Waterfalls in Ohio

Ohio is home to some of the most stunning waterfalls in the United States. From cascading falls that are hundreds of feet tall, to small trickling streams, Ohio has something for everyone looking to experience a beautiful waterfall.

List of Top Ohio Falls to Visit

Old Man’s Cave

The state’s largest and most well-known waterfall is Old Man’s Cave located in Hocking Hills State Park. This impressive 150-foot drop creates an awe inspiring view as it plunges into a deep gorge below. The area around Old Man’s Cave offers plenty of hiking trails, picnic areas, and campgrounds so visitors can take their time enjoying this natural wonder.

Cedar Falls

Just south of Old Man’s Cave lies Cedar Falls which drops about 65 feet through a rocky ravine creating an incredible sight as its waters crash onto the rocks below. Just downstream from Cedar Falls lies Upper Falls which is much smaller than its famous neighbor but still worth checking out if you are visiting the area.

Big Island Run Falls

Another popular spot for experiencing a waterfall in Ohio is Indian Lake State Park located near Bellefontaine on the western side of the state. Here visitors will find Big Island Run Falls which plunge over 85 feet down into Indian Lake creating one of Ohio’s most picturesque scenes with lush green foliage surrounding it year round and providing excellent photo opportunities during any season! Also found at Indian Lake are Little Island Run Falls and Twin Creek Rapids both offer spectacular views as they flow over huge boulders before meeting up with another tributary further downstream!

Chagrin River Gorge Waterfall

If you’re looking for something more remote then head east towards Cleveland where Chagrin River Gorge Waterfall awaits your visit! Tucked away off the beaten path this 100 foot cascade flows over several tiers before reaching its final destination; making it one of Ohio’s hidden gems when it comes to breathtaking waterfalls!

Brandywine Falls

Falls – Located on the Cuyahoga Valley National Park near Cleveland, this 60-foot tall cascade can be reached by taking an easy half mile hike along a scenic trail with plenty of opportunities for viewing wildlife and wildflowers along the way. Once at Brandywine Falls, visitors will be treated to spectacular views over its multi-tiered formations that make it one of Ohio’s most picturesque falls.

Great Serpent Mound Waterfall

This hidden gem located just outside Cincinnati boasts two separate tiers with heights reaching 25 feet each! This peaceful spot overlooks a large meadow filled with lush vegetation and offers great picnic spots nearby where visitors can take advantage of its tranquil setting right next to Little Miami River which makes up part of its backdrop making it even more beautiful than ever before!

Beaver Creek State Park Waterfall

As if having access to Beaver Creek Lake wasn’t enough reason to visit this park; there’s also an impressive 20 foot waterfall tucked away into this 2200 acre nature preserve that can only be accessed via a short but steep hike through some dense woods making for quite an adventure getting there!

Types of Waterfalls Found in Ohio

A waterfall is a natural phenomenon where water flows over a vertical drop or steep descent in the course of a stream or river. Waterfalls come in many different shapes and sizes, from small cascades to large plunges, and can be classified by their shape and size. The four main types of waterfalls are:

1. Plunge Waterfall: These are the most common type of waterfall, where the water drops vertically down a cliff face with no interruption before reaching its destination. They often create striking visuals as well as loud noises due to the force of gravity causing them to crash into pools below. Some examples include Niagara Falls in Canada/USA border, Iguazu Falls between Brazil and Argentina, Victoria Falls between Zambia & Zimbabwe etc.

2. Cascading Waterfall: This type consists of multiple steps or tiers which cause the water to cascade down towards its destination like
staircases one after another until it reaches its final destination at the bottom pool or lake below. Examples include Multnomah Falls near Portland Oregon in USA and Quilotoa Loop located on Ecuador’s western slopes among others

3. Segmented Waterfall: This type is formed when two rivers separate around an island or rock outcrop allowing for two separate streams that rejoin further downstream creating what looks like one continuous waterfall but with distinct segments separated by rocks along its course making this type very unique looking compared to other types of falls

4. Punchbowl Waterfall: In this kind, the falling waters form an ever widening basin at their base known as ‘punchbowl’ giving it dditional beauty apart from just being visually stunning itself due to high volume flow rate and height from whence they originate.

No matter what type or size waterfall you prefer there truly is something here in Ohio for everyone who wants to take part in experiencing nature’s beauty firsthand while seeing some truly amazing sights throughout our great state so why not plan your own trip today?

Location and Map of Waterfalls in Ohio

Check out our Ohio Waterfalls Map for even more cascading falls to explore!