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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.

Lower Falls, Another Winter View Photo
© Bud Schrader Photography
Lower Falls, Another Winter View - Is it Old Mans Cave, winter, or a waterfalls. Take your pick.

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 Devils Bathtub, Old Mans Cave Photo
© Bud Schrader Photography
The Devils Bathtub, Old Mans Cave - This is always a challenge to me, still looking for that one decisive 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.

Lower Falls, Old Mans Cave Photo
© Bud Schrader Photography
Lower Falls, Old Mans Cave - Worth the hike down trail to this area.

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
Flint Knapping
Sun Feb 18

Did you know that flint is Ohios state gemstone? Learn more about the uses of this wonderful rock at the Old Mans Cave Visitor Center.

10AM - 11AM

Cost: Free

Phone: 740-385-6841

Interest Tags: Family Oriented, Special Interest, Wildlife,
Critter Tracks
Sat Feb 24

Practice your tracking skills by learning about the different prints left behind by resident critters. Join us at the Old Mans Cave Visitor Center.

10AM - 11AM

Cost: Free

Interest Tags: Outdoor Activity, Family Oriented, Special Interest, Wildlife,
Whats That Bud Winter Tree ID
Sun Feb 25

Do you want to learn how to id trees when they lose their leaves? Join us at the Old Mans Cave Visitor Center to learn more!

10AM - 11AM

Cost: Free

Interest Tags: Family Oriented, Special Interest, Wildlife,
Roaming Reptiles
Sat Mar 2

Explore the visitor center and meet one of the reptiles that calls the park home. Meet either our box turtle or black rat snake. Join us in the Old Mans Cave Visitor Center.

10AM - 11AM

Cost: Free

Interest Tags: Family Oriented, Special Interest, Wildlife,
Recycled Paper Making
Sun Mar 3

Did you know you can recycle paper at home? Come do it here at Hocking Hills! Join us at the Old Mans Cave Visitor Center. Please be aware that you will have to let your paper dry and come back to collect it or take it home wet.

10AM - 11AM

Cost: Free

Interest Tags: Family Oriented, Special Interest, Wildlife,
Maple Sugaring In The Hills
Sat Mar 9

Join us at the historic cabin behind the Old Mans Cave Visitor Center. Take a step back in time to see how maple sugar has been processed over the years. We will have a local producer on site selling their delicious goods.

12PM - 4PM

Cost: Free

Interest Tags: Outdoor Activity, Family Oriented, Special Interest, Wildlife,
Maple Sugaring In The Hills
Sun Mar 10

Join us at the historic cabin behind the Old Mans Cave Visitor Center. Take a step back in time to see how maple sugar has been processed over the years. We will have a local producer on site selling their delicious goods.

12PM - 4PM

Cost: Free

Interest Tags: Outdoor Activity, Family Oriented, Special Interest, Wildlife,
Roaming Reptiles
Sat Mar 16

Explore the visitor center and meet one of the reptiles that calls the park home. Meet either our box turtle or black rat snake. Join us in the Old Mans Cave Visitor Center.

10AM - 11AM

Cost: Free

Interest Tags: Family Oriented, Special Interest, Wildlife,
Rock Painting
Sun Mar 17

Come create some painted rocks for your home or our wildflower garden at the Visitor Center. Join us at the Old Mans Cave Visitor Center. Wear clothing that you don't mind getting paint on.

10AM - 11AM

Cost: Free

Interest Tags: Family Oriented, Special Interest, Wildlife,
Life Cycles
Sat Mar 23

Frogs, butterflies, and earthworms. Oh my! Come meet the naturalist to learn about the life cycles of different organisms. Join us at the Old Mans Cave Visitor Center.

10AM - 11AM

Cost: Free

Interest Tags: Family Oriented, Special Interest, Wildlife,
Nature Painting
Sun Mar 24

Join the naturalist to paint beautiful scenery or cool critters you can find in the area. This is not a guided class but an opportunity to express yourself artistically with materials and inspiration provided. Join us at the Old Mans Cave Visitor Center. Materials are provided but remember this is not a guided class.

10AM - 11AM

Cost: Free

Interest Tags: Family Oriented, Special Interest, Wildlife,
Nature Painting
Sat Mar 30

Join the naturalist to paint beautiful scenery or cool critters you can find in the area. This is not a guided class but an opportunity to express yourself artistically with materials and inspiration provided. Join us at the Old Mans Cave Visitor Center. Materials are provided but remember this is not a guided class.

10AM - 11AM

Cost: Free

Interest Tags: Family Oriented, Special Interest, Wildlife,
Hocking Hills Trail Run
Sat Sep 21

46th 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

For More Information and Registration visit: https://www.explorehockinghills.com/things-to-do/hocking-hills-trail-run/

Cost: Free

Phone: 740-385-2750

Interest Tags: Outdoor Activity, Family Oriented, Special Interest,
Grandma Gatewood Fall Colors Hike
Sat Oct 12

Join us for our annual fall colors hike and take in the scenery along the Grandma Gatewood trail. We will be hiking roughly 6 miles on this trail from Old Mans Cave to Cedar Falls and back.

9AM - 1PM

Cost:

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