Right now
Right now as of Oct 28, 2026
- Permit None needed.
Status note (Oct 28, 2026): Open. As listed Oct 2026, the NPS conditions page shows a Stanford Road pavement-removal closure that began in October 2026, with no end date. It closes the former road, the northern half of the Stanford Trailhead lot and a section of the Valley Trail. The Stanford Trail remains open to the falls. The boardwalk may close in icy conditions. What the status labels mean
Brandywine Falls is a 60-foot bridal-veil waterfall in Cuyahoga Valley National Park, near Sagamore Hills, Ohio. A short boardwalk leads from the free trailhead lot to the falls, and the 1.5-mile Brandywine Gorge Loop adds a rockier hike. There is no entrance fee, but the National Park Service says the lot is usually full from 10am to 4pm on nice days.
About Brandywine Falls
Brandywine Creek drops about 60 feet over a hard cap of Berea Sandstone, according to the National Park Service. Below it lie softer Bedford and Cleveland shales. The NPS says this mix of hard and soft rock gives the falls its bridal-veil look.
Heights vary by source. The National Park Service says about 60 feet, while Wikipedia lists 65 feet.
Mills at the falls once anchored a village. George Wallace built a sawmill at the top in 1814, the NPS says. Grist and woolen mills followed, and the village of Brandywine grew around them.
Much of that village disappeared when Interstate 271 was built. One survivor is the James Wallace house, built by George Wallace's son, the NPS says. It now runs as the Inn at Brandywine Falls, a bed and breakfast.
Getting there and parking
Brandywine Falls has its own free trailhead lot at 8176 Brandywine Road in Sagamore Hills. The lot is often full from 10am to 4pm on nice days, so come early or late.
Where is Brandywine Falls?
Brandywine Falls is in Cuyahoga Valley National Park, between Cleveland and Akron. The NPS puts the park about 22 miles from Cleveland and about 18 miles from Akron. Those distances are to the park, not to the falls.
Drive to the Brandywine Falls Trailhead at 8176 Brandywine Road, Sagamore Hills, OH 44067. Parking is free, and so is entry to the park. The NPS says Cuyahoga Valley National Park charges no entrance fee.
Parking at the trailhead
The lot is the hard part. It is shared with the Summit Metro Parks Bike & Hike Trail. The NPS says it is generally full from 10am to 4pm in nice weather and all summer. There is no overflow lot.
Do not park on the road or outside marked spaces. The NPS warns that those cars may be ticketed or towed. Come early or late, or hike in from another trailhead.
Hiking in from Boston Mill or Stanford
The NPS gives three longer routes that take in the falls. From Boston Mill, it's about 5.7 miles round trip with a cumulative 440-foot elevation change. From Boston Trailhead it's about 5.5 miles, and from Stanford Trailhead about 4 miles.
As listed Oct 2026, the northern half of the Stanford Trailhead lot and the former Stanford Road are closed for pavement removal. The NPS says the Stanford Trail is still open to hikers heading to the falls.
Map and nearby falls
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The hike
Brandywine Falls is a short boardwalk walk from the trailhead lot, with an accessible upper viewing area. The 1.5-mile Brandywine Gorge Loop is the longer option.
Boardwalk to the falls
A short boardwalk leads from the lot to the falls. The NPS says it reaches an upper, accessible viewing area, and that a boardwalk option without stairs is available. The lower viewing deck requires walking down about 80 steps.
Accessible flush restrooms are at the trailhead. The boardwalk to the upper viewing area is the easiest way to see the falls with kids or anyone who can't manage stairs.
Brandywine Gorge Loop
For a longer outing, the Brandywine Gorge Loop runs 1.5 miles with 160 feet of elevation change. The NPS says it takes 1 to 2 hours and is not wheelchair accessible. The path is unpaved and rocky.
The loop crosses Brandywine Creek on a footbridge and crosses again above the falls. The rocky path can be slippery when wet, so wear shoes with good grip. Dogs are welcome on a leash no longer than 6 feet.
When to visit
The park is open dawn to dusk year-round. Because the lot fills from mid-morning to late afternoon on nice days, the simplest plan is an early morning or a visit after 4pm.
In winter, the boardwalk may close in icy conditions, the NPS notes. Check the park's current conditions page before you drive out on a cold day.
If you are planning a Midwest waterfall trip, Tahquamenon Falls in Michigan is another falls with a long accessible boardwalk.
In the Hocking Hills, Old Man's Cave and Ash Cave are free state park falls. Our Ohio waterfalls guide compares all three.
When is the water highest?
At a USGS stream gauge about 1.5 mi from the falls, the flow averages highest in April and lowest in September, based on 10 years of records (2016 to 2025).
