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© Bud Schrader Photography

Old Man's Cave

The most popular of all the Hocking 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 as well as part of two national systems - the North Country Scenic Trail and America's Discovery Trail.

Inside Old Mans Cave Photo
© Bud Schrader Photography
Inside Old Mans Cave - So much to see, but this is what it looks like from inside the cave

Old Man's Cave derives its name from the hermit Richard Rowe who lived in the large recess cave of the gorge. His family moved to the Ohio River Valley around 1796 from the Cumberland Mountains of Tennessee to establish a trading post. He and his two dogs traveled through Ohio along the Scioto River in search of game. On one side trip up Salt Creek, he found the Hocking Region. Rowe lived out his life in the area and is buried beneath the ledge of the main recess cave. Earlier residents of the cave were two brothers, Nathaniel and Pat Rayon, who came to the area in 1795. They built a permanent cabin 30 feet north of the cave entrance. Both brothers are buried in or near the cave. Their cabin was later dismantled and relocated on the nearby Iles farm to be used as a tobacco drying house.

   The Devil
© Bud Schrader Photography
The Devil's Bathtub - Bath, Anyone - I'm always striving to get just the shot I want - no I haven't made it yet, but if you don't get out there, it will never happen. This is however, a cool shot.

The Old Man's Cave area can be divided into five principal sections found along the valley of Old Man's Creek. In order, they are: Upper Falls, Upper Gorge, Middle Falls, Lower Falls and Lower Gorge. Along the length of the trail the magnificent gorge cuts through the entire 150-foot thickness of the Blackhand sandstone. Carved by the creek, the gorge serves as an avenue for visitors to peer into the earth's subsurface. The full distance of the gorge is approximately one half mile.

Frozen Winter Trail  Photo
© hockinghills.com
Frozen Winter Trail -

Whispering Cave Trail Map (new)
Whispering Cave Trail Map
Old Man's Cave Hiking Trail Map
Old Mans Cave Hiking Trail Map
Location Map
Old Mans Cave Campground Map
Old Mans Cave Cottage Map
Calendar of Events
Old Mans Cave Hike
Tue Sep 12

Join us every Tuesday for a moderate, 1 mile round trip through the gorge. Meet us at the Old Mans Cave Visitor Center at 10 AM.

Cost: Free

Interest Tags: Outdoor Activity, Family Oriented, Special Interest, Wildlife,
Roaming Reptiles
Fri Sep 15

Come meet some of our local reptiles. Join us at 2 pm at the Old Mans Cave Visitor Center.

Cost: Free

Phone: 7403856841

Interest Tags: Outdoor Activity, Family Oriented, Special Interest, Wildlife,
Hocking Hills Trail Run
Sat Sep 16

45th Annual Hocking Hills Trail Run offers runners the chance to test their abilities on the gorgeous yet technical features of the Hocking Hills and State Park in either a 60k, 40k, 20k, 10k, or 5k race options. Its not all about winning. Walkers and pets on leashes are welcome too.

Meetup at Old Mans Cave Naturalist Cabin

First Race Start at 7AM

Cost: Free

Phone: 740-385-2750

Interest Tags: Outdoor Activity, Family Oriented, Special Interest,
Old Mans Cave Hike
Tue Sep 19

Join us every Tuesday for a moderate, 1 mile round trip through the gorge. Meet us at the Old Mans Cave Visitor Center at 10 AM.

Cost: Free

Interest Tags: Outdoor Activity, Family Oriented, Special Interest, Wildlife,
Whos Hoo
Fri Sep 22

Come meet one of our resident owls. Join us at 11 am at the Naturalist Cabin behind the Old Mans Cave Visitor Center. If the weather is bad, we will meet inside the Visitor Center.

Cost: Free

Phone: 7403856841

Interest Tags: Outdoor Activity, Family Oriented, Special Interest, Wildlife,
Leaf Prints
Sat Sep 23

Leaf your own print! Come create your own take home leaf print at the Old Man’s Cave Visitor Center. All materials are provided.

10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Cost: Free

Contact: Hocking Hills State Park

Interest Tags: Outdoor Activity, Family Oriented, Special Interest, Wildlife,
Old Mans Cave Hike
Tue Sep 26

Join us every Tuesday for a moderate, 1 mile round trip through the gorge. Meet us at the Old Mans Cave Visitor Center at 10 AM.

Cost: Free

Interest Tags: Outdoor Activity, Family Oriented, Special Interest, Wildlife,
Critter Chat: Bears
Fri Sep 29

Is Ohio bear country? Find out the answer and more at this critter chat! Join us at the Old Man's Cave Visitor Center.

10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Cost: Free

Interest Tags: Outdoor Activity, Family Oriented, Special Interest, Wildlife,
Clay Critter Tracks
Sat Sep 30

Ever wonder who left behind that foot print in the mud? Learn who leaves what tracks as you create your own critter pendant! Join the experts at the Old Man's Cave Visitor Center. All materials are provided.

