Here’s The Perfect Weekend Itinerary If You Love Exploring Cleveland’s Waterfalls
There’s nothing quite so moving (no pun intended) as the awesome power and natural splendor of a waterfall. As the weather begins to shift towards sunny days and long afternoons, what better way to ring in the return of nature than with an unforgettable daytrip around the Cleveland area to see some of the best waterfalls near the Forest City?
You can explore the exact locations and directions to each of these breathtaking spots by checking out this interactive map. There’s an estimated two and a half hours of driving spread out over the trip, but each minute will be worth it when you feast your eyes on each of these fantastic waterfalls.
We’re aware that these uncertain times are limiting many aspects of life as we all practice social and physical distancing. While we’re continuing to feature destinations that make our state wonderful, we don’t expect or encourage you to go check them out immediately. We believe that supporting local attractions is important now more than ever and we hope our articles inspire your future adventures! And on that note, please nominate your favorite local business that could use some love right now: https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/nominate/
The closest waterfall to the Cleveland area, this fantastic site is the perfect start to your waterfall trek. The historical Lanterman's Mill building is still standing, and makes for a gorgeous supplement to the fantastic fall itself.
This awesome spot in Bedford is a smaller waterfall than you're used to, but its incredibly scenic forest locale more than makes up for its size. The rushing rapids are quite a sight when flanked by lush green forestry.
Venturing further out of the Cleveland area brings you to the thrilling beauty of Chagrin Falls. The sheer, steep face of this waterfall makes for some of the most breathtakingly powerful rushes of water you'll find in an Ohio waterfall, and the scenic overlook frames its natural power perfectly.
South of Cleveland lies the legendary Cuyahoga Valley National Park, home to many of the most wonderful waterfalls in Ohio. The transfixing allure of Brandywine Falls in all its rushing glory is something that has to be seen to be believed, and its 65-foot cascade of water is spectacular in its strength and beauty.
Another gorgeous waterfall tucked within the hundreds of acres that make up Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Blue Hen Falls offers a different kind of waterfall with its pronounced lip and unique cascade, making it a memorable, if unusual, must-see on your waterfall tour.
For a waterfall of a very different kind, venture into the town of Cuyahoga Falls and check out the manmade dam at Gorge Metro Park. It might be dismantled in the next few years, so you should definitely see it while you have the chance.
Rounding off your waterfall adventure with something a little more close to home, the Berea Falls Scenic Overlook in nearby Berea is an oft-overlooked piece of Cleveland Metroparks that offers a fantastic view of high-speed river rapids tumbling into the major Cleveland area.
Are there any must-see waterfalls around Cleveland that we left out? Tell us about your favorites in the comments!
