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My family just returned from a much-needed day trip to Old Man’s Cave in Hocking Hills. Hocking Hills State Park is located in southeast Ohio and it has over 25 miles of hiking trails, waterfalls, rock formations, and recess caves.

The park has seven separate hiking areas and include: Ash Cave, Cantwell Cliffs, Cedar Falls, Conkle’s Hollow, Old Man’s Cave, Rock House, and Hemlock Bridge Trail to Whispering Cave.

We decided to visit Old Man’s Cave, located off of route 664. The area is divided into five sections: Upper Falls, Upper Gorge, Middle Falls, Lower Falls, and Lower Gorge. You can access the map of Old Man’s Cave here.

Before we started on our hike, we enjoyed a picnic lunch atop a hill by the parking lot. We went on a Saturday and it was fairly crowded around the time we arrived at 1:30. It took a couple times circling the parking lot before we found a space to park. By the time we left around 3:30, the parking lot was starting to empty out and there were plenty of spaces to choose from.

Visitor’s Center

There is a rather nice Visitor’s Center with a gift shop, restrooms, and information about the park. We waited until after our hike to visit the gift shop and found a nice little variety of shirts, books, and souvenirs.

The Trail

The trail to Old Man’s Cave was easy to navigate on foot but is not accessible to strollers and wheelchairs. According to this Hocking Hills website, there is an accessible trail running from the park office past the visitor center to Lodge road. It is a little more than a half mile in length and includes a brand new ramp and observation deck of the Upper Falls.

We found that some of the steps/rocks on the trail to/from Old Man’s Cave were slippery but with a little caution they were fine. We came across many hikers with their dogs, although those with smaller dogs were carrying them out since some of the steps were too high for their short legs.

If you go in the summer, I recommend taking a backpack. Fill it with snacks, plenty of water (don’t forget to bring water for your dog), bug spray, hand wipes, and sunscreen. It’s also a good idea to wear a hat to prevent bringing home a tick.

Be advised that swimming or walking in the waterfalls or creeks are not permitted. However, even with signs posted, there were quite a few people in the water down at the Lower Falls. It took away from the aesthetics of the waterfall and prevented many from taking a picture (including myself).

Overnight Accommodations

If you do not live within a short driving distance to Old Man’s Cave, you will be pleased to know that there are plenty of options for you if you choose to stay overnight. Click here to begin your search of area cabins, chalets, lodges, campgrounds, and hotels.

Lessons Learned

If we had taken snacks on the trail, we would have hiked to Cedar Falls once we reached the Lower Falls, which would have been an additional two miles each way. We made the mistake of leaving all of our food in the car instead of bringing it with us. The next time we visit I’ll be sure to pack the snacks so we have the energy to keep going.

In addition, we would do our best to plan a trip during the week if we go back in the summer or at plan to arrive during non-peak times. According to Google, the most popular times to visit Old Man’s Cave are between 11:00 am and 6:00 pm almost any day of the week. The least popular times appear to be at 9:00 am on Tuesdays or Wednesdays. The park is open from dusk until dawn year-round.

Final Thoughts

The real beauty of our trip to Hocking Hills was not what we saw. Rather, it was the time we spent together as a family. I had to smile when my 10 and 11-year old couldn’t access their Wi-Fi. Instead of being distracted by technology, they were absorbed in the sights, sounds, and smells of the park. We had long conversations and laughs along the trail that I will always remember and hold dear.

With school just around the corner and busy schedules to juggle, I am grateful we decided on a whim to visit Old Man’s Cave. The memories we made will be cherished all year long.

The next time you feel your family needs to step away from their everyday and experience something new, consider a trip to Hocking Hills State Park. With so many miles of trails and natural wonders, you’re sure to find exactly what your family is looking for, or better yet, what your family needs.

Plan More Trips with the Family

If you’re looking to plan more trips, visit my Travel section and read more about Destin, Florida; Dauphin Island, Alabama; Myrtle Beach, S.C; Hatteras Island, S.C. and Ohio’s Amish Country.

Happy & Safe Travels!