Exploring Hocking Hills State Park: Top 5 Must-Hike Trails

Hocking Hills State Park boasts a plethora of scenic trails that cater to every type of adventurer. However, if you’re on a brief visit or a weekend getaway, fitting in all the trails can be challenging. Some trails have specific accessibility, dog, or child limitations that require careful planning. Additionally, it’s essential to remember that most of Hocking Hills’ trails are one-way loops, so once you start, you need to finish. Consulting the latest maps online, such as The Hocking Hills can be incredibly helpful. In this post, we’re sharing our top five favorite hikes from our May 2023 trip, where we explored these trails with our two dogs and our three-year-old son.

Old Man’s Cave Trail: The Old Man’s Cave Trail stands as the most popular choice in Hocking Hills, primarily due to its convenient location and accessibility. This one-way loop begins at the Visitor Center and showcases Old Man’s Cave, Upper and Lower Falls, and Devil’s Bathtub. The trail offers picturesque spots for photography, picnics, and relaxation, although swimming is not permitted. Starting and ending at the Visitor Center, you’ll also have access to the area’s best restrooms and a Gift Shop.

Rock House: Rock House is a short forest trail leading to an unexpected surprise—a cave. As we approached the “Rock House,” we were greeted by a sound we initially attributed to wind whistling through the rock formations, despite the calm weather. It was only upon entering the cave that we discovered the true source: cooing doves. Our golden retriever couldn’t contain her excitement, trying to spot all the birds. Michael managed to capture some remarkable shots of the doves and the cave system before we departed. Don’t miss this trail; it’s approximately a one-mile round trip (if you stick to the yellow trail). Please note that there are vault toilets available at the trailhead, but no on-site trash cans.

Ash Cave: Ash Cave consistently ranks high in web searches for Hocking Hills, and for a good reason. If you opt for the paved path, it’s a roughly half-mile round trip, while the full loop spans just under one mile. The accessible path leads to a viewing point showcasing the nearly 100-foot high cave and a beautiful waterfall. For those up to the challenge, leaving the paved path to venture under the cave leads to an easy trail through the woods, ultimately returning to the parking area. Our visit to Ash Cave around 8 in the morning allowed us to enjoy the site with only a handful of other visitors. Expect more crowds later in the day. Similar to other trails, you’ll find vault toilets at the trailhead but no on-site trash cans.

Whispering Cave/Hemlock Trail: Prepare for one of the most strenuous hikes in Hocking Hills State Park with the Whispering Cave/Hemlock Trail, officially measuring 5 miles round trip, though our journey extended to 6 miles by starting from the campground. You can join this trail at various points, but the recommended starting point is the Hocking Hills Visitor Center (offering the most luxurious restrooms in the area). The trail takes you through secluded woods, past Queer Creek, across rocky cliffs, and may leave you questioning your sanity if you bring along two dogs and a toddler. Despite the challenge with our entourage, we found this hike incredibly rewarding, with spectacular views. If it’s your first time hiking with dogs or children, it might be wise to skip this one. Keep in mind that parts of the trail are one-way, so once you begin, you’re committed to completing it.

Have you had the pleasure of visiting Hocking Hills? We’d love to hear about your favorite trails! As always, remember to leave no trace by picking up after yourself.