Show the numbers
| Month | Average flow (cfs) |
|---|---|
| January | 32 |
| February | 40 |
| March | 39 |
| April | 44 |
| May | 30 |
| June | 20 |
| July | 21 |
| August | 11 |
| September | 9.8 |
| October | 13 |
| November | 17 |
| December | 22 |
| Height | 60 ftNote: about 60 ft per the NPS; Wikipedia says 65 ft |
|---|---|
| Trail | Short boardwalk from the lot to the falls (easy), or the 1.5-mile Brandywine Gorge Loop with 160 ft of elevation change (moderate) |
| Difficulty | Easy on the boardwalk; moderate on the 1.5-mile Gorge Loop (NPS) |
| Time needed | 1 to 2 hours for the Gorge Loop (NPS) |
| Entry fee | Free: Cuyahoga Valley National Park charges no entrance fee, and parking is free (NPS) |
| Permit / reservation | None needed |
| Parking | Free trailhead lot; often full 10am to 4pm in nice weather |
| Hours / season | Dawn to dusk daily (NPS) |
| Dogs | Allowed on trails on a leash no longer than 6 ft; not in buildings (NPS) |
| Swimming | No. The NPS says stay at least 50 ft from the top and bottom of the falls and do not climb the falls, fences or rocks. |
| Wheelchair / stroller | Partly: NPS says a boardwalk leads to an upper, accessible viewing area. The lower deck (about 80 steps) and the unpaved Gorge Loop are not wheelchair accessible. |
| Walk behind the falls | No |
| Restrooms | Yes: accessible flush restrooms, baby changing station and bottle filler at the trailhead (NPS) |
| Best time to visit | Year-round; arrive before 10am or after 4pm on nice days and in summer, when the lot fills |
| Crowds | High: the NPS says the lot is generally full 10am to 4pm in nice weather and all summer |
| Managed by | National Park Service, Cuyahoga Valley National Park |
Safety and swimming
There is no swimming at Brandywine Falls. The NPS asks visitors to stay at least 50 feet from the top and bottom of the falls. Do not climb the falls, the fences or the rocks.
The rock around the falls includes soft shale and can be slippery when wet. Stay on the boardwalk and marked trail, and watch children closely near railings. In winter, ice can make steps and the boardwalk dangerous.
Conditions change: confirm closures with Cuyahoga Valley National Park before you go.
For general tips, see our waterfall safety page.
Where to stay near Brandywine Falls
Compare hotels, cabins and rentals close to the falls around Sagamore Hills.
See places to stay nearbyAffiliate link: we may earn a commission at no cost to you. Partners do not see or change our waterfall facts. Disclosure.
Photos
Brandywine Falls FAQ
Is Brandywine Falls free?
Yes. The NPS says Cuyahoga Valley National Park has no entrance fee, and it lists no parking fee at the Brandywine Falls Trailhead.
Where do you park for Brandywine Falls?
Park at the Brandywine Falls Trailhead, 8176 Brandywine Road, Sagamore Hills, OH 44067. The lot is often full 10am to 4pm on nice days. There is no overflow parking, and cars on the road may be ticketed or towed.
How long is the walk to Brandywine Falls?
A short boardwalk leads from the lot to the falls. The Brandywine Gorge Loop is 1.5 miles with 160 feet of elevation change and takes 1 to 2 hours, according to the NPS. Hiking in from Boston Mill is about 5.7 miles round trip.
Can you see Brandywine Falls without hiking?
Yes. The NPS says a boardwalk from the trailhead leads to an upper, accessible viewing area, with an option that has no stairs. The lower deck takes about 80 steps. The boardwalk may close in icy conditions.
Where is Brandywine Falls in Ohio?
In Cuyahoga Valley National Park, at 8176 Brandywine Road, Sagamore Hills, OH 44067. The NPS puts the park about 22 miles from Cleveland and about 18 miles from Akron.
Can you swim at Brandywine Falls?
No. The NPS asks visitors to stay at least 50 feet from the top and bottom of the falls and not to climb the falls, fences or rocks.
Is Brandywine Falls wheelchair accessible?
Partly. NPS says the boardwalk leads to an upper, accessible viewing area. The lower deck, about 80 steps down, and the unpaved Gorge Loop are not wheelchair accessible.
Are dogs allowed at Brandywine Falls?
Yes, on trails with a leash no longer than 6 feet. Pets are not allowed in park buildings, the NPS says.
Nearby waterfalls
No other waterfalls within 75 miles are on the site yet.
More waterfalls to explore
Old Man's CaveOhio · 138 mi straight-lineOpen
Ash CaveOhio · 140 mi straight-lineOpen90FT CAVE RIM
Swallow Falls State ParkMaryland · 166 mi straight-lineOpen53FT MUDDY CREEK FALLS
On these lists: Dog-friendly waterfalls · Free waterfalls
Sources
- NPS: Brandywine Falls
- NPS: Hike the Brandywine Gorge Loop
- NPS: Brandywine Falls Trailhead
- NPS: CVNP current conditions (Stanford Road closure; read Oct 28, 2026)
- NPS: CVNP directions (distances to the park from Cleveland and Akron)
- NPS: CVNP fees
- Wikipedia: Brandywine Creek
Last verified Oct 28, 2026 by The Waterfall Guide editorial team. Conditions change: confirm with National Park Service, Cuyahoga Valley National Park before you go. Spotted something out of date? Report a correction.