Old Man's Cave Reviews

We arrived before 10 am on a holiday weekend and hiked with pur two dogs.The hike to Old Mans cave was very crowded with families anxious to get to the cave so i felt rushed passing the devils bathtub etc.... Once passed Old Mans cave we decided to continue the Gorge trail to Cedar Fall. The Gorge trail was a challenging hike so be prepared with hiking boots and a hiking stick. The crowd definitely thinned out as it is about 2-2.5 miles between the two places. We took the rim trail back to Old Mans cave parking and it was a much easier hike. 4 hours and 7 miles later we arrived back at the parking lot were parking was now at a premium.
When we return we will not come on a weekend or holiday! Trail was to busy!

What an absolutely beautiful place to visit. Can't believe I have lived in Ohio all my life and never knew this was here. Pet friendly, lots of people visiting the day we were there. Will go back and do more of the trails. Must see!!!

This is another great hike in the Hocking Hills. Very beautiful, the Devil's Bathtub was particularly interesting because the water moves so fast. The trees are so tall, and the roots are above ground. There is magic in these hills. You can feel it with every step!

The trail was not difficult to walk. The views are stunning. This trail was more crowded than some of the other trails we walked.

We’ve camped and hiked Hocking Hills for decades. We’re finally at the age we rented a cabin at The Inn at Cedar Falls (great place!!!! Go!!!) for our stay. It’s been a couple decades since our last trip so it was a good time. Lots of things don’t change in the hills but there’s a brand new welcome center at the entrance to the Old Man’s Cave trailhead. Pretty place. The hike is still beautiful, but a lot harder than I remember from 30 years ago! 

Go! Get out in nature! Take your kids!!!!

Stayed in Logan for 4 days and visited Old Man's Cave a few times. Friday afternoon around 4 pm for a few hours (despite being advised it would be crazy busy). We saw other people, but it wasn't busy at all. We got lucky! Saturday afternoon we drove right past it, because not only was the parking lot full, but also up and down the road and across the street. Because there are places that only one person can pass/fit through at a time, we knew it wouldn't be a good time. We went back Sunday afternoon around 5 and it wasn't busy enough to affect our time. It is a stunning place, breathtaking and magical. I did see people of varying fitness levels and ages, some people stopped and took breaks here and there.

Easy walk through this trail. Did not take long at all to get to the cave. Nice waterfall to stop and enjoy.

The girl handing out maps at the park office described the trail as an easy one mile loop. She neglected to mention the 57 sets of stairs, some going up or down thru dark tunnels and most without railings. We saw many older people who were struggling. This is not a trail for anyone out of shape, with small children or elderly. And it was horribly crowded on a rainy Tuesday morning making all the stairs more perilous with people trying to get through. Do not recommend!!!

Our group of 8 enjoyed about a 1 hour hike (2.5 miles) through this interesting and fun part of Hocking Hills. There were many places to explore and get beautiful pictures of the scenery. Some parts were pretty steep and there was one very narrow cave we walked through, but nothing too strenuous.

I would call this a medium level walk, although there is also a more strenuous trail to follow. Keeping to the trail is a must as there are several accidents a year. It is very safe as long as you adhere to the signs and trail. Lovely views of the plants, trees and rock formations are all around. A great day out.

We have come here every year for the past four years. As my nephews get older, it is more fun with them. The newest visitors center was a great place to hang out with a toddler. It made it easier for the rest of the family to hike without worry. Sadly, people stole the blacklight flashlights so we couldn't enjoy the cave messages. Sad to see that others ruin the fun for everyone else. L

It's the "must-see" of the area. It's beautiful and interesting. Because it gets more sun, it almost looks like some places out West, especially compared to a boulder-strewn-green-moss place like Conkles Hollow. While we arrived in the area on a weekend, we saved our visit to this cave on a weekday, 10 AM. It wasn't crowded, but it certainly wasn't empty, either. We started at the Upper Falls, went into the gorge, and continued to the Lower Falls. If all the trails on the map seem so interconnected and confusing, be aware that at each trail branch-off there is a map, which includes how many tenths of a mile. This will help you decide where you want to go from there.

Hocking hills state park was spectacular. Great hiking. Most hikes have some stairs involved. Signage is terrific and plentiful. Great maps. Makes it easy to get around.

The Hocking Hills area is amazing! I have enjoyed all the different locations in the State Park, however, Old Man’s Cave is by far the best and should be put on your list as a must see! Great hike options for all ages and apparently even for strollers and dogs?!? Great visitors center and nice gift shop too!

This is such a beautiful area with the waterfalls and all the rock formations.
Easy walk for most people. There are stairs going up and down.
The walk is less than a mile.

This is a must see when in Hocking Hills if you enjoy hiking and waterfalls. So much to see in less that 1.5 mile round trip.

It's not a cave just an overrated tourist trap. The walk was muddy and you don't want to let go of your child. There are many places where you can be injured. We rented a cabin and the owner tried to add extra charges when he discovered that we were all physicians.

Wonderful place to get away from all of the hustle and bustle. Nice and easy stroll to see great scenery.

As someone who loves Starved Rock in my adoptive state of Illinois, I am used to seeing things like this. I went back to my home state for a visit and saw this after some forty years or so. The main differences between this and Starved Rock are that you see more in a short period of time than you do at Starved Rock. The area is pristine and the trails are in need of no upgrading. Despite a large amount of people on the beautiful November Saturday when we visited, if you had removed the people, you wouldn't have known people had been there. There it was, nature, far enough away from a major city so that the sounds of human industrialization were non-existent and yet close enough for them to enjoy. Coming from the Chicago area, I had to drive some 500 miles to get there, but it was worth it. This is not to be missed. Every couple of feet, there is some new, natural vista to be enjoyed.

Did this hike 20 years ago and was still as beautiful as I remember. Also visited the lower falls and old man's gourd. I wish I would have had more time would have done Cedar falls which is 2 mi. from the cave. If I'm back would do again!

The cave was beautiful! Amazing scenery. The only thing I would criticize is the signs along the trails. My husband and I would have gotten lost had we not come across someone willing to show us the way.

We were driving from Michigan to Virginia and stopped in here one morning to stretch our legs. Oh did we ever. My boys (age 9 and 13) loved it saying, "I've never seen anything like this before!" The pictures online don't do it justice. It was much larger than I expected. It is so vast - we walked down to a waterfall and then back up. By the time we got back to where we started (2 hours later) we were very tired and hot (it was a 90 degree day). Suggestions: bring water. If you need a breeze/break, get down to the waterfall and you can splash some water on your face and there seems to be a little breeze down there. Afterwards, go to the gift shop. Very cool and comfortable.

A regional 'must see'! Old Man's cave visit was insanely beautiful & unique- especially. great for cave lovers. Almost surreal feeling being in there. Lots of water features to enjoy along with massive rocky outcroppings. Hard to adequately describe!
A note of caution for seniors, those not physically fit or families with young children: Though the trail hike wasn't too long, I would call most of it moderate in difficulty- some of it felt like rock scrambling. (Not a bad thing if u r up to it!) Great experience!

Wonderful! Took the family, everyone could walk it. 4 year old and 65 year old, not to mention all the ages in between!! So pretty.

A relatively easy walk through scenic gorges and waterfalls. Great for kids as there are several interesting spots to climb.

The hike was so overcrowded but I can see why. The views were breathtaking. Not enough parking in the area, not enough womans bathrooms but we had a great hike

This is the main park in Hocking Hills, well, gps tells you it is. This is a great place to start and you have many options to hike to other parks from here. Old Man’s Cave is very neat to see, even if the water falls are almost non-existent in the summer. All trails are one way to keep people as safe as possible during COVID. I will say we went on a Friday and the park did not feel crowded. We drove past on Saturday and it was packed!

I wasn't sure about going to a cave, but this one isn't one that is closed in and dark. It's a beautiful thing to see, even in the rain, as we saw it. Such stunning scenery!

Awesome scenic trip to unplug from the city and get closer with my family - good time to bond and enjoy nature.

Beautiful hike! It branches off to a lot of different trails so you can "choose your own adventure" as far as difficulty goes. We hiked from old man's cave to whispering cave and it was a ~6 mile hike that was moderately strenuous and technical.

Don't go to Hocking Hills without visiting Old Mans Cave. About 45? minute hike with beautiful hiking trails.

Old Mans Cave was our 2nd stop of the day and it didn’t disappoint! Beautiful visitor’s center (closed due to COVID19 but a park guide was there handing out maps and advice) We started at the lower falls and saw Devils bathtub on the way to the cave. Took the blue trail. The cave is massive! Very impressed by it. Foot traffic wasn’t bad. We got there around 11:00

The new way they have the trails set up distracts from the natural beauty of the park. The park has become over crowded and you feel you are being pushed through a serpentine at Disney World, than at a natural state park. There are hundreds of stairs so the trails are not accessible for a lot of people.

The trails in this area have a myriad of amazing natural wonders to experience... rock formations, caves, gorge, waterfalls, flora, and fauna. Recommend good hiking shoes, and perhaps a walking stick. Trails can be slick when wet.

Old Man’s Cave is a childhood classic hike for me since my family visited often, so it’s always a nostalgic treat to hike again. Parking lot is usually borderline full depending on your visit time and season but it is a very popular place in the area. The visitor center offers multi stalled, running water/flushable restrooms, gift shop, information, and vending machines. For any hiking I always recommend being prepared with your own water and snacks. Review information posted to determine best experience for your hiking skill level. If planning on hiking it all, it is a one way hiking trail so start at the Upper Falls and follow the trail to see all the wonders the trails have to offer; the upper waterfall, devils bathtub, A-frame bridge, old man’s cave, and the lower waterfalls. If waterfalls are your goal, take in consideration local rainfall levels for best viewing. Trails are typically clear of debris but still a mixture of dirt, gravel, and stone. Lots of steps and a couple short cave paths which tend to stay wet. Cave paths are short but not lighted and depending on how sunny the day is determines how quickly your eyes adjust so take it slow, handrail provided. Be there when it opens to get a start before the crowd. Meal options available within a half hour drive of visitor center. Park activities and events listed on website with up to date information about park and more. Dress appropriately for outdoor weather, recommend comfortable shoes, and water to stay hydrated. After any hiking activity, check for ticks when you are done.

This is an outstanding park with a beautiful welcome center. It gets crowded and fortunately we visited on a
Sunday morning before the big crowds came in. We are so fortunate to have this gem in Ohio.

The views are beautiful, trails are nice, & alot of parking available. I would just suggest not going during holiday weekends as the place will be packed & it will make it hard find parking & be able to get that great photo shoot while timing people walking in your view.

