Old Man's Cave

Simply awesome. Make sure you wear hiking boots or shoes esp in winter, trails can be very slick. These are not paved trails FYI. Don't expect a plushie experience. It's rugged. There are several steep climbs here. I be back

Old Man's Cave is the heart of Hocking Hills, and for good reason. It’s an absolute classic that gives you a taste of everything the park has to offer. The trail takes you deep into a gorge with towering, mossy cliffs and a creek that rushes over small waterfalls. You walk across bridges and down stone steps that were built right into the rock, which is a cool historical touch. While it's definitely the most popular and can be packed with people, you just have to embrace it. Go early in the morning if you want some peace, but even with a crowd, it's easy to get lost in the sheer scale and beauty of the place. It's a must-see for a reason.

Beautiful area! Easy trail for children. So many cool rock bridges, tunnels and a beautiful waterfall. Will definitely visit again. Make sure to go on a weekday and not a weekend. Otherwise it can be really busy. The lower falls are definitely worth the hike to them

Got a beautiful cabin called quiet pines. Did horse back riding & hiked the Hocking hills forest with the family. Had a wonderful time. The senary was more then amazing. Will definitely be coming back. Well worth the trip.

This area has multiple trails with different lengths and difficulty levels. They are all beautiful and some a kid-friendly. This area is absolutely stunning and a must see for any nature enthusiast!

Must go. Must see. Absolutely amazing Took about 1/2 hour walk through. So beautiful. You just have to be careful where you step sometimes. I’m late 60 hubby late 70. We are active. This was pretty easy.

It was a little cool, but the weather was nice. It is a very popular place, so be prepared to share the trail.

This was an unplanned stop on the way home from a weekend event- soo glad we decided to go! The hike to the cave was easy- to- moderately difficult- some of the stairs are a little steep/uneven, and the cave entrance is narrow- but there are tons of places to stop & rest, take pix, or get your Zen.. The water levels are pretty low this year, so no scenic waterfalls but it was the perfect spot to reconnect & be awed by the beauty of nature.

Apart from parking and overcrowding situation, this is truly super unique and beautiful experience. Path starts opposite side from the visitor center in a clockwise direction and it's very shaded and serene if you make it super early. The later you visit (that being after 10), the longer wait for the parking and slower moving crowds will be encountered . Since we visited in a late summer , the path was dry, so were the falls.. kind of a trade off. The whole experience with stopping for photos was about an hour. Visitor center had some interesting exhibits specially if due to mobility path is inaccessible for you. I liked the gift shop, it had a pressed penny machine, which is more hard to find lately. Got some cool wooden ornament with Old men's cave image engraved for my Christmas tree collection. Would love to come back in an early spring for the totally opposite images.

What a great walk this is. I have been wanting to go here for years and I finally made it recently with a friend. We thoroughly enjoying every aspect of this walk. The cave is incredible! You get to see so much beauty as you are walking in and out. The day we went it was a little crowded so the trail was not as enjoyable but we still had a great time regardless. There is so much to see here. This is the type of place you could spend all day exploring I can only imagine how beautiful it is in the fall. I love it! Enjoy :)

Well not bad, very busy felt like a Disney ride. The place is beautiful if you're looking for a decent more secluded hike go elsewhere.

We loved it here! It was so beautiful. The waterfalls, trails etc. Do be careful on the trail, it was slippery (which is to be expected). This is awesome for family fun or just some time outdoors. They have a lodge with a lot of neat things to look at. I will definitely go back. The drive was even nice.

This really is a beautiful place, but as much as I wish it were true, the fact of the matter is: I'm just not that outdoorsy. In fact, I am probably pretty much indoorsy. My son and I were here on a weekday around 9 AM and it was quite busy. But it was also a pretty chilly morning for mid October, and he was complaining that he was ready to go. We never did find the nearby waterfall that is allegedly just beyond the parking lot, and we had somewhere else we had to be, so I guess we'll have to come back again. Leaves are pretty this time of year.

