Nestled between Cleveland and Akron, Cuyahoga Valley National Park (CVNP) is one of Ohio’s true hidden treasures. Known for the towpath trail, accessible trails, and historic charm, it’s also home to some of the most beautiful waterfalls in not only Ohio but all of the Midwest.
Whether you’re looking for a family-friendly hike in Ohio, seeking peace and serenity, or looking for the best Cuyahoga Valley National Park photography spot, below are the 10 best waterfalls in Cuyahoga Valley National Park — plus tips on how to reach them.
Cuyahoga Valley National Park Waterfalls
How I Chose These Waterfalls
I ranked each waterfall based on:
- Scenic appeal – Height, volume, and surroundings
- Accessibility – Trail difficulty and distance
- Photo potential – Lighting, composition, and vantage points
- Visitor experience – Cleanliness, crowd level, and safety
1. Brandywine Falls
Best for: Families with children, roadtrippers, and photographers
Trailhead: Brandywine Gorge Trail and Stanford Trail
Height: 65 feet tall, with a crest of 25 – 50 feet
Water Flow: Medium to High, depending on season
Difficulty: Easy to Medium
Accessible by the Brandywine Gorge Loop, the park’s most famous waterfall, Brandywine Falls is a 65-foot cascade framed by sandstone cliffs.
- Check out this Brandywine Falls Guide to learn directions, my expert tips, and watch a virtual tour.
Why it’s great:
- The wooden boardwalk offers easy and multiple viewpoints of the falls for photographers and first-time visitors
- Quick and easy for families with little kids or dogs
- Numerous connecting trails can make this part of a longer hike featuring numerous waterfalls.
Trail tips:
- Arrive early or late into the evening to avoid crowds and harsh light. No matter the day or time of year, this Cuyahoga Valley National Park waterfall hike always gets crowded.
- Extend your visit via the Stanford Trail Loop for forest views, opportunities to play in creeks and streams, and the chance to see wildlife
2. Blue Hen Falls
Best for: Hikers, thrill-seekers, and photographers
Trailhead: Blue Hen Falls Trail (Boston Mills Visitor Center)
Height: 15 feet tall, with a crest of 15 feet
Water Flow: Low to Medium, depending on season
Difficulty: Medium
A short but rewarding hike leads to Blue Hen Falls, a charming cascade tucked in a shaded ravine. The gentle flow over shale rock creates a peaceful, secluded vibe perfect for nature lovers.
- Check out this Blue Hen Falls Guide to learn directions, my expert tips, and watch a virtual tour.
Why it’s great:
- Perfect picnic area in the fall when the leaves peak
- out-of-this-world experience when the falls freeze in winter, making it perfect for photographers
- Secluded backcountry Ohio waterfall, making this a tranquil vibe for anyone wanting to get away from it all
Trail tips:
- The hike is 3 miles out-and-back with moderate inclines, so make sure to pack plenty of water and trekking poles if you need assistance on hills. In the winter, it is recommended to wear boots and be extra mindful of ice.
- Combine this waterfall with Buttermilk Falls for the ultimate Cuyahoga Valley National Park hikes.
3. Buttermilk Falls
Best for: Hikers, off-trail adventurers, and photographers
Trailhead: Blue Hen Falls Trail (Boston Mills Visitor Center)
Height: 30 feet tall, with a crest of 20 feet
Water Flow: Low
Difficulty: Medium
Hidden just beyond Blue Hen Falls, Buttermilk Falls is a lesser-known gem, but it may just be our favorite Cuyahoga Valley National Park waterfalls.
- Check out this Buttermilk Falls Guide to learn directions, my expert tips, and watch a virtual tour.
Why it’s great:
- Twin waterfall drops and moss-covered rocks make it one of the most photogenic spots in Cuyahoga Valley National Park
- Can be combined with Blue Hen Falls, making it an amazing day experience for road-trippers and families
Trail tips:
- Not officially maintained or marked, so use our official Buttermilk Falls Trail Guide
- Avoid after heavy rainfall or when the trail becomes icy
- Once you reach the falls, turn around. You cannot continue, as you will enter private property.
4. Twin Sister Falls
Best for: Hikers, off-trail adventurers, and photographers
Trailhead: Towpath Trail (Station Road Bridge)
Height: 70 feet tall, with a crest of 20 feet
Water Flow: Low to Medium, depending on season
Difficulty: Medium
One of the best-kept secrets in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, the Twin Sister Falls is a local favorite for off-trail enthusiasts and photographers alike.
