Bridal Veil Falls waterfall
Nearby gauge (Tinkers Creek) · 38 ft³/s · Lower than usual

Bridal Veil Falls

Ohio • Cuyahoga Valley National Park • 20 ft

By Armen Suny · Last verified Oct 2026

LiDAR & 3D terrain
Photo Credits (4)
1.
life is good (pete) CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 · Flickr
2.
Tim Evanson CC BY-SA 2.0 · Flickr
4.
Tim Evanson CC BY-SA 2.0 · Flickr

Difficulty

Easy

Trail Length

0.5 miles

Trail Type

Out And Back

About Bridal Veil Falls

Bridal Veil Falls is a charming 20-foot cascade tucked into Bedford Reservation, part of the Cleveland Metroparks system. The falls earn their name from the delicate, veil-like sheet of water that fans over the rock face, making it a favorite stop for photographers and families exploring the reservation. Managed by Cleveland Metroparks, the site offers a peaceful woodland setting that’s accessible without a long backcountry trek. A wooden boardwalk, stairs, and a dedicated viewing platform put you right at the best vantage points for the cascade, so you can enjoy the scenery comfortably while still getting a little exercise and fresh air.

The Setting

Bridal Veil Falls sits at 843 feet within Cuyahoga Valley National Park, in the foothills of Ohio. The falls drop 20 feet.

Height: 20 feet

Nearby Falls Worth Visiting

Brandywine Falls, the tallest waterfall in Ohio at 65 feet, lies 6.7 miles to the south. Also nearby: Mill Creek Falls (48 ft, 6.4 mi) and Blue Hen Falls (15 ft, 8.0 mi).

Trail & Hike Details

Trail Description

The path includes maintained forest singletrack and short sections of wooden boardwalk and stairs, leading to a viewing platform directly above the 20-foot falls. Surface conditions are generally well-kept; expect a mix of packed dirt, roots, and the constructed boardwalk/stair sections. Suitable for most hikers who can handle moderate climbs and steps; wear traction-appropriate shoes after wet weather as the boardwalk and nearby rocks can be slick.

What to Expect

The falls drop a gentle 20 feet. Dogs are welcome.

Accessibility

The trail is short and relatively flat, but the surface may be uneven. Contact the managing agency for accessibility details.

Frequently Asked Questions

🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at Bridal Veil Falls?

✅ Dogs are allowed

Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?

🆖 No fees required

🏊 Is There Swimming at Bridal Veil Falls?

❌ Swimming is not allowed

When to Visit

spring summer fall

Spring and early summer are the best times to visit Bridal Veil Falls, as the water flow is typically strongest during these seasons. Fall offers beautiful foliage, while winter may provide a unique view of the falls frozen in ice.

Seasonal Access

The best time to visit is Spring, Summer, and Fall. Winter access may be limited. Check with Cuyahoga Valley National Park for current conditions.

Safety Information

The boardwalk and stairs can be slippery when wet, so use caution. Stay on designated paths to protect the environment and avoid potential hazards.

Current Water Conditions

Updated about 1 hour ago Barely Flowing

These readings come from the USGS gauge on Tinkers Creek, 1.4 miles away, not on Bridal Veil Falls's own stream. Use them as a sign of whether the area is running wet or dry.

38 ft³/s

Current discharge — how much water is flowing

Lower than usual for this time of year

Based on 63 years of record

2.27 ft

Water depth at gauge

7-Day Discharge Trend

What does this mean for your visit?

Flow is lower than usual for this time of year.

About This Gauge

USGS 04207200
1.4 miles from waterfall
Drainage: 84 sq mi
Altitude: 876 ft

7-Day Flow Outlook

Based on the USGS gauge Tinkers Creek at Bedford OH (2 km away).

High confidence
Barely Flowing right now
40 cfs
→ Holding steady
41216161684TodayTomorrowFriSatSunMonTue

Today

Barely Flowing

40 cfs

4/10

Tomorrow

Low

47 cfs

4/10

Fri

Low

43 cfs

4/10

Sat

Low

43 cfs

4/10

Sun

Low

59 cfs

4/10

Mon

Barely Flowing

52 cfs

4/10

Tue

Barely Flowing

44 cfs

5/10

Best window: Tue — barely flowing flow, partly sunny (trip score 5/10).

