North Rim Trail

The North Rim Trail follows the dolomite cliff tops above Clifton Gorge, offering elevated perspectives down into the narrow canyon of the Little Miami River without the steep descent required by the gorge-bottom routes. The trail surface is relatively flat along the rim, making it one of the more accessible options in John Bryan State Park. The upland forest here supports an unusual community of eastern red cedar and white cedar growing on the thin soils of the dolomite rim — a habitat type known as alvar or limestone cedar glade, more typical of the Great Lakes region. These slow-growing cedars, some centuries old despite their small stature, frame dramatic views into the 60-foot gorge below. In spring, prairie wildflowers bloom in the open glades between cedar groves, including shooting star, wild columbine, and blue wild indigo. The rim trail connects to the gorge-bottom loop at several points, allowing hikers to combine routes as desired. Interpretive signs along the way explain the geology of the gorge and the ecology of the cedar glade community. The Little Miami River below is a National Scenic River, visible from several overlooks along the route.