Always enjoy hiking old man's cave. Lately I do not understand all the eye pollution. There is no need for the cables and signs. These things are litter. I have been hiking these areas for most of my life (60), you don't need these warning signs posted everywhere.

My wife, two teenage sons (17 yrs, 15 yrs) and I stopped by Hocking Hills SP on our drive from Parkersburg, WV to Cincinnati. In my opinion, this is the best hiking experience and crown jewel of Ohio state park hikes for visitors with limited time (1 hour or less). First, it's located right next to a large visitor's center with clean restrooms, park maps, and an information center. Second, the hike follows a one-way path down a series of half-caves and other interesting geological formations. Kids are likely to find something interesting. Third, the lower waterfall was pretty although the flow was quite limited. Fourth, it's completely free.

It's beautiful but too many people. We had to go around many groups of people just to not stop the entire trail especially just for pictures every 5 steps.

This is our favorite hike in Hocking Hills. It is. Shirt than most, but has a huge parking lot and a visitors center. It has actual flushing bathrooms and Wi-Fi. It has upper and lower falls as well as caves.

Loved hiking this gorgeous trail that's family friendly! The trail is absolutely gorgeous with multiple water falls! Great opportunities for pictures. Great signage and marking of trails throughout so you don't get lost! There is also a visitor center with bathrooms that are well kept up.

Visited here over the weekend with our pup. Great time with friends. It was a nice stroll through the woods not too cold for January!! The hike was easy/mild took about 30-45 mins to do.

Incredibly beautiful trail. Loved every second of exploring this area. Even those dog friendly I wouldn't recommend bringing a dog that has shorter legs because there are areas where the steps are kind of difficult to climb and if they are awkward or long you would not be able to carry them throughout the whole path very comfortably. I would recommend wearing shoes with good tread because parts of the path are slippery. If you're in the area definitely worth visiting this.

Very pretty trails! I would recommend going early-ish to beat the crowds if you can. Dog friendly! Personally, I do feel like this trail specifically is a bit over-hyped. It's definitely beautiful and the trails are well taken care of, just not as exciting as I thought.

I don't even know where to start. I've been hiking this trail for over a decade now and every time I visit it's just as magical as I remember. Whether it's in the dead of winter and the falls are iced over or it's the middle of the summer with a pandemic going on, it's always worth a trip in my book. Coming from Columbus and just about anywhere else, this is considered a day trip activity. While the drive home can be quiet and sleepy for those not in the driver seat, it's easily accomplished in one day. If you're renting a cabin nearby, I highly recommend visiting really early in the morning... before it starts to get really busy. Over the years the trails have changed. In the past you sorta had free reign over the cave, but these days you need to stay on marked trails. It's definitely become more popular over the years, so I understand how this is necessary in order to preserve the space. This year I definitely noticed more trash and I hope that doesn't become a trend. I treasure this space and I expect other visitors to as well. Overall, this trail is what I consider to be one of Ohio wonders. If you like to be outdoors, this is a must visit!

This is my family's favorite hike in Hocking Hills! If you're looking for a hike that will be entertaining for kids, with lots of interactive things to do, Old Man's Cave is it. We were walking through tunnels and caves, going over bridges, looking at waterfalls, hopping over rocks, going up and down stairs and seeing so much beautiful Ohio scenery. Old Man's Cave Trail is the perfect length -- I think it took us a little over 45 minutes from start to finish. By the time my children were getting tired, it was over and we were already by the visitors center and heading back to the parking lot. Speaking of visitor's center: There is a large visitor's center here, with indoor bathrooms, hand sanitizer, a water station for dogs, and a patio to hang out in before or after your hike. I like having modern conveniences available (like indoor plumbing) when I'm experiencing nature, so this really appealed to me. We visited in the early spring, and it wasn't super crowded at all. FYI: The trail goes one way, so once you start, you need to continue on. Just keep that in mind if you have very young children who change their minds about activities quickly!

