crossings! If you want to experience all this area has to offer, make sure you check out Johns Hollow and The Eye as well (both can be found off the same trail).

18. Zaleski State Forest: Brandywine Recreation Area

Okay, so I know Zaleski isn’t really “in Ohio” but it’s right there so I figured I’d include it! This is probably my favorite state forest in the whole world and that’s saying something. These falls are beautiful, especially during the fall season when everything is changing colors. That being said, you might not want to visit these falls on weekends because they’re often crowded with hikers (worth it though!).

19. Zink Road (Albany)

Zink road is another one of those trails that tends to be more difficult than you would expect. There are waterfalls along this trail, however some added challenges like climbing over big rocks which make this an unsuitable path for everyone (keep kids away)! To get there head out West Sippo Road, also known as Covert Run Road or Albany-Sterling Road.

20. Cedar Falls

Waterfall Cedar Falls at Petit Jean State Park, Arkansas cedar falls stock pictures, royalty-free photos & images

Last but not least is Cedar Falls IN the Hocking Hills region! These falls are considered some of Ohio’s finest and I can’t help but agree with that statement completely! Head out to Old Man’s Cave and hike the gorge trail to get a closer look at these gorgeous falls! If you do visit, make sure you check out all the other waterfalls along this trail too!

Hiking safety tips:

when hiking always be sure to wear proper clothing, carry plenty of water and always let someone know where you are going and when you plan to return bring a map or directions with you just in case!

If you’re hiking alone, let someone know your estimated time of return. I’ve changed this to say “always” because it’s just not safe to go by yourself out there- what if something happens?? be smart!

now, THIS IS IMPORTANT!!!!!! even if you aren’t alone, make sure you carry/wear one of these things ALWAYS!!! It may not seem like much but it could save your life… actually…it WILL save your life!!!! GET ONE NOW!!

FAQ:s

Where is the largest waterfall in the world?

I don’t know what the largest waterfall in the world is, however, I do know that Angel Falls in Venezuela is the highest (3,212 ft)!

Why does Ohio have so much water?

Ohio has a bunch of lakes and rivers because well. the glaciers came down to here! when glaciers move through an area they gouge out the earth and make all kinds of crazy things like lakes and such. Shout out to my 7th-grade earth science teacher for teaching me this!!

What other activities can I do in Ohio??

Oh, man. Ohio is MADE of fun activities and I don’t know where to begin! some other awesome things you can do in Ohio include:

-camping (7 state parks have camped on premises!)

-fishing (we’re the third largest state for fishing AND we’re known for our bass!)

-hunting (deer, turkey, squirrel)

-boating & kayaking (tons of rivers and waterways out there!)

-biking (great bike trails all over including CUTEST little towns like Yellow Springs and Little Cesar’s aka my favorite bike trail ever, oh did I mention this is a mandatory bike trail? it really is cause it goes right through a cave -that’s a fun fact)

-snowmobiling (there are tons of trails out there and places to rent snowmobiles too!)

-skiing & tubing (yes, even though we’re in Ohio some people still ski here! including me!)

-zoo’s (oh hey, see animals without having to go all the way west to the Columbus Zoo or east to the Toledo Zoo!! ZOO TRAIN UP IN HERE PEOPLE!!

…and more! OHIO IS FULL OF FUN STUFF TO DO!!! THIS AREA SURE KNOWS HOW TO PARTY AND HAVE ALL KINDS OF FUN!!! HECK YEAH I’M LOVING THIS STATE!!!! CAN I MOVE HERE

What do I need to bring with me?

water, a camera, good shoes and of course a map! always make sure you have plenty of water with you before heading out there because it can get hot during the summertime. Be sure to remember to bring essential on your trips.

What time of year should I visit??

well, this depends on what your interests are. Do you want to go hiking? Well then, head out there when it’s nice outside and warm enough for the trails not to be too slippery! Skiing? Head up north in the wintertime where most ski resorts are! These places have tons of fun activities during every season so pick a time and enjoy yourself! Whatever your heart desires is sure to be out there in Ohio!!!

Should my dog come too?

no no nooo!!!!! please don’t let your pets go on these trails. they could hurt themselves or worse hurt others around them! It’s just not worth it!

Conclusion :

So there you have it! These are the top 20 waterfalls in Ohio!!

Now I did try to keep this list as random and unbiased as possible, however, if I did include your favorite falls- I don’t apologize. Haha!

Also, please note that some of these falls require a permit/fee to get into/near- so be sure to look into that before visiting them (if necessary).

I hope you enjoyed this post! If you did, make sure to share it with friends who would also enjoy all the beautiful sites around Ohio! Also, feel free to leave me any suggestions or comments below.

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