There are many natural wonders in our world that are worth traveling to see, and some of the best are waterfalls. We may not have any major falls within our city limits, but there are some pretty spectacular ones close to the Queen City. In fact, seven of the best waterfalls near Cincinnati are all within an easy three-hour drive! They are totally worth the chase and you’ll want to keep these nearby natural wonders on your road trip radar. So if you’re wondering about “waterfalls near me” in the Queen City, wonder no more: here are seven waterfalls near Cincinnati that are totally worth the chase!

1. Upper Falls at Old Man's Cave in Hocking Hills
Old Man's Cave Campground, 19852 OH-664, Logan, OH 43138, USA
Flickr/Keith
Hocking Hills is just under three hours from Cincinnati and offers some of the best hiking in our region. These hikes within this 2,356-acre Ohio State Park feature incredible natural wonders like waterfalls, caves, cliffs, and rock formations. Along those trails, you'll encounter many waterfalls, but one of the best can be spotted right near the beginning of the trail on your way to Old Man's Cave: the Upper Falls. This scenic waterfall cascades into a pool of blue and has a picturesque arch behind it. Learn more about Hocking Hills waterfalls in this article.

Address: 19988 OH-664 Scenic, Logan, OH, 43138
2. Cedar Falls in Hocking Hills
Cedar Falls, Benton Township, OH 43138, USA
Flickr/J. Todd Poling
Also in Hocking Hills and not far from Old Man's Cave is the beautiful Cedar Falls. As one of the most popular and most beautiful falls in Ohio, it is definitely worth seeking out when you're in this beautiful natural oasis in Ohio. Read more about this Ohio waterfall trail and another nearby waterfall in this article.

Address: 19988 OH-664 Scenic, Logan, OH, 43138
3. Ash Cave in Hocking Hills
Ash Cave, 26400 OH-56, South Bloomingville, OH 43152, USA
Flickr/Amarnath
One final waterfall to visit in Hocking Hills is the tall beauty at Ash Cave. Depending on the season and recent weather, this waterfall can vary in size from just a trickle to a towering crash, but this area should be explored no matter when you visit. This is a very kid-friendly spot with a massive cave, waterfall, creek, and soft sand throughout. See more of the waterfalls *and* caves in Hocking Hills in this article!

Address: 27291 OH-56, South Bloomingville, OH, 43152
4. Cumberland Falls in Corbin, KY
Cumberland Falls Road, Cumberland Falls Rd, Corbin, KY 40701, USA
Facebook/Cumberland Falls State Resort Park
Cumberland Falls is the largest waterfall on this list and the perfect weekend getaway spot near Cincinnati. Known as the "Niagara of the South," you can view the falls from a number of vantage points, but it is very accessible with just a short walk along a trail from the lodge at Cumberland Falls State Resort Park. If you time your visit right, you might even get a chance to see the elusive and wondrous moonbow at Cumberland Falls! Learn all about Cumberland Falls.

Address: 7351 Highway 90, Corbin, KY, 40701
5. Eagle Falls in Corbin, KY
Eagle Falls, Kentucky 42634, USA
Alltrails/Travis T
Did you know there is another beautiful waterfall close to Cumberland Falls? In fact, you can take the Eagle Falls Trail and view Cumberland Falls from afar for some of the best photo-ops available. Eagle Falls is a lovely spot on its own and appears along a rocky, scenic hike. Spoiler alert: this is definitely one of our favorite waterfall trails in Cincinnati, Ohio, and Kentucky! Read more about this trail and Kentucky waterfall in this feature.

Address: 7351 Highway 90, Corbin, KY, 40701
6. Creation Falls in Red River Gorge, KY
Red River Gorge Geological Area, Robbie Ridge Rd, Stanton, KY 40380, USA
Andrea Limke / Only In Your State
Red River Gorge is a dream come true for hikers and nature lovers from Cincinnati because it is just a short drive from town. There is no shortage of world-class hiking here and one of the best spots is the Rock Bridge Trail. Along this trail, you'll find Creation Falls. These special falls feature a sandy beach of sorts and plenty of spots to relax and take in the beauty. Read all about this waterfall near Cincinnati -- and how to find it! -- in this article.
7. Charleston Falls Preserve in Miami County, OH
Charleston Falls Preserve, 2535 Ross Rd, Tipp City, OH 45371, USA
Facebook/Charleston Falls Preserve
Last, but certainly not least, Charleston Falls Preserve is a beautiful property in Miami County, less than two hours from Cincinnati. You can hike here for scenic landscapes and views of this lovely waterfall. It's very kid-friendly, making this adventure perfect for a family day trip from Cincinnati, Ohio. Read all about this beautiful waterfall in Ohio in this article.

Address: 2535 Ross Road, Tipp City, OH, 45371

These are seven of the best waterfalls near Cincinnati and they just scratch the surface of the natural beauty in our region. With a single tank of gas, you can witness some remarkable sights and be home again by dinner (or by Monday morning for work if you make it a weekend getaway!).

Do you love chasing waterfalls and have you seen all seven of these? What are your favorite waterfalls near Cincinnati? Share your waterfall chasing experiences with us in the comments below!

And for more of the best day trips to take around Cincinnati, check out these nine amazing adventures within the Queen City.

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.

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waterfalls near me

Sarah M. | March 17, 2022

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Cincinnati -- and Ohio -- is an incredibly green and underrated city, full of natural beauty and opportunities for outdoor adventure. To learn about some of the state's best adventures, definitely bookmark this article: A Nature Lovers Definitive Guide To Ohio’s Natural Beauty – Waterfalls, Beaches, Hikes, And More! This guide includes some of the best trails and campsites around the state, with several near Cincinnati worth checking out. One notable Queen City destination on the list is Eden Park. Tucked away in the hills of Cincinnati, you'll find a city park that's absolutely sublime. The aptly-named Eden Park is located just minutes from downtown but somehow feels like an entire world unto itself. Within the park, you’ll find a conservatory, art museum, and several outdoor gardens, one of which comes alive each spring with blooming Magnolias and cherry blossom trees. Eden Park is a shining example of the natural beauty of Cincinnati -- and Ohio!

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