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Hike the North Rim of the Little Miami River

Yellow Springs, Ohio

4.5/5
based on 2 reviews

Details

Distance

2.7 miles

Elevation Gain

250 ft

Route Type

Loop

Description

Added by Dan Barr

Hugging the banks of the Little Miami River and clinging to towering limestone cliffs, John Bryan State Park is western Ohio's must-see state park. 

Starting at the lower parking lot, follow the signs that direct you to the trails near the shelterhouse. Within 0.2 of a mile the trail forks; follow the left fork heading east along the Little Miami River. This is the Pittsburgh-Cincinnati Stagecoach Trail, which for 1.3 miles winds its way along the banks of the Little Miami, and rises above it in several places for some beautiful views of the river valley. Along the trail on your left, towering limestone cliffs 40-50 feet tall take up the entire view, several of which have metal eyebolts mounted into the cliffs to allow for rock climbing to take place.

At the end of the Stagecoach Trail, Clifton Gorge State Nature Preserve begins (no dogs permitted). From here, turn left up hill through a gap in the cliffs to reach the North Rim Trail, a 1.4 mile trail that follows the edge of the cliffs of John  Bryan, with beautiful views of the park during the growing season, and even more spectacular views once the leaves fall in autumn. Follow the North Rim Trail west to head back into John Bryan State Park.

The North Rim Trail eventually returns to the Stagecoach Trail, making for a loop hike just shy of three hours that takes about an hour to complete at a good pace.

Afterwards, head into the nearby town of Yellow Springs and grab a cool beer at Yellow Springs Brewery! (305 N. Walnut St., Suite B, Yellow Springs, OH).  

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Features

Hiking
Bathrooms
Dog Friendly
Easy Parking
Family Friendly
Forest
Groups
Picnic Area
River
Scenic
Waterfall

Reviews

My family has visited this trail so often! Includes a beautiful view down into the gorge and begins/ends in the tiny town of Clifton! One of my favorite memories of this trail was hiking it into Clifton and going to see the Historic Clifton Mill Lights at Christmastime! Saved us from parking in a super crowded area and let us go on a great evening hike!

I come here often with family and friends, its one of our go-to hikes in the area. Its really pretty, although we prefer to start at the Clifton Gorge parking lot (not the one in Clifton, the one slightly towards Yellow Springs) and descend the stairs and follow the stream towards John Bryan. We usually get to the bridge and turn around from there, either taking the North Rim trail back up (to make to a loop) or just following our path back the way we came. Can be a super crowded area if Cedarville University is in session, especially if it is the moving in/out weekends or parents/alum weekend. If you don't like crowds I absolutely recommend you take a minute to look over the academic calendar and make sure you're not near one of those weekends!

Leave No Trace

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

Nearby

Rock Climb at John Bryan SP

Glen Helen Nature Preserve Loop

Clifton Gorge

Visit the Tecumseh Sunflower Field

Hike the Gorge Trail at Indian Mounds

Hike to Cedar Cliff Falls