Before Your Trip: Choose a Cabin Near Your Route

Staying overnight allows you to begin early, avoid making a long drive before hiking and enjoy the region after the trails close. Choose a cabin based on the part of Hocking Hills you plan to explore rather than assuming every rental is close to every park area.

For this first-visit itinerary, cabins near Old Man’s Cave, Cedar Falls, Ash Cave or State Route 664 provide the most convenient starting points.

Cabins Convenient to Old Man’s Cave and Cedar Falls

Nature’s Retreat Cabins offers several cabins in different parts of the Hocking Hills region, including options convenient to Old Man’s Cave and Cedar Falls. Check the location of each individual cabin before reserving so you can choose the one best suited to this itinerary.

Cabins Convenient to Ash Cave and the Southern Hocking Hills

Eagle’s Nest Cabin is a secluded cabin near South Bloomingville and is convenient to Ash Cave and the southern Hocking Hills.

Whispering Oaks Cabin offers a private wooded stay farther south of the main state-park areas. Allow additional driving time when following the Old Man’s Cave, Cedar Falls and Ash Cave itinerary.

Morning: Begin at Old Man’s Cave

Begin your day at Old Man’s Cave, the best-known hiking area in Hocking Hills State Park. Arriving early gives you a better chance of finding parking and enjoying the gorge before the busiest part of the day.

The classic route leads through the Upper Falls area, the gorge and Old Man’s Cave. Expect stone steps, uneven surfaces and several changes in elevation. Do not judge the hike only by its mileage; the stairs and rugged terrain take time.

Optional Snack Stop: Grandma Faye’s

After leaving the Old Man’s Cave parking area, turn left and continue approximately 1.4 miles to Grandma Faye’s Grocery and Deli. It is a convenient stop for snacks, drinks, sandwiches and other supplies before continuing to Cedar Falls. There are no groceries/shops near Cedar Falls or Ash Cave.

See the Old Man’s Cave trail guide, map and current route information.

Late Morning: Cedar Falls

After Old Man’s Cave, drive to Cedar Falls. Leaving the parking lot from Old Man's Cave, make a right on State Route 664 and then the first right on to State Route 374. Cedar Falls will be on the right. It is 2.6 miles from Old Man's Cave. The main loop is shorter than the Old Man’s Cave route, but it includes uneven stone and wooden steps. Waterfall flow varies considerably with rainfall and season.

Allow approximately 40 minutes for the main 0.6-mile loop, although photography, crowds and trail conditions may lengthen the visit.

See the Cedar Falls trail guide and route information.

Lunch Near the Park

Stop for lunch before continuing to Ash Cave. Restaurants are scattered throughout the region rather than concentrated beside the park entrances, so check locations and hours before beginning your day.

See the Hocking Hills restaurants and dining guide.

Afternoon: Ash Cave

Finish the main hiking portion of the day at Ash Cave. The paved lower gorge trail leads to the enormous recess cave and is the most accessible major trail in Hocking Hills State Park. Visitors continuing beyond the lower trail encounter a long stair climb and a more rugged upper return.

The complete one-way loop is approximately 0.6 mile. Visitors who do not wish to climb the stairs can return along the paved lower trail.

See the Ash Cave trail guide, accessibility information and route details.

Late Afternoon: Shopping or a Nearby Attraction

If time and energy permit, stop at a local shop or attraction before dinner. Choose something near your route rather than driving across the entire region after a full day of hiking.

See the Hocking Hills shopping and local shops guide.

See Hocking Hills attractions and things to do.

Evening: Dinner and Your Cabin

After the trails close, have dinner and return to your cabin. This is also a good time to enjoy a fire, hot tub or quiet evening rather than trying to squeeze in another distant stop before dark. Quick note: All trails close at dusk.

Night driving can be slower on narrow, winding Hocking Hills roads, and cell service is unreliable in portions of the region. Save your cabin directions before leaving and arrive before dark when possible.

Find cabins and lodging in the Hocking Hills.