Hocking HillsWhere all the best roads lead . . .HIKE. STAY. PLAY. YOUR HOCKING HILLS ADVENTURE BEGINS HERE!
Hocking HillsWhere all the best roads lead . . .HIKE. STAY. PLAY. YOUR HOCKING HILLS ADVENTURE BEGINS HERE!
The preserve offers two loop trails off the main trail—an Orange-blazed Loop many call Jacob’s Ladder and a second Blue Loop. 
Hikers must stay on the trail.
Orange arrows/blazes: The strenuous hike leading upward on the Jacob’s Ladder trail offers hikers a beautiful autumn view. The trail begins at the parking area along a gravel road that eventually turns to a dirt path. Trail is marked with visible aluminum trail arrows and orange blazes. It is about a 1.8-mile loop hike along Jacob’s Ladder trail and considered moderate to strenuous due to the upward climb to the top of the cliff.
Blue arrows/blazes: The blue trail weaves through the Christmas Rocks Goslin Nature Sanctuary and into deep hemlock forest with rock formations and cliffs and is a haven for wildlife like deer. The blue trail (not including the hike to the trailhead) is a 1.6 mile loop trail.
These are among the less-crowded areas about a 40-minute drive from Old Man’s Cave. No pets. Open 1/2 before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset
Christmas Rocks State Nature Preserve
Intersections of Crooks Road SW, Meister Road, & Old Mill Hollow Road Lancaster, Ohio 43130
(Parking: 39.639300, -82.649950 )
There is NO wading or swimming allowed in the waterfalls or creeks.
The initial path to the gravel road that hikers must walk to get to the Christmas Rocks entrance.
Along the gravel path leading to the entrance. It is marked with arrows.
Entrance to the preserve and trailhead.
Along the path. The orange-blaze Jacob's Ladder trail will be to the left and marked with orange arrows where it intersects with the blue trail.
Hikers will ascend upward along a strenuous and rough dirt path, following the orange blazes.
The prize at the top is a beautiful view of the horizon. Hikers can then continue on the loop trail which leads back to the main path. A second loop trail with many rock formations (blue trail) can also be hiked.
Take a look at the trail!
Along the Blue Loop Trail at Christmas Rocks.
A beautiful, more remote hike for fall color views.
There are seven major hiking areas in Hocking Hills State Park - All are one-way trail systems.
Ash Cave, Old Man's Cave, Rock House, Conkle's Hollow, Cedar Falls, Cantwell Cliffs, and Whispering Cave Trail. These park areas offer a unique experience for those who walk its paths no matter what season (the park is open year-round from dawn to dusk)—located on the southern edge of Hocking County. But those are just a handful. There are many hiking trails in the Hocking Hills include those at Wayne National Forest, Clear Creek Metro Parks, Lake Hope State Park, Vinton County Park District's Moonville Tunnel, and Hocking College's Robbins Crossing (with park programs) and the Athens Hock-Hocking Adena Rail Trail bikeway.