Think you’ve done it all in terms of Northeast Ohio hiking? Think again. Even the most seasoned local travel expert has surprises awaiting them in this area, as its diversity knows no bounds. From the concrete jungle of Cleveland’s streets to rural farmland and scenes of suburbia, there’s a plethora of lifestyles here… and they’re surrounded by natural landscapes hiding secrets. Don’t believe it? Well, we’re going to explore what locals call Day’s Dam Waterfall, a little-known cascade near Cleveland that is so isolated that it doesn’t even have an official name. Be sure to download AllTrails+ and come with us on one of the best waterfall hikes near Cleveland to see this incredible natural wonder for yourself. Let’s take a look:
Black River Reservation in the Lorain County Metro Parks is a well-visited park with 5.5 miles of paved trail.
Nestled against the namesake Black River, this lovely park is well worth exploring. It has three distinctive picnic areas you can visit: High Meadows, Bur Oak, and Day's Dam.
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As you hike along the three-mile Bridgeway Trail, you'll come along a 0.5-mile loop that's hiding a big secret.
If you glance at a trail map of Black River Reservation, you'll spot a tiny red circle. This is the Waterfall Trail, a petite loop that leads to an unnamed 30-foot-tall wonder.
Known locally as the Day's Dam Waterfall or Ditch Falls, this beautiful landmark actually doesn't have a given name.
This marvel is visible all year long, but its mighty crest is, at times, a mere trickle. Its strength is dependent on recent precipitation, as this waterfall is created by stormwater drainage.
Before it was acquired by the Lorain County Metro Parks, this waterfall site was actually a former dump site.
Can you imagine tainting the beauty of this spot with trash? Fortunately, it has been cleaned up and fully reclaimed by nature since 1994, but perhaps this shameful past explains why this waterfall isn't exactly bragged about in hiking circles.
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This pretty park also boasts a 1,000-foot bridge, a launching point for kayaking and canoeing, a volleyball court, two playgrounds, and more.
From meadows to forests, this park is magnificent to explore. That's true even if you don't visit the on-site waterfall... though it is obviously recommended!
Of course, the Black River itself is also a well-photographed site at the park.
Hikers love stopping to admire the twists and turns of this busy river. If you recognize it, you may have visited its other waterfalls... East and West Falls in Cascade Park!
This park is magnificent in each and every season, but it has a certain sort of magic in the fall and spring months.
In the spring, the trails and meadows of Black River Reservation erupt in color as wildflowers awaken to greet the long-awaited seasonal sunshine. In the autumn months, a palette of rust and gold captivates visitors.
The waterfall is located near the north end of the park, so it is best to park at the Day's Dam Picnic Area if you're visiting in the colder months.
As we mentioned, the paved, multipurpose trail that carves through this park is pretty long. On a chilly day, it's best to park as close to the waterfall as possible, as hiking from the south end of the reservation can be a pretty breezy experience.
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But if you visit on a pleasant, warm day, it's well worth taking the time to explore this park.
In addition to hiding one of the most little-known waterfalls near Cleveland, this park has many features and scenic views that are worth admiring. The park is open every day between 8 a.m. and sunset, so there's plenty of time to explore, picnic, and hike.
This stunning landmark near Cleveland is well worth the visit.
You can find the Day's Dam picnic area near 2720 East 31st Street, Lorain, Ohio 44055.
Though it may not have an official name, this captivating and little-known landmark is one of the best waterfall hikes near Cleveland. It's well worth visiting! Have you ever hiked at Black River Reservation? Tell us about your experience in the comments!
Best Travel Gifts of 2024, Hand-picked by Our Travel Experts
If you're looking for gifting ideas for the travelers in your life this holiday season, check out our list of our favorite, tried and true travel gifts.
Welcome to Hand-Picked, a curated series highlighting the travel gear and goods our staff truly love. From practical essentials to playful extras, these are the items that make travel fun—and shopping even better! Each pick is independently selected by our editors, and if you make a purchase through our links, Only In Your State may earn a commission.
