Hidden gem This is…read morethe coolest park for pictures in the area. A great little hike down and you are at the river. The large rocks are perfect for taking pictures. There is a picnic area and some bathrooms but the bathrooms are very old. I remember coming to this park as a kid and being my kids as well.

A nice park. A lovely and secluded oasis of nature. Great for walks…read more A church friend invited me to a picnic with her and her family after church one Sunday in September 2025. I don't think this is a great park for picnics because upon entry, I only saw one picnic table with benches so other people will have to sit on the ground if the table is occupied. Sitting on the ground is fine but it may not be convenient for some people. This park is a good option for walking or taking a mini hike with friends and family. There is a rocky area with some water that is cool to see as it is a mini waterfall. Bring sturdy shoes and a water bottle. Overall, I had fun at David Fortier River Park. It seems to be a hidden gem unless you live in the area. **** GOAL of 250 reviews in 2026 - 187/250 total reviews in 2026 - 1028 total Yelp reviews - Reviewed on 11 September 2026

I'm from the east side, and for years I've driven over the bridges telling myself, "One day I'm…read moregoing to stop and wander through that park." I'm so happy I finally did. Now I already know I'll be back, because we only explored part of it -- but what my sister, her pup, and I wandered through was fun, peaceful, and a little adventurous. At one point there was literally a giant mallard just standing in the middle of the woods like he owned the place. And then there were stairs that climb straight up the side of the mountain -- okay, hill -- but it felt like a mountain in the best way. The whole walk made me feel free. If you ever find yourself wanting a moment outside, a breath of fresh air, or just a place to wander, stop here. It's worth it.

Rocky River Reservation is so pretty. There are many trails and walking paths in this park. They…read morehave a popular nature center as well. The park has plenty of parking, depending on what area you would like to explore. There is a golf course and multiple areas for fishing. You can also take your kayak and kayak the emerald necklace. Very pretty during the fall. I recommend bringing a picnic to one of the many picnic areas or sitting on one of the many benches throughout the park and enjoying mother nature.

A beautiful place with a lovely waterfall and stunning natural surroundings. It's the perfect spot…read moreto relax, refresh your body and mind, and enjoy the peaceful beauty of nature. Definitely worth visiting!

Once we found the waterfall at Viaduct Park, it was a short walk on a paved path down to the…read morewaterfall. We went through the small cave to get another view of it. The area was nice and well kept.

Where to start... Growing up in NE Ohio we were lucky to have the Metroparks. I didnt realize how…read morelucky until traveling more, a lot of places dont have a place so accessible to them. Middle school we would ride our bikes there at 7-8am. Ride around there all day. Catching river roaches, toads, fishing, swimming. There was a rope we would swing off of into the murky, foamy water. What doesnt kill you.. and whatever else we conjured up to cause chaos that day. High school, it served a different purpose. Valley cruises whenever possible. Nowadays I just walk the trails and reminisce. In closing, I absolutely love this place and am very grateful we have this gorgeous slice of heaven in our backyards.

Had a terrific day at Coe Lake! Great place to swim, tan, go on a walk, etc. They have restrooms…read moreand a concession stand available. Lifeguards are on duty and more!

Now that the Covid restrictions have been lifted there is lots to do in the nature center area…read more They have a photo op area with a kayak setup and pretend fish to catch. The animal area now has interactive exhibits. Lots for kids to learn about wildlife, water pollution, etc. they even have a history of ship building of Lorain with some fun exhibits on display. The kids play area is also now open with water table play, things to climb, puzzles and bird watching. Great for families!

We love nature walks and this is one of my favorites. The paths are easy to walk and the trees…read moreare lush. You can hear the stream from many of the trails. There are benches along the way if you wish to rest and take in the beauty. Other than squirrels and a few birds, I haven't seen much wildlife, but the greenery is enough to please me.

Beautiful park for exploring nature. The trails all go along pond and marsh areas so you always get…read moreto see a variety of birds, fish, snakes, etc. The parking lot is located by An ice cream store. They have bathrooms attached to one end and a put putt course behind. The parking lot goes back a little further by some of the trail entrances and there is a playground. Paths are mostly paved or covered in stone. The path branches off to the high school and back to a event building. If it's your first time there I suggest taking a picture of the map so you can stay on course. If you choose the path that goes under the road it loops around a pond. The pond has a small floating dock. Great park if you have a little time to explore.

