10 Most Beautiful Waterfalls in Ohio (2026 Updated)
Ranked by what visitors photograph and rate five stars, these are the 10 most beautiful of Ohio's 19 named waterfalls, starting with Cedar Falls. The list spans the Western Ohio and Lake Erie, Cuyahoga Valley and Northeast Ohio, and Hocking Hills and the Mohican Country.
How We Picked
Beauty is subjective, so we let visitors decide. Among 14 publicly accessible Ohio waterfalls with Google reviews and photos, we ranked by three signals: the share of five-star reviews, how many photos visitors have posted, and how often reviews mention scenery and views. Every waterfall links to a full page with coordinates, maps and nearby falls.
-
1. Cedar Falls
Peebles, OH · Adams County · Western Ohio and Lake Erie
Why it is so photogenic
Visitors have posted 141 photos of it on Google, about 8.3 for every review. 82% of its 17 reviewers rate it five stars (4.7 average). Reviewers single out its waterfall viewing point and view. The setting includes Behm Mountain (summit, 1.4 mi) and Hunt Hollow (valley, 1.8 mi). 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.
-
2. Brandywine Falls
Boston Heights, OH · Summit County · Cuyahoga Valley and Northeast Ohio
Why it is so photogenic
Visitors have posted 2,409 photos of it on Google, about 4.4 for every review. 83% of its 551 reviewers rate it five stars (4.8 average). Name history: "The rocks at the base of this ""bridalveil"" falls were formed more than 400 million years ago. The cascades began about ten thousand years ago after the last glacial retreat." 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.
-
3. Cedar Falls
Logan, OH · Hocking County · Hocking Hills and the Mohican Country
Why it is so photogenic
Visitors have posted 451 photos of it on Google, about 3.2 for every review. 88% of its 141 reviewers rate it five stars (4.8 average). Its listing describes it as: "Waterfall with a shallow pool amid cliffs & grottos, with nearby restrooms & a picnic area." The setting includes Hoy Hollow (valley, under 0.1 mi) and Rose Hollow (valley, 0.8 mi). 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.
-
4. Blue Hen Falls
Peninsula, OH · Summit County · Cuyahoga Valley and Northeast Ohio
Why it is so photogenic
Visitors have posted 1,069 photos of it on Google, about 4.3 for every review. 73% of its 250 reviewers rate it five stars (4.5 average). Its listing describes it as: "Spectacular beauty spot named for the spring upstream that feeds this creek year-round." It is one of 11 named falls in the Cuyahoga Valley and Northeast Ohio region. The nearest town is Peninsula, about 1.6 miles to the southeast.
-
5. Bridal Veil Falls
Bedford, OH · Cuyahoga County · Cuyahoga Valley and Northeast Ohio
Why it is so photogenic
Visitors have posted 413 photos of it on Google, about 3.8 for every review. 81% of its 110 reviewers rate it five stars (4.8 average). It is one of 11 named falls in the Cuyahoga Valley and Northeast Ohio region. The nearest town is Bedford, about 1.5 miles to the northeast.
-
6. Buttermilk Falls
Peninsula, OH · Summit County · Cuyahoga Valley and Northeast Ohio
Why it is so photogenic
Visitors have posted 262 photos of it on Google, about 3.2 for every review. 83% of its 82 reviewers rate it five stars (4.7 average). Its listing describes it as: "Secluded, 20-ft.-high waterfall in Cuyahoga Valley National Park, accessible via a hiking trail." It is one of 11 named falls in the Cuyahoga Valley and Northeast Ohio region. The nearest town is Peninsula, about 1.7 miles to the southeast.
-
7. Cascade Falls
Garrettsville, OH · Portage County · Cuyahoga Valley and Northeast Ohio
Why it is so photogenic
Visitors have posted 48 photos of it on Google. 89% of its 27 reviewers rate it five stars (4.7 average). The setting includes Parkman Gorge (valley, 1.6 mi). 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.
-
8. Minnehaha Falls
Garrettsville, OH · Portage County · Cuyahoga Valley and Northeast Ohio
Why it is so photogenic
Visitors have posted 21 photos of it on Google. 94% of its 16 reviewers rate it five stars (4.8 average). The setting includes Parkman Gorge (valley, 1.8 mi). It is one of 11 named falls in the Cuyahoga Valley and Northeast Ohio region. The nearest town is Garrettsville, about 4.2 miles to the southwest.
-
9. Grove Falls
Oak Hill, OH · Knox County · Hocking Hills and the Mohican Country
Why it is so photogenic
Visitors have posted 29 photos of it on Google. 76% of its 17 reviewers rate it five stars (4.6 average). It is one of 5 named falls in the Hocking Hills and the Mohican Country region. The nearest town is Oak Hill, about 2.4 miles to the northeast.
-
10. Mill Creek Falls
Newburgh Heights, OH · Cuyahoga County · Cuyahoga Valley and Northeast Ohio
Why it is so photogenic
Visitors have posted 114 photos of it on Google, about 2.7 for every review. 60% of its 42 reviewers rate it five stars (4.1 average). It is one of 11 named falls in the Cuyahoga Valley and Northeast Ohio region. The nearest town is Newburgh Heights, about 2.0 miles to the west.
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. For better pictures, see our waterfall photography tips.
Explore More Ohio Waterfalls
See all 19 waterfalls in the Ohio waterfall guide, or browse by town: Peebles, Boston Heights, Logan, Peninsula, Bedford, Garrettsville, Oak Hill, Newburgh Heights.
More Ohio Waterfall Lists
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most beautiful waterfall in Ohio?
Cedar Falls tops our 2026 list, with a 4.7-star rating from 17 Google reviews. It is near Peebles in Adams County.
How was this list made?
Beauty is subjective, so we let visitors decide. Among 14 publicly accessible Ohio waterfalls with Google reviews and photos, we ranked by three signals: the share of five-star reviews, how many photos visitors have posted, and how often reviews mention scenery and views.
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.
When do Ohio waterfalls have the most water?
Late winter and spring, especially a day or two after heavy rain or a thaw. Many smaller falls slow to a trickle during dry summer weather.