

If you love birding, you’ll definitely want to bring your binoculars to the park.Īll up some 71 species have been spotted here, either residing on a permanent basis or simply stopping by the park as part of their annual migration.ĭepending on what time of the year you visit the park and what part of it you are in, you might be able to see the likes of red bellied woodpeckers, tufted titmice, white throated sparrows, eastern bluebirds and American goldfinch. Birding and Wildlife at Nelson-Kennedy Ledges State Park Also be mindful that the consumption of alcohol is not permitted anywhere in the park. If you do choose to use the picnic area be sure to dispose of your trash appropriately.

Some of these are shaded and all provide a nice scenic view for you to enjoy whilst you eat. Located within the park are picnic tables where you can enjoy a packed lunch or al fresco meal. Offering tranquility, serenity and an impressive natural backdrop, picnicking is a popular activity at the park. Picnicking at Nelson-Kennedy Ledges State Park You will definitely want to bring your camera with you to capture these outstanding sights on film. Minnehaha Falls is about 18 feet tall and is notable for having a flow that continues on through a rock crevice before descending down to the gorge below. Here, the water runs down the towering rock face before falling into Gold Hunter’s Cave, which lies below it. Unlike other state parks in Ohio, as the park is relatively small you won’t need to trek too far to go and see them.Īt around 38 feet tall, the Cascade Falls is the larger of the two waterfalls. The park is home to two stunning waterfalls which you should make a point of seeing. Waterfalls at Nelson-Kennedy Ledges State Park It is worth taking lots of water with you as well. You should also put on a hat and plenty of mosquito spray and sunscreen. In addition, there are spots where you will also need to navigate your way up and down small boulders, as well as squeeze through thin passages.įor this reason it is important you wear a good pair of hiking boots. Degree of Difficulty: challengingĪs the park’s name suggests, while hiking you will have to cross ledges. Throughout it you will find four separate trails that will take you to formations like Indian Pass, Old Maid’s Kitchen and Devil’s Icebox, via the Nelson Ledges. The best way to explore the park is by hiking.

Hiking at Nelson-Kennedy Ledges State Park Here is a brief rundown of some of the main activities you can enjoy whilst you are there. The park provides visitors with multiple ways to immerse themselves within its spectacular landscape. The park unfortunately does not have a campground, however there are plenty of accommodation options available to you within easy driving distance of it, should you need a place to stay. Under an hour from Cleveland, it is a popular spot for picnicking. As you can imagine this makes the park a popular destination for hiking, with the surrounding forests, waterfalls, rich birds and wildlife only adding to the park’s uniqueness. With three miles of trails that run a course over, around and through its openings, it takes the form of a kind of stone maze. Within them flow small streams that are strewn with massive blocks of detached cliff face. This feature possesses narrow passages that lead through its cracks and run through towering cliffs. Set within 167 acres, this scenic day-use nature spot is dominated by a rock outcropping. Situated just under an hour’s drive from the cities of Akron and Cleveland, Nelson Kennedy Ledges State Park is not your typical Ohio State Park. Photo: E Photos, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons Hiking trail at Nelson-Kennedy Ledges State Park.