This is the most popular and sought out trail in Hocking Hills. There are so many routes that you can take, and everything is very well mapped. The trails range from easy, to difficult. With that being said, you're still walking on slippery rocks so I would recommend a decent pair of hiking shoes.

Popular hike that is well-maintained and well-mapped. There is nothing short of pleasant views and wonders about the surrounding natural environment. You also get to learn about the old man and the area's history from the historical marker towards the end of the trail. Definitely recommend. I also echo the others' sentiment for hiking shoes just because the trail can get muddy or slippery, and there is a good amount of walking to be done. That being said, the path can be done with running or casual shoes. Just watch your step.

Yes, yes and yes. Very family friendly trail. Do as little or as much as you want. My husband walked it while anticipating an upcoming knee surgery. I walked it and I'm fat n' lazy. NICE trail. Take water. This area is clearly the pride of Ohio as it should be. Lots of pic oppurtunities.

A great hike but i do find it challenging. there is a visitor center with flush bathrooms YAY. there is map, You will see upper falls, devils bathtub, lower falls, nice rock formations and arch bridges. Caves. Wow the hiking here doesn't get easier ... if your over weight .. out of shape and awkward the hiking in Hocking hills will be difficult and somewhat dangerous. People do it with their dogs and kids. But there are LOTS of steps and some are hard for short legs. Every season looks different .. I prefer to come when it's dry enough to not have mud .. yet not dry enough the waterfalls are puny. Yep thats tough. This weekend was perfect ... not humid or hot.. no bugs or mud. cell phone service is spotty so be prepared for that. You young people ... there is a thing called maps lol. bring water, snacks, bug spray .. though this weekend didnt need it. Parking is a huge issue .. if you have a vehicle that 4 wheel or all wheel drive .. truck .. can park on hills and off side of road. make this your first stop and if you can avoid weekends all the better.

This was the best hike of my life without having to hike miles before seeing the waterfalls. Every part of the hike is full of life and green. As you continue the hike, a wonderful sound of streams follow! A must see treasure in Ohio!

How beautiful! Definitely a must when your in Columbus--about an hour away. There's free parking by the visitor center, where you can ask questions at the information desk and use the bathrooms. Thereafter you can either start at Lower or Upper Falls, the entire trail is only about 1.5 miles (takes about 1.5 hrs with photos/stops). We started with the lower falls that quickly lead to Old Man's Cave. What I like about this hike is you don't have to walk a ton to see beautiful hikes. In Utah you have to walk quite a bit for the main enchilada but not here. And it's a perfect mix of natural and modern. They have paved trails, rails, safety guidelines but it hasn't been tampered with too much either. Absolutely beautiful. I'd recommend doing Upper and Lower Falls but if you have to pick one--I'd do old man's cave and upper falls. Devil's Bathtub will be on the way and is smaller than I thought it would be, but the path to get there is just stunning. Trail is shaded for most part and feels cooler than it would off trail. Highly recommended!

This is a MUST-hike trail if you are heading to Hocking Hills. I visited Hocking Hills over winter break and hiked this trail. While it was quite icy, as long as you're careful, it's definitely manageable. This trail is only a few miles, but connects to many miles to make it easier to extend your hike. We hiked about 7 miles during the day (much of which was uphill... I felt it in my legs for a few days). Old Man's Cave didn't exactly feel like a cave (at least, we were never completely immersed in a cave #nospelunking). But, the rock formations were beautiful. Look out overhead when it's icy as the massive icicles could definitely kill someone. We saw a few fall while we hiked. I will definitely venture back to hike this trail and others. This is such a beautiful park and a must-see stop in Ohio!

I'd recommend doing this one first / early as it can get busy. As I drove in I saw cones lined up along the roadway and there is a big park office (and indoor [nice] restrooms) to give you clues about how busy this park gets. I went at 7:30am on a Monday and was the only one there. There is certainly beautiful nature here, but there are a lot of man-made items as well like bridges and retaining walls. They are all made tastefully to blend in with stone, etc. There is a clear path throughout this park - there is no way to get lost on this one-way trail. For me this was a .8 mile hike and only a 62 foot elevation gain. The gain was all in the way of very easy to ascend steps / bridges.

