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15 Waterfalls That Make The Perfect Day Trip From Columbus

When most people think of Ohio, they probably see endless fields and farmland.

But carving their way throughout the state are beautiful waterfalls, hidden and waiting to take your breath away. There are some Middle Earth-level magical spots on this list folks.

All of the waterfalls are less than 200 miles from downtown Columbus and the hikes to reach them range in difficulty. Have fun exploring!

Indian Run Falls

via Facebook

Distance from Columbus: 17 miles
Waterfall Height: 15 ft
Hike Difficulty: Easy
Amenities: Walking Path, Overlooks, Boardwalks, Two Shelters, Parking Lot
Location: 700 Shawan Falls Dr, Dublin, OH 43017

Hayden Falls


Distance from Columbus: 16.3 miles
Waterfall Height: 35 ft
Hike Difficulty: Easy
Amenities: Nature preserve, parking lot, woods and wildlife area
Location: 4326 Hayden Run Rd, Dublin, OH 43017

Rock Mill

Distance from Columbus: 25 miles
Waterfall Height: 14 ft
Hike Difficulty: Easy
Amenities: Walking Path, Overlooks, Boardwalks, Mill tours, Covered Bridge, Parking Lot
Location: 1429 Rockmill Pl NW, Lancaster, OH 43130

Cedar Falls at Hocking Hills

Distance from Columbus: 56.9 miles
Waterfall Height: 50 ft
Hike Difficulty: Medium difficulty, .5 mile Trail, some stairs
Amenities: Trails, Parking lot
Location: Click here for directions

Greenville Falls

via Greenville Falls Facebook

Distance from Columbus: 89.6 miles
Hike Difficulty: Easy, 1 Mile Trail
Amenities: Easy walking, paved paths
Location: 9140 Covington-Gettysburg Rd, Covington, OH 45318

Big & Little Lyons Falls

Distance from Columbus: 77.2 miles
Waterfall Height: 80 ft, 25 ft
Hike Difficulty: Medium, 2 Mile loop
Amenities: Parking, Defined Paths, Pets allowed on leash
Location: 3116 State Route 3 Loudonville, Ohio 44842

Ludlow Falls

via Ludlow Falls Facebook

Distance from Columbus: 85.3 miles
Waterfall Height: 15 ft
Hike Difficulty: Easy
Amenities: A Beautiful View!
Location: Click here for directions

Lanterman’s Falls

Lanterman’s Falls after heavy rain:

Distance from Columbus: 175 miles
Waterfall Height: 15 ft
Hike Difficulty: Easy
Amenities: Parking, paths, Lanterman Mill
Location: 1001 Canfield Rd, Youngstown, OH 44511

Paine Falls

Distance from Columbus: 174 miles
Waterfall Height: 25 ft
Hike Difficulty: Easy
Amenities: Parking lot, restrooms, grills and a picnic area
Location: 5570 Paine Rd, Painesville, OH 44077

West Falls at Cascade Park

via Facebook

Distance from Columbus: 120 miles
Waterfall Height: 35 ft
Hike Difficulty: Easy
Amenities: Observation deck, easy parking
Location: 170 Cascade St, Elyria, OH 44035

Brandywine Falls

via Facebook

Distance from Columbus: 135 miles
Waterfall Height: 65 ft
Hike Difficulty: Moderate (several stairs)
Amenities: Observation platform, Parking, Paths, Restrooms, Shelter Houses
Location: 8176 Brandywine Rd, Sagamore Hills, OH 44067

Chagrin Falls

via Wikimedia Commons. CC BY 2.0

Distance from Columbus: 148 miles
Waterfall Height: 20 ft
Hike Difficulty: Easy, Lots of steps
Amenities: Popcorn shop located just above falls
Location: 53 N Main St, Chagrin Falls, OH 44022

Blue Hen Falls

Distance from Columbus: 130 miles
Waterfall Height: 15 ft
Hike Difficulty: Easy, .5 miles
Amenities: Located within Cuyahoga Valley National Park
Location: 2001 Boston Mills Rd, Brecksville, OH 44141

Dundee Falls

Photo by Benjamin Lehman, Licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0

Distance from Columbus: 118 miles
Waterfall Height: 15 feet
Hike Difficulty: Moderate, 2 miles
Amenities: This hike is very rustic
Location: 8265-8581 Dundee Wilmot Rd NW, Dundee, OH 44624

Columbia Park


This 1.5 acre park is home to one of the best kept secrets on Lake Erie’s shores. A beautiful waterfall tumbles down onto a sandy beach at Columbia Park. With a paved trail and stairs to Lake Erie, it’s a must-visit spot if you find yourself in The Land!

Distance from Columbus: 140 miles
Waterfall Height: About 20 ft.
Hike Difficulty: Easy
Amenities: Paved trail, lake access
Location: 25436 Lake Rd, Bay Village, OH 44140