There is nothing that makes me happier than picking out the perfect gift. Friends often ask me for ideas of what to gift to their family, children, partners, friends... the challenge of finding that special item (or experience) is my favorite kind of adrenaline rush. And because of this, the holiday season is like my version of sky diving.
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Our team of travel experts here at Only In Your State joined me in selecting our favorite travel gifts of the season. We've hand-picked 24 gifts that we own and love and would joyfully wrap up with a shiny bow for other travel lovers in our lives. We've chosen a variety of options, from candles to books, to the perfect travel shoes and bags. There is also a wide range of prices for any gifting budget. Pick out a few to gift this season and maybe even send some of these ideas to those who are shopping for you. It may be the holiday season, but it is also always travel season in our minds.
Why We Love Them: How fun is this candle? I love picking out meaningful gifts and this one is perfect for the woman in your life who can't help but plan another trip. Or, maybe this is you and this candle needs to make its way into your own stocking! The LEADO store on Amazon actually has several unique gifts and it's worth checking out. Where to Buy Them: Shop this candle and more on Amazon. Price (at time of publication): $16.99 Bonus: Manager of Editorial Megan Shute swears by these rechargeable USB lighters – add one to your favorite candle lover's stocking, and they will not be disappointed.
Why We Love It: We've tried some pretty spiffy eye masks, but have you ever experienced an eye massager? The Bob & Brad EyeOasis 2 is as relaxing as it gets. With adjustable pressure & heat settings, this is a must-have if you want to tune out the world and treat yourself. It's the first thing we reach for when we feel a migraine coming on! Where To Buy It: Buy Now On Amazon Price (at time of publication): $59.99 (normally $74.99)
Why We Love Them: It's safe to say I am in my sneaker era and I know I'm not alone. When I discovered Kizik shoes, especially their sneakers, I felt like I discovered gold at the end of the rainbow. I love that the brand is size inclusive (I have big feet) and you literally just slip these on and go. Hands-free shoes! This makes them perfect for travel and the fact that these go with everything means no over-packing necessary. Where to Buy Them: Check out the Milan sneaker and several other styles (boots, too!) on the Kizik website. Price (at time of publication): $149
Why We Love Them: I discovered Frankie Jean while in Austin with my daughter and once I saw the Y'ALL Baseball Cap, I knew it would make the perfect souvenir -- and travel hat! I always travel with a baseball hat; they're handy for post-plane hair and offer protection from the elements. Frankie Jean has an array of adorable caps for non-y'allers, too, with all 50 states represented in the web store. Where to Buy It: Visit Frankie Jean online for this hat and many others! Price (at time of publication): $32
Why We Love Them: The Yoto Mini is an excellent gadget for kids on the go. Physical cards allow children to expand their imagination through audiobooks, music, activities, and educational audio. Manager of Editorial Megan Shute purchased the mini-player for her daughter's 4th birthday earlier this year ahead of an overseas move and has been endlessly impressed: "Not only did it replace her standard sound machine with its white noise options, but it has given us another portable screen-free entertainment option for at home and while traveling. The Yoto is also perfect for anyone who asks what your child wants for the holidays — cards for their new Yoto collection, please!" Where to Buy Them: Yoto is available on their website and Amazon. Price (at time of publication): $69.99 for player
Why We Love Them: The Vuori Performance Joggers might just be the most comfortable piece of clothing we own. The buttery-soft, stretchy material is the perfect weight, and the slim yet relaxed fit is one of the most universally flattering styles we've tried. Engagement Editor Meg Archer has gifted these to many people over the last few years: "I have yet to hear anything but rave reviews (and a bit of friendly shaming for spawning new obsessions). Don't be surprised if these just so happen to, umm... multiply... in your closet. I couldn't stop at just one pair." Bonus: The matching Vuori Halo Performance Hoodie is one of our favorite lightweight layers for all types of travel! Where To Buy Them: Buy Now From Vuori Price (at time of publication): $94