10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Cost: Free

Interest Tags: Outdoor Activity, Family Oriented, Special Interest, Wildlife,
Old Mans Cave Hike
Tue Oct 3

Join us every Tuesday for a moderate, 1 mile round trip through the gorge. Meet us at the Old Mans Cave Visitor Center at 10 AM.

Cost: Free

Interest Tags: Outdoor Activity, Family Oriented, Special Interest, Wildlife,
Critter Chat: Bobcats
Fri Oct 6

More than just a mascot, hear about how these creatures are making a comeback. Join us at the Old Man's Cave Visitor Center.

10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Cost: Free

Interest Tags: Outdoor Activity, Family Oriented, Special Interest, Wildlife,
Nature Origami
Sat Oct 7

Join us at the Old Man's Cave Visitor Center to explore the art of origami by crafting adorable paper creatures and intricate plant designs. All necessary materials will be supplied for your creative enjoyment.

10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Cost: Free

Interest Tags: Family Oriented, Special Interest, Arts/Music/Film, Wildlife,
Old Mans Cave Hike
Tue Oct 10

Join us every Tuesday for a moderate, 1 mile round trip through the gorge. Meet us at the Old Mans Cave Visitor Center at 10 AM - 11 AM.

Cost: Free

Interest Tags: Outdoor Activity, Family Oriented, Special Interest, Wildlife,
Critter Chat: Bats
Fri Oct 13

Ever wondered if all bats have a taste for blood or if they truly have a fascination with your hair at night? Discover the truth about these common myths and explore the value of bat guano in our special, intriguing critter chat.

Join us at the Old Man's Cave Visitor Center to unravel these mysteries and learn more about these fascinating creatures.

10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Cost: Free

Interest Tags: Family Oriented, Special Interest, Wildlife,
Grandma Gatewood's Fall Colors Hike
Sat Oct 14

Meet with the Naturalist at the Old Mans Cave Visitor Center for a strenuous 6-mile hike, including roughly 3 miles of the Grandma Gatewood (Buckeye) Trail.

We will be navigating the section which runs from Old Mans Cave to Cedar Falls, returning on the Gorge Overlook Trail. Come enjoy the scenic beauty and cultural personality from one of the most popular gorges in the Hocking Hills.

This hike does include several hills and steps and is not recommended for the easily winded individual. Bring along a cool drink and celebrate the season’s colors with us!

9AM - 1PM

Cost: Free

Phone: 7403856841

Interest Tags: Outdoor Activity, Family Oriented, Special Interest, Wildlife,
Old Mans Cave Hike
Tue Oct 17

Join us every Tuesday for a moderate, 1 mile round trip through the gorge. Meet us at the Old Mans Cave Visitor Center at 10 AM - 11 AM.

Cost: Free

Interest Tags: Outdoor Activity, Family Oriented, Special Interest, Wildlife,
Slithering Snakes
Fri Oct 20

Discover the serpentine residents of the hills at the Old Man's Cave Visitor Center. Gain insights into Ohio's native snakes and understand how to coexist harmoniously with these natural pest controllers.

10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Cost: Free

Interest Tags: Family Oriented, Special Interest, Wildlife,
Coffee Filter Bats
Sat Oct 21

Craft your very own bats to add a spooky touch to your home this season. Join us at the Old Man's Cave Visitor Center, where all the necessary materials will be supplied for your creative enjoyment.

10 AM - 11 AM.

Cost: Free

Interest Tags: Outdoor Activity, Family Oriented, Special Interest, Wildlife,
Old Mans Cave Hike
Tue Oct 24

Join us every Tuesday for a moderate, 1 mile round trip through the gorge. Meet us at the Old Mans Cave Visitor Center at 10 AM - 11 AM.

Cost: Free

Interest Tags: Outdoor Activity, Family Oriented, Special Interest, Wildlife,
Ghost Stories at Old Man Cave
Fri Oct 27

Gather with our Naturalists at the Historic Cabin near the Old Man's Cave Visitor Center to listen to eerie Ohio tales. Afterward, accompany us on a guided nighttime tour into Old Man's Cave and delve into the legend of the Old Man.

7 PM - 8 PM.

Cost: Free

Interest Tags: Outdoor Activity, Family Oriented, Special Interest, Wildlife,
Old Mans Cave Hike
Tue Oct 31

Join us every Tuesday for a moderate, 1 mile round trip through the gorge. Meet us at the Old Mans Cave Visitor Center at 10 AM - 11 AM.

Cost: Free

Interest Tags: Outdoor Activity, Family Oriented, Special Interest, Wildlife,
Winter Hike at Hocking Hills
Sat Jan 20

Enjoy winters splendor on this 6 mile trek from Old Mans Cave to Ash Cave. Layered clothing and good footwear recommended. Continuous starts from 9 - 11a.m. Logan Kiwanis Club famous bean soup and cornbread muffins are served at Cedar Falls (donations appreciated). A shuttle bus returns hikers to Old Mans Cave parking area.

Cost: Free

Contact: Hocking Hills State Park, Phone: 740-385-6841

Interest Tags: Outdoor Activity, Family Oriented, Special Interest, Wildlife,
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