Have been here in a summer and spring but if you get the chance go in the winter. The icesicles add an amazing touch. Hocking hills is a very nice area for a quick weekend getaway.

Everything about Old Mans Cave makes it worth a visit.

The visitors center has some nice exhibits (toddler loved the little pretend caves she could walk through & the fake hiking path upstairs). They have a staff member at the desk upstairs just to answer questions about which trails to take. They've also got bathrooms, a gift shop, and vending machines. Makes both a good jumping off point to start a hike, and a great place to come back to when your thirsty and over-heating lol.

As for the area and trail - the scenery is amazing. In Aug there appears to be very little water in all of Hocking Hills, so waterfalls aren't much to see, but the rock formations, vegetation, and the beautiful stone bridges are still 100% worth checking out.

We took the Grandma Gatewood trail with a not-quite 3 year old. She managed pretty well on her own, but a few spots I felt like she needed closer supervision and/or a hand to hold. Definitely a kid friendly trail though. And the rim trail is more difficult, so Old Mans Cave really has something for everyone to hike.

Great photo ops.

Nice, easy hike. I have a bad hip and it wasnt a difficult hike. I didn't pay attention to the time but i think it only took an hour or so. Very pretty.

We visited this park recently and it was super busy. Seems it's the defacto park everyone is supposed to visit in the area. We found it interesting with a couple of waterfalls to see and a neat gorge trail through the middle. Sturdy hiking shoes and poles are recommended as there are elevation changes to traverse. Be aware though that if you start on the blue trail, there are only 2 gorge paths going back up to the parking lot. If you miss them, or want to continue to the purple trail it's maybe a 3 hour round trip total, and there is no shortcut back to the parking lot on the purple trail so plan accordingly. On the purple trail, before Whispering Cave is a super near rope bridge you will get to walk. After Whispering Cave the trail is mostly just forest, you cross the street twice, and disappointingly get to walk the final stretch back to the parking lot a 1/4 - 1/2 mile in the sun. We think the final woods trail was out of commission when we were there. Recommend going on an off day, off time. Oh, and unless you want to hike the full blue to purple loop, take the 2nd gorge trail up.

Hocking Hills is known for this hike. It was very interesting and unique to be inside the cave and walk through the 'dark tunnel'. This was the coolest part for my nieces. A steady nice work out as one is taking stairs and walking around large rocks. Highly recommend it!

Great hike to start with since you have a paved walkway to the cave. Lots of history about this cave on signs along the path. Best viewing when there’s been some rain. Saw the cave last year and much bigger waterfall verses this summer when there hasn’t been as much rain. Impressive and beautiful! A must see

This is a wonderful spot to go for a hike. The Ranger's are knowledgeable with plenty of maps of the area. Great marked trails for even the most novice of hikers. Really well maintained parks free of liter. I think if you enjoy nature and are in the area this is a must see.

We went here a little off season but still had a phenomenal time. The walk was moderate with a few areas of steps but still no issue. The views were stunning and it was great to be able to talk to a ranger and get all my questions answered. So glad we did thus.

A trail with breathtaking views. Parts of it can be challenging but the scenery is well worth it.There’s usually quite a few on this trail as it’s one of the more popular.

We take our family here all the time we love it here the paths are awesome love walking under the caves and by the water that falls from them we in joy having ice cream and always take a pack lunch. You can also camp at one of the camp sites we will be going back soon

My husband, our 3 pups, and I went to Old Man's Cave on New Years Day 2021. We were so lucky to be one of the only ones at the park at the time. The tiny walk through caves were so neat to see as it really set this location out from others. I highly recommend this spot to others!

Great trails and a beautiful place to hike. A must see when traveling and visiting this beautiful part of southern OH.

My wife and I really, really enjoyed the park. The gorge you walk through is simply amazing. Many photo opportunities of the natural sights and the iconic some bridges. The kids can wear swimsuits and splash around in the lower falls area. Pets are welcome also. Kids of all ages enjoyed climbing around and exploring.
Hint - arrive before noon during the warmer months. Also, go past the lower falls for another quarter mile to see the broken rock falls, which was all but deserted and very nice, with lots of huge boulders... Looks like jurassic park kind of.
We will certainly return.

This is truly one of the best state parks we've ever visited!

Had a great three hour visit here yesterday. It was a little crowded but not bad for a holiday weekend. Great hiking the beautiful trails here. I used to come here as a kid. Free admission. Perfect for families with children and pets. Lovely park. One of the most beautiful areas to see on the state! Highly recommend coming here!

Our family of 4 recently visited Hocking Hills for the first time ever. We wanted to see the famous Old Man's Cave and hike a bit of the Grandma Gatewood Trail. We arrived early on a Sunday morning and the parking lot was only about 20% full. By the time we ended our hike 3 hours later, the (HUGE) parking lot was 99% full. I would definitely recommend going in the off-season and/or on a weekday if you want a little more peace and solitude. That said, the trail and scenery were STUNNING. It's the most beautiful place I've ever been, and every member of the family was enchanted by it. My favorite spots were the Devil's Bathtub and the little tunnel right before Old Man's Cave. The experience was dampened slightly by seeing others treating the park with disrespect, though - seeing occasional bits of trash left behind, and seeing people ignoring the signs to stay on the path (and not wade or rock climb) was disappointing.

What a beautiful place. I was just amazed at how green everything was and how my Creator is so good to give us such beauty to enjoy. The trail was a little strenuous but enjoyable and our dog loved it too. I just felt very at peace here.

Well worth the trip. I recommend you park at old man's cave parking lot. Enter the path on the green trail, veer off to the left when you get to the blue trail, this is the most exciting and challenging part of the walk. Take the blue trail for 3miles until you reach the yellow trail, veer left at this intersection and you can see the waterfalls. After this you can take the yellow trail to the red trail and the red trail will take you up and over everything you just walked. Giving you a whole new very. The walk to the red trail is moderately challenging for someone with no experience and the red trail was an easy hike back to the parking lot at old man's cave. Its approximately a 7mile hike when its all said and done. So worth it!

Ages of our group varied from 12years of age to 60 years of age. All of our group was able to complete the hike, though it left us sore and exhausted but feeling very happy!

This is by far the longest trail/path in the Hocking Hills area if you can the whole thing. You could easily stay out here all day and enjoy the beauty and the sites and sounds.

It was a little crowded going there in July, but there is actually plenty of room on this trail to spread out a little and explore and stay away!

Lots to see and experience on the trail to the cave for sure.

Old Man's Cave is another unbelievable sight. Because of the dry spell before we were there, the water wasn't running at any of the parks like we'd hoped, but it's still so amazing to see! It's massive with the upper, middle and lower falls and gorges. There are a lot of stone stairs to climb to some of the areas. We took our 10 and 11 year old Golden's on this one. The amount of steps were a bit much for our 11 year old. Younger dogs we saw there seemed to handle it just fine. We want to go back in the spring when the water levels are higher. So worth the trip!

Amazing and easy hiking to majestic rock formations, water falls, and forest. Unplug and listen to the song of birds and waterfalls. Taking in the beauty creates a gratefulness in one's soul!

Had a great time hiking from the visitor center to old man’s cave. The grandkids were in awe of the sights, from the trees to the rocks and the cave. It was like being in a movie with our 4 year old twins. Trails were well marked and groomed and there were numerous places to sit and take a rest on a stone ‘bench’.

Mixed reviews made me unsure whether I could take my parents in wheelchairs but there is a great accessible path for them. You can see the Upper Falls right off the parking lot without much walking at all and then the gorge outlook trail is a nice peaceful walk through the woods. Would highly recommend for wheelchairs!

I was in Ohio to attend the Memorial Golf tournament and have also wanted to visit the State Park and it didn’t disappoint, nice trails, waterfalls and it’s well signed.

I’m be back to explore more of the caves and waterfalls.

This place was great!Lots to see without having to hike too far in. Waterfalls were still running. Beautiful place, hike was pretty easy.

Trail head starts at the lower end of the parking lot furthest away from the visitors center. Trail ends at the visitors center. The visitors center has displays of information pertaining to the wildlife, plant life and history of the area. We visited the park on a Thursday afternoon, was not terribly busy. Love the one-way trail system that is in place. Nice easy hike with so many sites. Loved the stone bridges, tunnels and rock formations. Not much rain so everything was pretty dry. Saw a horsetail worm on the trail, crazy looking thing!

A very interesting place to visit with nice trails and beautiful things to see and do. Best in spring or fall!

great trail and much easier to navigate than I anticipated...gets very very crowded on the weekend and in the middle of the day, so we suggest arriving early...people need to heed the signs and follow the rules

Such an amazing place. We went with our kids age 9 and 5 and they had a great time. Very cool things to see.

We were at Old Mans Cave for a reunion in the shelter house, and then we toured the cave. The entrance is close to the parking lot, and there is s ranger stationed in front of the shelter house to give out maps and answer questions. The entrance gives you two options, right or left, and you can choose one and only do half the hike or follow it all the way around for the whole thing. We did the entire hike, which took about an hour and 15 minutes for four people, including two kids. At times, the walk way is slippery or steps are steep, I recommend good walking shoes. My pedometer said we only walked one and a half miles, but five flights of stairs. It was fun and I'm glad we went, but I don't think I need to see it again. The old mans cave was a little underwhelming, and the devils bathtub was just ok. There were a ton of people there, we arrived around noon.

haven't hiked this trail in about 5 years,spent most of the weekend, between the rain checking it out, this is a trail that can be easy at some points to moderlately challangeing at other points, but well worth the hike.

Beautiful walk through the forest, well maintained path, and interesting structures along the way. Didn't get to see any waterfalls due to low water levels.

This was our favorite hike of all the Hocking Hills attractions, and a must-see! We arrived just after 8 am to avoid crowds, and were the 4th car in the parking lot. When we came back about 1 1/2 hours later, there were at least 80 cars in the parking lot. It was wonderful seeing all the beauty of this place without many people around us. The hike out made us huff and puff, but seeing the gorge was definitely worth it. The cave itself is anti-climatic; go for the experience of the whole gorge.

We loved this trail. It was an easy trail and it didn't take long. We took young kids with us. If you want to get scenery photos, go early. This trail gets busy and we weren't able to get photos without other people in them. There was always a group at the main attractions. We went in December and it was snowy/icy and the frozen waterfalls were gorgeous! Can't wait to go back.

Even though the gift shop & welcoming center were closed, the restrooms were open. The hike to Old Man's Cave was very beautiful & the upgrades the park did were amazing.

If you want to see Old Man's Cave, you will have to climb down to see it. Remember, when you climb down to see something, you have to climb back up. This is one of the easier hikes - up and down not too bad.

