Hiking Hocking Hills

Hike Length: Approximately 1 mile (can be lengthened to 5 miles with the addition of the Cedar Falls loop)

Hike Difficulty: Easy to Moderate

Pet-friendly: Yes (on leash)

Wheelchair/stroller accessible: No

Parking: Hocking Hills State Park Visitor Center, 19988 OH-664 Scenic, Logan, OH 43138

Pros: Historically significant, magnificent scenery, no entrance fee, trailhead is at entrance of the beautiful new Hocking Hills State Park Visitor Center.

Cons: Swimming not permitted, can be crowded during peak times.

Special Notes: This is a must see but it can get very crowded. We recommend you visit earlier in the day or on a weekday.

Old Man's Cave, a central attraction in Hocking Hills, Ohio (and only 1 mile from Idyll Reserve's luxury cabins) a unique blend of history, natural beauty, and hiking adventures. Named after Richard Rowe, a hermit who lived in the cave in the late 1700s, the site features a one-mile trail of easy-moderate difficulty, winding along the floor of the 150-ft gorge, typically taking about an hour to complete. This trail intersects several other park trails - see map.

While there's no cost to visit, the park's unique features, such as the Devil's Bathtub, are for viewing, not swimming. This protects the delicate ecosystem and ensures everyone's safety. *Devil’s Bathtub is VERY slippery please hold onto kids and dogs at all times.

Visitors are captivated by the striking rock formations, waterfalls, and the captivating history of Old Man's Cave. Its accessibility and rich offerings make it an enticing outdoor activity for guests in Ohio.

Hike Length: 1/2 mile from Cedar Falls Parking Lot or 5 miles round trip from Old Man's Cave trail

Hike Difficulty: Moderate

Pet-friendly: Yes (on leash)

Wheelchair/stroller accessible: No

Parking: Hocking Hills Visitor Center or Cedar Falls parking lot on Hwy 374 (for a shorter hike)

Pros: Scenic trail with diverse landscapes, iconic landmarks, and picturesque waterfalls (swimming allowed!)

Cons: moderate difficulty level may not be suitable for all fitness levels

Either park at the Cedar Falls parking lot on Hwy 374, or continue your hike from Old Man's Cave on the Gorge Overlook trail to Cedar Falls, traversing approximately 5 miles of scenic beauty in Hocking Hills, Ohio - see map.

This moderate hike offers a delightful blend of lush forests, rugged terrain, and enchanting waterfalls. Witness the iconic landmarks that make this journey so special, including the cascading waters of Cedar Falls itself, which empties into Queer Creek (where you and your pup can swim till the sun goes down). The trail showcases the region's natural beauty and provides ample opportunities for stunning photographs and unforgettable memories.

While the hike presents a moderate level of difficulty, with some uneven terrain, the rewards far outweigh the challenges.

Hike Length: Rim trail - approximately 2.5 miles, Gorge trail - approximately 0.5 miles

Hike Difficulty:
Rim trail - Strenuous
Gorge trail - Easy

Pet Friendly: No

Wheelchair/Stroller accessible: Gorge trail Yes, Rim trail No

Parking: 24858 Big Pine Rd, Rockbridge, OH 43149 (the trail starts at the opposite end of the parking lot from the restrooms)

Description: Nestled in the heart of Hocking Hills, less than a mile from Idyll Reserve cabins, lies Conkles Hollow Nature Preserve, offering two trails for all levels of hiking enthusiasts. The 2.5-mile Rim trail with its significant elevation gain is more challenging and not recommended for kids or not experienced hikers. The serene, wheelchair-accessible .5-mile Gorge trail is beautiful in all seasons - in the winter you can see the icicles form from the waterfalls. It has a wide, paved trail that winds through a gorge - high cliffs on the sides, a creek meandering through, trees trees trees! It's markedly cooler in the gorge, so great for hot summer days.

This is a Nature Preserve and the no-dogs rule is strictly enforced.

Hike Length: 1.5 miles

Hike Difficulty: Easy to Moderate

Pet-friendly: Yes (on leash)

Wheelchair/stroller accessible: No

Parking: 24799 Purcell Road, South Bloomingville, Ohio 43152 - 1/4 miles past the Camp Oty’Okwa reception buildings - or just walk to the right from Idyll Reserve’s entrance.

Notes: Camp Oty’Okwa (Big Brothers Big Sisters summer camp) welcomes Idyll Reserve guests on their trails with a few requests: please don’t park at the camp buildings or use their facilities. Please take extra care to follow the golden rule of hiking (leave no trace) as there is no trail maintenance crew aside from the camp volunteers.

If you enjoyed the trail (we suspect you will) and want to send the camp a thank you, here’s a donation link to help send a camper in need to summer camp at Camp Oty’Okwa.

Split Rocks is an absolute hidden gem of a hike located within easy walking distance of Idyll Reserve’s luxury cabins. The hike is about 1.5 miles round trip and is easy to moderate (when climbing down into the rock formations to explore - which you simply must do) in difficulty.

This public trail is part of Camp Oty'Okwa Old-Growth Forest is a 200 acre forest found within the land owned by Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Ohio. The forest surrounds an outstanding geologic feature called Split Rocks. Here, perhaps as the result of a past earthquake, the massive Black Hand Sandstone has split into numerous large vertical slabs creating an amazing maze-like feature in the interior. Climbing down into the maze of rock formations in one of our favorite Hocking Hills experiences (and super for kids of all ages). It would be easy to overlook the rocks but please do yourself a favor and explore and get lost in them. You won’t regret it.