Best time of year: this gauge typically runs highest from mid February to mid April, peaking in April.

How we calculate this

This is a transparent outlook, not a precise forecast. We take the waterfall's current flow strength (how it ranks against its historical normal for today, from the nearest USGS stream gauge), carry that ranking forward along the gauge's seasonal curve, and nudge it for forecast rain. Confidence is highest for the next day or two and falls further out. Always check official conditions and your own judgment before visiting — high flows can be dangerous.

Know when to go.

Get a free email alert when waterfalls near Walton Hills hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.

Is Bridal Veil Falls Frozen?

Updated about 4 hours ago

Not frozen highs above freezing lately

Bridal Veil Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 63°F to 40°F.

Days below freezing
0 of the last 14
Current cold streak
0 days
Freezing days ahead
0 of the next 7
Flow
42 ft³/s

Winter safety. Frozen falls are the one waterfall trip with a documented injury pattern: falling ice, and ice-glazed rock and trail. Wear microspikes, keep well back from the base and from overhangs, and never walk out on ice over moving water.

Estimate from Open-Meteo daily temperatures at the falls, the LiDAR-measured facing direction, and the nearest stream gauge. It is a likelihood, not a report from the trail. See every frozen waterfall in Ohio.

Weather Forecast

The Terrain, Seen by LiDAR

Aircraft-mounted lasers measured this ground to within inches. Trees and buildings are digitally stripped away, leaving the bare shape of the land the water has carved.

1-meter lidar shows the creek losing roughly 84 feet through Bridal Veil Falls over a long run of ledges. Only part of that is the waterfall, which is listed at 20 feet; the rest is the canyon carrying on downstream. Elevation at the pin is about 845 feet.

Steep ground runs through the entire stretch: about 73 feet of descent in the 500 feet above the pin and 73 feet in the 500 feet below it. Facing west, the falls glow in afternoon and evening light.

Aerial photo of the same ground around Bridal Veil Falls near Walton Hills, Ohio, for comparison with the lidar view LiDAR bare-earth terrain around Bridal Veil Falls near Walton Hills, Ohio, showing about 84 feet of drop, a long cascade, facing west
Aerial LiDAR bare earth

Drag to compare. The dot marks the waterfall. The frame is about a mile across.

Ground elevation
845 feet
Measured by 1-meter lidar
Drop at the falls
About 84 feet
Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls
Faces
West
Glows in afternoon and evening light.
Ground profile through the falls

A slice through the lidar ground surface, from above the falls to downstream (heading west).

Elevation data: USGS 3D Elevation Program. Aerial imagery: USGS The National Map. Public domain.

Location & Access

Getting There

Bridal Veil Falls is located in Bedford Reservation, near Walton Hills, Ohio. The falls can be accessed via Gorge Parkway, with clear signage directing visitors to the trailhead.

Get Directions on Google Maps

Parking

There is a small parking lot near the Bridal Veil Falls trailhead along Gorge Parkway. Parking is free but may fill up during peak times.

Elevation

843 feet above sea level

Coordinates

41.373110° N, -81.549287° W

Visitor Tips & Gear

Visit early in the morning or on weekdays to avoid crowds. Wear comfortable walking shoes, as the boardwalk and stairs may be slippery when wet. Bring a camera to capture the beauty of the falls.

Where to Stay

Some links are affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Nearby Campground

CUYAHOGA VALLEY NATIONAL PARK PICNIC SHELTERS

10.7 miles away · 2 sites

Reservable

Overview Cuyahoga Valley National Park is a destination for millions of visitors each year who enjoy hiking, riding the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad , biking and picnicking. Whether you need an area large enough for a family reunion or just an intimate spot for two, Cuyahoga Valley is an ideal destination. Picnic areas are scattered throughout the park. Two rustic shelters, Ledges and Octagon, are available for reservation in the Virginia Kendall Unit of Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Recreati

Book on Recreation.gov

Additional Information

Nearby Attractions

Other attractions in Bedford Reservation include Tinker's Creek Gorge Scenic Overlook and the nearby Viaduct Park. The Cleveland Metroparks system also offers numerous other trails and natural areas to explore.

Wildlife

Visitors may encounter birds, deer, and small mammals in the area. The reservation is also home to a variety of plant species.

Cities near Bridal Veil Falls

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