This past Tuesday, Luna and I set off for an afternoon hike at Honey Run Waterfall in Knox County, Ohio. We left Licking County around 3 p.m. The sun still high and the temperature sitting comfortably in the low 80s. Pretty perfect hiking weather if you ask me.
The short trail leading to the falls is shaded and inviting, opening up to the sound of rushing water and sunlight glittering off the rocks. Luna wasted no time running straight into the pool beneath the falls. Of course, I followed her in. The water was cool and clear, a refreshing contrast to the warmth of the day.
Discovering the Ledges
After drying off a bit, we continued on the trail that follows the Kokosing River. That is when I found out there were ledges. I had no idea they existed here. Luna and I have been here a few times before. I just have really bad special awareness. Anyway… The rock formations stretched along the riverbank, carved out by years of water and weather. We climbed up and around, exploring ledges and paths that weren’t to hard for Luna. I was soaking in views that felt almost misplaced.
There’s something about a place like Honey Run. Sure, it is small. Yet somehow it is still full of quiet beauty. Between the falls, the sunlight, and Luna’s joy bouncing from rock to rock. This was one of those hikes that reminds you why getting outside matters.
Hike Notes
📍Location: Honey Run Waterfall Park, Knox County, Ohio
👣Trail Length: Around 1 mile total (moderate terrain)
Sometimes the best hiking days aren’t about conquering peaks, they’re about good company, unexpected discoveries, and those little moments that make you remember why you love being outdoors.
The Squad: Four Legs, Little Hands, and Big Adventures
Wednesday’s hiking crew was pretty special. My friend finally took the wheel for once (hallelujah!), bringing along her kiddo who’s quickly becoming our favorite trail buddy. My four-legged co-pilot was practically vibrating with excitement in the backseat! I know you know that dog energy when they sense an adventure is coming. There’s something magical about multi-generational hiking days where everyone brings their own sense of wonder to the trail.
Stop One: Amphitheater Falls Loop Trail, Yellow Springs (3.5 Miles of Pure Ohio Magic):
Amphitheater Falls & A rainbow
The Vibe: Yellow Springs never disappoints. This 3.5-mile loop had everything we were craving – that perfect mix of forest therapy and water features that makes Ohio hiking so underrated.
The Highlights: • Multiple waterfall encounters (because who doesn’t love the sound of rushing water?)
• Stream crossings that had my dog absolutely losing her mind with joy • Creek walking opportunities that the kiddo couldn’t resist
The creek crossing where Luna lost her mind!
• That satisfying loop format – no backtracking, just pure forward momentum toward the Little Miami River. The Amphitheater Falls area is one of those spots that makes you pause and actually listen. Water cascading over limestone ledges, kids laughing as they hop from rock to rock, the satisfying crunch of leaves underfoot. My friend and I found ourselves in that perfect hiking rhythm : no need for deep conversation just silence punctuated by “Look at that!” moments.
Trail Notes: The path winds through some gorgeous creek beds, and we definitely took advantage of the water features. Fair warning: shoes will get wet, and honestly, that’s half the fun.
Bridge over Little Miami river
Stop Two: Caesar Creek State Park – Fossil Hunting & Waterfall Chasing:
Little Caesar Creek State Park Fossil area!
The Setup: About 45 minutes down the road from Yellow Springs lies Caesar Creek State Park, and let me tell you: this place is fossil hunter’s paradise. We added another 2 miles to our day, chasing down a waterfall that shall remain nameless (because honestly, i do not remember the name and it was bone dry anyway).
The Real Magic: Here’s where the day got interesting. While the waterfall was more of a “seasonal suggestion,” the fossil hunting was absolutely incredible. The creek bed was like nature’s treasure chest: everywhere you looked, there were remnants of Ohio’s ancient sea just waiting to be discovered.
The Soundtrack: Could definitely hear some activity in the creek bed from other fossil enthusiasts making the most of the low water levels. There’s something so primal about hunting for 450-million-year-old treasures with your hands in the dirt. The kiddo was absolutely in her element, having no issue filling up my pockets with “specimens.”
Why This Day Worked:
Variety is the Spice: Two completely different experiences in one day trip. Waterfalls and forest therapy in Yellow Springs, then switching gears to become amateur paleontologists at Caesar Creek.
The Company Factor: Sometimes the trail is secondary to who you’re sharing it with. Watching a kid discover a fossil, seeing my dog’s pure joy at every stream crossing, having a friend who finally volunteered to drive: these are the details that turn a good hike into a great memory.
Ohio’s Hidden Gems: Both spots remind you that you don’t need to travel far for incredible outdoor experiences. Yellow Springs and Caesar Creek are perfect examples of Ohio’s understated natural beauty.
Planning Your Own Yellow Springs to Caesar Creek Adventure:
Distance: Expect about 5.5 total miles of hiking if you do both locations and only if you just do the trails we did.
Drive Time: 45 minutes between locations
Best For: Friend groups, dog owners, water lovers, and amateur geologists
Season Notes: Spring and fall offer the best waterfall action; late summer/early fall is prime fossil hunting season when water levels are lower.
Pack: Water shoes or boots you don’t mind getting muddy, fossil collection bags, snacks for energy between locations, and a sense of adventure.
The Bottom Line:
Some hiking days are about personal records and summit selfies. Others are about slowing down, collecting ancient treasures, and remembering that the best adventures often happen close to home with some of your favorite people (and pups).
Yellow Springs to Caesar Creek delivered exactly what we didn’t know we needed :
variety, discovery, and those simple moments that make you grateful to live in a state with this much natural beauty hiding in plain sight.
What’s your favorite Ohio hiking combo? Drop a comment below. I am always looking for our next local adventure!
Actually, no. Let me explain how I got here first:
I just came off a 12-hour shift.
Got my shoe peed in while giving a shower 2 hours exactly before clock out time.
Had to finish my shift with pee sock, pee leg, pee vibes.
Drove my bestie and coworker 35 minutes in the opposite direction so she could start her vacation. Since she worked last night for me.
Dropped off another one a mile from my house.
And I still had to go feed 4 cats, one dog, and the neighbor, coworker, and or buddies cats before I even changed clothes.
And yet?
I’m still about to chase waterfalls.
Why?
Because this week is STNA Week, and I’m an STNA.
Because I’m a caregiver, a poet, a creator, a walking paradox of exhaustion and excitement.
Because I owe this moment, this daylight treasure hunt of stops to myself.
This is the Loop-de-Loop of Watersong:
A full-day road trip from Newark to Cleveland and back, with:
Waterfalls 🌊 Forests 🌳 Overlooks ⛰️ Trails under 1 mile 🥾 Dog-friendly stops 🐾 And photo ops so good they might just heal something you forgot was broken.
📍What You’re About to See
This is a build-your-own experience. You can:
Start closest to your house Do just a few or go full loop Spread it out over two days or crush it in one maybe just save it for a better time or send to a friend who’d love it.
This is the fastest and softest way to refill your soul when you only get two days off work, you write to survive, and you hike to breathe.
