Cedar Falls Loop (Hocking Hills State Park) Hiking Guide
Queer Creek drops about 50 feet over dark sandstone here, and by volume nothing else in the Hocking Hills compares. A one-way loop goes down long flights of steps into a hemlock gorge, walks up the creek to the base of the falls, and climbs back out on rougher ground. Timing matters more than at most waterfalls, because the flow can fade to very little in a dry spell.
Down, Along, and Back Up
Pick up the trail at Marker H, across from the restrooms. Uneven stone and wooden steps descend to the creek, and from there to the falls is the easy part. Beyond the waterfall you meet more stairs and a more rugged path on the way back to the car. Partway down are the Democracy Steps, nearly 100 steps laid out by the architect and mathematician Akio Hizume, according to GoHocking. Allow about 40 minutes, longer if you stop to watch the water.
Length and Climb
Figures vary more than you would expect for such a short walk. GoHocking gives 0.9 mile and 177 feet, which we use; Midwest Explored has 157 feet, and Hocking Hikes says 200-plus. Among sources for distance, the park's list says 1 mile, its map gives the signed Cedar Falls Trail alone 0.4, and the Hocking Hills Organization's GPS logged about 0.6. GoHocking rates it easy; the park calls it moderate, and we side with the park because of the stairs.
Water and Weather
HockingHills.com says the falls run strongest from late winter through early summer, and the field-checked local guide adds that rain is what really makes the difference. Winter brings ice formations and icy steps together, so bring traction. Settlers took the gorge's hemlocks for cedars, which is how a waterfall with no cedars got this name. It is a cool, shaded place in summer even when the falls are thin.
Parking, Cost and Dogs
Flush toilets and picnic tables sit at the parking lot off State Route 374, and you won't pay to use them or the trail, because Ohio state parks don't charge admission. Sundown ends the visit: the lot and the trail are for daylight hours, closing a half hour after sunset. A dog is fine here on a leash up to 6 feet, though not in the creek. Neither wheelchairs nor strollers will manage the steps.
Crowds and Connections
This is the midpoint of the January Winter Hike, when thousands pass through, and GoHocking counts it among Ohio's most popular natural destinations. Come in the first hours after sunrise, or early in the week, for a quieter base of the falls. A free weekend shuttle from Logan was reported in 2024, worth confirming before you rely on it. Long-distance walkers continue from here: 2.3 miles south to Ash Cave on a route through state forest, where hunting is allowed in season, or north toward Old Man's Cave.
Hiking tips for Cedar Falls Loop (Hocking Hills State Park)
- Go soon after solid rain for the fullest falls.
- Take the descent slowly; step heights on the staircase are uneven.
- Look but don't wade, even on a hot day; the ban covers the whole park.
- Bring ice cleats in winter.
- Combine with Ash Cave on the same day, since the two are close by road.
Nearby trails to explore
- Ash Cave Loop (Hocking Hills State Park)
- Old Man's Cave Trail (Hocking Hills State Park)
- Grandma Gatewood Trail (Old Man's Cave to Ash Cave)
Hike this trail with TrailMates
A rainy week makes Cedar Falls worth the drive, and that is easier to organize with others. Create a hike in TrailMates and use the event's group chat to agree on the day once the forecast firms up. Download TrailMates on the App Store or Google Play.