Blue Hen Falls Trail Hike Overview
- Length: 3.5 miles (5 km) round-trip
- Hiking Time: 2 hours
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Elevation Gain: 670 feet
- Route: Out-And-Back
- Best Season: Fall. Beautiful fall foliage with amazing waterfall flow.
- Pets Allowed: Yes (leashed)
- Kid-Friendly: Yes, for those who can hike hills and uneven trails.
- Wheelchair Accessible: No
- Finding the Trailhead: Located at the Boston Mill Visitor Center. 6947 Riverview Rd. Peninsula, Ohio 44264
Blue Hen Falls Trail Guide
Buttermilk Falls Trail (Cuyahoga Valley National Park)
Buttermilk Falls Trail is a 3.5-mile out-and-back hike within Cuyahoga Valley National Park. It is an extension of Blue Hen Falls. It is a moderately strenuous hike, with a moderately hilly trail, a long stair climb, numerous creek crossings, plentiful fauna and flora, and Blue Hen Falls and Buttermilk Falls. Unlike Blue Hen Falls Trail, it has more uneven sections of trail you have to traverse.
Like the Blue Hen Falls trail, you start your hike by parking at the Boston Mill Visitor Center. During the summer, getting to the parking lot before 10 a.m. is highly recommended, as it almost always fills up by then with few alternative parking options.
After departing your car, you will cross Riverview Road towards the Buckeye Trail/Blue Hen Falls Trail. This trail is well-marked with a large sign and another smaller trailhead sign. You’ll follow the Blue Hen Falls Trail the entire time until you get to Blue Hen Falls. Once you arrive at Blue Hen Falls, you will continue the trail toward Buttermilk Falls (unmarked but well-traveled).
As you start on the trail, you will immediately approach a long uphill hike that will get your heart racing. This will quickly turn to a gentle, flat dirt travel, and you’ll immediately approach the 100-foot stairs. Watch your step as you take the stairs to the first bridge and creek crossing.
Once you travel on the bridge, you come across your second uphill climb. This is about half the ascent as the first climb but is slightly steeper. Once you reach the top of the trail, you will see Boston Mills Road. Please stay on the left-hand side of the road for approximately 1/4 a mile before you cross it to the other side (there is a crosswalk, and it is well-marked).
Continue another 1/3 of a mile along a pleasant stretch of a windy section of the trail before reaching a gravel path. Take a right on this gravel path and follow it downhill for a few hundred feet before crossing another bridge. As soon as you cross the bridge, take a right, and within 100 feet, you’ll approach Blue Hen Falls.
After you explore the area and falls, continue following the trail for several hundred feet through uneven dirt and rocks until you get to a creek crossing. No matter what time of year, you should be able to cross the creek with minimal issues and risks.
Continue following the trail for another hundred feet, and you’ll come upon a second creek crossing. Pay close attention to where the trail goes and cross straight ahead and slightly to the left.
After this, you’ll continue hiking for another five minutes until you reach the final creek that turns into Buttermilk Falls. This is the most treacherous part of the trail, where you have the highest likelihood of tripping and falling and where the trail is not as well-maintained.
Once you approach the final creek, you will cross it (do not follow it to the left as you will quickly come upon the falls, which is incredibly dangerous) and then follow the trail down to the bottom of the woods. Once at the bottom, take a sharp left and walk another hundred feet until you approach Buttermilk Falls.
Buttermilk Falls is the most scenic backcountry waterfall in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. It is a gentle flow in the summer, but it becomes a rushing cascade after a hard rain. It is most scenic during winter when it freezes and becomes a popular destination for hikers and tourists.
When you finish, you’ll want to turn around and hike back the same way to your car. It should be noted that the trail continues, but do not follow it. It will lead to private property with well-posted signs and the potential to be prosecuted for trespassing.
Alternative Option
If you are looking for a shorter hike or a bigger waterfall, visiting Brandywine Falls in Cuyahoga Valley National Park is highly recommended.
The benefits of visiting Brandywine Falls are as follows:
- It is the crown jewel of Cuyahoga Valley National Park and has even been compared to some of the waterfalls in National Parks like Yosemite.
- It is easy to get to. You only need to park and walk 1/4 of a mile to view the falls, which makes it a much easier alternative than Blue Hen Falls.
- Larger parking lot. There is much more ample space for parking no matter the time of day.
- Loop trail. For those that want to not only visit this waterfall but take a scenic and backcountry hike, you can complete a 1.5-mile loop of Brandywine Gorge, where you’ll experience the beautiful Brandywine Creek, plentiful fauna and flora, and so much more!
Frequently Asked Questions
You can hike on this trail any time of the year. However, fall and spring are the most beautiful times to visit with minor traffic, and winter provides a quietness like no other.
This hike is considered moderate and achievable for novice to moderately experienced hikers. Expect an uneven dirt trail with shade, numerous up and downhills, waterfalls, and creek crossings.
Yes, you can bring leashed dogs on the trail at any time of the year
Yes, this is a moderate hike for kids five and up. They will love the waterfall, the streams to play in, and the different plants and animals they may experience. You should take numerous breaks as this can sometimes take its toll on children’s legs and attention.
Yes, trail runners of all levels will love how hilly this trail is. It is a very popular running trail in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park.
Yes, the Buttermilk Falls Trail is marked making it the perfect navigation for novice hikers.
Deer, squirrels, chipmunks, foxes, coyotes, and rabbits frequent this trail. On the trail, you may also see red-tail hawks, owls, and other birds. None of these animals pose a risk to hikers.
No, you can hike this trail any day and any hour.
It is always recommended to carry a phone, backpack, water, hiking boots or shoes, and a light snack. In the summer, it is recommended to carry 2 liters of water when it is hot and humid due to the altitude and heat.
No, this trail is not recommended for individuals with mobility challenges or physical disabilities.
You should park at the Boston Mill Visitor Center to access the Blue Hen Falls Trails.
This is one of the most popular trails in the park and one of the most crowded locations. To ensure you get a parking spot and minimize traffic, it is recommended that you go on a weekday, before noon, or after 5 pm on the weekends.
Buttermilk Falls Trail Map
Buttermilk Falls Trail Driving Directions
The easiest way to get to the Buttermilk Falls is to input the Boston Mill Visitor Center (6947 Riverview Rd. Peninsula, Ohio 44264) into your phone and GPS since the trail starts here.
Driving Directions:
- When driving to the Boston Mill Visitor Center Parking Lot, you can either take Boston Mills Road East or West or the more popular Riverview Road North or South. For visitors outside of Northeast Ohio, following the directions on your phone/gs is best.
Learn More About Cuyahoga Valley National Park Hikes
While the Buttermilk Falls Trail is a popular backcountry trail and one of the most scenic attractions in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, numerous fulfilling hikes can be enjoyed during a day or long weekend. Check out some of my other favorite hikes in the national park:
