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 hikes in Ohio, after all.

  1. Upper Falls, Lower Falls and Cedar Falls (Hocking Hills State Park)

google 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) Hocking Hills State Park, Logan, OH 43138, USA

  1. Charleston Falls Loop Trail (Charleston Falls Preserve)

Lyndsay Coleman/All Trails 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. 2535 Ross Rd, Tipp City, OH 45371, USA

  1. Glen Helen Falls and the Yellow Spring (Glen Helen Nature Preserve)

ShiroWan/Trip Advisor 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”) 405 Corry St, Yellow Springs, OH 45387, USA

  1. Brandywine Falls (Cuyahoga Valley National Park)

daveynin/Flickr This breathtaking 65-foot waterfall flows from Brandywine Creek. These beautiful falls are a popular highlight within Ohio’s very own national park. Near the falls, the 1.5-mile Brandywine Gorge Trail allows you to explore beyond the waterfall. 8176 Brandywine Rd, Northfield, OH 44067, USA

  1. Dundee Falls (Beach City Wildlife Area)

Ron Dauphin/Flickr This Tuscarawas County waterfall is part of the Beach City Wildlife Area. It’s best seen following a heavy rainfall, but it’s a gorgeous hiking area year round. Dundee Wilmot Road Northwest, Dundee Wilmot Rd NW, Wayne Township, OH, USA

  1. Horseshoe Falls (Caesar Creek State Park)

April Dray/Only In Your State 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. 4020 N Clarksville Rd, Waynesville, OH 45068, USA

  1. Cascade Falls (Nelson Kennedy Ledges State Park)

google/AnnaLynn Dietzel 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. Nelson-Kennedy Ledges State Park, 12440 OH-282, Garrettsville, OH 44231, USA

  1. West and East Falls (Cascade Park)

Chris Capell/Flickr 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. (Pictured: West Falls) 170 Cascade St, Elyria, OH 44035, USA

  1. Ash Cave Falls (Hocking Hills State Park)

J Todd Poling/Flickr 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. 27291 OH-56, South Bloomingville, OH 43152, USA

Have you ever hiked any of these Ohio waterfall trails before? Do you think they are some of the best hikes in Ohio? If so, please share your experiences with us in the comments below. Also, what other waterfall trails would you add to this list?

google

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)

Hocking Hills State Park, Logan, OH 43138, USA

Lyndsay Coleman/All Trails

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.

2535 Ross Rd, Tipp City, OH 45371, USA

ShiroWan/Trip Advisor

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”)

405 Corry St, Yellow Springs, OH 45387, USA

daveynin/Flickr

This breathtaking 65-foot waterfall flows from Brandywine Creek. These beautiful falls are a popular highlight within Ohio’s very own national park. Near the falls, the 1.5-mile Brandywine Gorge Trail allows you to explore beyond the waterfall.

8176 Brandywine Rd, Northfield, OH 44067, USA

Ron Dauphin/Flickr

This Tuscarawas County waterfall is part of the Beach City Wildlife Area. It’s best seen following a heavy rainfall, but it’s a gorgeous hiking area year round.

Dundee Wilmot Road Northwest, Dundee Wilmot Rd NW, Wayne Township, OH, USA

April Dray/Only In Your State

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.

4020 N Clarksville Rd, Waynesville, OH 45068, USA

google/AnnaLynn Dietzel

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.

Nelson-Kennedy Ledges State Park, 12440 OH-282, Garrettsville, OH 44231, USA

Chris Capell/Flickr

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. (Pictured: West Falls)

170 Cascade St, Elyria, OH 44035, USA

J Todd Poling/Flickr

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.

27291 OH-56, South Bloomingville, OH 43152, USA

For more waterfall adventures in Ohio, be sure to check out our previous article: Here’s The Perfect Weekend Itinerary If You Love Exploring Ohio’s Waterfalls.

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.

The OIYS Visitor Center

best hikes in ohio April 17, 2022 Jennifer Young What three kid-friendly hikes around Ohio are also some of the state’s shortest? Many trails, of all lengths, are located throughout Ohio. Listed below are three of the shortest trails in Ohio that belong on everyone’s hiking bucket list. They’re also some of the most kid-friendly trails in Ohio. Make plans to check them out, especially whenever you’re short on time.

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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? While some of Ohio’s trails are difficult to hike, many others are quite easy. Listed below are three of the state’s easiest trails. Even though they’re short and sweet, they’re also some of the most scenic hikes in Ohio.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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

The OIYS Visitor Center

best hikes in ohio

April 17, 2022

Jennifer Young

What three kid-friendly hikes around Ohio are also some of the state’s shortest? Many trails, of all lengths, are located throughout Ohio. Listed below are three of the shortest trails in Ohio that belong on everyone’s hiking bucket list. They’re also some of the most kid-friendly trails in Ohio. Make plans to check them out, especially whenever you’re short on time.

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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? While some of Ohio’s trails are difficult to hike, many others are quite easy. Listed below are three of the state’s easiest trails. Even though they’re short and sweet, they’re also some of the most scenic hikes in Ohio.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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

The OIYS Visitor Center

The OIYS Visitor Center

Many trails, of all lengths, are located throughout Ohio. Listed below are three of the shortest trails in Ohio that belong on everyone’s hiking bucket list. They’re also some of the most kid-friendly trails in Ohio. Make plans to check them out, especially whenever you’re short on time.

  1. 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.

  1. 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.

  1. 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?

While some of Ohio’s trails are difficult to hike, many others are quite easy. Listed below are three of the state’s easiest trails. Even though they’re short and sweet, they’re also some of the most scenic hikes in Ohio.

  1. 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.

  1. 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.

  1. 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