Cuyahoga Valley National Park, located in northeast Ohio, is one of the newer National Parks, officially established in 2000. Despite its fairly young age, the park is still home to plenty of outdoor adventure opportunities including hiking, biking, kayaking, fishing, horseback riding, and more! Cuyahoga Valley National Park waterfalls are great destinations for some of those hiking and biking adventures.
Side note: There are suggestions out there on the internet for other waterfalls to be found in the area, but some are off-trail and some are actually located on private property. We definitely wouldn’t recommend trying to reach those spots.
Also, when you’re out enjoying these areas, please be sure to practice Leave No Trace principles!
Looking for things to do in and around Cuyahoga Valley National Park? Check out these great waterfalls!
Brandywine Falls
The biggest, brightest, and most popular of the Cuyahoga Valley National Park waterfalls is definitely Brandywine Falls.
Surrounded by a viewing platform and plenty of trails, this 65 feet tall waterfall can get crowded during busy seasons. Plan your times accordingly and visit early in the day.
There are plenty of ways to get to Brandywine Falls. Parking lots nearby provide access by walking just a few hundred yards on a wooden and paved pathway. Hiking trails and bike paths provide access from central areas like the Boston Mills Visitors Center.
Do yourself a favor and be sure to visit this waterfall, even if just a quick stop! This is one of the spots that make Cuyahoga Valley National Park so worth visiting.
Blue Hen Falls
While not the largest or most popular waterfall in Cuyahoga Valley National Park, this 18 feet tall waterfall tucked amongst the trees has its own particular charm.
Though only fed by a small stream, the area surrounding the Blue Hen Falls can be quite peaceful. The previously used parking lot very close to the falls was restricted a few years ago, so a visit now requires a hike from the Boston Mills Visitors Center.
The hike follows a short portion of the Buckeye Trail and does feature some elevation change to keep things interesting.
Cuyahoga Valley National Park Waterfalls Bonus #1: Bedford Reservation
Though these next few are not actually located in Cuyahoga Valley National Park, they can be found in the adjacent Bedford Reservation, which is a park maintained by the county.
Just a quick drive from the edge of the National Park, Bedford Reservation is home to even more natural areas and waterfalls. Don’t be afraid to venture off and visit while you’re here!
Bridal Veil Falls
Another of the more popular waterfalls in the Bedford Reservation area is Bridal Veil Falls. A small parking area on the main road through the park can be used as a starting point. Just a short walk on a mostly boardwalk pathway leads down the hillside to the falls.
While walking down the wooden plank walkway, you get to catch views of Deerlick Creek below.
At the end of the walkway, you will find Bridal Veil Falls cascading 45 feet down through the gorge. Unlike your typical waterfall, it’s more of a long, gentle drop, but just as beautiful!
This hike is less than half a mile roundtrip, so it would be a great place to explore with kids who are just beginning to learn about hiking.
Linda Falls
Another of the lesser-known area waterfalls, Linda Falls is beautiful but temperamental. Consider yourself lucky if you catch this one flowing full throttle.
Located in the Walton Hills area, it’s said to only be flowing for about one month in total per year.
The actual entrance to this trail is located in the Summit Metroparks’ Bedford Reservation off of the Summit Bike & Hike trail at the Alexander Road trailhead.
When there is no water flowing, the area almost looks like a cavern.
This waterfall can be found fairly easily while hiking the Buckeye Trail.
We wouldn’t recommend bothering to seek this one out unless mother nature decides to let it rain!
Great Falls of Tinker’s Creek
At the edge of the Bedford Reservation, actually located in Viaduct Park, these falls are underrated and lesser known. With the water dropping nearly 20 feet, this is also one of the widest waterfalls in Ohio!
The nearby area is full of history with an old tunnel, viaduct, and old mill ruins to explore.
If you have a little extra time in the area, this is one to put on your list.
Cuyahoga Valley National Park Waterfalls Bonus #2: Urban Waterfalls
If sleeping in tents or Airbnb accommodations is not your thing, a couple of nearby towns boast their own waterfall attractions. Check out these urban waterfalls.
Little Falls
The town of Cuyahoga Falls itself, located at both the southern end of the National Park and the Cuyahoga River, is home to its own waterfall.
Though changes to the river have been made over the years, unfortunately changing the views, some do still remain!
If you want to rest your head near a waterfall but get a comfortable night’s sleep in a real bed, check out the Sheraton hotel located in the town of Cuyahoga Falls. Situated right on the bank of the Cuyahoga River, the hotel restaurant has a patio overlooking the waterfall.
The area used to be home to two waterfalls, Big Falls and Little Falls (creative naming, right?). A dam was built in the river, changing the landscape of Big falls, but Little Falls remains!
Chagrin Falls
A little to the northeast, about 30 minutes from Cuyahoga Valley National Park, lies the town of Chagrin Falls.
Once centered around harnessing the power of the river to operate its many mills and factories, it now has a more upscale feel, but the nearby falls haven’t changed.
Easily accessible from the center of town, the Chagrin Falls are impressive, especially for their more urban setting.
Higher-end restaurants can also be found in Chagrin Falls. If those aren’t your speed, just make the quick detour and spend a little time wandering the streets of the town and appreciating the waterfall.
With lots of variety, from nearly hidden to urban, Cuyahoga Valley National Park and the surrounding areas are home to 100+ waterfalls.
Though we don’t recommend attempting to find all of them, as some are on private land or are dangerous to access. Plenty of waterfalls here are worth the hike, though!
We hope you find at least one or two of these Cuyahoga Valley National Park waterfalls on your next northeast Ohio adventure.
Want to check out all of Ohio’s national parks? We’ve got you covered! Ohio is full of great history, outdoor beauty, and adventure!
