The Hocking State Forest Rock Climbing and Rappelling Area: Where It Is and the Rules
There is exactly one place on state land in Hocking County where you can legally rope up. Here is where it is, what the rules say, and why the famous gorges are off-limits.
Hocking Hills is full of sandstone cliffs, and plenty of visitors look at them and think about rope. The answer for almost all of the region is no. Climbing and rappelling are restricted on Ohio state land, and the famous gorges in the state park are off-limits. But there is one legal option, and it is a good one: the Rock Climbing and Rappelling Area in Hocking State Forest.
Where it is
ODNR describes the climbing area as about 99 acres of Hocking State Forest set aside for climbing and rappelling on Big Pine Road, roughly one mile east of Conkle's Hollow State Nature Preserve. The forest map labels the road as Big Pine Road (County Road 11) in the Spring Hollow area, and says it is the only state land facility in the county that permits climbing and rappelling.
A visitor report from Trek Ohio adds practical detail: a gravel parking lot on Big Pine Road, with a picnic area and kiosk across the road. The approach crosses Pine Creek on a footbridge, then follows a "foot travel only" trail toward a long sandstone cliff. The same lot also serves the short walks to Balanced Rock and Airplane Rock.
| Detail | What we found | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Size | About 99 acres | ODNR |
| Location | Big Pine Road (CR 11), about 1 mile east of Conkle's Hollow | ODNR forest page and map |
| Hours | Half hour before sunrise to half hour after sunset; map says closes at dark | ODNR |
| Registration | Required by rule; self-registration kiosk at the trailhead | Ohio Admin. Code; Trek Ohio |
| Fee | None found in ODNR materials | Confirm with forest office |
| Forest office | 19275 State Route 374, Rockbridge; (740) 385-4402 | ODNR |
The rules
State law: designated areas, real equipment, registration
Ohio Administrative Code rule 1501:3-2-15 covers state forests. It prohibits rock climbing and rappelling except in designated areas, requires participants to use technical equipment designed for the purpose, and requires registration before climbing, rappelling or entering the designated area. In practice, registration means filling out the kiosk form before you head in.
Site rules from the ODNR area map
- Closes at dark. Plan to be off the cliff and walking out with daylight to spare.
- No campfires.
- Stay within the boundary markers. The map shows the limits of the climbing area. Do not climb or rappel beyond them.
- Pack out trash.
- Go easy on the rock. The map strongly discourages pitons and chocks because the sandstone is soft, and notes that top-roping is considered safer.
- Climb with experience. Novices are encouraged to climb or rappel with someone experienced.
Blackhand sandstone is not granite. Edges can crumble, and protection that bites into the rock can damage it or pull out. Follow ODNR's advice: favor top-rope setups, inspect anchors carefully, and do not trust anything you did not check yourself.
Hunting overlaps
Hocking State Forest is open to hunting under Division of Wildlife rules. During deer gun season, which in 2026 runs November 30 to December 6 and December 19 to 20, wear orange on the approach and keep voices up on the trail.
Why climbing is banned in the state park
People ask this every season, usually while standing under the cliffs at Old Man's Cave. The short answer is that the law says so.
- Rule 1501:46-7-10 requires climbers in state parks to stay on designated trails, and allows off-trail climbing only at designated areas after registering with the area manager.
- Rule 1501:46-7-09 allows rappelling in state parks only at designated areas and only after registering.
- Rule 1501:46-3-30 prohibits leaving posted trails in Hocking Hills State Park without written permission from the chief. Its exceptions are designated public-use areas, which include rock-climbing areas.
Hocking Hills State Park's gorges are not designated climbing areas. ODNR's park page points climbers and rappellers to the adjacent state forest instead.
The practical reasons are easy to see on a busy Saturday. The gorge trails are packed with families directly below the cliffs. The sandstone is soft and wears quickly under ropes and boots. Off-trail scrambling on wet rock is a common thread in rescue calls. Keeping ropes in one designated area protects both the rock and the people below. Our Hocking Hills safety guide goes deeper on cliff-edge risks.
