Cedar Falls Guide Before Visiting 2026 Updated (Hocking County, OH)

Cedar Falls is a waterfall in Hocking County, Ohio, about 10 miles southwest of Logan. This guide covers what to check, bring and expect before you go, using visitor ratings, official USGS records and live conditions for this exact location.

At a glance

Location

Hocking County, OH

Nearest town

Logan (10 mi)

Visitor rating

★★★★★ 4.8 from 141 reviews

Crowds

Moderate

Coordinates

39.41951, -82.52349

USGS topo

South Bloomingville quad

Getting there

Cedar Falls sits about 10 miles southwest of Logan in Hocking County. Google lists the address as Benton Township, OH 43138.

Open directions in Google Maps or Apple Maps, or view the map on the Cedar Falls listing. Navigation apps sometimes route onto seasonal forest roads, so check road status if you are heading into the mountains.

Most of Ohio's notable falls are on public land: Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Cleveland Metroparks and Summit Metro Parks, Ohio state parks and state nature preserves. Hocking Hills State Park is extremely popular, and its lots fill on autumn weekends and holidays, so early arrival helps. Some nature preserves prohibit pets and require staying on trails. Hazards are mainly cliffs and slick sandstone: falls from gorge rims in the Hocking Hills cause injuries and deaths, and climbing on wet ledges near falls is dangerous. Rock-walled gorges can flood quickly during heavy rain. A few smaller falls are on private property or near roads, so check access before visiting.

What to bring

This checklist is tailored to Cedar Falls based on what visitors report and the conditions typical of Ohio. For the complete list, see our waterfall hike packing guide.

• Offline map and coordinates. Save 39.41951, -82.52349 and download offline maps; cell service is often weak near waterfalls.
• Shoes with real grip. Rock near falling water stays wet and slick even in dry weather.
• Water and a snack. More than you think you need, even for a short walk.
• A light rain layer. Spray from the falls and quick-moving showers can soak you.
• Camera and a small tripod. Visitors have shared 451 photos of it; a tripod lets you shoot silky water in low light.
• Headlamp. In case your visit runs later than planned; check sunset time in the conditions panel above.

How to prepare

Timing

Ohio's falls are rain-fed, so late winter and spring, roughly February through May, are the most reliable months. In the Cuyahoga Valley and Hocking Hills, falls run fullest after a few days of steady rain or a thaw, and early spring adds wildflowers to the ravines. Summer often reduces smaller falls such as Buttermilk and Blue Hen to a trickle, while Brandywine Falls usually keeps some flow. Autumn color peaks around mid to late October, and fall rains can restore flows. Prolonged cold in January and February sometimes freezes Brandywine and the Hocking Hills falls into dramatic ice formations, though trails and stairs become slippery. 141 Google reviews suggest steady but manageable traffic outside peak weekends.

Safety

Stay behind railings and off wet rock, never climb on the falls, and keep children within arm's reach near the water. Check the weather panel above for flood or storm alerts before you set out; water levels can rise fast after upstream rain. Our waterfall safety guide covers the most common hazards.

Respect the place

Pack out everything you bring, stay on established paths to limit erosion, and leave rocks and plants where they are. See Leave No Trace at waterfalls.

What visitors say

Cedar Falls holds a 4.8-star average across 141 Google reviews, and 88% of reviewers give it five stars. That makes it the most reviewed waterfall in Hocking County. Visitors have shared 451 photos.

Waterfall with a shallow pool amid cliffs & grottos, with nearby restrooms & a picnic area.

See the rating breakdown or read reviews on Google.

History of the area

Cedar Falls was entered in the Geographic Names Information System on July 12, 1979, and it appears on the USGS South Bloomingville 7.5-minute topographic map.

Its neighbors on the map tell the story of the surrounding land: Hoy Hollow (valley, under 0.1 mi), Rose Hollow (valley, 0.8 mi), Hocking Hills Reservoir (reservoir, 0.9 mi), and Chapel Ridge (ridge, 0.9 mi).

Hocking Hills and the Mohican Country. Southeast and central Ohio offer a different look: sandstone gorges, recess caves and hemlock-shaded ravines in hill country that lies at or beyond the glacial boundary. In the Hocking Hills near Logan, Cedar Falls pours into a shallow pool framed by cliffs and grottos carved in Blackhand sandstone. Ashland County's falls, near Loudonville, lie in the Mohican area, where the Clear Fork of the Mohican River runs through a forested gorge. Grove Falls in Knox County and a fall in Tuscarawas County round out this group. These falls tend to be modest in volume, heavily shaded and at their best after soaking rains.

Nearby waterfalls to add to your trip

Summary

Cedar Falls about 10 miles southwest of Logan is rated 4.8 out of 5 by 141 visitors. Check the live forecast and stream gauge above, save the coordinates for offline use, and pack for wet, uneven ground. Ratings, hours and access can change, so confirm conditions with the land manager before you drive out.

See the full Cedar Falls listing for the map, photos and nearby landmarks.