- Check out this Twin Sisters Falls Guide to learn directions, my expert tips, and watch a virtual tour.
Why it’s great:
- The trail to the falls is one of the most adventurous hikes for anyone looking for a true backcountry experience
- Unique rock formation provides visitors with double water flow over its cliffs, making it one of the most unique waterfalls of the Midwest and one of the best things to do in Cuyahoga Valley National Park
Trail tips:
- Not marked or written about by the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, the best way to find this trail is to read the guide above and watch the Twin Sisters Falls Virtual Tour.
- Prepare to get wet. You will have to cross a water-filled canal and then walk up a stream (sometimes ankle deep after rain) to approach the waterfall.
5. Contour Falls
Best for: Hikers, off-trail adventurers, and photographers
Trailhead: Towpath Trail (Station Road Bridge)
Height: 50 feet tall, with a crest of 15 feet
Water Flow: Low to Medium, depending on season
Difficulty: Medium
Contour Falls is considered another hidden gem and one of the best waterfalls of Cuyahoga Valley National Park.
- Check out this Contour Falls Guide to learn directions, my expert tips, and watch a virtual tour.
Why it’s great:
- A small, picturesque waterfall tucked away in one of the quietest sections of the park
- Provides a peaceful, less-crowded experience than any other waterfall in the park
- A photographer’s dream with its layered rock formations
Trail tips:
- Be prepared. The hike to Contour Falls is not long, but requires almost half the hike to be in a creek where you climb over boulders and under fallen trees. Expect to get wet and take plenty of breaks.
- Because the hike is not overly long or strenuous, combine this with Twin Sisters Falls after a hard rain to get the ultimate backcountry Ohio waterfall experience, making this one of the best secret waterfall hikes in any National Park!
6. Shredder Falls
Best for: Families with children, day-hikers, and photographers
Trailhead: Brandywine Gorge Trail and Stanford Trail
Height: 20 feet tall, with a crest of 5 feet
Water Flow: Low to Medium, depending on season
Difficulty: Easy
Shredder Falls is one of the least known waterfalls in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, but it is a stone’s throw away from Brandywine Falls.
- Check out this Shredder Falls Guide to learn directions, my expert tips, and watch a virtual tour.
Why it’s great:
- The hike to Shredder Falls feels like a mini adventure
- One of the few actual cascades in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park
- Off-the-beaten-path, providing a private and immersive hiking trail near Cleveland.
Trail tips:
- Hike this trail during the spring, summer, and fall months. Be careful after a strong rain due to Brandywine Creek being strong. Do not attempt in the winter, as the already slick rock becomes extremely dangerous.
- Complete the Brandywine Gorge Loop to combine this hike with Brandywine Falls, making it an epic waterfall experience.
7. Great Falls of Tinkers Creek
Best for: Families, waterfall enthusiasts, kayakers, and photographers
Trailhead: Great Falls of Tinker Creek
Height: 20 feet tall, with a crest of 80 feet
Water Flow: Medium to High, depending on season
Difficulty: Easy
Technically just outside park boundaries, the Great Falls of Tinkers Creek are a local favorite – a unique blend of natural beauty and Ohio history.
- Check out this Great Falls of Tinkers Creek Guide to learn directions, my expert tips, and watch a virtual tour.
Why it’s great:
- One of the few natural attractions in Ohio that interweaves history and mother nature.
- Amazing pictures and experience after a hard rain
- One of the few whitewater kayaking experiences in Ohio
Trail tips:
- Bring a picnic. There are plenty of spots on the trail and by the waterfall where you can enjoy food and views. This is a great spot in the summer to play on the shore when the water level is low.
- Get there early. There is limited parking, and these waterfalls get crowded! Morning and Evening are typically the best times for photographs and serenity.
8. Linda Falls
Best for: Families, day-hikers, and photographers
Trailhead: Alexander Road Trailhead
Height: 25 feet tall, with a crest of 10 feet
Water Flow: low to High, depending on season
Difficulty: Easy
One of the smaller waterfalls within the park boundaries, Linda Falls feels like a secret tucked away in the woods.
- Check out this Linda Falls Guide to learn directions, my expert tips, and watch a virtual tour.
Why it’s great:
- Gentle flow and rich habitat make it an ideal spot for photographs
- Perfect picnic area during longer hikes
- Safe, no matter how much rain or water flow there is.
