I’ve always enjoyed visiting Hocking Hills State Park and have returned multiple times over the years. Hocking Hills State Park, situated in Southeastern Ohio, is renowned for its waterfalls, deep gorges, caves, and distinctive rock formations. Based on my positive experiences in the past, I figured it would be a great place to bring my little pup on his first out-of-state road trip. I found both the State Park and the surrounding areas – including trails, cabins, restaurants, wineries, and breweries – to be very dog-friendly. All in all, I had a great time hiking Hocking Hills with my pup. In this hiking guide to Hocking Hills, I will introduce you to seven scenic and dog-friendly trails not to miss on your first trip to the park.
Table of Contents
1. Old Man’s Cave (Upper and Lower Falls)
- Type: Loop
- Parking: Hocking Hills Visitor Center
- Distance: 1.2 miles
- Elevation gain: 164 feet
- Difficulty: Moderate
Old Man’s Cave is the most popular trail in Hocking Hills. Conveniently located next to the Visitor Center, this short trail passes multiple rock formations. The trail leads through a deep gorge, waterfalls, tunnels, and bridges. You will pass Upper and Lower Falls, Devil’s Bathtub, and the park’s well-known A-frame bridge. Old Man’s Cave – technically a recess cave – was named after Richard Rowe, an old man who used to inhabit the cave in the 1800s.
The best way to hike to Old Man’s Cave is to start from the Visitor Center’s parking lot and head toward the Upper Falls, following the Grandma Gatewood/Buckeye Trail. Then, make your way to the Lower Falls before heading to Old Man’s Cave and finishing back at the Visitor Center.
2. Whispering Cave/Hemlock Bridge
- Type: Loop
- Parking: Hocking Hills Visitor Center or Cedar Falls
- Distance: 5+ miles
- Elevation gain: 301 feet
- Difficulty: Moderate
Whispering Cave is the second largest recess cave in Hocking Hills and also features a swinging bridge and a waterfall. Note: This one-way loop trail features steeper terrain with inclines and cliff edges.
To get to Whispering Cave, you can either hike five miles from the Visitor Center or hike 5.8 miles from Cedar Falls. Follow the Grandma Gatewood/Buckeye Trail and then catch the Purple Trail to Whispering Cave. If you need to hike back to Cedar Falls, you can also opt for the Gorge Overlook Trail by Rose Lake.
3. Cedar Falls
- Type: Loop
- Parking: Cedar Falls
- Distance: 0.5 miles
- Elevation gain: 91 feet
- Difficulty: Easy
Surrounded by a cliff face, you will find Cedar Falls, the waterfall with the greatest volume in Hocking Hills. You will pass a boardwalk, unique rock formations, and a series of steps on your way to the waterfall. The trail is short and easily accessible from the Cedar Falls parking lot, following an easy one-way loop.
If you’re looking for a longer hike, you can continue either to Old Man’s Cave by following the Buckeye Trail or the Gorge Overlook Trail or to Ash Cave by following the Buckeye Trail.
4. Ash Cave
- Type: Loop
- Parking: Ash Cave
- Distance: 0.5 miles
- Elevation gain: 111 feet
- Difficulty: Easy
Ash Cave isn’t just the largest recess cave in Hocking Hills; it’s the largest in the whole state of Ohio. This horseshoe-shaped cave measures 700 feet in length, making for quite an impressive sight (while also making you feel quite small). You will also find a seasonal waterfall here.
The cave takes its name from the piles of ashes of unknown origin that early settlers discovered at this location. Ash Cave has had multiple uses over time – first as a shelter, then a worship spot, and, lastly, a meeting location for the township.
Ash Cave is easily accessible from its parking lot and connects to other trails in the park. From the cave, you can follow the Buckeye Trail for an additional 2.3 miles to Cedar Falls.
5. Rock House
- Type: Loop
- Parking: Rock House
- Distance: 0.8 miles
- Elevation gain: 203 feet
- Difficulty: Moderate
Rock House is the only true cave in Hocking Hills. Situated halfway up a cliff, it resembles a house due to its sandstone columns and natural windows overlooking the lush green valley. Native Americans used Rock House as a shelter in the past; in fact, the recesses at the back of the cave show evidence that they were used for cooking and collecting water. Folklore says that robbers and horse thieves used to occupy the cave as well.
You can hike to Rock House from its upper or lower parking lots, following either the Rock House Gorge Trail or the Rock House Rim Trail, both of which meet at Rock House. Keep in mind that you must climb steps and steep inclines to reach the cave, and make sure you bring a flashlight to take a closer look inside the cave.
6. Cantwell Cliffs
- Type: Loop
- Parking: Cantwell Cliffs
- Distance: 1–2 miles
- Elevation gain: 269 feet
- Difficulty: Moderate
While Cantwell Cliffs, located in the northernmost area of the park, is the most distant of the park’s hikes, it is one of the most scenic. As you cross its gorgeous terrain, you will encounter steep, dramatic cliffs overlooking a deep valley. The area is characterized by its many small passages, the narrowest one of which has been named Fat Woman’s Squeeze. There is also a lookout point that features unique views of cliffs and a rock shelter with a seasonal waterfall.