Pros

• Beautiful scenery

• Moderate hike

• Close to Idyll Reserve

• Free to visit

Cons

• No facilities available

What to Expect

Visitors can expect to see beautiful scenery, including a variety of trees (some chestnuts are over 200 years old!), wildflowers, and wildlife. The hike is moderate in difficulty and takes about 30 minutes to complete. However you spend a lot of time exploring the rock features. There are no facilities available at the trailhead, so be sure to pack water and snacks.

How to Get There

Split Rocks is located within walking distance of Idyll Reserve. To get to the trailhead, follow the signs to Camp Oty'okwa. The trailhead is located on the right side of the road, just about 1/2 mile up from the entrance to Idyll Reserve. It will be past the camp pool and pavilion area. At the entrance of the trail you’ll see a small gravel parking area, and a historic cabin. The road and the trail are public. Do not get discouraged by the camp signage directing camp visitors to sign-in (not necessary for visitors to the public trail)). All are welcome to walk the road, park in the trail’s gravel lot , and hike along the trail.

Hike Length: 1 mile

Hike Difficulty: Moderate

Pet-friendly: Yes (on leash)

Wheelchair/Stroller accessible: No

Parking: 19852 OH-664 S, Logan, OH 43138 - longer walk from the 2nd parking lot

While our luxury cabins at Idyll Reserve offer a tranquil retreat, the Rock House offers a fascinating glimpse into Ohio's geological past. The only true cave in Hocking Hills State Park, this grand tunnel-like corridor is situated midway up a 150-foot cliff of Black Hand sandstone. Its formation traces back to millions of years ago when Ohio was beneath a prehistoric ocean.

Nature has hewn out the Rock House, complete with seven Gothic-arched windows and great sandstone columns which bear its massive roof. Rock house was used for centuries as shelter by past inhabitants. Hominy holes, small recesses in the rear wall of Rock House, served as baking ovens for Native Americans. By building a fire in the small recesses, the rock became heated on all sides, and food could be bakes in this crude manner. Further evidence of past use is the presence of chiseled out troughs or holding tanks found in the stone floor. When rainfall is abundant, springs of water permeate through the porous sandstone and flow into these troughs fashioned by man and, when full, continue across the floor and out of the windows. In this way, residents were able to maintain a small water supply in Rock House. According to local folklore, other not so welcome visitors frequented Rock House. Robbers, horse thieves, murderers and even bootleggers earned Rock House its reputation as Robbers Roost.

The trail is a fairly easy walk with some steps and uneven terrain so not suitable for anyone with trouble walking. The return trail to the parking lot is all uphill.

There is no wading or swimming allowed in the waterfalls and creeks.

Hike Length: 0.5 miles

Hike Difficulty: Easy

Pet-friendly: Yes (on leash)

Wheelchair/Stroller accessible: Yes

Parking: 27291 State Route 56, South Bloomingville, OH 43152

Pros: Accessible to all fitness levels, steeped in historical significance, convenient parking, and magnificent views.

Cons: Can get crowded during peak season, not as challenging for seasoned hikers. Cave and waterfall are not wheelchair-accessible

Within the scenic landscapes of Hocking Hills, Ohio, Ash Cave is a must-visit attraction, located a short 10-minute drive from Idyll Reserve's luxury cabins.

The hike to Ash Cave, the largest recess cave in Ohio, is an easy half-mile round trip, typically taking less than an hour. It is a paved trail through a stunning gorge, lined with cliff walls. Halfway along the trail there is a recess cave and a fantastic seasonal waterfall (there are steps here to the cave itself so this ares is not accessible for wheelchairs).

The cave is named for the piles of ash discovered here, believed to be remnants of hundreds of years of ancient Native American activities (several thousand bushels of ash were excavated from the cave!).

No swimming or wading allowed.

Hike Length: 2 trails, each 1.25 miles

Hike Difficulty: Moderate

Pet-friendly: Yes (on leash)

Wheelchair/Stroller accessible: No

Parking: Cantwell Cliffs OH-374, Rockbridge, OH 43149 | GPS Tracking: (39.539874, -82.575814)

The Cantwell Cliffs trail is the furthest flung trail from Old Man’s Cave and the cabins at Idyll Reserve (17 miles!), and the most rugged in the Hocking Hills park system. Its remote location in the Northern section of Hocking Hills 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.

There are over two miles of trail with two loops (the gorge and the rim route), each being one mile. It is recommended that you print or download a map of the trails, as they are not well marked and intersect in places.

Cantwell Cliffs, nestled in Hocking Hills, Ohio, is a must-see for nature enthusiasts. Known for its deep valleys and towering cliffs, this stunning location offers breathtaking views and a journey into the heart of Ohio's natural beauty. The area provides a tranquil setting, perfect for hiking and exploration, with trails winding through lush forests and alongside dramatic, rocky outcrops. The eponymous cliffs, carved by millions of years of erosion, feature unique formations such as the unfortunately-named ‘Fat Woman's Squeeze’, a narrow passageway that leads to the bottom of the ravine. The site also includes a series of natural staircases, adding a sense of adventure to your hike.

Wildlife is abundant, with opportunities for birdwatching and spotting other local fauna. Each season brings its own charm to Cantwell Cliffs, making it a year-round destination. In the spring, wildflowers bloom along the trails, while fall transforms the landscape into a vivid palette of colors. Whether you're an avid hiker or just someone looking for a peaceful retreat, Cantwell Cliffs offers an unforgettable experience of Ohio's wilderness.