We always love visiting caves and natural rock formations. We like to hike and we always take our dogs. Old mans cave is an excellent little hike, note there are a quite a few uneven stairs so someone with balance issues or age might have trouble. But our dogs love to hike. There is so much natural beauty. We will definately hike another trail soon.

Some awesome trails, you start in the gorge, see several water falls and end up exiting on a rim trail. whirlpools, falls, tunnels its has it all. easy parking, easy hike, make sure take the branch off to broken falls.

There are so many place to take a quick 30 min walk, or an all day hike. We started at Ash cave to Rockhouse ( difficult). We stayed at inn at Cedar Falls in a Cabin, ( that will be a separate review). We did not do Cantwell Cliffs this time, due to its rating as difficult. Two difficult level hikes in one day, is a little much for me * 50+ years old. We had a great 2 days even though it's only an hour or so from Columbus, Oh where we live we stayed in the area.
We started at Ash cave (Whispering Cave was a little more like actually hiking! I don't hike) I don't have the gear or stamina. I walk and occassionally step on or over a rock.
I take pictures of beautiful landscape. I'll share some here, and hope you will too. Here's the thing - take lunch & snacks, plenty if water , blankets to sit on, there are picnic tables and take A trash bag. Turns out there are no trashcans, but there are glorified out houses. Take hand sanitizer & wet wipes.
We drove between each park BUT you can take a a long hike - probably 25 miles ( I actually dont know how far, check guides) . Go to hocking hills maps .com for hiking maps you can print. We really enjoyed Conkles Hollow, which had two hiking options- one usually more difficult than the other. We did see a few people along paths in a wheel chairs, so these locations in some cases are accessible.
Big tip- if you want to see waterfalls make sure it has rained prior to your visit. Also, its cooler in the woods especially when you really get deep in the woods. Wear or be prepared with a light jacket or sweatshirt.

This is a good spot for hiking with lots of different trails. There is a building here with a shop toilets and information. This is a useful starting point. This is trekking country so you need to stick to paths. Maps can be picked up here.

Great scenery and clean well marked trails. Lots of steps. the rock arch bridges were worth the hike.

Very nice destination spot. Over-rated but nice. Too bad most of OH is under a drought as there was not much water flowing through the park and virtually NONE in any of the waterfalls.

This was like a hobbit world -- a must-see and photograph trail/scene! Hocking Hills is my family's new favorite state park.

This family get together is not just a great work out, but you see the marvelous magic mother nature has in store. It's just amazing, and great history for kids to learn about. Have a good pair of shoes, preferably hiking as we went in sneakers, and there were areas that were very slippery, we all had to hold on for safety. Dress in comfortable clothes, and brings snacks to take a break once you complete a trail.

Pretty easy hike, the area is just Beautiful! Lots of ups & downs, need to be careful of slippery stairs, and the water is down, but still very pretty and amazing rock formations!

The cave is a recess cave (has a top and bottom). The area surrounding the cave is breathtakingly beautiful, a must see.

When you first arrive, and there's a nice large paved parking lot, and lots of foliage.

There are indoor bathrooms along the outside of the lodge, with regular plumbing. The lodge also has a gift shop, and covered and uncovered seating areas.

The sidewalks are paved as well.

You can sightsee this area which is divided into 5 sections; the Upper, Middle and Lower Falls, and Lower and Upper Gorges.

You'll see streams, rock formations, foliage, various styles of bridges to cross, caves (one is a tunnel you can walk through), and there's even a bluff or you can see the gorge of the waterfall. I assume you can venture there because they only have a warning sign and no barrier or restriction/prohibitive signage.

But I'd HIGHLY recommend being careful near and on the bluff if you have mobility/coordination issues, and definitely not taking younger children there, as it's very uneven and unsafe because there's no railing or fencing to prevent falling over the side.

There are warning signs posted for the really dangerous areas though.

While hiking out in this area, you'll encounter Devil's Bathtub. This was created by the rocks fusing together into a circle shape. The water eventually swirled inside the rocks for so long, that it forced itself downwards.

If you end up in the bathtub, good luck getting out. It's pretty much impossible.

You also shouldn't mess around in any of the water, like swimming as it's dangerous for the creatures that call it home.

There is also Whispering Cave at this area as well.

I have also included park maps.

The new visitor's center at Old Man's Cave is outstanding. The area continues to be a favorite for us.

We hiked this area on a 5 degree day and all the water falls were frozen, a hike I will never forget.

We went on a very rainy day and still had a great time. Experience can be accommodating to any level of hiker

This is a must do activity in OH. Make sure to start your hike of the gorge by the upper falls and hike down to Old Mans Cave then on to the lower falls then back up to see the entire area. The falls are beautiful in the spring when the water is flowing good. This is a great activity for families. Kids and grandchildren will love all the rocks to climb on and squeeze in between along the trail.

This place is unbelieveable beautiful. My husband described it as "like something out of a fair tale"! The walk is easy. We took our 7 and 13 year old kids. They LOVED this place. Whole walk was about 1.5 hours. Get there early...it fills up quick! Take your camera! Simply stunning!!!

I loved this hike! We started at Upper Falls and went to the Lower Falls and beyond. The scenery is so beautiful and more than worth the effort of climbing the many stairs. It gets super crowded, so I'd recommend going early!

Hiking this area is worth everyone’s time. They have created a path direction to spread out people to make it more safe during this Covid-19 time.

Had a great time hiking into the valley and seeing all the natural splendors from the creek to the rock formations.

It’s quite a hike to get to but scenery is gorgeous along the way. Love the rushing water you follow along the way and all the neat spots to see like Satans bowl.

We loved hiking Upper Falls, Devil’s Bathtub, Old Man’s Cave, & Lower Falls. We actually got married at Upper Falls the Day before. This is not a place for flip flops so wear good shoes. Also we found out after turning around at Lower Falls & hiking back from whence we came it’s easier to through hike the trail to circle back to the parking lot...doh! Highly recommend this naturally beautiful place!

Fantastic gorge trail hike with waterfalls, lovely forest, beaches, cliff walls, winding trails with neat stairs and bridges...you can have it all here. Simply a great hike. We recommend starting at the upper falls and hiking the gorge all the way to lower falls, then climb out; the walk down is gentle and fun and the climb out is not that rough.

Visited just after a thaw, but day after heavy rain and temperature drop!! Orange cones warned of hazardous/icy trail conditions, but we still ventured down a couple and were able to make it down to Old Man's Cave and both the Upper and Lower Falls. It was not a difficult hike although there are some decent elevation changes, some bridges and stairwells (all ice covered) which made it fun!! We saw maybe a total of (6) people for the entire couple of hours that we were there. The cave is definitely beautiful as are the falls which were showing the results of the rain from the evening before.

Well, I have only visited old mans cave about 50 times. From the time I moved to Ohio with my young family we were there 3 Or four times a year. We only live about 40 minutes away now and go hiking about once a week. It’s really hard not to include old man’s cave, simply because it is such a fantastic and gorgeous place and is very different depending on the seasons of the year. I love it in the winter! I also love It during flood season.

The new information center, and Museum, is a wonderful addition but it is totally inexplicable that they don’t have a nice snack bar there. There must be some reason, at least I hope there is. There was a snack truck there a couple times when we visited this summer. But they’re not all that many great places to go for a quick bite. Maybe someone out there can Explain what seems to me to be a big oversight.

I will add for those who don’t know all there is to know about Hocking Hills that my favorite place in the park is absolutely rock house. Don’t miss it!

Amazing trail. Everywhere you look there’s something beautiful. One of my favorite trails. It’s a one way loop and towards the end there is an access to the cave. You will see waterfalls if you go in April-beginning of June when there’s snow melt.

GREAT spot, lots of parking as cool weatherkept numbers down. Hemlock all along trail to gorge.
This is NOT plae for strollers. New visitor center closed due to virus but didn't miss it.

What beauty and awe inspiring scenery! The walking trail was well maintained and there is plenty to fill your camera with!

This was the main reason we visited Hocking Hills, this was our first time here and I had heard so many good things about Old Man's Cave, and they were right, it was absolutely beautiful!!! It was 100 degrees the day we went so we didn't do the whole trail but what we did see was spectacular. I loved every minute of it, all of Hocking Hills is gorgeous. I haven't finished uploading my pictures but I did want to include a few.

This is the classic in Hocking Hills. There are trails all around. This particular path is not handicapped enabled. It is a nice hike ip and down stairs, bridges, paths, and nature.

The hike is difficult in spots but it's amazing natural artwork. It does get a bit busy. Went here with family from tweens to grandparents and everyone liked it.

Beautiful Place, we got there about 5:30 we hiked to Old Man's Cave and the Lower Waterfall. It was nice at that time, not to crowded. There are a lot of step, some steps we went up were in the dark. The steps are not even, if you have someone with you that is unstable or not good with stairs they should probably wait at the top.

I visited Old Man’s Cave when I was a kid in Boy Scouts, that was about 50 years ago. Wow has it changed, a sporting event sized parking lot, the beautiful new visitors center they are building, bridges and of course, the amount of people. This most popular attraction has it all. A remarkable Cave with a story, tall cliffs, upper and lower falls, tunnels, wide maintained pathways, Naturalists on hand and the day we were there an ice cream truck. Great family memories were made on that day. I hope you enjoy as well.

Start the trail by the Upper falls area and make your way to the Lower falls. You won't be disappointed. Every turn brings you more beauty. Could have spent our whole day here. Make sure you get a hiking trail map from the park ranger here. Maps are hard to find and there is no wifi around to rely on.

This is the most popular stop in Hocking Hills and there are some very nice areas to see along the hike. There are some cool little tunnels and bridges. The biggest issue we had was the large crowds..and we went on a weekday. The crowds definitely take away from the interaction with nature so I recommend going early in the morning. We were also disappointed at the amount of trash we saw on the ground.

Beauty cave and waterfalls. We enjoyed climbing down through the cave to the water fall. Beautiful area and hiking trails. Make sure to wear comfortable shoes with good tread.

The area is so beautiful! This is a great hike but there's a lot of stairs and it probably takes an hour round trip to walk. Might be too challenging for some people. All the hikes we did at Hocking hills were busy but everyone was very nice.

My husband and I love Old Man's Cave! The views are gorgeous. In a COVID-world, we decided to come on Labor Day weekend understanding my husband is high-risk. We wore masks the entire time and the path is one-way which is nice; but unfortunately we were behind some slower individuals and didn't feel it was safe or respectful to pass; something we are usually fine with pre-COVID. I think it is in part because the trails here are pretty narrow. We will be back again though!

