Clifton Gorge State Nature Preserve

[1] Geologically, the canyon was cut into dolomite and shale bedrock dating to the Silurian Period some 400 million years ago.

[3] The Little Miami River rushing through the narrow canyon created a water power source in the nineteenth century for grist mills, cotton mills, paper factories, and breweries.

[3] But by the late 1800s, most of the industrial activity ended when water power ceased to be an economical source of energy.

[7] It also adjoins the 752-acre John Bryan State Park, which offers additional trails as well as boating, fishing, camping, and other amenities.

[4][8] That park, in turn, adjoins the 1,147 acre[9] Glen Helen Nature Preserve, which has its own 15-mile network of footpaths, and which includes the famous Yellow Spring that gave the nearby town its name.