Old Man's Cave Trail (Hocking Hills State Park) Hiking Guide
This is the walk most people picture when they think of the Hocking Hills. A one-way trail drops down rugged stone steps at Upper Falls, follows a narrow gorge past Devil's Bathtub and through stone tunnels, then climbs out beside the recess cave that gives the place its name. It is short, but the steps and the crowds make it more of an outing than the mileage suggests.
The Route
Start at the kiosk by the Upper Falls end of the parking lot on State Route 664; the trail runs one way, so you can't start from the other end and meet the flow head-on. Stone steps take you down to the creek, a rock bridge crosses above Devil's Bathtub, and the path threads tunnels and cliff bands before the Sphinx Head and the cave itself. Exit up the steps beside the cave for the shortest version. The Hocking Hills Organization, which field-checked the route with a GPS unit, records 1.0 mile and about an hour, matching the 1 mile on the park's list.
How Much Climbing
No one agrees on this number, and no agency publishes one. Hocking Hikes, a local trail guide, gives 65 to 173 feet depending on your exit; GoHocking says 42. We list the 173-foot end because the steps in and out are the real work, and GoHocking also puts the gorge at about 150 feet deep. Hiking Project has no separate page for this loop. The floor of the gorge is comparatively easy going. Narrow paths along cliff edges may bother anyone with balance trouble or a fear of heights.
Parking and Crowds
The lot sits at the visitor center, which the park lists as open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily, subject to seasonal change. Restrooms are close by. The Hocking Hills Organization says this area peaks from late morning through the afternoon and is far quieter on weekdays. Hocking Hikes reports the lot filling by 10 a.m. on weekends and by 8 a.m. during fall color. Local reporting from 2024 described a free weekend shuttle from Logan, so check whether it is running before you count on it.
Cost, Hours and Dogs
Nothing to pay here: ODNR describes Ohio's state parks as always free, and no hiking or parking charge appears on the Hocking Hills page. These trails close to the public a half hour after sunset and reopen a half hour before sunrise, under a stricter rule than most Ohio parks. Dogs are legal on a leash of 6 feet or less, though the organization that field-checked the gorge advises against bringing one because of its cliffs, steps and crowds. Leaving the marked path is prohibited, and so is wading.
Ice and High Water
The park warns that its trails are typically covered in ice in winter and recommends ice cleats. Take that seriously here, since the steps at both ends are stone. In February 2022 thawing and refreezing shut the entire park, and this gorge stayed closed after several other areas had reopened. High water can do the same thing: flash flooding closed the gorge trail on July 1, 2025. Check the park's posted notices after any big storm or hard freeze.
Going Farther
Stay in the gorge past the first exit to add Lower Falls and the Broken Rock Falls spur, then climb out at a later exit; Hocking Hikes puts that version near 1.5 miles. A separate accessible path starts by the park office and reaches an observation area at Upper Falls, the option for wheelchairs and strollers, since the gorge itself is not accessible. South of the cave, the Grandma Gatewood Trail continues to Cedar Falls and Ash Cave.
Hiking tips for Old Man's Cave Trail (Hocking Hills State Park)
- Arrive early on weekends, or come midweek if you can.
- Wear shoes with real tread for the stone steps, and bring ice cleats in winter.
- Commit to the one-way direction once you start from Upper Falls.
- Download a map first; cell service is unreliable around the park.
- Keep children close on the narrow cliff-side sections.
Nearby trails to explore
- Grandma Gatewood Trail (Old Man's Cave to Ash Cave)
- Whispering Cave via Hemlock Bridge (Hocking Hills State Park)
- Cedar Falls Loop (Hocking Hills State Park)
Hike this trail with TrailMates
Old Man's Cave is more fun with people to share the early start. Post a morning hike in TrailMates, work out the carpool in the event's group chat, and beat the lot together. Download TrailMates on the App Store or Google Play.