Imagine wandering through towering mossy cliffs and jumbled rock formations, squeezing between narrow ledges and damp caves, and stumbling upon hidden waterfalls.
Welcome to one of Ohio’s best-kept secrets, Nelson-Kennedy Ledges State Park!
Just 30 miles from Cuyahoga Valley National Park, this hidden gem in Ohio has landscapes that are worthy of gracing the pages of a magical storybook. You won’t believe you’re still in Ohio as you wander through the park.
As someone who’s been to Nelson-Kennedy Ledges multiple times, I’m going to share everything you need to know to plan your first visit!
Here’s everything you need to know, including how to get there, info on all of the hiking trails, where to stay, and what else to do while you’re in the area.
Nelson-Kennedy Ledges State Park: A First Timer’s Guide
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Getting to Nelson-Kennedy Ledges
Nelson-Kennedy Ledges State Park is located in northeast Ohio, about 45 miles east of Cleveland. This would be an absolutely perfect day trip from Cleveland!
Click here for Google Maps directions to the park.
Know Before You Go
The park is open from dawn until dusk. Nelson-Kennedy Ledges is a day-use park only. No overnight parking or camping is allowed.
Entrance is free. In fact, all Ohio state parks are always free to enter!
Leashed pets are allowed on all hiking trails. Make sure to pick up after your pet!
The trailheads are across the street from the parking area. You’ll need to park your vehicle in the lot and then walk across the road to access the hiking trails.
Amenities are slim. Portable toilets and picnic tables are located next to the parking lot.
Drop-offs in the park are steep. Don’t get too close to the edges.
This park can be conquered in just a few hours (or less). This is a small park! You can easily hike all of the trails in a half-day or less. If you’re looking to continue your adventure, head on over to Nelson Ledges Quarry Park, which is about a half-mile down the road. Here you’ll find swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving, cliff jumping, camping, biking, fishing, and hiking opportunities.
Please Leave No Trace when recreating outdoors. Leave the trail, rocks, and waterfalls exactly as you find them. Please do not carve into the trees, do not move or stack rocks, and do not pluck wildflowers. And make sure to pack out all of your trash.
Bonus points if you bring a trash bag and pick up other hikers’ garbage along the way!
Hiking Trails in Nelson-Kennedy Ledges
Four short hiking trails in Nelson-Kennedy Ledges will take you on a magical journey along the rim of the moss-covered ledges and deep into the damp, waterfall-and-cave-filled gorge.
Navigating the paths can sometimes be difficult, so don’t worry if you don’t follow each trail exactly. Sometimes I wasn’t quite sure what trail I was on or what formation I was looking at! Create your own adventure by wandering through the cliffs, gorges, waterfalls, caves, ledges, and mossy rock formations.
It’s a small park, so chances are you probably won’t get too terribly lost, but just in case, carry a paper map with you (or take a photo of the map at the parking lot) and download an offline map like AllTrails or Gaia.
There are two trailheads in the park. One is located directly across the street from the picnic area, and the other is located directly across the street from the parking lot.
There are some trail length discrepancies. You’ll find there are some discrepancies in the lengths of the trails. The park website and the park map say two different trail lengths, so take the trail lengths with a grain of salt.
The trails all connect. All of these trails connect, so you can hike each trail separately or treat them as one giant hike. The trails in Nelson-Kennedy Ledges are some of the very best hiking trails in the Midwest!
Follow the blazes. There are painted trail blazes on trees and rocks to help you stay on the right path. Paint fades, so keep that in mind as you wander through the park.
White Trail
- Length: 1 mile
- Difficulty: Easy
- Features: Minnehaha Falls, Cliffs, Ledges
From the parking lot, you’ll walk straight across the road and follow the white blazes on the trees and rocks. (Note that this is the trailhead on the left).
Pass the junctions for the yellow and red trails and keep going straight until the trail turns into a loop.
Here you’ll walk across the top of the ledges and pass by a 15-foot waterfall, Minnehaha Falls, that drops into a gorge.
Yellow Trail
- Length: 0.75 miles
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Features: Cascade Falls, Gold Hunter’s Cave, Old Maid’s Kitchen, Dwarf’s Pass, Ledges, Cliffs
This trail begins from the right trailhead (directly across from the picnic area). Follow the yellow blazes on the trees and rocks.
You’ll be taken on an adventure through the ledges and through Dwarf’s Pass, a boardwalk that requires you to get on your hands and knees to pass through.
You’ll also pass by the Gold Hunter’s Cave and Old Maid’s Kitchen features.
