Pets allowed
Allowed
Elevation Gain
250.00 ft (76.20 m)
Trail type
Loop
Distance
3.00 mi (4.83 km)
Please respect the outdoors by practicing Leave No Trace. Learn more about how to apply the principles of Leave No Trace on your next outdoor adventure here.

Nelson Kennedy Ledges State Park is a gem of rock-exploring fun in Northeast Ohio. The ledges here are rare in this part of the state; most of the once-exposed rock formations were covered in dirt when glaciers moved through the area. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources maintains this park for visitors to explore this unique geological feature.

The park contains four established trails that crisscross through the ledges: white (easy, 1 mile), yellow (moderate, three-quarters of a mile), blue (moderate, three-quarters of a mile), red (difficult, half a mile). In the rock canyons, squeezing through thin passages and climbing up and down minor boulders is typical. The red trail involves more technical scrambling.

The northern end of the park contains a rather large cave, a waterfall, a stream (depending on local rainfall), and giant rock faces that can be bouldered.

The park does not allow interpretive or off-trail exploration. Exercise extreme caution if you have strayed from the established route because cracks in the ground may be very deep and can drop up to 75 feet! A few of the drops into chasms along the white trail are guarded with rails to prevent falls, but many are not and can be easily hidden in fall leaves.

In the summer and autumn heat, the massive sandstone rocks keep the air cool and damp. In the winter time, snow beautifully decorates the forest floor while icicles hang from the ledges.

Logistics + Planning

Preferable season(s)

Summer
Fall

Congestion

Moderate

Parking Pass

None

Open Year-round

Yes

Pros

Secluded on weekdays. Interpretive. Cool in summer.

Cons

Slippery when wet. Dangerous drops.

Trailhead Elevation

1,010.00 ft (307.85 m)

Highest point

1,010.00 ft (307.85 m)

Features

Vault toilet
Waterfalls
Geologically significant
Cave

Typically multi-day

No

Permit required

No

Location

Nearby Adventures

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