Contrary to what the 90s pop song says, you should chase waterfalls throughout Ohio—don’t just stick to the rivers and the lakes that you’re used to. You might be surprised to know that Ohio is full of beautiful waterfalls just waiting to be discovered. We’ve compiled a roadmap of some of our favorites in the eastern half of the state for you so you can make a weekend road trip out of it. There’s nothing quite like taking a waterfall road trip in Ohio. From the unexpected urban waterfalls to the secluded waterfalls surrounded by nature, the following list showcases some of the most beautiful waterfalls in Ohio. The total trip takes about 10 hours of drive time. We’ve included a link to the Google Map to aid in planning your epic waterfall chasing adventure in Ohio!

Google Maps

  1. Hayden Falls (Dublin)

Chelsie Beechler/Flickr Located in the heart of the state, Hayden Falls is hidden in a suburb of Columbus and is becoming increasingly popular among locals. The gorge where the falls are located features a boardwalk and overlook area, making Hayden Falls easily accessible to visitors. Hayden Falls Park, 4326 Hayden Run Rd, Dublin, OH 43017, USA

  1. Indian Run Falls (Dublin)

Scallop Holden/Flickr Less than 10 minutes from Hayden Falls you’ll find this enchanting urban waterfall, which is also located in Dublin. Indian Run Falls, 700 Shawan Falls Dr, Dublin, OH 43017, USA

  1. Big (and Little) Lyons Falls (Mohican State Park)

Tom Hart/Flickr Mohican State Park is home to a pair of low flow falls. Pictured is Big Lyons Falls within a 300-foot deep sandstone gorge. Both of the falls are best seen after heavy rainfall. Mohican State Park, 3116 OH-3, Loudonville, OH 44842, 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. (Pictured are the West Falls.) The 1.2-mile loop trail is a must-do. Cascade Park, 387 Furnace St, Elyria, OH 44035, 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. Brandywine Falls (Cuyahoga Valley National Park)

  1. Lanterman’s Falls (Mill Creek Park)

Jack Pearce/Flickr The falls at Lanterman’s Mill within Youngstown’s metro-park are downright charming. Take some time to explore the surrounding park before you leave this stop. Lanterman’s Mill, 1001 Canfield Rd, Youngstown, OH 44511, USA

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

Jim Pater/Flickr Several beautiful waterfalls can be found along the Old Man’s Cave trail within the Hocking Hills State Park. This impressive hiking spot is stunning all year-round, but the falls are best seen after a notable rainfall. (Pictured: Upper Falls.) Hocking Hills State Park, Logan, OH 43138, USA

What do you think? Are you up for this waterfall road trip in Ohio? How many of these waterfalls have you seen before? Share your thoughts, photos and experiences with us!

Google Maps

Chelsie Beechler/Flickr

Located in the heart of the state, Hayden Falls is hidden in a suburb of Columbus and is becoming increasingly popular among locals. The gorge where the falls are located features a boardwalk and overlook area, making Hayden Falls easily accessible to visitors.

Hayden Falls Park, 4326 Hayden Run Rd, Dublin, OH 43017, USA

Scallop Holden/Flickr

Less than 10 minutes from Hayden Falls you’ll find this enchanting urban waterfall, which is also located in Dublin.

Indian Run Falls, 700 Shawan Falls Dr, Dublin, OH 43017, USA

Tom Hart/Flickr

Mohican State Park is home to a pair of low flow falls. Pictured is Big Lyons Falls within a 300-foot deep sandstone gorge. Both of the falls are best seen after heavy rainfall.

Mohican State Park, 3116 OH-3, Loudonville, OH 44842, 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. (Pictured are the West Falls.) The 1.2-mile loop trail is a must-do.

Cascade Park, 387 Furnace St, Elyria, OH 44035, 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.

Brandywine Falls (Cuyahoga Valley National Park)

Jack Pearce/Flickr

The falls at Lanterman’s Mill within Youngstown’s metro-park are downright charming. Take some time to explore the surrounding park before you leave this stop.

Lanterman’s Mill, 1001 Canfield Rd, Youngstown, OH 44511, USA

Jim Pater/Flickr

Several beautiful waterfalls can be found along the Old Man’s Cave trail within the Hocking Hills State Park. This impressive hiking spot is stunning all year-round, but the falls are best seen after a notable rainfall. (Pictured: Upper Falls.)

