By Mady Stoner
Posted On: Dec 21, 2021
Sometimes it feels as though the winter months can drag on. Why not bundle up one day and venture out into nature for some sightseeing? Winter is the only time of year when you can witness gorgeous waterfalls frozen in time. Plus, the trails are typically less crowded this time of year and you don't have to deal with bugs (major bonus).
Brandywine Falls in Sagamore Hills Township
If you want to see a beautifully frozen waterfall without a long hike, Brandywine Falls is the perfect one for you. This 60-foot waterfall can be accessed via a short walk on the boardwalk. The park is open daily from dawn to dusk. If you're an early riser, sunrise can be stunning as it rises right up over the falls.
Blue Hen Falls at Cuyahoga Valley National Park
For those looking for a longer hike, Blue Hen Falls is a great option, and it's in the same park (Cuyahoga Valley National Park) as Brandywine Falls. The original parking lot for this area is closed, so you'll need to park at the Boston Mill Visitor Center or the overflow lot across the street. This trail can be muddy and has some hills, so come prepared! The hike is approximately three miles out-and-back.
Cascade Park in Lorain County
Another park with a relatively easy hike that two waterfalls (East Falls and West Falls) is the newly renovated Cascade Park in Elyria. The parks offers 2.5 miles of hiking trails with views of the river, waterfalls, hemlock forest and ledges. It has to be consistently cold for this large waterfall to freeze over, but once it does it's quite the sight to see.
Gorge Clifton Waterfall in Yellow Springs
A smaller, but no less beautiful frozen waterfall worth visiting is the Gorge Clifton Waterfall, part of the Clifton Gorge State Nature Preserve in Yellow Springs. This hike is two miles, featuring a stretch of the Little Miami State and National Scenic River. Continue on east and connect to trails at John Bryan State Park. Because this waterfall is smaller, it's likely to freeze over more quickly than the falls listed above.
Bonus: this park is right outside the town of Yellow Springs. This quaint town is full of life and color, with plenty of restaurants and shops where can recoup after your hike before hitting the road.
More frozen waterfalls in Ohio to check out:
- Day's Dam Falls at Black River Reservation in Lorain
- Great Falls of Tinker's Creek in Viaduct Park at Bedford Reservation
- Bridal Veil Falls at Bedford Reservation
- Berea Falls at Rocky River Reservation
- Chagrin Falls in Downtown Chagrin Falls
- Indian Run Falls in Dublin
- Rockbridge Falls in Rockbridge
- Hayden Falls in Dublin
- Patty Falls in Englewood MetroPark
- Honey Run Falls in Millwood
- Mill Creek Falls in Cleveland
- Columbia Beach Falls in Bay Village
Once you've checked all these waterfalls off your list, make a plan to visit even more! The options are endless with beautiful waterfalls all over the state to enjoy.
For more outdoor adventures this #WinterInOhio, check out #OhioFindItHere at Ohio.org.
