The Ultimate Bucket List For Anyone In Ohio Who Loves Waterfall Hikes
By April Dray|Updated on May 05, 2023(Originally published April 30, 2023)
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April Dray
Author
April is the Ohio staff writer for Only in Your State. She is an Ohio native with a Bachelor of Science in Journalism from E.W. Scripps School of Journalism. With more than 10 years of writing experience and a background in news reporting for Ohio newspapers, she's published pieces in multiple print and online publications. When she's not on deadline or chasing after her toddler, she's hunting for hidden gems in Ohio or getting lost in a good book.
If you love chasing waterfalls, Ohio’s hiking trails are definitely for you. The following are some of our favorite waterfall trails in the state. Find your sense of adventure; add these hiking trails near me to your bucket list, and explore your home state. They’re some of the best hiking in Ohio with waterfalls, after all. And who doesn’t want to chase waterfalls?
1. Upper Falls, Lower Falls and Cedar Falls (Hocking Hills State Park)
Several beautiful waterfalls can be found along the Old Mans Cave Trail within Hocking Hills State Park. This impressive hiking spot is stunning all year long, but the falls are best seen after a notable rainfall. (Pictured: Upper Falls). Visit the Hocking Hills State Park website for more information. It's one of the best hiking trails in Ohio with waterfalls.
The trek to Charleston Falls is perfect for a day hike when you need a little adventure in your life, but not too much. The 1.8-mile loop to the falls is a fairly easy hike, and there's also a small cave that's fun to find.
The Inman Trail takes you to both Glen Helen Falls and the official "Yellow Spring," which the town of Yellow Springs is named after. It's a loop trail that's categorized as "moderate," and it begins at the preserve's main entrance. (Pictured: Glen Helen Falls or "The Cascades")
This breathtaking 65-foot waterfall flows from Brandywine Creek. These most beautiful waterfalls in Ohio are a popular highlight within the state's very own national park. Near the falls, the 1.5-mile Brandywine Gorge Trail allows you to explore beyond the waterfall.
This Tuscarawas County waterfall is part of the Beach City Wildlife Area. It's best seen following heavy rainfall, but it's a gorgeous hiking area year-round.
The trek to Horseshoe Falls follows the park's 11.5-mile Perimeter Loop Trail. (You can hike the whole loop trail to see the falls, or just park your vehicle at Flat Fork Ridge and follow the yellow markings.) Although it's not a towering waterfall, these off-the-radar falls are picture-perfect.
The short and sweet 0.5-mile trek to Cascade Falls is a popular spot for locals and visitors alike. The Yellow Trail even features a recess cave beneath Cascade Falls, which gives you a really unique perspective of the falls.
Within Cascade Park, close to downtown Elyria, impressive waterfalls flow from both the East Branch and West Branch of the Black River. The 1.2-mile loop trail is an absolute must-do to see some of the most gorgeous waterfalls in Ohio. (Pictured: West Falls)
The Ash Cave Trail within Hocking Hills State Park features a 0.25-mile-long Gorge Trail that is wheelchair accessible, as well as a 0.5-mile-long Rim Trail. Most days, the falls that flow from the top of Ash Cave are fairly narrow, but being able to walk behind them is still a magical experience.
Have you ever hiked any of these Ohio waterfall trails before? Do you think they are some of the best hiking in Ohio with waterfalls? If so, please share your experiences with us in the comments below. Also, what other waterfall trails would you add to this list? We would love to know!
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Best Hikes In Ohio
Jennifer Young|April 17, 2022
What three kid-friendly hikes around Ohio are also some of the state's shortest?
Below are three of the shortest trails for kid-friendly hikes in Ohio:
Cedar Falls, Buckeye and Gorge Overlook Trail: Located in Ohio's Hocking Hills State Park is the Cedar Falls, Buckeye, and Gorge Overlook Trail. This 0.5-mile loop trail has an easy level of difficulty, features a waterfall, and is accessible year-round.
Honey Run Falls Trail: Ohio's Honey Run Falls Trail is located in the town of Howard. It also has an easy level of difficulty. In addition to hiking, a couple of other popular activities people enjoy doing on this trail are walking and fishing. This kid-friendly trail is accessible all year long and also features a waterfall.
Ash Cave: Ash Cave is located in Ohio's Hocking Hills State Park. It's a 0.5-mile loop trail with an easy level of difficulty. It also features a waterfall and the largest recess cave in the state. The best time of year to use this trail is from April through October.
What are three easy hikes in Ohio that are also among the most scenic in the state?
Three though they're short, sweet, and easy hikes in Ohio are:
Plateau Trail: Located in Ohio's Cuyahoga Valley National Park is the scenic Plateau Trail. This 4.4-mile loop trail is a great hiking spot year-round. In addition to hiking, many people enjoy using this trail for birding and cross-country skiing.
Buttermilk Falls via Blue Hen Falls: Also located in Cuyahoga Valley National Park is Buttermilk Falls via Blue Hen Falls. This 3.9-mile, out-and-back trail is accessible all year long and features beautiful waterfalls.
Broken Rock Falls Loop: The Broken Rock Falls Loop is a 1-mile loop trail in Hocking Hills State Park. It features a waterfall and is a popular spot for hiking and walking. The best time of year to use the Broken Rock Falls Loop is from April through October