Cantwell Cliffs Trail (Hocking Hills State Park) Hiking Guide
Cantwell Cliffs sits by itself about 17 miles from Old Man's Cave, and the extra drive keeps it the quietest of the seven main Hocking Hills areas. The short trail system packs in a lot of work: cliffs about 150 feet high, a tight rock passage, repeated climbs and many steps. Local guides call it the most rugged walking in the park.
Rim and Gorge
Two one-way trails leave the parking area on State Route 374 and bring you back to it. The rim route is the demanding one: rugged ups and downs, roots, uneven stone and exposed cliff edges. The lower gorge path is shorter but still uneven, with a dirt surface and repeated short climbs. It passes through a narrow gap between boulders that ODNR's map labels the Squeeze and GoHocking calls Fat Woman's Squeeze. Remove a big pack if it snags. Buck Run spills over part of the cliff face in wet weather.
Distance and Climb, Honestly
ODNR's own sources disagree. Its web list says 2 miles and difficult, while its 2024 map gives 1.1 for the rim and 0.2 for the gorge, 1.3 in total, which is the figure we use since the Hocking Hills Organization's GPS logged nearly the same. For gain, we show GoHocking's 269 feet, recorded for a 0.9-mile loop; Midwest Explored has 292 for a walk just under 2 miles, and Hocking Hikes 223. Allow 60 to 80 minutes, not the 30 to 45 GoHocking suggests.
Who Should Skip It
Anyone uneasy near unguarded edges, and families with young children, are better served by Ash Cave. Local field notes also flag it for people with mobility or health concerns. A leash of no more than 6 feet is required for dogs, but scrambling sections and steps make it a poor choice for many of them. Footing gets slick fast in rain, and the park's general warning about ice and the case for cleats apply with extra force on these rock stairs in winter.
Getting There and Logistics
Rockbridge is the nearest community, and it takes a real detour from the main park cluster, so fuel up and download a map before you leave a town. Cell coverage is patchy in this county. The lot has picnic tables and a reservable shelter, and Hocking Hikes reports only pit toilets. You pay nothing to park or hike. Because the trails close a half hour after sundown, a late afternoon arrival leaves little margin on a 60-to-80-minute route.
History and Crowds
The cliffs are more than scenery: Camp Logan, a segregated CCC camp for Black workers, stood on top of them from 1933 to 1937, and its men improved the trails here. Weekends are busier, but this is the least crowded of the seven areas, and Hocking Hikes says the lot rarely fills. Hocking Hikes rates the fall color from the rim highly. Stay on the marked path everywhere; state rules bar leaving it at Hocking Hills without written permission.
Hiking tips for Cantwell Cliffs Trail (Hocking Hills State Park)
- Leave the bulky backpack in the car or be ready to take it off in the Squeeze.
- Wear boots with grip; flat-soled shoes struggle on the rim route's rock and roots.
- Start with at least 90 minutes of daylight left.
- Save it for a dry day unless you are comfortable on slick stone.
- Carry water, since this is a remote corner of the park.
Nearby trails to explore
- Rock House Trail (Hocking Hills State Park)
- Conkles Hollow Rim Trail
- Old Man's Cave Trail (Hocking Hills State Park)
Hike this trail with TrailMates
Cantwell's quiet and its exposed rim both make a partner worthwhile. Propose a date in TrailMates, share pace and carpool plans in the event's group chat, and make the drive together. Download TrailMates on the App Store or Google Play.