Clifton Gorge State Nature Preserve
Clifton Gorge State Nature Preserve
Clifton Gorge State Nature Preserve
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4.5
235 reviews
Excellent
173
Very good
56
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4
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1
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1
klbarth39
Columbus, OH721 contributions
Jul 2020 • Couples
We stopped by Clifton gorge after visiting the nearby Clifton Mills. The gorge has several walking trails that provide views of the stream running through the gorge. It also has viewing platform that is near the parking lot just a short walk. The view is very nice. When we walked a short distance down one path I noticed that one of the stone walls had a stone with carved letters "CCC" in the wall. Meaning that this wall is very old built by the Civilian Conservation Corp. This was a program started by President Franklin D. Roosevelt during the great Depression in 1933. The program was started to provide jobs for the young man doing different conservative projects outside. The CCC was in all of the states. It was a part of the new deal that President Roosevelt had. It was advertised as proving work, play, study and more. The program had hundreds of thousands workers.
Written July 21, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Janet C
Vincennes, IN11 contributions
Jul 2022
Very nice and scenic. We were not able to get WIFI so could not access paths on phone which was not so great since we had no clue how much more of the path we needed to take. Maps would be nice to have around the park, posted along the trail. But very fun hiking!
Written July 21, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
turneygene
Nashville, TN15 contributions
Sep 2022
My wife and I spent a wonderful time hiking the trails. We met Drew who was removing invasive Japanese Stilt Grass. We walked the Narrows trail to the Village of Clifton and enjoyed lunch at the Clifton Mill and walked around the town.
Written September 19, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TripPhotographer52
Cincinnati, OH1,752 contributions
Jul 2020
I have not been here in a long time and my wife and I wanted to explore this park. It was a warm day, but most of the trail was pretty shaded. It was a very pleasant hike in the local woods. A sign told us about the formation in the ice age and the rock walls which remained from the carving out of the lower area which the stream runs through. To me, the word "gorge" gives the wrong impression, as it is a stream flowing with some rocky portions. There are many trees along the paths which offer shade but also have many rocks and substantial tree roots so be careful and watch where you are walking. It was not crowded when we were there. I would also have a mask available for when you have to pass people.
Written July 12, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jocelyn Greene
Columbus, OH96 contributions
Sep 2020
My husband and I love to hike and we are truly blessed to live in a state where there are plenty of parks to do that. Last weekend we went here and enjoyed the beauty of this place. The waterfall is amazing looking down the gorge! We will definitely come back again!
Written September 18, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jwcorbett
Miamisburg, OH614 contributions
Oct 2023 • Couples
It was our first visit to the Gorge, and we really enjoyed the hike. The trail was well taken care of, and it was nice to have an indoor center for education and facilities break. Hikers can take the Gorge and the Rim trail to get it from different perspectives. Clifton Mills is close by for food and shopping. We will make another visit in the future.
Written October 11, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Compass183234
Ada, OH114 contributions
Apr 2020 • Family
A little confusing as the footbridge was down, so we had to go down two roads to find it. However, it clearly has that information on the OH DNR website. My husband has bad ankles, so we had to stop at a certain point where it got really rocky, but it’s magnificent. The waterfalls, creek, even the rocks are gorgeous. We’ll definitely go back again!!
Written May 17, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jgbtravels
Louisville, KY4,399 contributions
Sep 2023 • Couples
Unfortunately my wife was having some back issues and she wasn’t able to go walk with me. I walked part of the trail that was shaded but there was only one overlook to see the actual gorge. I walked a bit further down but ended up turning around without seeing anymore of the gorge. I’m sure there are some prettier spots that I wasn’t able to see in the time I had. Perhaps another time.
Written September 6, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gabe10101
Lexington, KY891 contributions
Apr 2018 • Family
Clifton Gorge is a small but enjoyable park East of Dayton bordering the small hamlet of Clifton. This "Preserve" is small compared to State Parks but still contains about 4 miles of hiking trails that follow the gorge. The Preserve adjoins John Bryan State Park for additional hiking opportunities.