My friends and I camped in Hocking Hills State Park for the weekend, and we hiked everything within a reasonable distance. This one was our favorite hike because of all the different rock formations, waterfalls, and other scenery. I highly recommend the trip here along with the other surrounding points of interest in Hocking Hills State Park!

The Hocking Hills area has never disappointed and Old Mans Cave is one of the many wonders in this area. From Ohio farmland to these beautiful gorges in just minutes..what a joy!

This is one of the most popular hikes in Hocking Hills. It really is lovely with cool rock formations. Try to go during the week or early morning to avoid the crowds.

I have hiked here and other Hocking Hills locations for years, travelling here from Columbus, OH. But during the coronavirus pandemic, some of the trails here are narrow and crowded so I wanted to avoid the that. The rim trail is perfect for that. For those who haven't been here before though, the Old Man's Cave canyon floor trail is a unique and exciting experience that should not be missed. So find an early morning, mid-week opportunity to experience it.

There is so much to see while hiking to the Old Man's Cave... and the cave itself is huge. AMAZING!! The devil's bath tub is more like a toilet bowl than a tub, but is pretty neat how it has been created over the years. Nature lovers... this is for you!

I am a photographer and this is one of the best places for photos! All of the trees let’s light in in ways you would never imagine, it is just so beautiful!

This is a really great area to hike. Lots of trails. Lots of neat things to see. Plan for several hours, take your time.

Took my gf for a little trip to Ohio to visit my buddy, but before we did we took a trip here and went and saw all the amazing waterfalls and hiked over 14 miles. We will for sure be heading back here next time we are in Ohio.

The Old Man's Cave hike was beautiful! It took us about an hour to complete the hike on an apparently not-too-busy day.

The hike starts at the top of the gorge and winds its way down to the bottom where we saw a nice waterfall. The cave itself is really more like a place under overhanging rock than a true cave, but it was a good sight to see.

Getting back up out of the gorge was mildly strenuous, but we took our time and took breaks as needed. We were just admiring the scenery, not catching our breath, right? :)

This hike has a very nice visitor's center with a gift shop, some educational displays, and indoor bathrooms.

There are other hikes you can take, but you really can't miss with this one.

This is a beautiful hike. I highly recommend it and would love to do it again. It is a little strenuous in that there are many steps and at one point you have to cross some rocks that are a bit precarious. It was very muddy when we went because it’s been so wet this year. It was a cool hike in that the temperature was lower in the valley which made the hike more pleasant as well.

We enjoyed our hike on the trails at Old Man's Cave. Beautiful place, be ready to go up and down the steps there. Well worth the visit.

Very limited cell phone service so bring back up driving directions back to your cabin. Head to the Old Man's Cave parking lot and you will find port-o-lets and trailhead. Trail is not really handicap or stroller accessible. Ash Cave is better if you have wheelchair or stroller. The path to OMC has steps, rocks and steep ledges. You need to keep a close eye on small children. OMC takes the longest to walk through and see everything compared to Ash Cave and Cedar Falls. Very pretty, neat rock formations, lacking informational signs along trail to help you identify what you are looking at. Overall everyone in our group enjoyed this. There is an Old Man's Cave General store right down the street where they have food, ice cream and basics for your cabin.

We saved this site for last over the three days at the Hocking Hills parks. Definitely the most crowded, perhaps because they have the largest parking lot!! Saw some awesome structures, both manmade (there is one terrific concrete bridge) and natural geological formations. So beautiful!! Being there just ahead of the holiday weekend, this site was busier than others earlier on the trip. So be forewarned about areas with too many people.

In general, I wish there was more signage or maps available to allow you to see your options for each of the sites as there are usually 2 or 3 trails. We saw almost no park personnel during our three days there. I know we missed a waterfall or two, or other great feature. Even more important now with the one-way trails due to COVID-19 precautions being implemented.

We hiked to Old Man’s Cave and to the Upper and Lower Falls. All are worth the effort. I also recommend a fairly easy hike to see Rose Lake as well.

I've grew up in Northern Ohio and just now made my way down to Hocking Hills. Old Mans cave and the entire state park is DEFINITELY an Ohio gem that makes you think you're not in Ohio any more! This hike is more strenuous than the others, lots of rocks, stairs, and inclined hiking. Wear some comfortable shoes!

Old Man's Cave is a mixture of many things. You start with the Upper Falls, go to Devils Bath Tub, the cave itself, Lower Falls. It's very well laid out and the main place to take kids too. The visitor center is informative and there are bathrooms.

I would have given it 5 stars, but there's not one single trash can! There was a cute little cabin that many people had thrown their trash into the fire pit. The lower falls are much better for those with younger children. Our 2 year old was such a trooper and had a blast!

Let me start by saying this place is absolutely beautiful. The hike from Old-mans Cave to Cedar Falls is a spectacular 6.5 mile loop filled with cliffs, boulders and water falls ... until you get to either destination.
The last two times I’ve gone there, both locations have been completely covered with people. The sites are a very short walk from the parking lot on both sides of the hike. So both are easily accessible allowing most anyone to take the short walk. The result has been a glut of people standing on every flat surface. Further, and more disturbing is the 20-30 children playing in the pools below the falls... you simply can’t get a picture of the beautiful wonders without 10-15 kids climbing all over the rocks and under the falls.
Where are the rangers or volunteers??? Someone needs to enforce the clearly posted signs that say, “no swimming and no climbing beyond this point signs???”
It’s not like these are obscure locations, this is the most popular site in Ohio... get control of the visitors so the folks that go there can actually enjoy the park.
I have included half a picture of cedar falls... that’s the best I could do without some kid in the picture.

My niece and her daughter's came over from Indiana we spent the day hiking. It's so beautiful out there. Can't wait to go back and go camping spend a couple of days so we can see a few other attractions. Want to do Lake Logan & The John Glen astronomy. Can't wait to go back it will be my 4th time.

Loved the views! Pretty easy. Can expand it to do to other areas near by. Went early so not crowded and cooler. Huge parking lot. Great visitor center.

A must visit so cool what an amazing experience. I can’t believe that this park is located in Ohio. Will definitely be back.

This was a good easy hike for a guy with bad knees. Great family time had A big party with us but it was still a very nice place and so scenic

Great easy hike with beautiful views. Did this hike in the morning with my family as the sun was rising. Relaxing way to start the morning with great scenery. Great for families and all ages.

This is truly a Hidden Gem. To get to the cave (which really isn’t a cave it is an opening under a giant rock) you must transverse a 1/2 mile trail which has many, many steps to climb up and down, if you have a bad back or knees this could be difficult. I have bad knees and i made it. You just have to pace yourself.

Such a nice place! The cave has many little walk-ways and it's a sight like no other. Definitely a must-see!

This is probably a great place to see, but it was our first stop, trying to gather some info at the information center and we got that. We tried the hike since we were there. It was around lunchtime and there were so many people there that the beauty of the location was completely overwhelmed. We will try again, earlier or later or off season to see it better.

This is a cool place. But we were not prepared as well as we should have been. If you do this trail. go slow and take plenty of water with you. rest often. Since we are older adults we took it slow. But by the time we just finished the lower falls. We sat down on a rock wall to rest. I felt fine, but the next thing you know. Was I blacked out twice. I caused me to fall off the wall. I landed on my right foot. There was a big rock under my foot. I didn't have it checked till we got home. I broke a bone in my right leg. Thankfully there was a group by us. that walked by us most of the trail. The one guy was a firemen and he helped me walk out. Thank you to him & his family. My husband almost didn't make it either.

Was such a beautiful place to visit with the kids, the walk/hike was fun (the kids didn’t even complain once). I could’ve spent all day here.

The cave was huge and a very cool experience. It was very busy though on a Thursday morning/afternoon. The trails are nice but a lot of steps. The rest of the hiking trails were beautiful. Make sure to check out the lower falls. The only reason I give it less than 5 stars is the high traffic. The further you get away from the cave, the more quiet and serene it is. Be prepared to go up and down a lot of steps.

Perfect weather - leaves were changing - good hike (but not difficult). Get there early in the day - we went on Friday and when we went on Saturday, it was packed.

Unfortunately there was no water or viewing of any waterfalls. Also very crowded with a lot of visitors.

We heard and read it was amazing...well, it is absolutely beautiful! We parked at visitor building. Walked the lower falls first, part of the cedar falls, and the upper falls. The visitor center has bathrooms and water fountains. There is a pathway for the upper and lower falls. Cedar falls the trail was very root bound that is why we turned around about 1/2 way. The size of old mans cave was gigantic. The waterfalls were spectacular. It took us a couple of hours. When we go back to Ohio, we will return and do another hike. It was beautiful!

Great trail with unusual formations-----has a cool tunnel of rocks you have to go down into----feels weird----the big final spot--the cave/overhang was neat but no waterfalling because it was August--their normal dry time--------------because it's the best known it is also very busy----nothing you can do about that

We made a trip to the area from out of state and we loved it (also, Ohio state parks are free, which was a pleasant surprise to us!). There are several different features and trails to visit within the Old Man's Cave area, as well as a really nice visitor center and gift shop. The trails DO involve a LOT of stairs and climbing, including stairs that are cut right into the stone and may not be even. My mom ended up getting a walking stick, which really helped. There are also many lovely stone bridges and stunning views as you hike within the gorge.

The Old Man's Cave itself was very impressive, but we also hiked (over two different days) to both the Upper and Lower Falls, and saw things like the Devil's Bathtub and Sphinx Formation. Even visiting it twice we still didn't see everything we could have seen or do some of the longer hikes. I would like to come back and see some of the other falls/caves.

All the hikes at Hocking Hills are perfect for kids. Not too hard and lots to see. This is a longer one (only a little more than 1.5 miles) but very navigable to little ones. We brought our 4 and 2 yo grand kids and they loved it.

The hike to Old Man's Cave was not too challenging. It is beautiful, postcard worthy scenery at every turn!!

This is a rugged, tough path to see many caves and falls. You can divide this hike into at least 2 hikes. It really is a nice hike, somewhat long, a bit slippery, large steps, no restrooms in between, so prepare appropriately. I would not recommend this for small children. You should be in fairly good shape. Take water and maybe a walking stick to help. There are many, many steps. The area is just beautiful, and the falls are wonderful also. Just be prepared. I think the map they give you at the visitor's center is not very helpful. Printing off a detail map of the actual hike from the internet was more valuable to me. Also, at the visitor's center is bathrooms on the bottom, if they are closed for cleaning or other reasons, there is outdoor potties at the back of the visitor's center. There is also bathrooms on the bottom of the visitor's center through the big doors, after 10:00 am when the visitor's center opens. I can't figure out why the visitors center opens so late in the morning.. There is a very small gift shop inside, and very little options for eating... so bring your own drinks and food. The parking area is large, but it fills up fast. Maybe 250 cars can park here. Picnic tables scattered around the parking area. Best time to come is early morning or around dinner time in the evening.

