There are few issues more spectacular than stopping to look at a beautiful cascading waterfall. Whether it’s a reward after a challenging hike, a perfect spot for a picnic, or a point of interest on a road trip, we firmly consider that yes, you want to completely go chasing waterfalls.
And the good news is that there are many waterfalls near Cleveland, Ohio!
If you intend to spend more time in the nice outdoors near Cleveland, these are palms down the waterfalls you have to put on your must-see record.
(And you’ll find all these waterfalls plotted on a map if you scroll all the method down to the top of this post!)
Note: We’ve solely included waterfalls here you could attain or see using established trails and overlooks; we don’t condone going off-trail, no matter how great the Instagram photograph might flip out!
1. Brandywine Falls
Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Sagamore Hills
Brandywine Falls is the preferred waterfall in Cuyahoga Valley National Park (and probably in northeast Ohio). This 65-foot waterfall is impressive to see any time of yr, including during a frosty chilly snap when it freezes over, and it’s not stunning that it usually attracts a crowd.
It also has an extended history with early settlers, when they used the waterfall for its water power for a quantity of mills.
Today this waterfall is very easy to get to from the Brandywine Falls picnic space and parking zone. You can either take the Brandywine Gorge Trail loop to benefit from the scenery of the world earlier than exploring the waterfall, or just take the short MetroPark Bike & Hike trail to the steps all the method down to see it.
2. Great Falls of Tinker’s Creek Gorge
Viaduct Park, Bedford Reservation
This small but mighty waterfall near Cleveland is positioned within the gorgeous Tinker’s Creek Gorge near some incredible old grist and saw mills, and even an old electrical power plant.
This waterfall is great as a end result of it’s often not very crowded in any respect – and it looks fairly incredible within the winter when it begins to freeze over.
To get there, simply park within the Viaduct Park parking zone and take the Viaduct Park Loop trail.
RELATED: Where to See Frozen Waterfalls Near Cleveland in Winter
three. Bridal Veil Falls
Bedford Reservation, Walton Hills
While you’re in the area around Tinker’s Creek Gorge, then you’ve obtained to stop and see Bridal Veil Falls. Less of a giant waterfall and more of a series of tiny waterfalls that flow alongside Deerlick Creek beneath a picket bridge, this place is however picturesque.
Just park on the Bridal Veil Falls car parking zone and take the Buckeye Trail for a couple of short minutes until you reach it. You can even make this an extended hike by persevering with on the Buckeye Trail to Tinker’s Creek Gorge!
four. Blue Hen Falls
Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Brecksville
This is considered one of the Cleveland waterfalls that can’t be missed. There are a few smaller falls main as a lot as the massive waterfall itself, then it drops into a beautiful pool of water earlier than continuing on its method.
The best part about visiting Blue Hen Falls is that there are a number of ways to get there depending on how a lot hiking you’d like to do. You can simply see it by parking in a smaller car parking zone off of 2001 Boston Mills Road and hiking a half mile to the waterfall.
However, if you would like to get slightly extra adventurous, I advocate taking a longer hike through the Buckeye Trail beginning at Jaite Trailhead. It’s an eight mile hike and takes a minimum of three.5 hours to finish round-trip.
Lastly, for a mid-length hike, take the Buckeye Trail from Boston Mills Visitor Center to Blue Hen Falls. This is simply a 4 mile hike round-trip and takes no less than 2 hours.
RELATED: The Ultimate Guide to Hiking the Buckeye Trail Near Cleveland
5. Mill Creek Falls
Garfield Park Reservation, Cleveland
Looking for a waterfall *in* Cleveland? This is it. Mill Creek Falls, or Cataract Falls of Mill Creek, is a 48-foot waterfall and occurs to be Cuyahoga County’s highest waterfall! It cascades over many rock layers in the northern corner of Garfield Park Reservation.
To see this waterfall, park in one of two parking tons on Webb Terrace. From there, you can observe the Mill Creek Trail to the principle Mill Creek Falls Overlook.
6. Chippewa Creek Falls
Brecksville Reservation
Located near Chippewa Creek Gorge, this waterfall is situated beneath the State Route 82 bridge near the entrance of Brecksville Reservation. This sweet little 10-foot waterfall cascades down by way of the gorge.
To get here, simply park on the parking lot on the entrance of Brecksville Reservation and take the Chippewa Creek Falls Trailhead to the Chippewa Creek Gorge Scenic Overlook.
You can also hike alongside the Hemlock Trail for higher views of the falls and gorge.
7. Deer Lick Cave Falls
Brecksville Reservation
Also in Brecksville Reservation, this tiny little waterfall is a wonderful spot to loosen up. There are also a quantity of methods to get here.
The simple method to see it is to park on the small parking zone off of Valley Parkway, take the Deer Lick Cave Loop trail a brief ways in, and then you’ll spot the falls. You may also continue the loop, merge onto the Valley Bridle Trial, and merge again onto Deer Lick Cave Loop. This is a few four mile hike.
Lastly, you could take a 2 mile hike from the Oak Grove Picnic area and take the Buckeye Trail heading southwest. Take that till you can turn proper from the trail onto Valley Parkway. Then you’ll be on the small loop trail and you’ll take that around and then come back the best way you began.
eight. Berea Falls
Rocky River Reservation
Do you bear in mind these calendars that feature lovely nature scenes? I’d wager that this waterfall greater than earns its spot in a type of. With mini waterfalls flowing along the Rocky River and gorgeous stone bridges within the background, it’s no surprise that this waterfall is a popular spot with photographers.
Berea Falls was shaped by a post-glacial river that eroded the shale and sandstone underneath, creating these falls. This spot is especially lovely in the fall.
To get here, park at Berea Falls Overlook and take the trail down.
