5 Must-See Waterfalls in Ohio (2026)
If you only have time for five Ohio waterfalls, make it these: the state's most visited falls, spread out so the list covers the Cuyahoga Valley and Northeast Ohio, Hocking Hills and the Mohican Country, and Western Ohio and Lake Erie.
How We Picked
These are the five most visited Ohio waterfalls rated 4.2 stars or higher, measured by Google review count, with no two picks within 8 miles of each other so the list covers more of the state. Every waterfall links to a full page with coordinates, maps and nearby falls.
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1. Brandywine Falls
Boston Heights, OH · Summit County · Cuyahoga Valley and Northeast Ohio
Why it is a must-see
With 551 Google reviews it is the single most visited waterfall in Ohio, and it holds 4.8 stars. The USGS gazetteer describes it as: 86 feet high. Brandywine Falls, within Cuyahoga Valley National Park, is accessed by a parking lot located on Stanford Road about 30 m (100 ft) from Brandywine Road, approximately 3.2 km (2 mi) south of State Route 82 and 1.6 km (1 mi) northwest of Olde Eight in Sagamore Hills. 6 more named waterfalls lie within 15 miles, including Buttermilk Falls and Blue Hen Falls. It is one of 11 named falls in the Cuyahoga Valley and Northeast Ohio region. The nearest town is Boston Heights, about 1.5 miles to the southeast.
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2. Cedar Falls
Logan, OH · Hocking County · Hocking Hills and the Mohican Country
Why it is a must-see
With 141 Google reviews it is the 3rd most visited waterfall in Ohio, and it holds 4.8 stars. In short: "Waterfall with a shallow pool amid cliffs & grottos, with nearby restrooms & a picnic area." It is one of 5 named falls in the Hocking Hills and the Mohican Country region. The nearest town is Logan, about 10 miles to the northeast.
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3. Greenville Falls
Covington, OH · Miami County · Western Ohio and Lake Erie
Why it is a must-see
With 30 Google reviews it is the 7th most visited waterfall in Ohio, and it holds 4.6 stars. It is one of 3 named falls in the Western Ohio and Lake Erie region. The nearest town is Covington, about 1.3 miles to the northeast.
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4. Cascade Falls
Garrettsville, OH · Portage County · Cuyahoga Valley and Northeast Ohio
Why it is a must-see
With 27 Google reviews it is the 9th most visited waterfall in Ohio, and it holds 4.7 stars. 1 more named waterfall lies within 15 miles, including Minnehaha Falls. It is one of 11 named falls in the Cuyahoga Valley and Northeast Ohio region. The nearest town is Garrettsville, about 4.3 miles to the southwest.
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5. Cedar Falls
Peebles, OH · Adams County · Western Ohio and Lake Erie
Why it is a must-see
With 17 Google reviews it is the 10th most visited waterfall in Ohio, and it holds 4.7 stars. Expect muddy trail, waterfall viewing point, and trailhead, the topics reviewers bring up most. It is one of 3 named falls in the Western Ohio and Lake Erie region. The nearest town is Peebles, about 7.9 miles to the north.
A Route Linking All Five
Starting from the northernmost pick and always heading to the nearest remaining one, the five cover about 328 straight-line miles. Road distances are longer.
- Cascade Falls (start, near Garrettsville)
- Brandywine Falls, about 26 mi west
- Cedar Falls, about 138 mi south
- Cedar Falls, about 61 mi southwest
- Greenville Falls, about 103 mi northwest
When to Visit Ohio's Waterfalls
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.
Before You Go
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.
Read our waterfall safety rules and packing list before heading out.
Explore More Ohio Waterfalls
See all 19 waterfalls in the Ohio waterfall guide, or browse by town: Boston Heights, Logan, Covington, Garrettsville, Peebles.
More Ohio Waterfall Lists
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the number one must-see waterfall in Ohio?
Brandywine Falls tops our 2026 list, with a 4.8-star rating from 551 Google reviews. It is near Boston Heights in Summit County.
How was this list made?
These are the five most visited Ohio waterfalls rated 4.2 stars or higher, measured by Google review count, with no two picks within 8 miles of each other so the list covers more of the state.
Can you see all five in one trip?
The five are about 328 straight-line miles apart in total when visited in the order suggested above. Most people split them across two or more days.
How many waterfalls are in Ohio?
Our directory lists 19 named waterfalls in Ohio. See them all, sorted by town, in the Ohio waterfall guide.
What is the most visited waterfall in Ohio?
Brandywine Falls in Cuyahoga Valley National Park is the most reviewed in our directory, followed by Blue Hen Falls in the same park and Cedar Falls in the Hocking Hills.