The busiest, yet, the prettiest trail within the park. Take time to stop & look around, this is a beautiful trail.

We really enjoyed the trails while checking out Old Man's Cave. I would recommend this location to everyone.

It is a very nice walk to the cave. It is an inspiring example of mother nature at her finest. Large parking lot. Well worth the trip.

Old Man's Cave is just one of the many attractions within the Hocking Hills State Park area. All are unique! The trails are well maintained and marked.

This is such a beautiful place to visit. Plan on walking till you drop because you will not want to stop and turn around to go back without seeing just a little more!!

We were there over July 4th weekend and so did half the state of Ohio! Thousands of people were there hiking the trail. Worth the trip!

Old Man's Cave was the busiest part of the park. The parking area is very large and yet still over half full on a rainy fall afternoon. We parked on the top tier, close to the Visitor Center. We did the trails first. It was an umbrella day, which also came in handy as a treking pole at times. Wear good hiking boots or shoes as you will need the traction at times.

We hiked down to Old Man's Cave and then to the Lower Falls. The bridges are really cool. The lower falls was not flowing very strong. We then hiked through the gorge to the Upper Falls. It's a cool hike through a few tunnels, up stone steps and over stone and steel bridges. I took a ton of pictures, even with the constant drizzle.

We went up and over the Upper Falls Bridge and then headed to the Visitor Center and checked it out. It's a pretty nice VC,

If you park at the back of the parking lot, you can head right over the Upper Falls brinde and then take the steps down to the pool under the falls and look up at the bridge you just crossed. The bridge is only about 50 yards from the parking lot.

Two days of hiking. 16 miles at beautiful Hocking Hills State Park. Old Man’s Cave trail is incredible! The park is so well maintained. I was so impressed with the park facilities … clean and well maintained restrooms and visitor center. Great area to unwind and explore! Highly recommend!

Our first hike here and my personal favorite- better by far than rock house and a tick above cedar falls and ash cave or conckle hollows.
Well shaded but on this rare 82 degree March day, the warmth found its way via breeze to the gorge floor in many places. Funny but in one place we saw ice cycles hanging from places up on the walls of the gorge. Easy hike thru the gorge in the shade most of the time and very pretty. The creek was for the most part very shallow and current slow. In places I was reminded of some of the slot canyon hikes out west- not red rocks here and no need to hike in the river itself but the high walls and in places narrow floor did remind me of Utah a bit. Very pretty hike and would not mind doing this one several times. The trip out requires a bit of a climb and part way thru a tunnel- its not lit far as I can tell so if it's getting late you might want to have a flashlight or use your phone to light the stairs thru the tunnel to the top. Sw lots of dogs on this one too. Even Fido enjoys this hike!

Does anyone here actually understand what a cave is? This is an overhang. You walk along a path with no railing and the possibility of dying to get there. It is muddy and there are bugs. The place is poorly maintained. In the end, you end up at an overhang with a muddy floor. Surprise!!, you are there.... Then walk up a set of stairs and you're done. Save your time, break the rules and go backwards on the trail. You will get there in 2 minutes. This way you'll simply be disappointed faster.

A small gorge carved out of sandstone by the Hocking River. Center piece of the Hocking Hills Region. A good two to three hour hike along the loop trail. Longer trails connecting the areas other attractions.
Dog friendly.

This was a wonderful day trip from our cabin. Come prepared to walk. Beware if you are not in shape. We saw a few older people that struggled on the trail. Lots of steps straight up and down. Bring water and take frequent stops. This will allow you to enjoy the beauty of the area. Tons of photo opportunities. Wear good walking shoes and pace yourself. Go in the middle of the week for a less crowded experience.

This place is amazing. Went a few years ago w my family(2016 or '17, not 2020). We spent the whole day and everyone had a wonderful time. The entire round trip, the trail from caves/cliffs, to waterfalls & bridges is absolutely beautiful. I definitely want to go back this year.
It was very busy & crowded when we went, but everyone was friendly for the most part so that do not take anything away from the adventure.
Definitely one of the best natural parks in OH.

very scenic; lots of paths to choose from; this is a great hike for adults and kids. The new visitor's center is wonderful.

We recommend starting at the Upper Falls (it begins at the farthest spot from the Visitor’s Center, go down into the gorge, and make your way to the Lower Falls. You will see the cave (recess) and the whirlpool going this route. From the lower falls, you can go up and out (which is what we did) or you can continue on to Whispering Cave and/or Cedar Falls. Over the last few decades work has been done to make the trail more accessible and we’d say it is moderate to easy compared to other hikes we’ve taken. Kids can easily hike it. There are dangerous places and you really should stay on the path. At the Lower Falls, you take the steps up and out to the path above and to the cement sidewalk to go back passed the Nature Center and to the Parking Lot. The paths are one way.

I have been to Hocking Hills a few time and every time we make sure to come to Old Man’s Cave. It is a easy hike and there are a lot of picture-taken moments. It’s a little dryer this time of year so I recommend possibly going in early spring. I would think for early spring there would be more water flowing in the cave/park. If you are going to Hocking Hills I recommend going to Old Man’s Cave.

This place is lovely off-season or in the middle of the week (early in the morning). The last time we went was a summer weekend and it was awful. The traffic is all one way (except some people don't follow that rule) and it feels a bit like moving through the queue at Disney World (but there's no ride at the end!). It's hard to feel like you've hiked when you've mostly just stood in a line waiting for the person in front of you to move and it's hard to enjoy nature when you are just looking at the head of the person in front of you. Do yourself a favor---if the parking lot is more than half full, keep going to a different part of the park.

This is by far the busiest trail among them all. I would highly recommend making this your first stop of the day. It gets busier as the day goes on and parking starts to get harder to find. It has a beautiful waterfall. Worth seeing. It’s a great workout!

The old man cave is nice walk through after the previous day hiking 12 + miles through the upper rim and completing all lower trails.

It's a really great spot for those who can't hike a long ways but want to experience nature's build and natural won ders.
Bring lots of fluids and protein bars.

We come here every other year and it never ceases to amaze me. We bring friends and family and everyone agrees, very cool and very welcoming.

Old Man’s Cave is worth a visit any time of the year. The water at the bottom of the waterfalls is really turquoise. Wonderful hike.

Old Mans Cave is always a great place to hike. Of course today there were some icy areas that were a little tricky to maneuver but we made it through and saw a lot of waterfalls and ice! Great hiking.

Old Mans Cave is such a cool spot! The marker explains the history of the area & how it got its name. We hiked this area with our dogs. It was stunning

This hike was so much fun for my husband and I! The views were gorgeous and there were so many options for trails just at one park location. We had a great time!

We were here the weekend of OCtober 19th. Wasn't too crowded. Leaves were still mainly green; not a lot of good fall color. The waterfalls were barely running. I do not recommend going early fall if there hasn't been bucket loads of rain. Trails were fairly easy. I was expecting more from all I've heard about the place in the past. Just doesn't compare to places like Alaska.

My husband and I decided to take a weekend getaway to Hocking Hills State Park and it was AMAZING. With beautiful stone bridges,changing leaves, unique rock formations and more, it was the perfect weekend away from the kids, and we'll definitely be back!

It was absolutely breathtaking. Walking through the woods and seeing the caves was just so amazing and the water fall was just incredibly gorgeous..

We took our girls 20 years ago to Old Man's Cave when they were both in elementary school. I only remember being concerned about getting them safely from one place to the other on the hiking trails. I forgot how beautiful it was. My husband and I hiked to Old Man's Cave and the Lower Falls and it was so amazing! Loved it! The hike to Old Man's Cave is not bad, but be prepared for a little more climbing to the Lower Falls. Still worth it!

Get there early. It gets very crowded by mid-morning. Enjoy the scenery as you stroll. Wear sturdy shoes. Areas can be very muddy.

Our favorite trail to hike. Lots of different thing to see on this trail. It’s a must do whenever we are in the area. Due to the corona restrictions the visitors center is closed.

If you like rocks and climbing, and hiking, this place is for you. Has picnic areas, too. Lots of fun.

Photo ops, scenic rock formations, the steps a healthy challenge, wonderful park ranger helps to make more worth while. Each season will have a different experience. Going during the week probably less crowds for a better more relaxed experience.

Old Man's Cave hosts many amazing views in a wooded area with waterfalls, beautiful rock formations, and trees that seem to reach the heavens. The parking lot was large and easily accessible. Tgere were many handicap parking spots and ramps to the upper falls. A new, very large visitors center is under construction- it appears that it will be both pretty and readily acessible to people with physical disabilities. Bathrooms were available and not horrible, but definitely more functional than state of the art as typical for a state park. Dogs are allowed on the trail.

The most important thing to note, in my opinion, is that there many stairs both there and back if you want yo access the lower falls. Assuming you are healthy and do not mind the climb, the views are well worth the climb. However, our old dog barely made his way back to the parking and we noticed that many people needed to stop and rest along the way to and back to the parking area. We were there on a mild day, so if you are going when it is warm out I would suggest bringing some water.

There is SO much to see here! Make sure you start at the beginning of the Gorge Trail as there are 2 entrances. The 1st time we entered near the Visitor's Center and only saw about 1/3 of the trail. We went back another day and entered by the parking lot and WOW we missed so much. But either way, you will be amazed and awestruck! God's creation is amazing!!! This is a MUST SEE for sure!!! We will be back!

We LOVED our almost 2 hour hike through the Old Man's Cave area in Hocking Hills this weekend. However, last time we were here 6 years ago we missed SO MUCH that we saw finally yesterday, because we just didn't know! We asked a park ranger this time and he told us not to follow the sign that says Old Man Cave which is pointing you towards the new construction building they are building and if you go that way you miss SO MUCH BEAUTY! Instead go left of the park ranger little cabin and follow down the cement path until you get to the little falls, take a turn right over the bridge and follow the journey that way! If you go that way you get to see multiple water falls, bridges and gorgeous parts of nature! TURN LEFT NOT RIGHT and see it all! Also one more tip, when you reach old man's cave, you can go up there and end your journey but I suggest to keep going on to the lower falls because it's beautiful and then trek up the steps there (strenuous but beautiful) and then you will pretty much be done!

