Posted in Hiking, Northeastern Ohio, Park review

Cuyahoga Valley National Park: Brandywine and Blue Hen Falls

Just prior to our birding trip to Magee Marsh in May, we visited two waterfalls in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. We stopped at Brandywine Falls – one of the finest waterfalls in the state of Ohio.

Brandywine Falls
Brandywine Falls

Stairs leading down to the observation deck for Brandywine Falls
Ravine and boardwalk leading to Brandywine falls
Chipmunk hanging out on one of the trees near the boardwalk to Brandywine Falls

The falls is located on Brandywine Creek where it flows over a 65-foot (19.8m) sandstone and shale cliff. For information on the falls history, facilities, and travel directions, please see our prior article.


Blue Hen Falls

After a quick stop at Brandywine, we drove to the parking area for Blue He Falls, about 10 minutes away. The trail-head for Blue Hen Falls is located off Boston Mills Road. A small parking lot accommodates 3-4 cars with an overflow lot on the other side of the street. An information kiosk is located at the trail-head. The trail goes downhill to a bridge over Spring Creek. The blue-blazed Buckeye Trail splits off and the Blue Hen Falls Trail then follows the creek to the falls. At the falls is a bench and a sign that says ‘End of Trail’. The distance from the parking area to the falls is 0.5 miles.

Footbridge leading to Blue Hen falls
Blue Hen Falls
Blue Hen Falls

Blue Hen Falls is a 15-foot (4.6m) falls which flows over hard Berea sandstone capping softer Bedford Shale, similar to nearby Brandywine Falls.

Although we visited the are past the peak of spring wildflowers, there were still a few to be seen.

Detailed look at Foamflower
Violet
Large-flowered trillium — This flower was white when it was newly blossomed. As the flower ages, it turns pink.
Additional information




Location
Brandywine Falls
  • Address: 8176 Brandywine Rd, Northfield, Ohio 44067
  • GPS Coordinates: 41.2764618,-81.5401097
  • Google Maps: View on map or get directions
Blue Hen Falls
  • Address: 2001 Boston Mills Road, Boston Township, Ohio 44236
  • GPS Coordinates: 41.2570369,-81.5749242
  • Google Maps: View on map or get directions

Note: this post was updated at the request of CVNP on 6/11/2019.

Trailhead for Blue Hen falls

More on Waterfalls

© Deborah Platt, Robert Platt and TrekOhio.com 2012 to 2021


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