20 Jul Blue Hen Falls: Waterfall Hike in Cuyahoga National Park

Blue Hen Falls is a beautiful 15-foot (~4.6 meter) tall waterfall in Cuyahoga Valley National Park that cascades over a stone cliff into a small pool of water below. Park at the Boston Mill Visitor Center and then hike 1.25 miles (~two kilometers) along the Buckeye Trail to reach the waterfall. The trail winds through the woods, along the road, and then ends with a view of the falls. Moreover, the trail is family as well as dog-friendly. To continue the adventure, hike another 0.5 miles (~0.8 kilometers) to reach Buttermilk Falls. Though keep in mind there is no “official” trail once you pass Blue Hen Falls, but rather only a worn-down path made by previous hikers.

Some people argue that Blue Hen Falls is the second most popular waterfall in Cuyahoga Valley National Park, second only to the well-known Brandywine Falls. That being said, you must include it within your itinerary! We made a day trip to the national park and managed to hike to Blue Hen Falls in addition to visiting Bridal Veil Falls, Brandywine Falls, Szalay’s Farms, and the Beaver Marsh. Trust me, you have time to fit it in your schedule.

Contents:

1) Location of Blue Hen Falls

2) Cuyahoga National Park Entrance Information

3) Best Time to Visit

4) Background of Blue Hen Falls

5) Trail Directions: Two Options

6) General Trail Information

7) Recommended Items to Bring

8) Nearby Attractions

1) Location of Blue Hen Falls

Blue Hen Falls is a waterfall located in Cuyahoga Valley National Park in northeastern Ohio. More specifically, the falls are located in about the middle of the national park. They are just a 10-minute drive from the famous and popular Brandywine Falls.

Did you know that Cuyahoga is also only a 30-minute drive from the city of Cleveland?

Where is the Parking Lot for Blue Hen Falls?

Parking for Blue Hen Falls is currently located at the Boston Mill Visitor Center. The visitor center has a fairly large parking lot, so you should be able to find a space. If there are no spots, I recommend you do a couple of circles as people will be coming and going quite frequently.

Previously there was a small parking area along Boston Mills Road right by the final portion of the trail to the falls. However, the national park has since closed this parking area. They are working on a better and more permanent parking solution, but there is no timeline concerning when anything will be decided or completed.

While it looks like there are parking spots along Boston Mills Road, the signs clearly state parking is prohibited. You risk being ticketed or towed if you park there.

Lodging Near Blue Hen Falls

There are plenty of lodging options around Cuyahoga Valley National Park. For a more luxurious experience, book a room at the Sheraton Suites Akron Cuyahoga Falls or the Residence Inn by Marriott Akron Fairlawn. Both hotels include an indoor pool, fitness center, meeting facilities, and more.

On the other hand, book a room at the Fairfield Inn and Suites by Marriott Akron Fairlawn or the Cottage in the Falls to stick to a budget.

Airports Near Blue Hen Falls

There are a few airports near the falls. First, the Cleveland Hopkins International Airport is 25 minutes northwest. This is the closest international airport.

Second, the Akron Fulton Airport is 25 minutes southeast. You might see some sources call this an international airport, but that is only because there are international flights from the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement. There are no publicly-serviced international flights.

There are no public transportation options available from either airport to the falls. You will thus need to rent a car or utilize a ride share service such as Uber.

Zoomed-in view of Blue Hen Falls from the trail

2) Cuyahoga National Park Entrance Information

Ready for some good news? There is no entrance fee for Cuyahoga Valley National Park. That is some good news if I say so myself. I recommend you capitalize on this, for there are only a few national parks that do not charge an entrance fee.

Are you on a mission to visit all of the national parks? Then check out my one day itinerary for Acadia National Park or the Endless Wall Trail with views of the New River Gorge National Park.

Convenient Location

Moreover, the park is in a pretty convenient location. It is 30 minutes from Cleveland, one hour and 45 minutes from Pittsburgh, two hours from Columbus, and two hours from Erie. If you are not in the area, you can easily fly into one of the nearby airports, for example the Cleveland Hopkins International Airport.

We drove up from Pittsburgh when we visited, and it was an easy drive. Moreover, there are multiple rest stops along the way if you need to stop for any reason.