Hocking Hills State Park, Logan, OH 43138, USA

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The OIYS Visitor Center

Waterfall Road Trip In Ohio November 01, 2019 April Dray
What is the largest waterfall in Ohio? It can be easily argued that one of the best waterfalls in Ohio might just be Brandywine Falls, because it is the tallest and largest waterfall in Ohio. Cuyahoga Valley National park features other picturesque falls as well, such as Blue Hen Falls. If you want to see multiple waterfalls in one hike, we recommend taking the Old Man’s Cave Loop at Hocking Hills State Park.  Can I see any waterfalls in Ohio without hiking? Yes, there are serval waterfalls in Ohio you can see without having to hike a trail. You can drive right up to Brandywine Falls and Paine Falls in Painesville. You can also drive right up to the charming Chagrin Falls in the small town of Chagrin Falls. To view a list of other accessible waterfalls in the Buckeye State, you can check out our previous article outlining our top no-hike waterfalls in Ohio.  Can I swim in waterfalls in Ohio? While hiking in Ohio, it’s prohibited to swim in most waterfalls. Please abide by the state park and metro park policies and pay attention to posted signs. There are several swimming lakes in Ohio, however, both natural and manmade. The best swimming areas in Ohio are lakeside, manmade water parks such as Longs Retreat Family Resort in Latham and Clay’s Park Resort in North Lawerence. These swimming areas feature manmade sandy beaches, water slides, splash pads and other fun amenities.

The OIYS Visitor Center

Waterfall Road Trip In Ohio

November 01, 2019

April Dray

What is the largest waterfall in Ohio? It can be easily argued that one of the best waterfalls in Ohio might just be Brandywine Falls, because it is the tallest and largest waterfall in Ohio. Cuyahoga Valley National park features other picturesque falls as well, such as Blue Hen Falls. If you want to see multiple waterfalls in one hike, we recommend taking the Old Man’s Cave Loop at Hocking Hills State Park.  Can I see any waterfalls in Ohio without hiking? Yes, there are serval waterfalls in Ohio you can see without having to hike a trail. You can drive right up to Brandywine Falls and Paine Falls in Painesville. You can also drive right up to the charming Chagrin Falls in the small town of Chagrin Falls. To view a list of other accessible waterfalls in the Buckeye State, you can check out our previous article outlining our top no-hike waterfalls in Ohio.  Can I swim in waterfalls in Ohio? While hiking in Ohio, it’s prohibited to swim in most waterfalls. Please abide by the state park and metro park policies and pay attention to posted signs. There are several swimming lakes in Ohio, however, both natural and manmade. The best swimming areas in Ohio are lakeside, manmade water parks such as Longs Retreat Family Resort in Latham and Clay’s Park Resort in North Lawerence. These swimming areas feature manmade sandy beaches, water slides, splash pads and other fun amenities.

The OIYS Visitor Center

The OIYS Visitor Center

It can be easily argued that one of the best waterfalls in Ohio might just be Brandywine Falls, because it is the tallest and largest waterfall in Ohio. Cuyahoga Valley National park features other picturesque falls as well, such as Blue Hen Falls. If you want to see multiple waterfalls in one hike, we recommend taking the Old Man’s Cave Loop at Hocking Hills State Park. 

Can I see any waterfalls in Ohio without hiking?

Yes, there are serval waterfalls in Ohio you can see without having to hike a trail. You can drive right up to Brandywine Falls and Paine Falls in Painesville. You can also drive right up to the charming Chagrin Falls in the small town of Chagrin Falls. To view a list of other accessible waterfalls in the Buckeye State, you can check out our previous article outlining our top no-hike waterfalls in Ohio. 

Can I swim in waterfalls in Ohio?

While hiking in Ohio, it’s prohibited to swim in most waterfalls. Please abide by the state park and metro park policies and pay attention to posted signs. There are several swimming lakes in Ohio, however, both natural and manmade. The best swimming areas in Ohio are lakeside, manmade water parks such as Longs Retreat Family Resort in Latham and Clay’s Park Resort in North Lawerence. These swimming areas feature manmade sandy beaches, water slides, splash pads and other fun amenities.