About Brandywine Falls
Brandywine Falls offers a stunning, family-friendly viewing experience of a powerful 60-foot waterfall (the 2nd tallest in Ohio) via a well-maintained boardwalk that is just a 5-minute walk from the parking lot, making it highly rewarding with minimal effort.
What parents should know
Summarized from real visitor reviews.
Best for: Families seeking a quick, scenic nature break with minimal walkingHikers looking for a short, scenic 1.5 to 2-mile loop trailMulti-generational groups who need options for both easy viewing and stair-climbingToddlers and Strollers (ideal for the short, flat walk to the upper overlook)Older Kids and Teens (perfect for tackling the steps to the lower viewpoint, exploring big rocks, and hiking the 1.5-2 mile Gorge loop)
Why families love it
- Stunning and powerful 60-foot waterfall
- Very short, 5-minute walk from the parking lot to the falls
- Well-maintained wooden boardwalks and clean restrooms
- Beautiful lower viewing area for close-up views
- Scenic 1.5 to 2-mile Brandywine Gorge loop trail
- Upper viewpoint for easy, low-step access
Insider tips
- Stick to the upper viewpoint if you want to avoid climbing a lot of stairs
- Hold onto the nice railings provided on the steep boardwalk sections
- Be cautious on the outer hiking trails as directional signage is limited
- Visit during autumn for beautiful fall foliage, or summer for strong water flows
Good to know before you go
- Attempting the lower viewpoint if you have mobility issues or are pushing a stroller
- Venturing onto side trails without a digital map or navigation aid due to poor signage
- Hiking trails lack adequate directional signs, making it easy to get lost
- Numerous steps required to access the lower viewpoint, which can be tiring
- Crowds
- Can be peaceful and less crowded, particularly during the autumn season
- Value
- Excellent free natural attraction with high-quality amenities like clean restrooms and well-maintained boardwalks.
- Food
- No food options or specific picnic/food rules are mentioned in the reviews
- Accessibility
- Upper viewpoint is highly accessible via a short, easy walk with very few stairs
- Safety
- Sturdy railings to hold onto along the steep boardwalk sections
What parents say
"Lovely hike and the falls were quite flooded, so powerful and beautiful. The hiking trails could have used more directional signs, we definitely got lost a time or two. 😂 The bathrooms were nice and the steep board walks have nice railings to hold onto."
a week ago
"Visited Brandywine Falls in the fall, and it was a great experience! The waterfall looked beautiful with the autumn colors, and the atmosphere was peaceful. It wasn’t too crowded, which made it even more enjoyable. The walk from the parking lot to the falls was easy and quick, with plenty of parking available. It seems like a great spot for hiking, though we didn’t have time to explore the trails. I imagine it would be even more impressive in the summer with a stronger water flow. Definitely a nice stop for nature lovers and anyone looking for a scenic break"
a month ago
"Absolutely stunning waterfall! It’s very large and has so much power behind it! This area is very beautiful and I love the lower falls viewing area! You can get right up close with a beautiful view point. There are a lot of steps down so luckily there is an upper viewpoint as well! If you’re able bodied, I highly recommend hiking the Brandywine Gorge trail while you’re here. I think it was around 1 and 1/2 to 2 mile loop from the falls. Stunning!"
a month ago
Reviews sourced from public Google data.
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