Hocking Hills State Parks

Old Man's Cave 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 as well as part of two national systems - the North Country Scenic Trail and America's Discovery Trail.

Ash Cave 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 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 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. Many visitors proclaim the Cantwell area as the most picturesque in Hocking County.

Rock House 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 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.

Clear Creek (Metro Park) Over 1200 plant species have been identified in Clear Creek. Among the standouts are mountain laurel, little gray polypody, maidenhair ferns, horsetail, pink ladyslipper, skunk cabbage, witch hazel, American chestnut, and persimmon trees.

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.

Tar Hollow Twisting park and forest roads pass through deep ravines and dense woodlands. Scattered shortleaf and pitch pines growing on the ridges were once a source of pine tar for early settlers, hence the name Tar Hollow. Dogwoods, redbuds and a variety of wildflowers color the hillsides in the springtime. Fall's pageant of color is spectacular.

Lake Hope Just over the Hocking-Vinton County line near the junction of State Route 56 and 278. Rich in natural scenic beauty and recreational opportunities. The park offers camping, cabins, swimming, and canoeing. The Stone Terrace Restaurant, located in the park's lodge, was rated as the ODNR Division of Parks and Recreation's number one dining facility in the state.

Lake Logan The lake has abundant populations of large mouth bass, bluegill, crappie, northern pike and saugeye, plus channel, flathead and bullhead catfish. 400 acre lake. 530 foot beach for sunbathers and swimmers.

Hocking Hills State Forest Today, Hocking State Forest is managed for a variety of objectives including examples or demonstration areas of sound scientific sustained multiple-use management. Timber harvesting is closely monitored so it does not exceed the rate of tree growth. Erosion is actively controlled.

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