One of MANY great hikes in Hocking Hills area. As many of the trails in the various parks and preserves, this one is also one-way, with well-marked signs along the way. We got there early in the morning before the crowds. The trail is great, as is the scenery along the way. There wasn't alot of water flowing, but still a great hike that we thoroughly enjoyed. Despite there not being alot of water in the falls, that didn't stop my husband from taking many (many!) pictures. The area is very interesting, as is the history that goes along with it. The visitor center here is nice as well, and offers quite a bit of interesting information on both Old Man's Cave and other attractions in the area. There are many picnic tables near the (large) parking lot, and we took advantage of eating our lunch there twice. There is also a picnic shelter with tables near the parking lot. Thoroughly enjoyed our time here.

Words can not explain beauty of trails and area. Pay attention to how long you want to hike. Maps don't show it to well but there is trail at cave area that will take you to state park. Make sure you have waterproof shoed with good sole. Only bathrooms at visitor center.

The kids loved hiking in Old Man's Cave. We did more of the trails than we originally planned. The Devil's bathtub was really neat!!

Amazing experience, other-worldly. Plan on coming back to see the park in all seasons. We lucked out by getting there early on New Year's morning so we only saw a couple other people on the trails, it really gave us a chance to explore. My husband has visited in the summer with the crowds, it was beautiful then, but WOW!

Beautiful hiking spot that offers a variety of experiences: Devil's Bathtub, Upper Falls, Lower Falls, and for the true enthusiasts longer trails leading to other major attractions. Dogs are welcome. Worth the effort to come see!

You need to hit this one but go in with a lot of patience it is always crowded. But it is very interesting you kind of have to check this one out.

We enjoyed all of the views. Definitely recommend the “blue” trail through the gorge to see all of the features of the park if your up for active hiking. Be sure to detour into Old Mans Cave on your way to the Lower Falls. Our 11 year old loved climbing all around!

Great walk! Beautiful views the whole way. Not very difficult of a walk at all. I wore my flip flops and had no trouble. If it were a rainy day there could be some slippery areas but it was great. Definitely a must do

Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful hike! Gorgeous water features, spectacular stone, fantastic trees all in one place. Take a few of the extra, optional hikes to more fully appreciate this area.

We took the family on a day trip to Old Man's Cave & it was definitely worth the drive. Watching the wonder on the kids' faces was amazing. The park has done a good job of preserving the area, yet making it fun to explore. Everyone should visit at least once!

Great area for hiking and views...many steps and levels..great views about an hour hike ....gets busier as the day gets warmer/ later in the day

I had heard that Old Man’s Cave is the most popular hike in Hocking Hills so I saved it for Monday hoping it would be less crowded. It ended up raining which made the crowds even smaller and it upped the ambiance a lot! The paths are sandstone so they were not slippery at all. This place is not something you would expect to find in Ohio. I highly recommend it!

Easy walk and it was breathtaking. The Devils bathtub was cool, the waterfalls were amazing. I had heard of how beautiful it was and I totally agree.

Lovely hike! The moss made the gorge seem like a fairytale. Fun! Great sandstone cave areas. Crowded by midday though. Go early!

We found this place to be almost magical. Hidden in the hills, Old Man's Cave is just a short walk from the parking lot. However, if you have an hour to spare and enjoy hiking on a beautiful trail, I recommend starting on the end of the trail marked "upper falls" (also begins at the parking lot). Not only did we see two pretty waterfalls, but we also got to see "the devil's bathtub," which is unlike anything I've ever seen before. Fascinating! The lower trail goes through the gorge, with incredible rock formations and majestic trees. It is truly like being in an enchanted forest. The trail is fairly easy, although there are a few places with stairs and narrow passages. You will want good hiking shoes, a water bottle, and a camera. One of the most gorgeous places I've visited!

This could possibly make it to 5/5, but with the heavy traffic does hurt it. The small falls and caves are beautiful. I haven't seen anything better in the midwest that compares (although let me know if you know of any!)

The best part of this for touristy people is that most of the main things are close to the visitor center. Right away you're greeted with a fall and not much further you can see Old Mans Cave.

I would've loved to hike it further, but my party was beat so we turned back after a couple of hours.

We could have spent days in this park alone. I recommend starting at old man's cave and the lower falls and working your way up past devil's bathtub and on to the upper falls. The kids were mesmerized.

If you must choose only one spot to visit at Hocking Hills this is the one you should choose. After the cave ther is the devils bathtub which is so pretty at the end of the hike is a beautiful waterfall. They are currently building a new welcome center which is due to be complete this fall. Hopefully they will put in some trash cans. Make sure and bring your camera and wear some good walking shoes.

This was a great easy walk. Had a blast. Lots of fun and really beautiful 😍 took less than 30 minutes to walk. Plus all the trails are connected together.

The hike in is very fun and really cool to do with the path, steeps, tunnel cut into stone and overall view. The "cave" isn't really one but a large cut in the side of a cliff. Still really interesting. You go by and see devil's bathtub. Easy hike and a must do.

Always have and always will love walking through Old Man’s cave! The upper and lower falls were gorgeous after the rainfall we had! Always a bit crowed but everyone there usually has great etiquette on the trail!

To think someone actually called this cave home. It is beautiful but be prepared to climb lots of steps (my fitbit calculated 21 stories).

Old Man's Cave trail was excellent! We went very early on a weekday morning and there were only a few other people on the trail. We practically gad it to ourselves!
It is approximately a 1 mile long one way loop with some rock stairs, several bridges and a short tunnel, but it was a relatively easy walk. We took our senior dog and he was able to manage the trail well.
The water levels were very low, so the waterfalls and other water features were at a trickle, but it's still a beautiful area.

We went here first and were really glad because later in the day the parking lot was full. Once on the trail go to Z (I forget what they called the falls) but well worth the extra .5 mile walk.

The state park is beautiful, clean, well marked, plenty of parking, and a picnic area. Clean restrooms. The hike to the cave itself is short and well worth it. Beautiful, amazing view, realitivly easy hike, there are a lot of steps, natural and man made. I would go again to do this hike and others in the area.

Bring a camera, because it’s beyond beautiful. The paths are very good, considering this is a forest area. Prepare to take a couple of hours to gasp at all the caves, trees and streams. It had rained the previous day, so we also were overwhelmed by the gorgeous waterfalls.

Such an special place and accessible hike! Well kept trails and with good signage. We'll be going again!

The typical thought of the terrain in the Midwest is so flat, you can watch your dog run away for three days. Well, the awesome splendor of this Hocking Hills destination is definitely worth a visit. It boggles the mind to see the formations and scope of the area. I would try to describe it, but you wouldn't grasp the beauty and mystic history of Old Man Cave. But...bring some good hiking shoes/boots and prolly a water & snack. You're going to burn some calories.

Fun hike. Easy walk. Crowded but it was the first sunny day in a while in rain soaked Ohio. Easy to get to Lower Falls and Upper Falls for a fun-filled hike.

Went with my husband and our 8 and 12 year old sons. Trails were challenging without being dangerous or overwhelming. Just beautiful scenery.

I really enjoyed seeing Old Man's cave. I had never hiked in an area like Hocking HIlls. I enjoy the outdoors and will return some day.

Make sure you do the whole loop at old mans cave. it is absolutely beautiful. Are 4 waterfalls all of which are awesome. The cave was cool and devil's bath tub was interesting how it was formed. The whole park was breathtaking. Make sure u take the little side trail the broken falls you can walk down a little stair case right to fall and stand next to it. There are alot of stair here but the hike really wasn't that bad. Just take a bottle of water and there are place to rest if you need to.

Not only is this trail like a playground of fun, but it is breathtaking! If you get a chance, don't do just this one feature in the park... do a few!

Those of us from Michigan think of Ohio as the flat, boring farmland we see traveling south toward Dixie on I-75 or across the state on the Ohio Turnpike. But once you start getting close to West Virginia, Ohio turns gorgeous. Hocking Hills State Park is a natural wonder, and this is the star of the geological show.

Beautiful location. There are actually two ways to get to it. The direct trail is easy - the entire loop, while gorgeous, may not be doable for older persons. Its not terrible, but there are some areas that get slippery when wet and some steep/narrow areas. Definitely worth seeing.

Family & I drove lots of miles just to see this beautiful place. A fun hike with many steps but so worth it. The bridges added for foot travel are so cool. Took many pictures of this natural wonder. Check this out if in the area. It was our fave in the area.

Awesome place to hike. There are trails around the rim and through the gorge and the views are amazing. It can be hot on top and down in the gorge it is nice and cool. There are many waterfalls, rock formations and even just the roots of the trees are so pretty. Take your time and take lots of pictures. Pets are welcome. They are building a new, beautiful welcome center but it is not finished so right now there are just port a johns in the parking lot. There is a picnic shelter as well and lots of parking but in the summer it does get packed. We were there in April and it was nice and uncrowded. It is nicer to see with less people because it is a very popular spot.

We made the trek from Ash Cave to Old Mam’s Cave via the Grandma Gateway Trail. Challenging in a few spots but overall not bad. A lot of steps climbing from the gorge to the visitor center.

Old Man's Cave is one of the most beautiful places in Ohio. The trails are well kept. It gets super busy during certain times of the year. I would recommend arriving by at least 8 am to avoid the crowds.

Parking was a big challenge when we visited, whereas other areas were not as busy. Once you get a parking space, there is a one mile one way loop from parking area to visitors center. The views are awesome and this is really a must do while visiting Hocking Hills.

Old Man's Cave had beautiful scenery, and, with the exception of the stairs out, it was not a difficult hike. We hiked all of it once, and part of it later as part of a longer hike, and I would have gladly done it again!

A very pleasant hike. There are a few steps, but not to bad. There is a beautiful rock bridge. Hang on to your small children, there are a few spots they could fall.

Lots of hiking choices and lots of great scenery. Old Mans Cave has trails that are less treacherous and trails for the more adventurous. There are lots of water falls, devils bathtub, caves, tunnels and more. Of course you need to read the story of Old Mans Cave. There were still some icy spots, but otherwise they were great hikes. We took several of the trails over two days. The Visitors Center isn’t open yet, but will be anxious to go back when it is to learn even more about the area.

If you can go during the week so you dont have to fight the crowds. this is the most popular place in Hocking Hills.

Great trail! Hike to cave is short but if you hike the entire area its about 4 miles or so. Lots of great rock formations, waterfalls and crossings.. We did it all with a 3yo who did great, some steps we did carry him. We got there early and missed all the crowds.

If you're a nature lover and love hiking, You have to go to Hocking Hills! Theres so much to do and Old Mans Cave is super fun..ts beautiful at Hocking Hills. Especially in the Fall! Its a fun place to take the entire family!! If you go check out all the sites, there so much to do there!!

Old Man's Cave met my expectations and more. The gorge trail is the first trail when you exit parking lot to the trails. The rim is further to the right as most people head that way. A little confusing. Also, nice indoor restrooms inside pavilion before you head to the trails and maps and questions by staff indoors.