Conkle's Hollow sits just down Big Pine Road from the climbing area, and its cliffs look tempting. It is a state nature preserve, not a climbing area. Treat it, and the other preserves, as hiking-only.
Planning a climbing day
Before you go
- Check conditions. Wet sandstone is weaker and slicker. Many climbers avoid the rock for a while after heavy rain.
- Call the forest office at (740) 385-4402 if you have questions about current rules or closures. The ODNR Division of Forestry line is (877) 247-8733.
- Check trail closures. Storms can close forest roads. See our guide to checking closures before you go.
- Download offline maps. Cell service is unreliable around Big Pine Road.
On site
- Park in the gravel lot on Big Pine Road.
- Cross to the kiosk and register before heading in.
- Follow the foot trail across the creek to the cliff.
- Set anchors with care, stay inside the boundary markers, and leave no gear behind.
- Be packed up and walking out before dark.
Trek Ohio's visit report describes getting turned around on the way back and ending up on a narrow ledge above a drop. Note your approach trail on the way in, and do not wander along the cliff base looking for a shortcut.
For non-climbers in the group
The same lot gives access to Balanced Rock and Airplane Rock, so non-climbers have something to explore. If you are spectating, stay well back from the base of active routes and do not distract climbers while they set up or climb.
Leave the rock better than you found it
A single designated area takes all the rope traffic for the county, so wear shows up fast. A few habits keep it open and in good shape:
- Protect the edges. Rope running over a soft sandstone lip cuts grooves. Use edge protection where ropes cross the top.
- Stay on established paths along the cliff base and top instead of creating new ones through the vegetation.
- Do not carve, chalk-mark or paint the rock. Ohio forest rules prohibit defacing natural features.
- Keep groups compact and share routes with other parties on busy days.
New to climbing or rappelling?
ODNR's advice is simple: use quality equipment and climb with experienced people. If no one in your group has real rope experience, hire a qualified guide or take a course before your trip. Do not learn knots and anchors from a video on a soft sandstone cliff far from cell service.
Quick checklist
- Go to the Big Pine Road area; never climb or rappel in the state park gorges
- Register at the kiosk before entering
- Use real technical equipment and favor top-rope setups
- No pitons or chocks in the soft sandstone; no campfires
- Stay inside the boundary markers and pack out everything
- Be off the rock and walking out before dark
- Wear orange on the approach during deer gun season
Frequently asked questions
Where can you rock climb in Hocking Hills?
On state land, at the Hocking State Forest Rock Climbing and Rappelling Area on Big Pine Road, about a mile east of Conkle's Hollow. ODNR sets aside about 99 acres there. Climbing is not allowed in Hocking Hills State Park outside designated areas.
Do you need a permit to climb in Hocking State Forest?
We found no fee or paid permit on ODNR materials, but Ohio rules require climbers and rappellers to register before climbing. Visitors describe a self-registration kiosk at the trailhead. Confirm with the forest office at (740) 385-4402.
Can you rappel at Old Man's Cave or Ash Cave?
No. Ohio rules allow rappelling and off-trail climbing in state parks only at designated areas and after registering, and Hocking Hills State Park also prohibits leaving posted trails. The gorges are not designated climbing areas.
What are the hours of the Hocking State Forest climbing area?
ODNR lists Hocking State Forest hours as half an hour before sunrise to half an hour after sunset, and the climbing area map states the area closes at dark.
Can beginners climb at Hocking State Forest?
ODNR encourages inexperienced climbers to go with experienced people and to use quality equipment. If you are new, hire a qualified guide or go with an experienced partner rather than learning on your own.
Sources and verification
- ODNR: Hocking State Forest (99-acre climbing area, hours, contacts)
- ODNR Division of Forestry: Hocking State Forest climbing and rappelling area map (PDF)
- Ohio Administrative Code 1501:3-2-15: climbing and rappelling in state forests
- Ohio Administrative Code 1501:46-7-10: rock climbing in state parks
- Trek Ohio: visit report with parking, kiosk and approach details
Climbing is dangerous. This page summarizes rules and logistics. It is not instruction. Confirm current rules with the Hocking State Forest office before you go.