John Bryan State Park

About John Bryan State Park

John Bryan is the name written on the rocks of Little Miami River Gorge and part of this gorge has been designated a national natural monument. The park is a remarkable limestone canyon cut by the small Miami River and declared the state's national scenic river. John Bryan State Park, a 1.5-mile-long and 1.5-meter-wide state park, is carved into the rock of the LittleMiami River Gorge and designated a state and national "scenic river," according to the National Park Service.

Little Miami falls 130 feet when it reaches the top of John Bryan State Park, a 1.5-mile-long and 2-foot-wide state park.

Each layer has a story to tell, and each layer also has its own characteristics, but they all tell the story of a time when this area was covered and crisscrossed by tons of slow-moving glacier ice.

The shale layers have been eroded by erosive forces that lead to cavities in the rock face, and large, slow blocks have fallen, creating unusual rock formations, including Steamboat Rock.

Glaciers have affected not only the landscape but also the vegetation; springs feeding small waterfalls and cascades are frequent. Erosion has weakened some of the natural features, such as the steep cliffs and rocky cliffs on the east and west sides of this area.

John Bryan State Park is one of the state's most popular hiking and camping destinations, attracting more than 1,000 visitors a day.

Over 100 different trees and shrubs have been identified in the park, the predominant trees being oaks and maples. Over 340 species of wild flowers grow here, but the river is home to more than 1,000 different species of wild flowers, as well as a wide variety of birds, reptiles, amphibians, birds of prey, butterflies and birds, to name just a few of the species on display in this park.

There are also a lot of wildlife in the park; for example, more than 90 different bird species live in the park and visit it every year.

To fully appreciate the beauty of John Bryan, you have to experience it in all four seasons. The first people to experience the beauty of the area were the hill builders and later the Shawnee Indians. In the early 19th century there was a Shawnees settlement, which led up roughly to where the city is today. According to the Greene County Historical Society, which keeps the original map of the park intact, large Shawna warriors like Tecumseh were frequent visitors in the late 17th century.

Several industrious settlers began to build hydroelectric power stations - the industry in the gorge was driven and the town of Clifton flourished with textile, scrap and sawmills that were located there. By the end of the 19th century, industrial activity in the area had largely ground to a halt, but the area was developed by the Cincinnati-Pittsburgh stagecoach road and part of the Little Miami Riverbed.

Water was no longer an economic or energy source and many of the mills were abandoned, but a water mill built in 1869 is still in operation. Clifton Mill and the village itself are open to visitors as part of the John B. Bryan National Historic Site of John Bryan State Park.

The park takes its name from John B. Bryan, an ambitious businessman who has preserved much of the area as a state reserve. John Bryan had great respect for nature and in 1896 bought 335 hectares in the gorge and called it Riverside Farm.

In May 1925, John Bryan Land became one of the first forest parks in the state, and Riverside Farm was bequeathed to the state of Ohio to be used as a state park with the name that would bear his name. In 1949 it was transferred to the newly established ODNR (Department of Parks and Recreation) and in May 1925 the "John Bryan Land" was used as open space again.

The family campsite in John Bryan has a 2,000 square metre campsite with a partially shaded pitch, picnic tables and picnic tables. It overlooks Great Smoky Mountains National Park, a national natural monument designated by the US Department of the Interior as the largest national park in the United States and the second largest in Ohio.

Day and overnight cabins can be rented all year round, and group camps up to 100 people are possible with organized group reservations. The lodge is equipped with a fully equipped kitchen, dining area, laundry, showers and laundry facilities. No campers or pets are allowed on the premises, but a day or overnight cabin can and must be rented all year round.

The Little Miami River is great for canoeing, and the park's starting point on Jacoby Road provides access to this picturesque river. With the river flowing in the wind and the wind outside, visitors will discover the beautiful waterfalls on the west side of John Bryan State Park, as well as the large canoes that face the LittleMiami River.

The Little Miami River offers excellent fishing opportunities for anglers; small mouth fish, pike-perch and panfish are abundant, as are perches, small mouth fish, redfish and whitefish.

Several areas are designated for bow hunting only, and a valid fishing or fishing license from Ohio is required. Fishing is prohibited in the state's wildlife sanctuary and violates federal law and the Ohio Fish and Wildlife Act.

The park has a number of picnic areas with picnic tables, barbecues and latrines, as well as toilets. The lower level of Orton has accommodations that are available on the principle of "first - come, first served." These areas also have drinking water and have tables and barbecues, as well as a latrine, but no toilets.

Part of the Buckeye Trail runs through the park, and nature lovers can enjoy hiking trails along the picturesque river canyon. At the edge of this gorge, however, caution is required due to the large amount of water and the steep slope and altitude.

Organized groups can reserve rappelling areas in the climbing and rappelling areas located in the park for a fee of $5 per person or $10 per group. Visit the park office to register for your free space or contact John Bryan State Park for more information.

The Clifton Gorge State Nature Preserve is adjacent to the park and the reserve has many outstanding geological and botanical features that appeal to visitors.

Nearby is the Clifton Gorge State Nature Preserve, the largest of its kind in the United States.

Nearby are a number of other national parks, including the John Bryan National Wildlife Refuge and New York State Park.

The Spring Valley Wildlife Area, operated by the ODNR's Department of Wildlife, offers hunting and fishing opportunities for athletes and is also known as a bird watching area. Little Miami State Park is located in a narrow corridor along the Little Miami River, and between the park and the State Park on the east side is a small section of the river.