Opening Hours

Cuyahoga Valley National Park is open all day, every day. However, there are a few specific attractions that are only open from dawn to dusk. These attractions include Brandywine Falls as well as the Virginia Kendall Ledges Trail, Octagon Shelter, and Kendall Lake.

View of Blue Hen Falls from the trail

3) Best Time to Visit

Honestly, there is no bad time to visit Blue Hen Falls. The spring season marks the beginning of nature, including wildflowers, blooming. Summer brings about the best weather with minimal rainfall as well as warm temperatures. Fall then, of course, offers the magnificent colors of orange, red, yellow, and more as the leaves change. The winter season can turn the area into a winter wonderland as the falls freeze over.

That all being said, I do recommend you try to visit Blue Hen Falls after a period of heavy rainfall or melting of snow. The falls are then a bit fuller compared to during a dry spell. When showing my cousin the picture I took of Blue Hen Falls, they only partially recognized it. They said the waterfall was about three times bigger when they visited. That being said, it does make a difference if you visit after rainfall vs. during a dry spell.

Estimated Visit Time for Blue Hen Falls

If you plan to hike on the trail to Blue Hen Falls from the Boston Mill Visitor Center (which is the recommended option from section five below), then I recommend you schedule at least two hours in your itinerary.

The hike itself takes an average hiker around one hour and 15 minutes to complete. However, I always recommend you add a bit of buffer time. You might need to take a couple of breaks along the hike, or you might want to stay and appreciate the waterfall for a few extra minutes. Additionally, I definitely suggest you visit the visitor center, either before or after the hike, since you are already there.

Zoomed-in view of Blue Hen Falls from the trail

4) Background of Blue Hen Falls

Blue Hen Falls is a 15-foot (~4.6 meters) waterfall that cascades over a stone cliff. There is a small pool of water at the base of the falls.

The best place to view the falls is from the trail on the right hand side. There is no platform or anything like that, but instead there is a fence around the outside edge of the trail to protect you from the cliff’s edge.

Some people venture closer to the falls, walking along the rocks at the top of the falls or around the base. Please keep in mind that you will be venturing off of the official trail if you decide to follow in their footsteps. Watch your step and do not forget that rocks are slippery when wet.

It is said Blue Hen Falls received its name from the blue hen chicken, which is the state bird of Delaware.

5) Trail Directions: Two Options

There are two main trail options for Blue Hen Falls. First, there is a trail leading from the Boston Mill Visitor Center to the falls. Second, there is a trail leading from Boston Mills Road to the falls. Please see my note below concerning parking for the second option before you head there! If you choose the second option, you will need someone to drop you off and pick you back up.

Whichever path you choose, there will be blue blazes painted on the trees to help you find your way.

From Boston Mill Visitor Center

This is the more popular trail route due to the fact there is plenty of parking available at the visitor center. The trail’s formal name is the Buckeye Trail, and it leads from the Boston Mill Visitor Center to Blue Hen Falls. It is a 2.5 mile (~four kilometer) out and back trail with approximately 500 feet (~152 meters) in elevation gain.

It is considered to be a moderate trail due to its length and elevation gain. An average hiker can complete the trail in around one hour and 15 minutes.

The trail starts from the visitor center, winds through the forest, and then runs parallel to the road before crossing the road. After the trail crosses the road, it then continues straight for just a short length before reaching the falls.

Map of Buckeye Trail from Boston Mills Visitor Center to Blue Hen Falls

From Boston Mills Road

This is the less popular trail route for a couple of reasons. First, there previously was a small parking lot located on the side of the road. The lot was so small that it could only fit a couple of cars. People thus generally had to park at the Boston Mills Visitor Center and begin the trail from there. Second, the small parking lot is now closed. We tried to park here when we visited because a park ranger at the visitor center told us there was a small lot, but it was closed when we arrived.

However, we saw a sign stating that the national park is working out a better and more permanent parking solution. Hopefully in the near future there will be parking available in this area once again.

Due to the fact there are no parking options currently available, you will need someone to drop you off here and then also pick you back up.

This trail is not an entirely different trail from the one mentioned above, but instead it is just a shorter version. This trail begins from where the above trail crosses the road.