We did the lower gorge area and continued to the Whispering Cave trail back to parking lot at Old Man's Cave. Pooped for sure but well worth it. Beautiful scenery and once you exit Old Man Cave territory we noticed much diminished people and traffic. Felt like I had the trail to myself. However try to go during the week and early morning because as the day moves on the herds follow. We drove by the parking lot on Saturday and WOWZA cars everywhere. Sure it was overflowing on the trails. Not my idea of serenity.

A must see as wonderful nature and beauty everywhere.

Beautiful hike with unique features. Very nice but a bit crowded. The signage was a bit confusing and no maps were available at the visitors center. Start on the one way path and it will take you to some great spots.

Is there anything not beautiful in Hocking Hills?? Probably not! Our own slice of paradise in Ohio. For people who appreciate nature. It will make you feel small and humble when you realize that it was here long before you, and it will be here long after you're gone... Enjoy that moment!

I have only done 3 trails at Hocking Hills and they were all amazing, but this is my favorite. We started at the parking lot near the visitor center, which is closed. I felt like the maps on all of the marquees were a little confusing. We finally decided to follow trail A that was a great choice. Trail A brought us to the upper falls, then to the Devil’s bowl, and then to Old Man’s CAve. Everything was breathtaking and amazing! Just beautiful. The trail itself has many wooden steps along with dirt trail to get down and out. I am not in shape and I did fine. Really I had no problem. I was a bit winded on the way out. The entire hike was about 44 minutes Max and that’s because there were so many people. Go this is a sight you should see. You won’t believe that you are in Ohio!!!

I hiked the three mile loop, although there are shorter hikes as well; and was engrossed the entire time! This place is so cool and looks like a Hollywood movie set it's so perfect! Rocks, waterfalls, caves, great history (complete with real story of man who lived in the cave!) creek, bridges, beautiful hardwood forest - this place has got it ALL! I visited on a weekend which was busy so the only thing I'd suggest is try to get there on a weekday for optimal enjoyment.

This hike to old mans cave is a rugged one (lots of steps), but the end result is awesome, Mother Nature sure does do some remarkable things. If there is a lot of rain these trails will be muddy.

Easy hike to this cave and well worth it. Good signage to show directions. Beautiful scenery along the way and when you arrive

Great atmosphere and lots of shade. Lots to see and even when there's lots of people, it's so open that you don't feel rushed or crowded to see all the sites. There is lots of walking involved but places to rest along the way.

Currently there is no water running, so no waterfalls. It’s still very pretty and the hike is fairly easy. Go bright and early or at dusk to avoid crowds.

my family and friends had a change to go to hocking hills and we all loved it..wow so many trails, and it was all so beautiful to see..old man cave was great..

Hiked from Cedar Falls to Old Man's Cave....... Wonderful Hike, moderate yet fun.
Very scenic route.

Went over Labor Day weekend. TONS of people around but a really beautiful place. I only wish that the ignorant jerks who leave their trash lying around would be more responsible.

Very special place and park, with several hiking trails, from 1mile to 12 and more . Green, nature, clean.
If only everyone would respect the place and not scream or let.little children run around -can be dangerous- it would be perfect

This is probably the most popular hiking trail. We arrived at the trail at 7:30am and very little people were around. We hiked until 10:30 and it was crowded. The view is pretty and worth the hike.

This a great free escape from the big cities and technology. Just unwind your mind on the awesome walking trails, waterfalls, and rock formations. Bring your camera for the best photo opportunities. The Lodge provides gifts and information for your day at the caves.

From the moment we started in this easy trail, we were amazed at all the natural waterfalls, rock formations and cliffs. The cave is at the end of the journey and is a spectacular site and story, but I loved the babbling creek and beautiful features along the way just as much such as the Devil’s Bathtub. The trail may take an hour to two hours depending on how much you stop and admire or take photos. We were here in March during Spring Break and caught some good weather. I was surprised how many other people were in the trail too. At times the trail is narrow and makes it difficult to pass groups of people. Pretty busy! I bet this would be a great place to visit off season and avoid any crowd. It’s a must see, so still honing it 5 stars!

My husband and I drove about 2 hours to get here. We spent the night at a hotel in Logan then got up the next morning and went to the Welcome Center nearby. We decided to do the Old Man's Cave. We loved it! It was definitely exciting! We are in our 60's and a bit stiff and a little out of shape, but we surprised ourselves at how well we got through! This place is clean and well kept up. We loved the waterfalls! I don't recommend this trail for small children or old dogs. We only took our Chi with us whom my husband carried at times and who got along with everyone. We loved the experience and can't wait to come back and try some other trails. We let people go around us if we took awhile to navigate some of the rock steps, and it had rained the night before. Everyone was patient and understanding. We recommend doing Old Man's Cave first then you will want to check out the others!

This place is absolutely gorgeous! The rocky overhangs and gushing falls surrounded by Ohio forest land paint a picture that I can only describe as paradise. I described the land to my father as "like Lothlorien" (a fictional place of beauty in a fantasy novel.) Old Man's Cave is easily the most gorgeous natural park I've EVER visited. Remember, this is coming from a gal who spent four years living in northern Michigan. The place is basically one giant park!

Both me and my young family members enjoyed the hike down to the lower falls. I really wanted to see the upper falls as well, but everyone else in my family was tired (especially my grandfather) and in serious need of ice cream.

The only warnings I can really give are to NOT go swimming/wading in the falls. I know the pools at the bottom are a welcome sight to a hot, weary hiker, but it is NOT ALLOWED. The poor park ranger kept having to hike all the way down to the falls, over and over to police kids and adults alike who were deciding to go for a dip DESPITE the many signs prohibiting it.

I can see what this trail is so popular among tourists. Lots of beautiful scenery and water. Trails are easy to walk with wide walking spaces.

we loved going here..last year and this year..my family and friends loved it to..we all can not wait to come back again..

Fall is a beautiful time of year to visit Old Man's Cave and any other Hocking Hills attraction! It's another beautiful piece of God's handiwork! The park is very well-kept and the new lodge is amazing and full of local, historical information. Please be very careful if you bring children as there are some areas that could be very dangerous.

Great hike, easy and so much to see. Loved the waterfalls and the cave, even the kids got a kick out of the bridges.

We hiked all around here. The one good thing to know if you are doing multiple places, you can hike towards Cedar Falls which will take you to Whispering Cave. From there, there is a trail that was not on the map going back to Old Mans Cave. It was a long day of hiking, but beautiful. We went during the week so we didn't see a whole lot of people.

This was a very fun hike, not very strenuous, we took our 7, 8, and 10 year old daughters and they handled it very well.

This was a day of exploration. Make sure to have tons of water...the days can be hot. Everything is so pretty take your time and sightsee.

This is where we finished our Grandma Gatewood's Trail walk from Ash Cave to Old Man's Cave. Wish we would have walked the other direction. Not as nice or spectacular as Ash, much more crowded, hard walk down the stairs and back up if just visiting this site. Still worth the walk, but be prepared to step aside every so often to let others pass in either direction. A spectacular view and amazing natural outcropping, but if only see one cave, I'd recommend Ash first and if looking for one short trail, I'd recommend Conkles Hollow. Just my opinion...

This is a great place to start in Hocking Hills. Stop at the Visitors Center and get maps and take a pick of their full size map indoors. The visiting center has restrooms and a shop in it. Old man’s cave is a beautiful falls and well worth the trip- if you want some real hiking- start here and stay on the BLUE trail all the way down to Whispering Cave and then end at Cedar Falls- the RED trail back to your car is a lot more even ground than the Blue Trail back. It was a great first day for us!!

TIPS:

Cell service is non existent on hike!

Bring water and a sandwich or two for this close to 8 mile round trip hike!

Where hiking shoes or boots- one guy in our group wore tennis shoes- but he was wet and a bit muddy at times.

I love this hike! We stopped on our way through Ohio. Easy walk, nice groomed paths and beautiful pictures!

We had a wonderful time hiking about the old mans cave. Beautiful sites and much to learn for a couple of older folks .

There is a massive parking lot here. When you arrive, you'll be tempted to go to the visitor's center and restrooms, which is fine, but just know that the trail actually starts on the other side of the parking lot. The trail is challenging with lots of stairs, rocks, etc. to navigate, but we saw people of all ages and abilities along the hike. There are lots of great rock formations and water features that make for great photos along the way. The trail ends on the other side of the visitor's center, so if you didn't hit that up when you arrived, you easily can when leaving.

My father started taking me here as a young girl. I am now 64. He taught me the beauty of nature, & in this place...is the ultimate experience. The trees, roots, rocks & cliffs are breathtaking. I have lived in 5 states & explored much. But this...THIS is home. I longed to live here as a young girl. Nowhere else has held the pristine beauty of OMC.

This year I made a vow to take my grandgirls here, 10 & 8. They were old enough to see it & appreciate it. My son hadn't been here since he was their age. I had last been there 10 yrs ago with my now husband. He passed my OMC "test".

And so, with praying for good weather from Indiana to New York...we met & made the journey to meet there, with many variables in play.

I really felt my father with us in this visit. Everything was PERFECT. And somehow, through previous floods & destruction in the cave, it was even MORE BEAUTIUL than I've EVER seen it.

If you live close, take your children often. It's more important in life lessons than any amount of money you could leave them.

If you live far, take your time & sit & talk. Keep your children close to nature. It is the cure for all of society's ills.

I hope to be back. But if I'm not, I know my son & grandgirls will be.

Thanks Dad.

This place is amazing! Looks like a painting! Does have a lot of stairs but worth the it! I will go back.

This was one of the longer hikes we went on. Many many different rock formations. Trails were one one. Visitor center was closed but there were people in front of building with clearly labeled maps. Get there early as this is one of the lost popular trails.

Nice short hike but way more crowded than when were last there 7 years ago. Get there early to avoid crowds.

Again, Signage a bit confusing. They are building a new visitor center and signage shows trail closed. It does not not indicate there are multiple trails to the cave.

Once you get on the right trail, it is nicely marked. The paths are secure if one is a bit unsteady but not for those using mobile assist devices.

Lovely site when you arrive. Getting there is half the fun

It is truly beautiful but beware lots of stares. Little kids may need to be carried and strollers are difficult but worth the climb down.

Love this spot..it is going to be having a wonderful new visitors center soon...under construction now. Busy place tho...all year!

Enjoyed this hike on a Friday afternoon. Not a holiday weekend but had enough people like it was. Great beauty and worth the time.

We got married at the beautiful old man's cave upper falls. Just breathtaking. One of our favorite places to go

Absolutely beautiful... I can't wait to go back! Every corner you turn is a more scenic view than the last..