Clifton Gorge has two parking areas. Neither is obvious on maps. TripAdvisor is accurate for the main parking area on 343. There is a second parking lot off Jackson Street in downtown Clifton that offers better access to the highlight of Clifton Gorge - the narrows. Regardless, the whole park is small and can be accessed from either lot. The rim trails are relatively flat, but uneven. The lower gorge trail is very uneven and includes several stairways but maximum elevation change is only about 50 feet.
Several signs describe the gorge's geology and history. Plan for 30 - 90 minutes to explore the Preserve. The Gorge may be more interesting after a heavy rain when water is rushing through the rocks. While in Clifton, check out Clifton Mill and the narrow section of the Gorge behind the mill.
Clifton Gorge has two parking areas. Neither is obvious on maps. TripAdvisor is accurate for the main parking area on 343. There is a second parking lot off Jackson Street in downtown Clifton that offers better access to the highlight of Clifton Gorge - the narrows. Regardless, the whole park is small and can be accessed from either lot. The rim trails are relatively flat, but uneven. The lower gorge trail is very uneven and includes several stairways but maximum elevation change is only about 50 feet.
Several signs describe the gorge's geology and history. Plan for 30 - 90 minutes to explore the Preserve. The Gorge may be more interesting after a heavy rain when water is rushing through the rocks. While in Clifton, check out Clifton Mill and the narrow section of the Gorge behind the mill.
Written April 12, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Paul S
Marion1,516 contributions
Jul 2015
Clifton gorge is a fairly deep gorge by Ohio standards and impressive by any standard. Because it is so impressive and close to Springfield and Dayton (highway 12 and 343) the pback arking lot for the nature preserve may be full on summer or fall foliage weekends. If it is, continue down the road to John Bryan State Park and follow the rim trail back to the preserve. For families with smaller children, visit the Bear's Den nature center and then follow the Narrows Trail out and back. Highlights include the Falls of the Little Miami and the narrows where one of Daniel Boone's companions jumped across the gorge to escape from the Indians. Older kids and others can take the steps down into the gorge and follow the gorge trail to Steamboat rock and Amphitheater Falls. At that point, you can exit the depths of the gorge and return on the rim trail, or continue on to the edge of the preserve or on into the adjoining John Bryan state park depending on time and stamina. Be sure to bring a camera and bug spray for mosquitoes.
Written July 9, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Suzanne M
Evington171 contributions
Which trail can you see the waterfall from so that we dont have to walk every trail. Is there a bathroom in one of the parking lots? Which parking lot would be best to park in to access the trail to get to waterfall?
Nancy H
Findlay, OH5 contributions
Are restrooms open around Clifton Goege trail?
Randy S
Upper Arlington, OH141 contributions
There is a portapotty near the high end of the trail where the gorge is narrow. I don't know if it is maintained or opened during this Covid. Otherwise, I would say no, to the restrooms. I also haven't been there this year.
Derrick P
Anna, OH18 contributions
Are the trails accessible with small children in a stroller?
Traci
1 contribution
The rim trail is accessible but the gorge trail would be very difficult in places for a stroller because of a few inclines, many rocks, and some muddy areas. It'll be great when they are older!
Is it usually packed with people or fairly open?
realbiglu
Bellefontaine, OH229 contributions
Fairly open, this is not a packed park.
wherewegoin
Westerville, OH112 contributions
I have seen conflicting info about whether dogs are permitted on the Preserve. Are dogs allowed on trails?
kjb0788
Ostrander, OH49 contributions
No, they are not allowed on the Clifton trails. This park is connected to John Bryan state park and their trails do have pet friendly trails
I've never been here but would like to hike there. About how long are the hikes and are the trails well marked?
lisa s
Columbus, OH109 contributions
I mostly hiked along Little Miami River - started out at Lower Picnic Area of John Bryan (which leads to Clifton Gorge) and turned left onto Pittsburgh-Cincinnati Stage Coach which is 1.3 miles, but connects to other marked trails - I went all the way to Steamboat Rock and turned back around - very nice scenery. I have a map - call 937-767-1274 (park office) with any other questions!
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