A beautiful park to walk, right behind Sundae Funday's! Not very hilly, beautiful trees and…read morewell-maintained paths. I deducted 1 star because I wish the trails were clearly marked. It's easy to get turned around and I feel that a few trail markers would go a long way in assuring the public that they're going the right way.

Great park with a lot of options for recreation. This parks also stretches a few different cities…read moreso you have the option for longer walks, runs, or bike rides. Wallace Lake is inside this park and has different boating options. Lots of fishing spots as well. You also have paved and trail options to choose from. There are a few big parking areas along with smaller ones. If you go early you are fine usually to find parking wherever. There is also a fitness trail so you can use it in conjection with other workouts.

A nice park with plenty of walking paths and hiking trails. There are also picnic tables. They have…read morebike trails as well. There are multiple parking areas depending on what part of the park you want to explore. Not too crowded due to the size of the park.

One of the best of the metroparks. They have paved trails, off trail paths, multiple waterfalls,…read morecreeks, streams, fire pits, pavilions w grills and Henry Church Rock.

This is a review of several trails in the reservation. Please see the many photos I uploaded that…read moredon't appear below but appear in the photos for this site. I started on the Buckeye Trail at SOM Center Rd and Hawthorne Parkway (the road was blocked there due to a downed tree). I followed the Buckeye trail to the Hatchet Ridge trail where I circled the Henry Church Rock Loop and headed back to my starting place along the Buckeye trail. It was about 4.5 mile loop The Buckeye Trail is some asphalt and some dirt and small rocks. It is easy to follow and well marked. It follows some of the BridleTrail which horses can trek. I saw many runners on this trail. It was mostly shaded and wide enough at points for three people to walk side by side. It was an easy trail. I saw people of all ages on this trail and families. The Hatchet trail and the portion of the Henry Church Rock trail that runs along the river is "somewhat dangerous" according to a gentleman probably in his 60's who stopped to give me directions. The trail is narrow (enough for people to pass each other) and a dirt path with some rocks and roots along the way. All under the shade of the trees. To get down to the river you have to descended several flights of stairs. See my attached pics for elevation rise and fall on the trail. There are several Emergency Location stations along the path so you can share your exact location to EMS in an. I saw lots of people walking along the river shores, wading through the water, swimming with their families, and even jumping from the top of the water fall. It looked like the kids and adults were having a blast in the water and exploring the area. It was a very warm day when I went and the Henry Church Rock area was busy with hikers and kids. The Buckeye trail was quiet. The area is busy with walkers, runners, hikers, families, and bicycles. It's fun and relaxing trail.

Finally had the opportunity to come here with a few of my friends while on vacation. For a while…read moregetting here, I thought I was in the wrong area but I assure you, the GPS takes you to the right place. This place is quiet and peaceful! There's a great deal of trails and rivers. Most of which I didn't have time to fully discover but everything here is well maintained! Thankfully not alot of people come here but this place also features an outhouse and a grill. Definitely reccomend coming here!

This place is gorgeous. It's a photographer's go-to. Hikers love it, too. It's pristine and…read morewell-kept. Miles of hiking and gorgeous scenery. There are several falls that are beautiful. Watch out for the stairs--there are a lot! From anywhere in NE Ohio, it's not a far drive, and so worth it.

I went to Nelson Kennedy Ledges State Park trail section, & WOW, the scenery was absolutely…read morebeautiful,stunning,& breath taking! There were so many gorgeous views, caves, cliffs,rock formations, & even waterfalls along the way. There's even a glass bridge! It honestly felt like one of the most beautiful trails I've ever been on.I had such a gr8 time taking in all the scenery & exploring the trails. I'll def be back b/c I still want to check out the lake/camping grounds(I had a glimpse of them both while exploring),plus do the trail again. There was so much to see & do that 1 visit just isn't enough. I can see why it was voted Ohio's #1 state park!

Tony and I went to Nelson Ledges State Park outside of Garrettsville, Ohio. The Park was free!…read moreThere is a nice parking lot, with bathrooms and signage! A great park area w picnic tables and grills! The Park with the actual trails are located across the road. The huge limestone rocks are covered w pebbles that are embedded. There are caves, canyons of rocks w deep crevices and waterfalls !! A great Park for adventure! Definitely recommend and would love to go again! So fun and peaceful