Why We Love Them: If you have a friend or family member who loves to travel and loves bags (who doesn't?), then this Calpak tote bag is the ultimate gift. When I say ultimate, I mean it, because this is the ultimate bag. My own tote bag is pictured above, when used on an overnight trip. I've also used it as a carry-on bag on flights, to tote sports equipment around for my kids, and for a weekend getaway. It is much larger than it looks in this photo and keeps everything organized. It also wipes clean! Where to Buy Them: Calpak has countless travel bags, but you can find this particular one on their website. Price (at time of publication): $131.75
Why We Love Them: I've purchased two of these portable hammocks with lightweight frames throughout the years — one as a gift for my father and one for myself after realizing how fantastic the hammock was. While it's not a travel product, per se, it has made my everyday life feel more like a vacation, something we could all use a bit more of these days. Where to Buy Them: Buy Now On Amazon Price (at time of publication): $69.99
Why We Love Them: All of the staff at Only In Your State loves to represent their roots and Wear Your Roots allows you to do that in a fashionable - and comfortable - way. We love the wears from this Montana-based company and we happen to believe that these hoodies, shirts, hats, and more make the perfect gift. Where to Buy Them: Shop now on the Wear Your Roots website Price (at time of publication): Varies by Product
Why We Love It: It's taken several trips for me to figure out my perfect "weekender bag that's TSA approved," but I've found my perfect carry on with the TOBIQ Colorado 30L. An Instagram ad caught my eye during a late-night scroll session and I was intrigued by the colorful compartments and versatility of the bag, which can be carried as a duffle or as a backpack (I prefer the backpack for even weight distribution and airport navigation.) Made of durable, weather-resistant recycled materials, I've stashed this bag under my seat and in the overhead compartment; it's easy to maneuver and the top zip pocket is perfect for easy phone/ID access. Bonus: I loved this carry on bag so much, I purchased TOBIQ's Toiletry Bag; it fits perfectly inside one of the Colorado's four compartments and has a smart, intuitive design with the brand's signature "plethora of zippered pouches and pockets."
Where to Buy Them: Visit tobiqtravel.com to purchase the Colorado 30L and/or Toiletry Bag. Price (at time of publication): $199 (Colorado 30L)/$69 (Toiletry Bag)
Why We Love Them: The Zestt Dreamsoft Travel Scarf doubles as a blanket, making it the perfect travel accessory for year-round adventures – especially on airplanes! Made from organic cotton and easy to wash and care for, we have even used this piece as a makeshift picnic blanket while traveling. Where to Buy Them: Buy Now On Amazon Price (at time of publication): $50
Why I Love It: This raincoat is absolutely perfect: it's light (12.4 ounces!) and super packable, "self stuffing" into one of its pockets in a Houdini-like feat. The hood is generously sized to fit over a hat and has a cord-and-hook design that keeps rain out (seriously -- this photo was taken after a trip to Portland, Oregon, where its water resistance was put to the test!). I purchased my Torrentshellfive years ago and it still looks brand new, the fabric has never snagged or ripped despite being put through the ringer! Bonus: The Patagonia Torrentshell 3L Rain Jacket comes in men's sizes, too! Where to Buy It: Buy it now on REI. Price (at time of publication): $179 (both men's and women's)
Why We Love Them: I love gifting books. Maybe it's the writer in me or the nostalgia I feel every time I sit down and open up an actual book. Coffee table books make for great gifts and I absolutely love this collection of photography of New York City. Whether you know someone who loves NYC or has a wanderlust for the Big Apple, this gorgeous book just needs a bow on top and it's ready to gift. Where to Buy Them: Buy this book and others in the collection on Amazon. Price (at time of publication): $19.78
Why We Love Them: A well-stocked first aid kit is essential for any traveler, and we love these small Welly kits. They're the perfect option to keep in your car, diaper bag, or carry-on for accidents on the go. Another excellent stocking stuffer for anyone in your life. Where to Buy Them: Buy Now On Walmart Price (at time of publication): $9.70
Why We Love Them: The OluKai Pehuea Lī Sneaker is lightweight and breathable, but also extremely comfortable and surprisingly supportive. It's our go-to shoe when we know we're going to be on our feet all day! We love that they can be worn as either sneakers or slides, so they're easy to slip off when going through TSA checks. Plus, the style goes with just about everything. Where To Buy Them: Buy Now From OluKai Price (at time of publication): $110