Trail tips:
- The trail is well-marked to get to the top of the waterfall. Once you reach it, there aren’t many great locations to view it. If you want to have the best view of the falls, you will need to climb down a steep and slippery decline that is even tougher to climb out.
- Best visited in spring when the flow is strongest. While the waterfall is still a wonder any time of year, you may be disappointed by no flow during the dry season.
9. Bridal Veil Falls
Best for: Hikers and waterfall enthusiasts
Trailhead: Bridal Veil Falls Scenic Overlook Trail
Height: 20 feet tall, with a crest of 10 feet
Water Flow: Low to Medium, depending on season
Difficulty: Easy
Just outside the Cuyahoga Valley National Park in the Bedford Reservation, a long, gentle cascade makes up Bridal Veil Falls.
- Check out this Bridal Veil Falls Guide to learn directions, my expert tips, and watch a virtual tour.
Why it’s great:
- One of the most fascinating and complex waterfall geologies in Northeast Ohio
- Provides a mix of creek, cascades, and waterfalls all in one simple area
- Quick and easy hike through lush greenery
Trail tips:
- Bring hiking shoes or boots. While most of the trail is on the boardwalk, it can be slippery after rain, in the morning dew, and during the winter. In addition, having a good pair of shoes or boots will make trekking across the short, muddy trail before and after the falls easier, regardless of the time of year.
- Take time to admire the falls from different angles to truly understand how they interact with the ecosystem within which they are located. You will be able to view it before the river crossing, from an overlook, and for the brave, further down the trail.
10. Chippewa Creek Falls
Best for: Families, Visitors who don’t want to hike, and waterfall enthusiasts
Trailhead: Chippewa Creek Gorge Scenic Overlook
Height: 15 feet tall, with a crest of 10 feet
Water Flow: Low to High, depending on rainfall
Difficulty: Easy
While not technically inside the park, Chippewa Creek Falls is close enough and stunning enough to include in any Cuyahoga Valley National Park waterfall itinerary.
- Check out this Chippewa Creek Falls Guide to learn directions, my expert tips, and watch a virtual tour.
Why it’s great:
- Lots of scenery without needing to hike
- Safest waterfall in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park and surrounding regions
- Part of a glacially-formed gorge.
Trail tips:
- Keep it easy. Park in the Chippewa Creek Gorge Scenic Overlook parking lot (right after pulling into the park) and walk to the deck overlooking the waterfalls.
- If you want dramatic views with a contrast of rocks and ice with frozen flows, then visit in the middle of winter when temperatures drop well below freezing.
- If you want to stay and see another waterfall, but don’t want to travel outside the Brecksville Reservation, then check out the Deer Lick Cave Falls for a short-day waterfall experience.
Quick Comparison Table
| Waterfall | Height | Difficulty | Trailhead | Trail Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brandywine Falls | 65 ft | Easy | Brandywine Gorge Loop | 0.4 miles round trip |
| Blue Hen Falls | 15 ft | Moderate | Blue Hen Falls (Boston Mills) | 3 miles round-trip |
| Buttermilk Falls | 30 ft | Moderate | Blue Hen Falls (Boston Mills) | 3.5 miles round-trip |
| Twin Sisters Falls | 70 feet | Moderate | Towpath | 1.75 miles round-trip |
| Contour Falls | 50 feet | Moderate | Towpath | 5 miles round-trip |
| Shredder Falls | 20 feet | Easy | Brandywine Gorge Loop | 1.6 miles round-trip |
| Great Falls of Tinkers Creek | 20 feet | Easy | Great Falls of Tinkers Creek | .66-mile round-trip |
| Linda Falls | 25 feet | Easy | Alexander Road | 1.75 miles round-trip |
| Bridal Veil Falls | 20 feet | Easy | Bridal Falls Scenic Overlook | .66 miles round-trip |
| Chippewa Creek Falls | 15 feet | Easy | Chippewa Creek Gorge Scenic Outlook | 500 feet round-trip |
Final Thoughts
Cuyahoga Valley National Park may not get the attention of other parks like Yosemite or Yellowstone, but it’s packed with natural gems — especially for waterfall lovers. Whether you’re chasing the power of Brandywine Falls or the secludedness of Twin Sister Falls, these waterfalls capture the heart of Ohio’s only national park.
So lace up your boots, grab a friend, family member, or dog, and explore these best waterfalls in Cuyahoga Valley National Park. And don’t forget to tell us what your favorite waterfall in the park is!
