This Natural Wonders Road Trip Will Show You Cleveland Like You’ve Never Seen It Before
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Nikki Rhoades
Author
Greater Cleveland is a lovely area, but that’s thanks only in part to the creations of mankind. Our region is naturally stunning and features a small sampling of all of Mother Nature’s finest art projects. Gorgeous and powerful waterfalls, lovely lakeside meadows, enchanting forests, and even a mountain – there are so many glorious natural wonders in Cleveland! No matter the season, it’s endlessly worthwhile to embark on nature-fueled journeys, and this road trip through Greater Cleveland will leave you inspired to get out and explore.
View a Google Map with driving directions and exact addresses before you embark on this journey to the best natural wonders in Cleveland.
Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Ohio, USA
As the only national park in the state of Ohio, Cuyahoga Valley National Park is bound to be something special. Sure enough, this lovely landscape hides the wonder that is The Ledges, a prehistoric chunk of Sharon Conglomerate that rises up to 30 feet in certain portions. A man-made trail carves through the area, offering visitors 1.8 miles of scenic beauty.
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Quarry Rock Picnic Area, 36000-, 36050 Solon Rd, Bentleyville, OH 44022, USA
Henry Church Rock Picnic Area, Hawthorn Pkwy, Bentleyville, OH 44022, USA
The Cleveland Metroparks are a gold mine of natural splendor, but the Henry Church Rock is an example of what happens when natural artistry meets the creativity of man. This sculpture was created by its namesake blacksmith in 1885, and nobody is quite sure of what message this work of art is meant to convey. Nonetheless, it's a gorgeous contribution to the surrounding landscape.
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Gildersleeve Mountain, Kirtland
On clear days, a plateau-like shape rises over The Land. What is it? This landmass is actually a petite mountain known locally as Gildersleeve Mountain, and it peaks at 1,163 feet above sea level. Across its landscape spans Chapin Forest Reservation, a lovely park that is home to various unique native species.
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Whiskey Island, Cleveland, OH 44102, USA
This peninsula sits at the mouth of the Cuyahoga River and Lake Erie. The mile of land was reported to be the first piece of solid ground encountered by Moses Cleaveland when he first arrived in what would become his namesake city. Lorenzo Carter, the first permanent settler in Cleveland, built his family farm on the peninsula. Whiskey Island, as we see it today, was formed after the construction of the Ohio and Erie Canal led to the rechanneling of the Cuyahoga River in 1827.
Lakeview Park, 1800 W Erie Ave, Lorain, OH 44052, USA
If you take your trek during the winter months, Lakeview Park's gorgeous shore will be lined with stunning ice gardens created by the whipping winds over Lake Erie. In the summertime, you'll be treated to the playful aroma of roses from the nearby garden and you enjoy a pleasant day on the beach.
Glacial Grooves, 739 Division St, Kelleys Island, OH 43438, USA
At the intersection of Division Street and Titus Road are some glacial markings that have been almost single-handedly fueling eco-tourism at Kelleys Island for decades. These grooves are 400 feet long and 35 feet wide, measuring as deep as 15 feet in certain places. They were formed as glacial debris was dragged across the earth, and today they're the largest and most accessible example of this geological phenomenon in the entire world.
Crystal Cave, 978 Catawba Ave, Put-In-Bay, OH 43456, USA
Hiding 35 feet below the surface of this Lake Erie island is an incredible natural feature that formed as far back as 15,000 years ago. The Crystal Cave at Heineman's Winery is hailed as the largest geode in the world, as it is lined with stunning celestite crystals that are downright otherworldly.
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Castalia State Fish Hatchery, 7018 Homegardner Rd, Castalia, OH 44824, USA
Located about seven miles southwest of Cedar Point is an old-timey tourist attraction that once made the town Castalia, Ohio famous: a bright blue pond that's ever-vibrant and seemingly bottomless. The Blue Hole is actually about 45 feet deep and doesn't contain enough oxygen to support a fish population, which limits the amount of natural biological debris created by animal inhabitants and keeps the water incredibly pure. The original Blue Hole, which is actually an aquifer fed by an underground spring, is now closed to the public, but similar pools of sparkling blue water remain open to the public at the Castalia State Fish Hatchery. You can find more details about this quirky destination in our previous feature article here.
The landscape surrounding Greater Cleveland is truly a treat, and it’s amazing to consider that such a wondrous place is our home. Which of these pretty places is your favorite? Let us know in the comments below and don’t forget to share photos of your adventures throughout Northeast Ohio on Instagram using #only.in.cleveland for a chance to see your photos featured!
If you’re a fan of adventure, you’ll surely adore these frozen waterfalls near Cleveland.
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More to Explore
Natural Wonders in Cleveland
What are some other natural wonders in Cleveland for my bucket list?
Cleveland is a city of marvels. From its incredible architectural achievements to its natural elements, there’s much to see and do here. Yet for nature lovers, Greater Cleveland and beyond is a gift like no other. Where else in the world can you climb cliffs, traverse sand dunes, and bask in the beauty of stunning waterfalls? Yes, believe it or not, these wonders and more exist in and near Greater Cleveland, and are just waiting to be explored, experienced, and admired... by you!
- Headland Dunes State Nature Preserve. It may look like a desert landscape, but Headland Dunes State Nature Preserve is actually a hidden gem in Lake County. There are few sandy environments like this left in Ohio, and the landscape is home to critters and plants that can thrive in its extreme conditions.
- Mill Creek Falls. Mill Creek Falls is a true urban oasis hiding in Cleveland, Ohio. This waterfall was made in collaboration with a railroad company and the might of Mother Nature. In the early 1900s, a railroad company diverted Mill Creek and created the stunning 48-foot waterfall you see today. As the tallest in Cuyahoga County, its beauty alone merits a visit. However, the surrounding park is one of the oldest in Cleveland, and it's filled to the brim with history and Works Progress Administration-era stonework.
- Princess Ledges. Tucked away in Brunswick near the stunning Mapleside Farms, Princess Ledges Nature Preserve is truly an unexpected feature in this suburban community. These impressive cliffs form the historic shore of Lake Erie... miles away from where its current shore rests. Princess Ledges is preserved to this day because its rocky landscape wasn't ideal for construction, so locals left it largely untouched. Today, the 46-acre preserve has a mile and a half of hiking combined with stunning views.
- Brandywine Falls. One of the crown jewels of Cleveland (and Ohio!), Brandywine Falls is the tallest waterfall in Ohio and, boy, is it beautiful. At 65 feet in height, this waterfall is massive, but the boardwalk to approach it offers the perfect opportunity to grab a picture. As part of Cuyahoga Valley National Park, this is just one of many wonders in the area... but it's arguably the most photogenic feature in the entirety of Ohio's only national park.
- Columbia Beach Falls. A beach waterfall... in Ohio? Yes! Columbia Beach Park has a tiny waterfall that's only about 20 feet in height, but it's located in a spot you have to see to believe. There's an overlook deck to help you view the waterfall from above, but it can also be admired directly from the beach. This waterfall is one of very few that spills directly into Lake Erie, and it's amazingly hidden in a tiny 1.5-acre park.