Cedar Falls is the largest waterfall in Hocking Hills by volume, and in October it's often a ribbon. That's not a reason to skip it. The gorge around the falls — hemlock-dark, moss-green, and ringed by maples that peak in the third and fourth weeks of the month — is one of the best places in the region to stand in fall color, and the six-mile trail that connects it to Old Man's Cave and Ash Cave is the classic October hike in Ohio.
The water situation
Cedar Falls is fed by Queer Creek, and October is typically one of the lowest-flow stretches of the year for the region's creeks. After a dry September, the falls can be a trickle down the rock face; after a wet week, it's a proper cascade again within a day or two. The plunge pool and the wet rock at the base stay damp regardless, which matters for footing on the lower stairs. If a full-flow Cedar Falls is the goal, spring is the season; the waterfall conditions guide explains how flow tracks rainfall. In October, go for the gorge and treat any water as a bonus.
A note on the name: there are no cedars. Early settlers misidentified the hemlocks. The hemlocks are the reason the gorge stays dark green while everything above it turns.
When the gorge peaks
Cedar Falls sits in the same deep, shaded gorge system as Old Man's Cave, so its deciduous color runs late — roughly October 18–25, a week or more behind the exposed rims to the north. The effect at peak is a canopy of sugar maple, birch, and beech burning above a floor of hemlock, fern, and moss, with the falls and the plunge pool at the bottom of the frame. The last week of October, with the leaves down on the trail and the canopy thinning, is nearly as good and much quieter.
How to get there: three options
| Approach | Distance | October reality |
|---|---|---|
| Cedar Falls parking lot | Half a mile down (stairs) and back | Small lot that fills by late morning on peak weekends because it's the midpoint of the corridor. Fine on weekdays. |
| From Old Man's Cave | About 3 miles one way via the Gorge Trail / Buckeye Trail | The classic. Leave the visitor center early, walk the gorge in the fog, reach the falls mid-morning. Return the same way or use the shuttle when it runs. |
| From Ash Cave | About 3 miles one way | Quieter than the Old Man's Cave side, with a long rim section. Combine with the Ash Cave gorge trail. |
The full Old Man's Cave–Cedar Falls–Ash Cave route is about six miles and is the course of the free, ranger-led Grandma Gatewood Fall Colors Hike on Saturday, October 10, 2026. It's rated difficult; the difficulty is stairs and distance, not terrain. The Buckeye Trail guide covers the through-route.
October cautions at the falls
- The lower stairs and the rock at the base are wet even when the falls are low. Leaf cover on top of wet rock is the hazard; leaves on sandstone covers it.
- No wading, no climbing the falls. Park rules, and the rock is slick.
- Dusk closes the trail, and the Cedar Falls gorge goes dark early. If you're walking back to Old Man's Cave, leave the falls by 4:30 in late October.
- The shuttle that connects the trailheads on peak days doesn't run every day or every hour; don't plan a one-way hike on it without confirming at the visitor center.
The photo
Low water makes the classic wide shot less dramatic, so shoot the gorge instead: the falls small in the frame, the maples big above, the hemlocks framing. Overcast days are better than sunny ones in the gorge because the contrast between the dark floor and the bright canopy is otherwise impossible. A polarizer cuts the glare on the wet rock. Photographing fall foliage has the settings.
Base at the corridor
Cabins between Old Man's Cave and Ash Cave put the whole six-mile route at your door.
Find a cabin near Cedar Falls →Frequently Asked Questions
Does Cedar Falls have water in October?
Often not much. October is typically a low-flow month for the creeks, so the falls can be a thin ribbon after a dry September. A wet week restores it within a day or two. Go in October for the gorge color and treat the water as a bonus; spring is the season for full flow.
When does Cedar Falls peak for fall color?
Roughly October 18–25, a week or more behind the exposed rims to the north. The maples, birch, and beech above the hemlock floor make the last two weeks of October the best time in the gorge.
How far is Cedar Falls from Old Man's Cave?
About three miles one way on the gorge trail, or a half-mile stairway from the Cedar Falls parking lot. The full Old Man's Cave–Cedar Falls–Ash Cave route is about six miles and is the course of the Grandma Gatewood hike on October 10, 2026.