Beautiful scenery and picture opportunities! The trail is one-way. The walk down was easy, but MANY steps to get out may leave you panting. Definitely worth the hike.

Had a fabulous visit to Old Man's Cave. It is absolutely gorgeous - seeing is believing. I have lived in Columbus for several years now - and can barely believe it has taken me this long to go - it is well worth the visit and only takes 1 hour to get there from Columbus. The hike to the cave is easy - it is well paved - with good hiking trails just off of the more paved ones. It has something for everyone. Would highly recommend as a MUST DO ACTIVITY for outside of Columbus

A fun and pretty easy hike. There are lots of connected trails, so you can choose to go on to other attractions and extend your hike. Beautiful area and lots of amazing things to see!

Just a really cool short hike to old man’s cave. Nice visitor center. Recommend for sure. Ash cave easier access for older folks or disabled path for wheelchairs.

My wife and I spent about 30-45 minutes on a trail closest to the visitors center. We enjoyed how easy it was to see suck beautiful views! Definitely have to watch your kids and your step, some very high cliffs and rough terrain. Looking forward to returning!

Great place to check out nature. Lots of steps and climbing optional. There are rocks to stop and rest if needed.

Was an amazing hike a must do if you are visiting Hocking hills. Can be very busy at certain times. The views are superb and must see for any nature lover.

We completed the Old Man’s Cave loop to Cedar Falls and back - Took four hours and about 17,000 steps! Brisk, sunny day made conditions perfect. Main attractions (Cedar Falls and upper falls) near parking lots were rather crowded which made the more remote locations even more enjoyable! Lots of dogs and friendly people on the trails!

This was incredibly beautiful. Couple things I wished I had known...I wish they had a level of difficulty rating on their places of interest. This was a lot of walking up stairs and became a bit difficult at one point. The stairs are all different types, some very unlevel and narrow. Also, parking during the busy times is hard to come by and you may have to walk quite far to the park from a spot. I probably would have been fine seeing this from above but it really was beautiful. Just know your abilities.

This was our first time to hocking hills. We did the 6 mile hike which went to Cedar falls using the gorge overlook trail and returned back to the visitor center using the grandmas gateway trail. It took about 3ish hours. The overlook trail was an easy hike. The gateway trail was more challenging and so much fun. The scenery was amazing. There was no rainfall so all the waterfalls, devils bathtub etc were. It really active but it was still amazing to see and we can’t wait to go back when it rains to see the difference!

Great trip. We arrived at approximately 9 am and made our way towards the entrance of the trail. The parking lot was quite spacious and there were plenty of places to park. We opted to hike the Gorge Overlook Loop via Buckeye Trail, which was a roughly 6.2 mile loop trail around the park. We were able to view Cedar Falls and Old Man’s Cave on this route. The trail was moderate in nature and consisted of walking on an uneven dirt surface for a majority of the walk. The trail took us through a forest and we were able to enjoy gorgeous scenic views of several towering cliffs, multiple caves and waterfalls, a lake and various rock formations. The trail contained numerous sets of stairs and was quite uneven and rocky at times. There were several informational plaques on the trail, that detailed the history of the area. The midway point of the hike contained the visitors center, which we stopped at for a quick bathroom break. The only downside to this hike was there was only a small trickle of water where the waterfalls usually were, due to recent droughts in the area. .

Tip: I recommend spending 4 hours here if you truly want any to see everything.

You have to visit this area in Hocking Hills. It's really popular, so be sure to get there early. The hiking trails are all very well laid out and connect to each other, so if you're willing you can spend all day walking through all of the areas.

Grew up only miles away from it (my family was here in the time of the "old man in the cave"). I know so many out-of-the-way spots down there that it would blow your minds!! Hard to fathom for most that places like these would exist in little old Ohio. Split rocks, Hidden cave, Counslers Cave, Overlook, Red Rocks. Locally known deep wood spots you'd never know were there w/o knowledge of the area. So many cool places in Hocking County

This hike did not disappoint in any way!! My family (40yos, 13yo, 11yo, 9yo) showed up in the lot just after 9 and we found the trail to still be pretty quiet. We had wanted to hike the whole area from the upper falls on down and found the reviews to be a little lacking in information. I was pleasantly surprised to find the one way path did just what I had hoped for. The kids had so much fun exploring the rocks and creekside. This is a must for any visit in the area!

Very Breathtaking view. The hike is really nice and the falls are nice. Just such a beautiful place!

My wife and I (I'm 60, she's 56) spent two days this past weekend hiking in the Hocking Hills State Park. This region is quite different from any other area we've been to in Ohio. We had heard of "Old Man's Cave", so we began there, parking in a large parking area next to a visitor's center with nice restrooms and plenty of sources of information. We followed the signs to "Old Man's Cave", and that area was fairly crowded on a Saturday afternoon. However, once we followed trails leading from there, the people thinned out, and the hiking was much more enjoyable. Over two days, we hiked a total of about 12 miles, visiting the "Upper Falls", "Lower Falls", "Cedar Falls", "Cantwell Cliffs", "Rock House", "Whispering Cave", and "Ash Cave".

We were glad it was September, with temperatures only in the 70s and 80s. Cooler would have been even better, but I would not have wanted to do these hikes during the hot summer months. Even in September, on day two, I found that carrying a washcloth with me to wipe away perspiration made the hikes much more enjoyable. We found the hikes strenuous, but nothing we couldn't handle, and the area was truly beautiful, with many unique features. I wouldn't recommend most of these hikes for or with small children, but for teens and above, they were quite enjoyable.

The views are amazing, but this was my least favorite of the Hocking Hills attractions. It was overcrowded.

Beware of weekend parking! You may have to wait for a spot but it is worth it! This was my favorite place to see even though it was the most strenuous-can you say Stair master workout! LOL! Absolutely beautiful though..

I was surprised how beautiful the Old Mans Cave Hike really was. It is like you’ve left the Midwest. Super cool to see the rock formations and all that surrounds. The devils basin and waterfalls are all worth the stops, and it’s not a very long hike at all.

So much beautiful scenery! Not too much hiking required. Loved the caves and waterfalls! Will definitely be coming back!

I first visited here about nine years ago with my college aged daughter. This time, I visited with my husband. This is a truly amazing Ohio attraction. The rock formations, the forest, the trails, the caves, the water falls, they are all just mesmerizing ... and it feels like you've been transported to another space and time. There is a new visitor center that features an interesting history of the park with maps, photos and details and on how the trails were developed by the Conservation Corps back in the 1930s. We only hiked from the Upper Falls to Old Man's Cave and back to the visitor center and it took a little more than an hour. You could easily spend a half a day. And because we'd like to see the Lower Falls and the Rock House, we'll be back! It is definitely worth a visit, regardless of the time of year.

Great place to appreciate God's natural gifts to us. Wonderful hiking trails and beautiful waterfall and variety of botanical species

Wow, what an awesome place to visit a must go to again in the near future. The hike and caves plus water features.

OMC is an easy leisurely hike with some great sights. It has some steps but not arduous. yada, yada, yada...

Very beautiful. Trails are well marked. Lots of stairs to Old Man's Cave and the upper/lower falls. If you're in bad shape might not be the hike you want to make. Amazing to see nature like this. Great experience

There is a moderate hiking trail that takes visitors to the Old Man’s Cave. The trail is well marked and provides awesome views of the water and the sheer cliffs that rise above the trail. There are foot bridges that take you across the stream and, in one area, cement stumps that resemble the Giant’s Causeway in Ireland. The entrance to the Old Man’s Cave is like entering the mouth of a gigantic clam. The roof must be well over 100 ft. high. There are two tunnels bored into the rock that you will walk through for an exciting experience. The trail is a one-way entrance and a one-way exit. The exit trail is basically up hill and should be taken with frequent stops. There was a crowd of visitors and many were eager to assist hikers with their footing and/or take pictures in return for the same gesture. A must return state park to hike the other trails.

Tip: It is recommended that visitors wear laced footwear to provide secure footing.

October 17, 2021

The gorge walk is a great experience, on any day. Experience the cliffs, falls, bridges, the CC work on easy access paths. Walk through tunnels or on stairs to see the rock features in close-up .

We just hiked Old Man's Cave and the Lower Falls in Hocking Hills and it was a beautiful hike. Very interesting area to hike, and very beautiful. Looking forward to also doing the Upper Falls in the future!

Great hiking area and a fairly easy walk from one cave to another. Need more markers along the trail but overall pretty easy to get around.

I went hiking on the Old Man's Cave Trail on a fine August afternoon with a friend and thoroughly enjoyed the hike, in spite of the crowds. The trail is well marked and provides awesome views of the water and the sheer cliffs that rise above the trail. There are artfully designed foot bridges and stairs across the stream. There are two tunnels bored into the rock that make for an exciting experience. The trail is one-way, with the front leg of the trail being downhill, while the return is uphill.

Old Man's Cave Trail is worth many revisits, as a part of the amazing Hocking Hills State Park.

This is a physically demanding environment, full of truly beautiful scenery. The natural beauty is strong medicine here: we ended the day physically spent and mentally rejuvenated. Bring water! We packed 2 liters each, and were glad we did. (We visited on a Thursday, and the weather was in the mid/high 80s and quite humid.) The trail from the parking lot down to Old Man's Cave itself was somewhat crowded. Once we got past the Old Man's Cave section the crowds thinned out significantly. There were many points after that where we had nobody visibly up or down the trail from us. I strongly recommend proper hiking boots with good ankle support. Simply getting down to the gorge floor at the start of the Old Man's Cave trail requires descending some rugged terrain. Further in to the gorge we encountered lots of spots that took a little creativity to negotiate. Tree roots, slippery rocks, and (thanks to an overnight thunderstorm) muddy spots all made us glad to have proper waterproof hiking boots. Even in the gorge itself there are some notable elevation changes. We encountered one bridge in the gorge that was a little like something from the Lord of the Rings movies: it spanned a stream, but had no handrails at all. Further along there was a rope bridge as well.
Jaw-dropping natural beauty abounds here. Despite the crowds at spots it feels largely untouched, which is remarkable. The only signs of human impact we noted were the trail itself, where there are spots worn down by generations of visitors. The rock formations, gorgeous woodlands, and the many interesting falls and water formations made the trek more than worth it.

Although the signage could be better, you can find your way around this property if you have enough time. Be forewarned that there are no trash receptacles and some rude visitors are apt to leave used diapers or dog poo bags along the trail!!! Don't be like them!

There are a lot of stairs, but that’s indicated on the map but it’s doable. Great story about the Old Man who lives there. The views are fabulous! Well worth the hike.