Natural Ohio Adventures

Nelson Ledges State Park

Although only 167 acres in size, Nelson Ledges is one of the most geologically impressive areas in all of Northeast Ohio. In the park's southern portion you can find the 15-foot Minnehaha Falls, which flows briefly through a narrow gorge before dropping over Lower Minnehaha Falls and into an even deeper gorge. The only way to view the lower falls is by traveling up the gorge through the Ice Box cave, which I highly recommend doing (unless you're afraid of tight spaces!). In the park's northern half you can find the 40-foot Cascade Falls (pictured here). Right next to Nelson Ledges is the Nelson Ledges Quarry Park, which is a nice (and legal!) place to do some cliff jumping. Costs $7 a car to get in there last time I was there. Although most people choose to explore around the park, wandering through mazes of ledges, I have listed all the trails the park has to offer below.

Sources:

http://parks.ohiodnr.gov/nelsonkennedyledges

Yellow Trail:

Length: .75 miles

Difficulty: Moderate

Attractions: Waterfall, recess cave, cliffs

Trail Description: This trail takes you to Cascade Falls, the largest waterfall in Nelson Ledges state park. At the bottom of the page I have a link to the Cascade Falls page if you want to learn more about it. The trail there follows yellow blazes through the ledges and through Dwarf Man's pass. Dwarf mans pass is a boardwalk where you basically have to get down on your hands and knees to get through.


White Trail:

Length: 1 mile

Difficulty: Easy

Attractions: Cliffs, Waterfall

Trail Description: The White Trail takes you to another waterfall in Nelson; Minnehaha Falls. This waterfall drops about 15 feet into a gorge below it. The white trail starts at the parking lot and goes left, walking across the top of the ledges, when you reach a junction in the trail, go right, this will take you to the waterfall


Red Trail:

Length: .5 miles

Difficulty: Strenuous

Attractions: Cliffs, Caves

Trail Description: This is a very tight trail that isn't for those who are claustrophobic. It takes you through fat mans peril and the squeeze to Devils Icebox, a small cave that the creek runs through. If you are really looking for an adventure, walk in to the Devils icebox. Notice to the left how you can get out of the cave if you scramble up a bit. If you go that way it will take you through the Cave/canyon and will end at a secret waterfall. This is not easy, but if you are adventurous, this is an extremely fun thing to do.


Blue Trail:

Length: .75 miles

Difficulty: Easy

Attractions: Cliffs, caves

Trail Description:

This trail takes you to the Icebox as well, but it is for those who don't particularly like tight spaces

  • Address: 12001 OH-282, Garrettsville, Ohio
  • Size: 167 Acres

Nelson Ledges State Park Map