Gorge & Falls · Ohio

Hocking Hills (Old Man’s Cave)

Recessed caves, gorges & falls in the Midwest

TypeGorge & Falls
StateOhio
Best seasonSpring (full falls) & fall color
How to visitFree state park; trail network (some stairs/ladders)

A surprise of deep hemlock gorges, recessed caves, and waterfalls carved into the sandstone of southeast Ohio — the Midwest’s answer to slot-canyon country. Old Man’s Cave after a rain is the headliner, with Ash Cave and Cedar Falls close behind.

The shot

Old Man’s Cave gorge after rain.

Nearby & worth pairing

  • Ash Cave
  • Cedar Falls
  • Conkle’s Hollow
  • Rock House

Access, fees, permits, and tour availability change with the season and the managing agency (tribal park, state park, BLM, or NPS) — confirm current rules and reservations before you go, tread lightly on sacred and fragile sites, and pack out everything you bring.

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