Bridal Veil Falls (Bedford Reservation) Hiking Guide
Bridal Veil Falls is a set of cascades on Deerlick Creek in Cleveland Metroparks' Bedford Reservation. A boardwalk and steps lead down from a small lot on Gorge Parkway to a viewing area in a ravine of hardwoods and hemlocks. It is a walk rather than a hike, and the reason to come is the falls and the gorge country around them.
Boardwalk to the Falls
From the Bridal Veil Falls Scenic Overlook lot, the path follows Deerlick Creek down a boardwalk and a set of steps to the falls. Mapping apps list the out-and-back at about 0.3 miles with around 40 feet of elevation gain; one Ohio park guide calls it a third of a mile. The falls are a series of cascades rather than one tall plunge. Expect company: Cleveland Metroparks calls it a very popular photo spot.
When It Runs Best
Deerlick Creek is a small stream, and its flow depends on recent rain. Visit after a wet spell in spring or after a fall storm for the fullest cascades; in a dry late summer the falls thin out. Autumn color in the ravine and ice on the rock in a cold winter are the other good times. The boardwalk and steps can be slick when wet or frozen, so take the stairs carefully.
Tinker's Creek Gorge
Bedford Reservation's centerpiece is Tinker's Creek Gorge, a National Natural Landmark. Tinker's Creek is the largest tributary of the Cuyahoga River, and Cleveland Metroparks says it drops 220 feet over about two miles here, cutting a steep walled gorge. The Tinker's Creek Gorge Scenic Overlook, also on Gorge Parkway, is a separate stop along the same road, and Metroparks singles out its vista in the fall.
Making It a Longer Hike
To turn the falls into a real outing, link to the bridle trail and mountain bike singletrack that run through the reservation. Mapping apps list a route along the bridle trail between the falls and the Tinker's Creek Gorge overlook at about 4.4 miles with roughly 340 feet of gain. The Buckeye Trail also passes through the reservation from Egbert Picnic Area. Yield to horses on bridle trails, and check the Metroparks alerts page first, since bridle sections close periodically for bridge and trail work.
Rules and Hours
There is no fee to park or hike. Bedford Reservation is open 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. Metroparks rules cap dog leashes at eight feet and require owners to pick up after their pets. Keep dogs on the boardwalk near the falls; the rocks along the creek are often wet and slippery. Since June 22, 2026, the reservation's Hemlock Picnic Area has been open to the public only Monday through Thursday.
Hiking tips for Bridal Veil Falls (Bedford Reservation)
- Come after rain; Deerlick Creek runs low in dry spells.
- Take the steps slowly when they are wet or icy.
- Drive on to the Tinker's Creek Gorge Scenic Overlook on Gorge Parkway while you are there.
- Check the Cleveland Metroparks alerts page before planning a longer bridle-trail loop.
- Keep dogs on a short leash on the boardwalk; the leash limit is eight feet.
Nearby trails to explore
- Brandywine Gorge Trail
- Blue Hen Falls
- Squire's Castle Loop
Hike this trail with TrailMates
Bridal Veil Falls is a short stop with Tinker's Creek Gorge all around it. Use TrailMates to find Cleveland hikers heading to Bedford Reservation. Download the TrailMates app to connect.