This Marvelous 0.4-Mile Trail Near Cleveland Leads Adventurers To A Little-Known Waterfall
Think you’ve done it all in terms of Northeast Ohio hiking? Think again. Even the most seasoned local travel expert has surprises awaiting them in this area, as its diversity knows no bounds. From the concrete jungle of Cleveland’s streets to rural farmland and scenes of suburbia, there’s a plethora of lifestyles here… and they’re surrounded by natural landscapes hiding secrets. Don’t believe it? Well, we’re going to take a visit to a little-known waterfall near Cleveland that is so isolated that it doesn’t even have a name. Take a look:
Black River Reservation in the Lorain County Metro Parks is a well-visited park with 5.5 miles of paved trail.
Nestled against the namesake Black River, this lovely park is well worth exploring. It has three distinctive picnic areas you can visit: High Meadows, Bur Oak, and Day's Dam.
As you hike along the three-mile Bridgeway Trail, you'll come along a 0.5-mile loop that's hiding a big secret.
If you glance at a trail map of Black River Reservation, you'll spot a tiny red circle. This is the Waterfall Trail, a petite loop that leads to an unnamed 30-foot-tall wonder.
Known locally as the Day's Dam Waterfall or Ditch Falls, this beautiful landmark actually doesn't have a given name.
This marvel is visible all year long, but its mighty crest is, at times, a mere trickle. Its strength is dependent on recent precipitation, as this waterfall is created by stormwater drainage.
Before it was acquired by the Lorain County Metro Parks, this waterfall site was actually a former dump site.
Can you imagine tainting the beauty of this spot with trash? Fortunately, it has been cleaned up and fully reclaimed by nature since 1994, but perhaps this shameful past explains why this waterfall isn't exactly bragged about in hiking circles.
This pretty park also boasts a 1,000-foot bridge, a launching point for kayaking and canoeing, a volleyball court, two playgrounds, and more.
From meadows to forests, this park is magnificent to explore. That's true even if you don't visit the on-site waterfall... though it is obviously recommended!
Of course, the Black River itself is also a well-photographed site at the park.
Hikers love stopping to admire the twists and turns of this busy river. If you recognize it, you may have visited its other waterfalls... East and West Falls in Cascade Park!
This park is magnificent in each and every season, but it has a certain sort of magic in the fall and spring months.
In the spring, the trails and meadows of Black River Reservation erupt in color as wildflowers awaken to greet the long-awaited seasonal sunshine. In the autumn months, a palette of rust and gold captivates visitors.
The waterfall is located near the north end of the park, so it is best to park at the Day's Dam Picnic Area if you're visiting in the colder months.
As we mentioned, the paved, multipurpose trail that carves through this park is pretty long. On a chilly day, it's best to park as close to the waterfall as possible, as hiking from the south end of the reservation can be a pretty breezy experience.
But if you visit on a pleasant, warm day, it's well worth taking the time to explore this park.
In addition to hiding one of the most little-known waterfalls near Cleveland, this park has many features and scenic views that are worth admiring. The park is open every day between 8 a.m. and sunset, so there's plenty of time to explore, picnic, and hike.
This stunning landmark near Cleveland is well worth the visit.
You can find the Day's Dam picnic area near 2720 East 31st Street, Lorain, Ohio 44055.
This little-known waterfall near Cleveland may not have a name, but it’s a captivating and little-known landmark that’s well worth visiting. Have you ever hiked at Black River Reservation? Tell us about your experience in the comments!
Nikki is a lifelong Ohioan with a love for literature. She holds a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Akron and has enjoyed publishing her written work since 2007. She has a love of travel and does so frequently, though she believes that home is where the heart is — she continues to work in and around Cleveland as a digital content specialist to this day, working on everything from commercial scripts and social media posts to grassroots marketing initiatives.