The trail from Boston Mills Road to Blue Hen Falls is 0.4 miles (~0.6 kilometers) out and back. I do not know the exact elevation gain, but I will say that the majority of the trail is essentially one long and steep hill.

Map of Buckeye Trail from Boston Mills Road to Blue Hen Falls

6) General Trail Information

The trail is essentially a dirt path from its beginning at the Boston Mill Visitor Center to where it crosses Boston Mills Road approximately 0.8 miles (~1.3 kilometers) later. It is fairly well maintained, though there are a few larger and loose rocks as well as overgrown roots on the trail every now and then. Moreover, you will have to climb up and down a couple sections of stone or wooden steps.

After the trail crosses the road, it then turns into asphalt as you trek down a steep hill. Feel free to take a break if you need one, especially when climbing back up it on the return trip.

The asphalt portion of the trail ends shortly after the bottom of the hill, and then the dirt trail returns. After this switch, the waterfall is not too far away!

Accessibility Information

Please note that the trail to Blue Hen Falls is not an accessible trail for those with mobility limitations. Instead, a few accessible trails within Cuyahoga National Park include the Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath, Beaver Marsh Boardwalk, and Brandywine Falls upper boardwalk.

Are Dogs Allowed on the Blue Hen Falls Trail? 

I have good news; the answer is yes! Dogs are permitted on the trail to Blue Hen Falls as well as all official trails within Cuyahoga Valley National Park. However, you must keep your dogs on a leash no longer than six feet.

View of Blue Hen Falls from the trail

7) Recommended Items to Bring

1. Water bottle: I always recommend that you bring water with you while hiking. Water is especially important for this trail since it is over two miles (~3.2 kilometers) and has some elevation gain. You do not want to arrive at a beautiful and luscious waterfall while yearning for a drop of water to drink. Consider a reusable water bottle to reduce plastic waste. They also keep your water cooler due to their insulation – bonus!

Hygiene

2. Sunscreen: While this might not be as important on a cloudy day, it will be on a day full of beautiful clear skies. Walking around even for just 30 minutes can lead to sunburn if you have fair skin. The trail to the falls has both shady and sunny sections, so make sure you apply sunscreen beforehand. 

3. Bug spray: Let’s be honest – mosquitos, gnats, and any other little type of fly can ruin an experience. You cannot truly enjoy an attraction if you are swatting away bugs from your face the whole time. Due to the fact this trail runs partially through a forest, the chance to have a few bugs bother you along the way is pretty high. Therefore, be prepared with bug spray or a mosquito repellent bracelet. 

Hiking Apparel for the Blue Hen Falls Trail

4. Hiking shoes: I did not own a pair of hiking shoes for a long time. However, I finally splurged and bought myself a pair before my Iceland road trip. Hiking shoes are generally not cheap, though I will say they are well worth the investment. They provide grip and traction to help you out while hiking as well as to keep you safe.

5. Optional – hiking poles: Hiking poles are not a necessity for this trail. However, you can bring them along if you want some extra support due to the slight elevation gain.

6. Optional – crampons: These are only necessary in the winter months if there is snow or ice along the hiking trails. Crampons are spikes that attach to the bottom of shoes.

8) Nearby Attractions

Cuyahoga Valley National Park is not too large, which thus means there are a number of nearby attractions to Blue Hen Falls. I will list out a couple of the closest ones below.

First, Buttermilk Falls is located further down the trail from Blue Hen Falls. However, this waterfall is a bit unique. It is not on national park land but instead sits on land owned by the Boston Mills Ski Resort. There is no official trail to the falls, but enough people have ventured there that a worn-down trail through the forest now exists. After you reach Blue Hen Falls, simply hike approximately 0.5 more miles (~0.8 kilometers) to reach Buttermilk Falls. Keep in mind that there are three stream crossings, so your feet might get a bit wet along the way.

Second, the Boston Mill Visitor Center is just down the road from the falls. Moreover, many people choose to begin their hike to the falls from the visitor center due to parking limitations at the closer trailhead. This is the main visitor center facility, and it has a gift shop as well as informative exhibits. We bought a couple of postcards before heading upstairs to learn more information about the park.

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Head to the nearby city of Pittsburgh for one of their most famous attractions: Riding the Monongahela Incline.

Drive down south to another national park: New River Gorge in West Virginia.