Why I Love It: Fact: Airplanes are notoriously dry, dry, dry. No matter how much water I drink both before and during the flight, I always find myself in a hydration deficit for days. My skin feels so tight and parched during flights, and while I've been known to slap on a sheet mask at 12,000 feet, my 11 year old's mortification on a recent trip had me rethinking this strategy. My solution? BioRepublic's Lost Baggage biocellulose eye masks. These mini moisturizers contain an uber-hydrating cocktail of peptides, hyaluronic acid, squalene, rose water, and vitamin E that feel oh-so-refreshing on parched skin. Bonus: Each of these little masks has enough moisture that I'm able to massage the excess into the rest of my face after my brief, in-flight spa moment. Where to Buy It: I have a BioRepublic Lost Baggage Under Eye Emergency Repair Mask Subscribe & Save order through Amazon -- you'll get a slight discount if you set this up! Price (at time of publication): 3/$15.00
Why I Love It: I am a dedicated Stanley girl, but when I travel, I like to keep things as light and portable as possible. A recent trip to Washington D.C. had me singing the praises of my Hydaway Collapsible Water Bottle, especially after paying $6 for a tiny bottle of water the afternoon we arrived and embarked sans water. I love the bottle's muted color options (I have the Hydaway in Twilight), sturdy handle, and fuss-free cleaning; fully extended it holds 17 ounces of water, making this smart little number perfect for filling up on the go. Where to Buy Them: The Hydaway Collapsible Water Bottle is available at several online merchants; I purchased through REI. Available here on Amazon. Price (at time of publication): $27.95.
Why We Love Them: This is one of those things that we don't know how we traveled without them. Packing cubes keep things organized, save space in a suitcase, and take the pain out of the packing process. If you know and love someone who travels, this set would make the perfect gift. Where to Buy Them: There are so many options for packing cubes on Amazon, but we particularly LOVE this set. Price (at time of publication): $16.99 for 8 cubes
Why We Love Them: I've been a fan of Beis for years now, starting with the Weekender (it’s my absolute favorite travel bag for short car trips or flying and is surprisingly roomy). I recently purchased another Beis item — the backpack. With a padded interior sleeve, two water bottle pockets, and plenty of organization built-in — we’re talking zippered interior pockets, pen slots, a key leash, and more — this is the best backpack I’ve ever owned. It also has a full-zip opening, so it’s easy to pack, and the trolley pass-through makes it the perfect carry-on companion. This olive beauty is officially my new favorite personal item while traveling, and I’ve already brought it on several trips. Where to Buy Them: Buy Now On Beis Price (at time of publication): $88
Why We Love Them: We bought this set of two accessory organizers for a recent trip and think they would make a fun stocking stuffer filled with all sorts of small and useful travel goodies — chapstick, hair ties, mini lotions, bandaids, etc. The gift recipient can then use the organizers for travel. Where to Buy Them: Buy Now On Amazon Price (at time of publication): $17.66
Why We Love It: The sleek style of the Away Everywhere Zip Backpack looks at home in just about any environment, making it a great transition bag if you need to hop right from a flight into a work meeting (or want to start exploring as soon as you land). It's water-resistant, has a padded laptop sleeve to keep your devices safe, and the full wrap-around zipper makes it incredibly easy to grab what you need in a cramped airplane seat. I love it! Where To Buy It:Buy Now From Away Price (at time of publication): $195
Why We Love It: Engagement Editor Meg Archer recently travel-testedthis high-end aluminum travel case, and it can only be described as the Lamborghini of Luggage: "The Sterling Pacific 40L Travel Case is hands down the best I've ever owned or reviewed. It's stunning inside and out, timelessly stylish, and rolls like a dream. Honestly, I didn't know luggage could move like this." It's undeniably a splurge, but if you're looking for a piece of eye-catching yet understated luxury-tier luggage, this is it. Where To Buy It: Buy Now From Sterling Pacific Price (at time of publication): $2,150
Why We Love It: Throw out all your assumptions about generators. The Anker Power Bank Portable Generator is all-electric (so it's totally silent), super compact, and has a massive 60,000 mAh capacity that can power multiple devices dozens of times on a single charge. It also retains an impressive 85% charge after a whole year of non-use, making it absolutely vital during emergencies. This bad boy kept us in touch with family during a multi-day blackout, but we also love it for camping trips and off-grid adventures. Where To Buy It:Buy Now On Amazon Price (at time of publication): $149.99
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If you need anymore ideas for the best travel gifts of the season, we have you covered. Check out more of our travel-themed gift guides...
Picture a hidden hike tucked away in the Cleveland Metroparks where every step reveals a new wonder. Just shy of a mile, Quarry Rock River Trail in South Chagrin Reservation is a journey with breathtaking ledges, a surprising piece of old-school folk art, and the soothing cascade of a river waterfall. Whether you're a seasoned explorer or a casual nature lover, you're going to love the magic that awaits around every corner of this enchanting waterfall hike near Cleveland.
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The Quarry Rock Area in South Chagrin Reservation is something of a local hidden gem.
Located off Solon Road, this stretch of South Chagrin Reservation is stunning all year-round. It's a lovely place to stop for a picnic, as the sound of birdsong and the flowing waters of the mighty Chagrin River set the scene for every visit.
Many visitors may be surprised to learn that this spot, coveted for its scenic views, is also home to a waterfall.
Depending on the water levels, there could be several waterfalls on the river at any given point. However, Quarry Rock Falls is the river's crown jewel, and it's easy to see why. Chunked tiers of shale give the water an almost veil-like cascade, and one that spans the width of the river.
To reach this beauty, you'll want to take Quarry Rock River Trail, a 0.8-mile out-and-back trail that runs parallel to the Chagrin River.
While the picnic area is popular, the trail doesn't get a ton of foot traffic. You might even have the hike totally to yourself! While the hike is easy, there is a slight elevation gain, so opt for comfy shoes you don't mind getting muddy.
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This hike will also bring you face-to-face with the Henry Church Rock, a surprising piece of folk art that's right next to the river.
This is one of my favorite pieces of art in the Cleveland Metroparks. As the name implies, it was carved by Henry Church, a local artist who died in 1908. Carved around 1885, it's amazing to see how well this carving has survived despite over a century in the elements.
The rock features many distinct little carvings, including an eagle, a papoose, and a serpent encircling a woman.
The meaning of this piece of art was unfortunately taken to the grave. However, locals can't help but wonder what it means. Some think it has to do with the mistreatment of indigenous peoples by settlers, while others think it speaks to life in the United States. Either meaning or neither meaning may be correct... but it's a beautiful spot to sit and reflect at.
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Along this hike, visitors will also find bridges and stone stairs.
If you visit in the colder months, be extra careful here! And be sure to bring a hiking buddy regardless of the season. There's much to see along the mile hike, so don't be surprised if you and your hiking party take frequent stops to soak up the surroundings.
With gorgeous sandstone cliffs and verdant greenery, this hike is truthfully a stunner regardless of the waterfall and local art.
One thing I love about this hike is hearing the flow of the river throughout your walk. The proximity of the trail to the river makes its song something like a soundtrack, adding soothing white noise to a dreamy woodland walk.
You're going to fall in love with this waterfall hike near Cleveland.
Start your adventure at Quarry Rock Picnic Area, 36050 Solon Rd, Bentleyville, OH 44022.
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There's no shortage of natural beauty on the Quarry Rock River Trail in South Chagrin Reservation. Did you know there was a waterfall here? What other local waterfalls do you love to visit? Share your thoughts in the comments!
The Chagrin metroparks are full of wonder. Over in North Chagrin Reservation, you'll also love a unique castle hike that sits right next to an old growth forest.