Great place to visit! Trails are not long to get to the caves. Enjoyed all the views and the falls.

Great experience ! Usually crowded but still worth driving over an hour to come see. Even on a hot day it feels pretty cool on the trail

Love this trail so much and I have visited it over 10 times in the past 10 years. On this particular trail you pass several caves, go through a couple of tunnels, climb hundreds of steps, and enjoy 4 beautiful waterfalls. This trail so peaceful and I find something new every time I go. I love this trail and its the longest in the park. When I go to other sites within the Hocking Hills State Park, I feel like I have to go to Old Man's Cave trail or I haven't truly been to Hocking Hills Hiking!!!! There are a lot of privately owned cabins to rent and there is a large park campground right next to this trail so you can literally camp here and go out of your tent or camper to enjoy the falls. The canyon rim trail and some of the other trails are steep and don't have any rails. So, if you are hiking with kids, don't let them run a head, let them have fun but be very cautious. My kids, nieces and nephews loved hiking these trails while growing up and this is something that I still enjoy doing now that I am an empty-nester. I can't really pinpoint which aspect of this trail is my favorite. I just love it from start to finish. It's about 3 to 4 miles depending on which trails you take. So, plan about 2 hrs enjoying the breathtaking vistas and enjoy the day but remember no swimming or wading allowed at the falls...

Well defined trails. Scenic trails. Easy to navigate. Beautiful waterfalls and interesting history.

This is such a great time! Explore outdoors on this awesome hiking trail that takes you on a wonderful sight seeing tour.. You'll get lost in beautiful rock formations, surrounded by waterfalls, wonder in and out of caves, surrounded by huge mature trees, experience peace and the sounds of nature, enjoy the outdoors, remember the days before video games! Wear comfy shoes that are fitting for this type of activity. Hiking and/or athletic shoes. Bring water to drink. Maybe even a snack. After you explore old mans cave you can hike to cedar falls but once you go that route there's no turning back, as in, it doesn't circle around so don't go down that trail unless you're prepared to travel there AND back! Great time though. Beautiful. Good exercise! Fun!

Words cannot describe the beauty of this place! Despite the 95* stifling heat, we had a wonderful time hiking around Old Man's Cave in late September. It's a good 10 or 15 degrees cooler once you get down by the cave, so don't let the hot summer weather deter this experience. There is so much to see around every turn of the trail. There were several other visitors while we were there, but it doesn't really take away from the peaceful serenity. To avoid a crowd, I'd suggest going during the week. Also, there are a lot of steep drop offs and ledges, so be sure to watch your kids!

Awesome hike! A little bit scary sometimes make sure you stay on the trail and you'll be fine. I will do it again

Great trail!! My children 6 & 4 were able to do the hike. I will go back in the summer when we can play in the water!! Highly recommend

Beautiful trail, good for kids but on weekends tons of people so go early if you want to beat the crowd. For longer distance hikers without kids, walk on to the other trails..so beautiful.

Beautiful waterfalls , rock structures and caves enhance a trail that meanders up and down cliff walls and along a creek. Must be able to climb long steep steps and manage poor footing on dirt paths.

The trail meaners thru rock structures , waterfalls , huge cliffs and caves in the hillside . The terrain can be difficult to manage if you have any walking problems . This trail has rock steps to climb and can be slippery . I recommend this to families with children , but not to elderly people who cannot manage climbing hills .

Such beautiful sights!! I was in awe. I strongly advise wearing ice shoes and using some sort of hiking sticks if planning a hike at wintertime. There was a bunch of ice and it was really slick. People were going down all over the place. I can't wait to return!

the only reason I'm giving 5 stars is because of the park ranger chad. we got lost and couldn't find our car while it was dark and he helped us after the guy at the desk tried to tell us to go back down the trail during dark

Breathe taking views everywhere in this place. Highly recommend going here. Awesome scenery