9. East Falls
Cascade Park, Elyria
Next to an old deteriorating mill, these 30-foot falls make for a beautiful sight. What makes it further beautiful, aside from it being subsequent to the old mill, is the combo between man-made and natural, with the Black River flowing over a dam after which more pure sandstone.
To get here, park at East Falls Riverwalk (right behind the police station) and take the boardwalk and steps to a set of overlooks. If you want a better view, take the smaller and less-maintained trail through the forest down to some more viewing areas.
10. West Falls
Cascade Park, Elyria
Located beneath the Lake Avenue bridge, this waterfall can additionally be in Cascade Park. With a height of 35 toes, it’s barely more spectacular than East Falls. It also appears to have three waterfalls in 1, as there are a few spots where water runs off the Berea Sandstone rocks.
To get right here, park in Cascade Park’s primary parking lot and take the 1.2 mile Waterfall Trail.
11. Day’s Dam Falls
Black River Reservation, Lorain
Located near each the East and West falls mentioned above, the Day’s Dam Falls are incredible, particularly after a rainy day. The craziest half is due to the popularity of the opposite two close by waterfalls, this place gets missed and isn’t crowded at all!
Start on the Day’s Dam Trailhead and take the Bridgeway Trail south for about half a mile till it connects with the Waterfall Trail. This loop trail then goes to the falls.
12. Quarry Rock Falls
South Chagrin Reservation
No big hiking needed for this waterfall, as it’s close to the Quarry Rock picnic space. There is an overlook deck that shows the Aurora Branch of the Chagrin River with its charming cascades flowing along rocks because the water continues down the river.
Just park at the Quarry Rock picnic area and wander over to the lookout spot.
thirteen. Chagrin Falls
Downtown Chagrin Falls
No hiking required for this gem of a waterfall near Cleveland! Just head to downtown Chagrin Falls. Main Street crosses over Chagrin River, and you may take the steps down to get an excellent viewpoint of the falls.
This waterfall also played a component within the history of Chagrin Falls, as it was used to energy many mills in the space again within the day.
14. Affelder Falls
The West Woods, Novelty
Up till 2016, this waterfall wasn’t accessible by official trails. Now, this 20-foot waterfall is reachable by way of the ¼-mile Waterfall Trail made by Geauga Parks. To get here, park at Affelder House and take the Waterfall Trail from the house.
Also, whereas this waterfall may be fairly lovely, it does dry up a bit when there isn’t a lot precipitation. To see it in its true magnificence, goal to hike to it after rain or a snow melt.
15. Chair Factory Falls
Painesville
Located near what was an old chair manufacturing facility that burned down years in the past, this spot was truly on private property until Lake MetroParks created a 0.3 mile trail to entry the falls.
This waterfall near Cleveland is gorgeous the place the water curves over a rocky cliff and ends in a pool at the bottom. To get there, park at the Concord Township Old Stone School and take the Greenwood Corridor Connector Trail. Continue until you see the Chair Factory Falls path. That’ll lead to the overlook.
16. Paine Falls
Paine Falls MetroPark, Leroy Township
Located in what was once generally recognized as “Paine’s Hollow,” Colonel Hendrick Paine arrange a cabin and started to industrialize the area by utilizing, you guessed it: water energy from the falls. He built a sawmill and tons of other industries started here.
Now today it is only a pretty waterfall the place Paine Creek flows underneath a bridge before cascading down in two spots, creating the falls.
To see it, park at 5570 Paine Road in Leroy Township. There is a staircase you presumably can take from the car parking zone that leads to the overlook.
17. The Little Falls
Cuyahoga Falls
Located in Cuyahoga Falls, and located because of taking down old dams, is the Little Falls. These little waterfalls tumble alongside the river, giving skilled whitewater kayakers a challenge.
The easiest approach to see it is from the Sheraton Suites lodge. There’s a restaurant and bar here called Beau’s on the River that has floor-to-ceiling home windows overlooking this a half of the Cuyahoga River.
18. Cascade Falls
Nelson & Kennedy Ledges State Park, Garrettsville
Standing around forty feet tall, this skinny waterfall is ready amongst some beautiful ledges in Nelson & Kennedy Ledges State Park.
To get here, park in the only parking zone in the park and take the trail to the best. This is a little adventurous to get to, as you’ll have to crawl for a second as you scramble past Dwarf Man’s Pass to continue to the falls. However, it’s nicely price it.
This park also has a 10-foot waterfall called Minnehaha Falls you presumably can visit while you’re there.
19. Lanterman’s Falls
Lanterman’s Mill, Youngstown
This is definitely the furthest waterfall from Cleveland itself, however if you are planning to take a day trip from Cleveland, this may be a nice one if you love waterfalls.
Located next to the attractive (and still working) Landerman’s Mill and a coated bridge, you probably can admire the gorgeous property and waterfalls without hiking – although there are additionally some walking/hiking trails nearby in Mill Creek Park.
After checking out the falls, remember to pick some souvenirs at their present shop, where you can find stone-ground buckwheat, cornmeal, and whole wheat flour.
Just park at Lanterman’s Mill at 1001 Canfield Road. The greatest view of the whole place (seen within the photograph above) can be seen from the Canfield Rd. (Route 62) bridge, which you’ll find a way to attain by taking the E Gorge Walk trail from the mill.
Here’s a map to help you discover all of the waterfalls listed here!
Which of these Cleveland waterfalls is your favorite?
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Kat is a Cleveland transplant and has lived right here for over 5 years. She loves to eat, drink, and discover all across the city, and has made it her personal mission to find the most effective breweries and pizza in Northeast Ohio. She additionally runs a couples travel weblog and podcast called World Wide Honeymoon.