Hocking Hills State Park in Southeastern Ohio
There are over 25 miles of trails winding through Hocking Hills State Park. Each trail is unique, offering visitors to the park breathtaking views of streams with cascading waterfalls, mysterious, dark gorges and rugged, awesome ridges. Trails lead to caves at Ash Cave and Cantwell Cliffs, through towering hemlocks at Cedar Falls and rises 200 feet above the ground along the rim of Conkle’s Hollow.
These trails are beautiful and potentially dangerous. Caution and common sense are advised. Young children should be closely supervised.
The most popular of all the Hocking Hills areas is Old Man’s Cave, located on State Route 664. Here at the Upper Falls, the Grandma Gatewood Trail begins its six-mile course connecting three of the park’s areas: Old Man’s Cave to Cedar Falls to Ash Cave. This same trail has been designated as part of Ohio’s Buckeye Trail.
In the southernmost reaches of Hocking Hills is Ash Cave beyond doubt the most spectacular feature of the entire park. Ash Cave is the largest, most impressive recess cave in the state.
Conkle’s Hollow, situated off S.R. 374 on Big Pine Road is a rugged, rocky gorge – considered one of the deepest in Ohio. The valley floor is a veritable wilderness covered by a profusion of ferns and wildflowers while hemlock, birch and other hardwood tower overhead.
Cantwell Cliffs is located in the northern reaches of Hocking Hills – 17 miles from Old Man’s Cave on S.R. 374. Its remote location discourages visitation, but those who travel the extra distance will not be disappointed.
Rock House State Park is unique in the Hocking Hills’ region, as it is the only true cave in the park. It is a tunnel-like corridor situated midway up a 150-foot cliff of Blackhand sandstone.
Cedar Falls itself is the greatest waterfall in terms of volume in the Hocking Hills region. Queer Creek tumbles over the face of the Blackhand displaying the awesome force of water power.
Rock Bridge Hocking County’s natural rock bridge is the largest of three such formations in Ohio. The 100-foot-long span, formed from Blackhand sandstone, looms 45 feet above the bottom of the gorge below.
The park operates 40 gas-heated and air-conditioned family cottages. Each has two bedrooms (one with two twin beds; one with a double bed).
All cottages feature a bath with a shower, living room with gas-burning fireplace, complete kitchen, dining area and screened porch.
The 172 site campground is situated on a wooded ridge and is open year-round on a first-come, first-served basis. The Hocking Hills Campground features a total of 172 sites with approximately 159 of these which are electric. Got a pet? There are 93 sites set aside for camping with your pet. Limit of 2 pets! Guests can enjoy a swimming pool and showers. Seasonal Saturday night movies, a Halloween campout and easy access to Rose Lake trout fishing are a special treat for campground guests. Electric sites are available. Reservations are required for the group camp areas which allow tents only.
From guided night hikes through the dim recesses of Ash Cave in the spring to a snow-covered exploration complete with bean dinner after the hike for Ohio’s elusive owls in the winter, the park offers its visitors programs all year long.
There is all this and much more to see at Hocking Hills State Park. If you love nature’s beauty I highly recommend visiting Hocking Hills and all the areas within the park. Lake Logan is just a short trip away for all you fishermen and swimmers to enjoy. The lake has abundant populations of large mouth bass, bluegill, crappie, northern pike and saugeye, plus channel, flathead and bullhead catfish. A 400 acre lake and 530 foot beach for sunbathers and swimmers.
Also please visit http://www.hockinghills.com/