Fat Woman’s Squeeze is located close to the trailhead; from there, you can either follow the gorge trail on the valley floor or the rim trail overlooking the valley. They are both about one-mile long.
7. Gorge Overlook Trail
- Type: Out and back
- Parking: Hocking Hills Visitor Center or Cedar Falls
- Distance: 3 miles
- Elevation gain: 164 feet
- Difficulty: Easy
The Gorge Overlook Trail connects Old Man’s Cave with Cedar Falls. This is one of a few out-and-back trails in Hocking Hills, so you are likely to encounter hikers coming from both directions. The trail is enjoyable and leads mainly through the woods, reaching Rose Lake halfway through.
You can access the trail from either Cedar Falls or the Visitor Center. The Gorge Overlook Trail can be combined with the Buckeye Trail for a 6.2-mile loop.
Good to know: The trails we covered are the most popular hikes in Hocking Hills that allow dogs. While there is another popular hike in Hocking Hills – Conkle’s Hollow. However, it is not a dog-friendly hike because it is a part of an Ohio State Nature Preserve, which does not allow dogs on trails.
Tips for hiking Hocking Hills
- Start at the Visitor Center to familiarize yourself with the trail structures. Hocking Hills features a lot of one-way trails, which can make navigating the park a bit confusing.
- Bring a paper map. Alternatively, download a maps.me application so that you can access your map even when you’re offline.
- Bring sturdy, waterproof boots. Most of the hiking trails lead through shaded areas that are close to water; depending on the weather, the trails might be muddy and slippery.
- Carry insect repellent during the summer. That proximity to water can also result in an abundance of annoying insects.
- Bring rain protection. The weather in Ohio can be moody, and heavy rains are common. Don’t get caught by surprise, especially considering that a lot of Hocking Hills trails are one-way loops.
- Bring lunch or snacks with you. The closest area to get food is Logan, a small city about a 20-minute drive from the Visitor Center. You could also grab lunch on the way and have a picnic. You will find picnic tables and shelters at most park trailheads.
- Pack a flashlight or head lamp, especially if you plan to hike early or late in a day. You will also need light when visiting the Rock House.
Logistics for planning your trip
When to visit Hocking Hills
Hocking Hills is beautiful all year long. You will find wildflowers and full-blown waterfalls in spring, lush green vegetation and warm weather in summer, colorful leaves in fall, and icy waterfalls in winter. Summer and fall are the park’s busiest seasons. Since the weather tends to be a bit muggy in summer, the shoulder seasons might be your best bet if you like cooler weather. Late winter and early spring are the best for those wanting to see the waterfalls in their full glory.
How much time to spend at Hocking Hills
A weekend is sufficient for a visit to Hocking Hills. Its wide selection of short, one-way loops can be easily split into a two-day itinerary, especially if you’re traveling with kids.
Where to stay at Hocking Hills
If you plan to do a lot of hiking, find a place to stay near Hocking Hills. If you’re interested in other activities in the area, consider Logan. Only a 20-minute drive from the park, the small city features restaurants, grocery stores, breweries, and wineries – everything you need to enjoy yourself after a day of hiking.
I recommend finding a cozy cabin in the woods, where you can relax in a hot tub or by the fire. The Hocking Hills area has a nice selection of cabins ranging in amenities from primitive to luxury. There is also the option of tent camping and glamping, including yurts and tipis if you prefer more outdoorsy options. Alternatively, you will find hotels in the Logan area.
Proposed weekend Itinerary
Day 1: Friday
Arrive at Hocking Hills on Friday evening. Check into your hotel/cabin and make yourself comfortable.
Day 2: Saturday
Start early. I suggest spending the first day in the Old Man’s Cave area, seeking out as many of the nearby attractions and trails as you like.
Recommended hikes for Day 2:
- Old Man’s Cave (with the Upper and Lower Falls)
- Cedar Falls
- Ash Cave
- Whispering Cave
- Gorge Overlook Trail (with Rose Lake)
If you like longer hikes, you can hike from Old Man’s Cave to Cedar Falls and back, stopping at Whispering Cave on the way. You can even make it all the way from Old Man’s Cave to Ash Cave, as all these trails are connected via a 12.3-mile out-and-back. Just remember that you will need to hike back to your starting point since there are no shuttles running between different parts of the park. The most interesting area on Day 2 will be the walk from Old Man’s Cave to Cedar Falls.
After a busy day of hiking, relax at one of the local wineries or breweries.
Day 3: Sunday
Take it easy on Day 3, focusing on more remote areas of the park, such as:
- Rock House
- Cantwell Cliffs
After these treks, you can spend the afternoon on other outdoor activities (e.g., kayaking on Logan Lake or along the Hocking River before heading home).
Overall
Hocking Hills is quite a gem and should be on any Midwest hiker’s bucket list. Though the total land area is on the smaller side, it includes a surprising variety of interesting geological features (e.g., caves, waterfalls, lakes, and more). Additionally, it’s a perfect dog-friendly destination. If you get a chance to explore these seven scenic dog-friendly trails, let me know in the comments which is your favorite. I hope you have as much time hiking Hocking Hills as I did!
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