The highlight of this trail? The largest and most impressive waterfall in the park: Cascade Falls!
Blue Trail
- Length: 0.75 miles
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Features: Devil’s Icebox, Devil’s Hole, Cliffs, Ledges
Start at the trailhead on the left (directly across from the parking lot). Immediately veer left and follow the blue blazes on the trees and rocks.
This trail takes you to Devil’s Icebox, which is a cold cave that is a godsend on a hot day. But if you’re hiking this in the winter, it’s about to get a lot chillier inside.
This trail is perfect for those who don’t like tight spaces because, unlike the Red Trail, you won’t have to maneuver through narrow crevices and passageways.
Red Trail
- Length: 0.5 miles
- Difficulty: Strenuous
- Features: Devil’s Icebox, The Squeeze, Fat Man’s Peril, Cliffs, Ledges
This trail starts from the trailhead on the left (directly across from the parking lot). You’ll start out on the white trail for just a little bit and when you reach the yellow/red junction, you’ll turn left and follow the red blazes on the trees and rocks.
This trail is for those who aren’t claustrophobic because you’re going to be doing a lot of squeezing through tight spaces!
You’ll navigate through Fat Man’s Peril and The Squeeze, which are narrow passageways between the ledges. You’ll also enter Devil’s Icebox, the damp, cold cave.
This is definitely the adventurous route in Nelson-Kennedy Ledges!
READ NEXT: 9 Best Spring Hikes in the Midwest
Where to Stay Near Nelson-Kennedy Ledges
- Nelson Ledges Quarry Park – budget (camping)
- Super 8 – mid-range (motel)
- Holiday Inn Express & Suites Kent – luxury (hotel)
What to Bring to Nelson-Kennedy Ledges
Always carry the 10 essentials whenever you go hiking!
- Day Pack. You’ll need a pack to carry all of your hiking essentials. I’d recommend a quality Osprey backpack.
- Hiking Boots/Shoes. You’ll want to wear a pair of durable hiking boots or shoes. I personally adore Keen and Danner for their style and quality.
- Water Bottle. This one from CamelBak is my go-to.
- Snacks and/or Lunch. There are picnic tables by the parking lot, so you can enjoy lunch before or after your hike. Read my Trail Food guide for tons of fun trail meal, snack, and drink ideas!
- GPS. Carry at least two forms of navigation. Bring a paper map, compass, and/or a pre-downloaded electronic map. AllTrails is my favorite app for downloading maps offline and staying on the trail.
- Bug Spray for Summer Hikes. The bugs can get pretty bad in the summer, so spritz yourself with bug spray.
- Cold Weather Gear for Winter Hikes. Like a neck gaiter, hat, and wool gloves. It can get especially cold in the caves and between the damp ledges!
Things to Do Near Nelson-Kennedy Ledges
Cuyahoga Valley National Park – 40 Minutes Away
The best things to do in Cuyahoga Valley National Park are to see Brandywine Falls, hike to Blue Hen Falls, explore the Ledges area, bike the Towpath Trail, and take the train ride through the valley.
Nelson Ledges Quarry Park – 2 Minutes Away
This adventure park is perfect for all ages! While you’re here, you can jump off cliffs, go snorkeling or scuba diving, swim, hike, bike, fish, camp, and much more!
READ NEXT: Ohio Road Trip: 8 Stops For Outdoor Adventure
Nelson-Kennedy Ledges FAQs
Are Nelson-Kennedy Ledges and Nelson Ledges the Same Place?
No.
Nelson-Kennedy Ledges State Park is an Ohio State Park and day-use area where you can hike and picnic.
Nelson Ledges Quarry Park is a privately owned quarry park where you can swim, camp, snorkel, scuba dive, hike, bike, and cliff jump.
The two recreation sites are about a half-mile from each other.
Is There an Entrance Fee for Nelson-Kennedy Ledges?
No! All state parks in Ohio are free to enter.
If you venture over to Nelson Ledges Quarry Park, you’ll have to pay for a day pass. Camping fees are separate.
Can I Camp at Nelson-Kennedy Ledges?
No, Nelson-Kennedy Ledges State Park is a day-use area only. You can hike and picnic here.
If you want somewhere to camp, Nelson Ledges Quarry Park (which is a half-mile down the road) has camping options for RVs and tents.
READ NEXT: 17 Best Hikes in the Midwest
Discover Your Next Adventure
Where to next? I’ve got some suggestions!
- Hocking Hills State Park
- Cuyahoga Valley National Park
- Red River Gorge
- Indiana Dunes National Park
- Great Smoky Mountains National Park
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