Jake Cain is an entrepreneur and writer from Cincinnati, Ohio. He spends his free time driving around the country in his late 90’s conversion van, affectionately known as the “Monster Van” with his wife and 3 boys.
Columbus may not be famous for its waterfalls, but the surrounding areas have some stunning falls that are definitely well worth checking out.
The Hocking Hills region in particular, just a short drive south of Columbus, is home to several beautiful waterfalls that are popular for hiking and photography.
Let’s look at some of the waterfalls in and around Columbus that you should consider visiting.
Great Falls
The biggest waterfall in Ohio can be found in the Hocking Hills State Park, just a few hours south of Columbus.
This waterfall is called Great Falls, and it’s located on the Hocking River in the southeastern part of the state.
It’s a series of three waterfalls that drop a total of about 75 feet, making it the tallest waterfall in Ohio. However, it’s not the only waterfall worth visiting in the Hocking Hills region.
There are several other waterfalls in the park, including Ash Cave Falls, Old Man’s Cave Falls, and Cedar Falls.
These waterfalls range in height from 25 to 50 feet and are all accessible by hiking trails.
Hayden Falls
One of the most popular waterfalls in the Hocking Hills region is Hayden Falls, located in Hayden Falls Park in Dublin, Ohio.
This waterfall is a little closer to Columbus than the others, just a short drive northwest of the city. Hayden Falls is a unique waterfall because it flows over a bed of shale, creating a series of cascades that drop about 20 feet into a pool below.
Unfortunately, it is not safe to swim at Hayden Falls. The pool at the base of the falls is not deep enough for swimming, and the shale bed can be slippery and dangerous.
However, the falls are still a beautiful spot for photography and a peaceful hike.
Cedar Falls
Cedar Falls is a popular waterfall located in the Hocking Hills State Park, a short drive south of Columbus.
This waterfall travels over a series of cascades that drop about 50 feet and is known for its beautiful, clear water that flows through a narrow canyon.
The hike to Cedar Falls is about 1.5 miles as a round trip and is considered easy to moderate in difficulty.
Greenville Falls
Greenville Falls is another waterfall located in the Hocking Hills State Park, south of Columbus.
This waterfall cascades down to a drop of about 25 feet and has beautiful, crystal-clear water that flows through a series of rocky pools.
The hike to Greenville Falls is about one mile as a round trip and is relatively easy to traverse.
Indian Run Falls
Indian Run Falls is a small waterfall located in the Scioto Audubon Metro Park, a short drive west of Columbus.
The hike is only about a mile long and the falls are surrounded by beautiful vegetation, making the landscape a popular spot for photography.
Ludlow Falls
Ludlow Falls is a beautiful waterfall located in the Ludlow Falls State Park, just south of Columbus.
This waterfall cascades down about 20 feet and is loved for its beautiful, unclouded water that flows through a narrow canyon.
Big and Little Lyons Falls
If you’re looking for a different type of waterfall to visit in Mohican State Park, consider checking out Big and Little Lyons Falls.
These two waterfalls have a low rate of flow, giving them a serene and calming atmosphere.
Paine Falls
Paine Falls is a small waterfall located in the Paine Falls State Nature Preserve, a short drive northwest of Columbus.
This beautiful natural feature is only about 20 feet tall, but its 80-foot width gives Paine Falls an appeal that will leave you admiring the area for hours.
Brandywine Falls
Brandywine Falls is a small waterfall located in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, a short journey south of Cleveland.
The one-and-a-half-mile loop of Brandywine Gorge gives visitors the opportunity to experience the full beauty of the falls.
The water flows down the rock face, covering the 60-foot drop in a clear and pristine stream.
Lanterman’s Falls
Lanterman’s Falls is a small waterfall located in Lanterman’s Mill, a short drive south of Cleveland.
This waterfall is only about 15 feet tall, but it’s surrounded by beautiful greenery and the mill gives you an attractive backdrop for your photos.
If you’re interested in hiking to waterfalls in the Hocking Hills region, there are several trails that lead to falls.
One popular trail is the Old Man’s Cave Trail, which takes hikers through a series of waterfalls and rock formations in the park. Other trails that lead to waterfalls include the Cedar Falls Trail and the Ash Cave Trail.
Chagrin Falls
If you’re willing to take the nearly three-hour drive north from Columbus to Chagrin Falls, you can spend the day at Lake Erie.
The waterfall has a viewing space with benches where you can relax and enjoy the landscape after a day at the lake.
You can also visit the Glass Asylum and Chagrin Valley Little Theatre in town as well as the Blind Squirrel Winery.
Blue Hen Falls
Blue Hen Falls is one of the most popular falls in Columbus. It’s a short hike from the parking lot, and the views are definitely worth the trip!
The lower falls are a beautiful blue, and the upper falls are a mesmerizing green color. You can take the three-mile roundtrip hike on the Buckeye Trail, enjoying the wildlife and forest as you go.
Columbus, Ohio is surrounded by several beautiful waterfalls that are worth checking out.
The Hocking Hills region, just a short drive south of the city, is home to the biggest waterfall in Ohio – Great Falls – as well as several other falls that are accessible by hiking trails.
There are also several other parks and nature preserves in the Columbus area that contain waterfalls, offering a variety of hiking trails and opportunities to see these natural wonders up close in all their splendor!
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