Cuyahoga County

Berea Falls, Ohio

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Berea Falls is found in the city of Berea. When we visited Berea Falls, the sky was overcast and the air was humid. The waterfall is a pretty waterfall, but it’s one negative is that you are pretty far from the falls when you’re viewing them from the overlook. I think the falls would be more interesting if I could have gotten closer to them.

With that being said, there is likely a way to get closer. I’m just not sure how, and since they didn’t excite me that much, I didn’t try and figure out a path. The one interesting thing in the background is the bridges crossing the river. The bridges look rather old.

Directions:

  1. From I-71, take exit 235.
  2. Head west on Begley Road for 2.2 miles.
  3. Turn right onto Barrett Road.
  4. Go a little more than 0.5 miles to the entrance of the metropark, which will be on your right. Turn here and park.
  5. The overlook will be obvious from the parking lot.

Accessibility: 10/10 (easy)
Height: 15′
Length of Hike: negligible

Berea Falls in August 2009

Where in the World is Berea Falls?

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Olmsted Falls, Ohio

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In the city of Olmsted Falls, Ohio, you can find Olmsted Falls, a beautiful waterfall found on Plum Creek. Plum Creek flows through the city, and two different drops occur, one being Olmsted Falls and the other known as Plum Creek Falls. Both falls are not large, but they are very scenic and the hike around the falls is just as beautiful. Plum Creek meets with the Rocky River in this park.

Directions:

  1. From I-71 in Ohio, take exit 235 to Bagley Road.
  2. Head on Bagley Road for a short ways to the town of Olmsted Falls.
  3. In Olmsted Falls, turn right onto OH-252 (aka Columbia Road) heading north.
  4. In a short distance, OH-252 will veer to the left. Instead of veering left, head straight.
  5. Park at the library or in the parking area below the library. The trail to the falls will be pretty noticeable. You will first encounter Olmsted Falls, and further downstream will be Plum Creek Falls. (You may also be able to access the falls via the David Fortier River Park, but it’s unclear whether there’s an entrance on Water Street.)

Accessibility: 9/10 (easy)
Height: 17′
Length of Hike: 0.5 miles round-trip

Olmsted Falls in August 2009

Where in the World is Olmsted Falls?

Columbia Beach Falls, Ohio

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I’m guessing not many people have heard of Columbia Beach Falls. You wouldn’t exactly expect to find this waterfall along the Lake Erie shoreline, but there it is! The cliffs along the lakeshore are not very tall, but they are still 30 feet or so above the lake level. Columbia Beach Falls has been formed in those cliffs. The erosion is likely slow, though, as not much water was flowing in early August.

I think I would have liked the falls better if the falls were cleaner. There was a lot of algae growing on the falls, which definitely attracted a lot of ducks. It was interesting to see the ducks climbing up and down the falls. There were also some milk jugs and other things that had been lodged in the falls, though they’re harder to see in the picture. Still, it’s a pretty easy waterfall to get to, and you do get to enjoy beautiful Lake Erie.

Directions:

  1. Columbia Beach Falls is found on US-6 in the town of Bay Village. The “park” for the falls is right at the intersection of US-6 and OH-252.
  2. Parking can be found in a parking lot directly next to a church. From this parking area, cross the road, and walk down to the shoreline. The waterfall will be to your left.

Accessibility: 9/10 (easy)
Height: 22′
Length of Hike: 0.2 miles round-trip

Columbia Beach Falls in August 2009

Where in the World is Columbia Beach Falls?

Plum Creek Falls, Ohio

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Plum Creek Falls is a fun waterfall. Even though it’s not a large waterfall at all, it is an interactive waterfall. You can walk right up to the falls, jump around, and get some very interesting shots, all while being just feet from the larger Rocky River.

Plum Creek Falls is found in the town of Olmsted Falls along the same trail from which you can view Olmsted Falls. Plum Creek Falls is the smaller of the falls, but is just as interesting because of its multiple drops and intricate complexities. The walk to the falls is in a beautiful park with a lot of interesting remnants of old, along with wildlife like the blue heron that was standing right near the falls. Overall, the short hike to Plum Creek Falls was very enjoyable.

Directions:

  1. From I-71 in Ohio, take exit 235 to Bagley Road.
  2. Head on Bagley Road for a short ways to the town of Olmsted Falls.
  3. In Olmsted Falls, turn right onto OH-252 (aka Columbia Road) heading north.
  4. In a short distance, OH-252 will veer to the left. Instead of veering left, head straight.
  5. Park at the library or in the parking area below the library. The trail to the falls will be pretty noticeable. You will first encounter Olmsted Falls, and further downstream will be Plum Creek Falls. (You may also be able to access the falls via the David Fortier River Park, but it’s unclear whether there’s an entrance on Water Street.)

Accessibility: 9/10 (easy)
Height: 5′
Length of Hike: 0.5 miles round-trip

Plum Creek Falls in August 2009

Where in the World is Plum Creek Falls?