7 Natural Wonders Unique To Forest City That Should Be On Everyone's Greater Cleveland Bucket List
×
Nikki Rhoades
Author
Cleveland is a city of marvels. From its incredible architectural achievements to its natural elements, there’s much to see and do here. However, for nature lovers, Greater Cleveland and beyond is a gift like no other. Where else in the world can you climb cliffs, traverse sand dunes, and bask in the beauty of stunning waterfalls? Yes, believe it or not, these wonders and more exist in and near Greater Cleveland. Today, we’re going to start compiling a Cleveland natural wonders bucket list to help you get out and explore the marvels of your community. Grab some trail mix and bug spray, because this adventure is going to get wild.
Headland Dunes State Nature Preserve, 9601 Headlands Rd, Mentor, OH 44060, USA
It may look like a desert landscape, but Headland Dunes State Nature Preserve is actually a hidden gem in Lake County. There are few sandy environments like this left in Ohio, and the landscape is home to critters and plants that can thrive in its extreme conditions.
Though it is only 25 acres in size, it has tons of rare species populating its landscape... so try to keep to marked trails to avoid interfering with protected wildlife. On its sandy beach, you might want to bring some binoculars as you kick back and relax. It's not somewhere that you might want to swim, but it is one of the finest bird-watching spots in Northeast Ohio!
Though it is only 25 acres in size, it has tons of rare species populating its landscape... so try to keep to marked trails to avoid interfering with protected wildlife. On its sandy beach, you might want to bring some binoculars as you kick back and relax. It's not somewhere that you might want to swim, but it is one of the finest bird-watching spots in Northeast Ohio!
Advertisement
Mill Creek Falls, Mill Creek Trail, Cleveland, OH 44105, USA
A startling contrast to the desert-reminiscent landscape in our first stop, Mill Creek Falls is a true urban oasis. This waterfall was made in collaboration with a railroad company and the might of Mother Nature. In the early 1900s, a railroad company diverted Mill Creek and created the stunning 48-foot waterfall you see today. As the tallest in Cuyahoga County, its beauty alone merits a visit. However, the surrounding park is one of the oldest in Cleveland, and it's filled to the brim with history and Works Progress Administration-era stonework.
Advertisement
Glacial Grooves, 739 Division St, Kelleys Island, OH 43438, USA
Kelleys Island may be a bit of a hike from Cleveland, but it's well worth a visit... especially if you're a nature lover. You see, this Lake Erie island hides some of the finest glacial grooves in the entire world. These visible striations in limestone bedrock were carved during the Pleistocene Ice Age, roughly 18,000 years ago.
While the rocks are filled with fossils, truthfully, the natural carvings themselves are the highlight of every visit. The ancient glaciers of the last ice age flattened out Northeast Ohio and eventually formed Lake Erie, and this unique site offers a glimpse into their movement. Glacial grooves exist elsewhere in the world, too, but these 15-feet-deep striations are the largest known example of glacial grooves on the planet.
While the rocks are filled with fossils, truthfully, the natural carvings themselves are the highlight of every visit. The ancient glaciers of the last ice age flattened out Northeast Ohio and eventually formed Lake Erie, and this unique site offers a glimpse into their movement. Glacial grooves exist elsewhere in the world, too, but these 15-feet-deep striations are the largest known example of glacial grooves on the planet.
Related Stories
The Mysterious Hidden Gem Attraction Near Cleveland You Never Even Knew Existed
The Boldest And Biggest Meteor Shower Of The Year Will Be On Display Above Cleveland In December
There's A Park Near Cleveland That Looks Just Like A Miniature CVNP, But Hardly Anyone Knows It Exists
Princess Ledges Nature Preserve, 4361 Spruce Ave, Brunswick, OH 44212, USA
Tucked away in Brunswick near the stunning Mapleside Farms, Princess Ledges Nature Preserve is truly an unexpected feature in this suburban community. These impressive cliffs form the historic shore of Lake Erie... miles away from where its current shore rests. Princess Ledges is preserved to this day because its rocky landscape wasn't ideal for construction, so locals left it largely untouched. Today, the 46-acre preserve has a mile and a half of hiking combined with stunning views.
Brandywine Falls, Sagamore Hills Township, OH 44067, USA
Brandywine Falls is the tallest waterfall in Ohio and, boy, is it beautiful. At 65 feet in height, this waterfall is massive, but the boardwalk to approach it offers the perfect opportunity to grab a picture. As part of Cuyahoga Valley National Park, this is just one of many wonders in the area... but it's arguably the most photogenic feature in the entirety of Ohio's only national park.
Advertisement
Columbia Beach Falls, 25550 Lake Rd, Bay Village, OH 44140, USA
Who doesn't love a good beachfront waterfall? Columbia Beach Park has a tiny waterfall that's only about 20 feet in height, but it's located in a spot you have to see to believe. There's an overlook deck to help you view the waterfall from above, but it can also be admired directly from the beach. This waterfall is one of very few that spills directly into Lake Erie, and it's amazingly hidden in a tiny 1.5-acre park.
Gildersleeve Mountain, Kirtland, OH 44094, USA
Ever noticed that geological... thing... in the distance? Believe it or not, this plateau-like structure is Gildersleeve Mountain, and it's the only mountain near Cleveland, Ohio. This mountain sits at the intersection of the Allegheny Plateau and the Central Lowlands, and it towers over the landscape at 1,163 feet above sea level. More than half the mountain is covered in Chapin Forest Reservation, so you can pay it a visit yourself. On clear days, you can see the Cleveland skyline from its rocky overlooks!
So, what do you think… will you be visiting any sites on this Cleveland natural wonders bucket list? Do you have any favorites among these stunning locations? We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments!
Looking for more outdoor beauty? Swing by the Cleveland Cultural Gardens for more outdoor adventure in the aptly-nicknamed Forest City.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.