March in Hocking Hills is a transition month. Expect mud on low trails, meltwater and rain running through the gorges, and patches of ice that hang on in shade after the parking lots thaw. Daylight is stretching, the clocks change on March 14, 2027, and the first signs of spring can appear. It is a good month for waterfalls and a poor one for clean boots. Here is how to plan around it.
What March does to the trails
March swings between winter and spring, sometimes within a single day. Nights can freeze while afternoons thaw. That cycle is hard on trails: wet ground freezes, thaws, and turns to mud, while shaded stone steps refreeze after the sun leaves. Ohio DNR notes that trails in the park are often icy in winter and suggests ice cleats, and the shaded gorges are the last places to lose that ice. Our freeze-thaw guide explains why a trail can look fine at the trailhead and be glazed below.
The result is a month with three overlapping conditions: leftover ice, deep mud and high water. You rarely get all three at once, but you should be ready for any of them.
Late ice: shade is the clue
- Stone stairs, boardwalks and ledges on the north and shaded sides keep ice longest.
- Seeps along cliff walls can still be frozen even when the air feels mild.
- Morning is the riskiest time. By midafternoon, sunny sections may be wet instead of icy, but refreezing starts as the light fades.
Carry traction in March even if the forecast looks mild. Our traction guide compares microspikes and light cleats, and the winter-safe trails guide covers cold-weather route choices.
Mud, meltwater and waterfalls
Rain and snowmelt soak the trails and fill the creeks. Low gorge floors and flat dirt sections hold water, while stone stairs run slick with moss and spray. Higher, drier surfaces drain better, though no trail is completely free of mud. Our guides to spring mud and wet feet and creek crossings and water levels help you pick routes.
Water levels can rise quickly after heavy rain. Gorges channel runoff, and a clear sky at the trailhead does not guarantee a quiet creek downstream. If water is running across a path in a way you did not plan for, turn around. Do not wade or swim: the Winter Hike organizers state not to swim in waterfalls, creeks or ponds, and posted park signs apply.
Waterfalls: usually a highlight
Snowmelt and spring rain tend to feed the falls, so March can be one of the better months to see them. Flow depends on recent weather, so there is no guarantee. Our waterfall conditions guide and spring waterfall trails guide explain how to read the conditions. Always view falls from the trail and keep clear of cliff edges and wet basins.
Which walks make sense in March
Ohio DNR lists these distances:
- Ash Cave gorge trail: about a quarter mile, easy and wheelchair accessible. The most forgiving choice when the weather is unsettled. See the Ash Cave guide.
- Old Man's Cave, Cedar Falls and Rock House: about a mile each and moderate, with stairs. Go with traction and patience, and avoid them after a hard freeze or heavy rain if you are unsure.
- Conkle's Hollow gorge trail: about a mile round trip and partly paved, in a nature preserve that does not allow pets.
- Longer routes: the Whispering Cave trail is about 4.5 miles and the Grandma Gatewood section about 6 miles. These are better left for a drier, warmer day.
Pick based on the forecast and the last few days of weather, not the calendar. Our best trails after a storm guide can help.
Daylight in March
Ohio DNR says trails are open from half an hour before sunrise to half an hour after sunset. Using standard solar calculations for the Logan area, sunset is around 6:20 p.m. on March 1, 2027. Daylight saving time begins on the second Sunday of March, which is March 14, 2027, and after the change sunset is around 7:30 p.m. Confirm exact times in a sunrise-sunset calendar. The extra evening light is welcome, but gorges still dim early. Do not push the time.
If your trip spans the weekend of March 13 and 14, 2027, remember that the clocks jump forward and mornings feel darker. Sunrise and sunset both arrive an hour later on the clock. That can help you fit a longer hike into the evening, but it can also trick you into thinking there is more light left than the gorge provides. Set a firm turnaround time in advance and keep to it.
Footwear and gear for the month
- Waterproof boots with real tread for mud and wet stone. See boots or trail runners by season.
- Traction in the pack, and put it on at the first sign of ice.
- Gaiters or pants you do not mind getting muddy.
- Layers. Mornings are cold and afternoons can feel mild.
- Poles, if slick ground worries you.
- A spare pair of socks in the car.
Early spring extras: ticks and wildflowers
The CDC says adult blacklegged ticks may be out searching for a host any time winter temperatures are above freezing. A mild March day is therefore a reason to check clothes and skin afterward. Early wildflowers may begin to appear in a warm spring, but timing varies year to year. Our spring wildflowers guide explains what to look for and when.
Check before you drive
The park has closed trails after thaw-freeze cycles, as in February 2022, when some areas reopened in stages while others stayed shut. Check the Ohio DNR park page, posted signs and recent notices on the morning of your trip. Our closure-checking guide explains where to look.
Bottom line
March rewards flexible hikers. Bring traction, wear waterproof boots, choose your trail by recent weather, and finish before the light fades. If conditions look bad, pick the flat Ash Cave walk, or plan another day.
Make March a cabin weekend.
A cabin close to the trails gives muddy boots a place to dry and a hot soak to follow.
Find a cabin near the trails →Frequently Asked Questions
Is March a good time to hike Hocking Hills?
It can be, especially for waterfalls, but conditions are unsettled. Expect mud, meltwater and patches of ice, and plan to turn around if footing is poor.
Will there still be ice on the trails in March?
Possibly. Ohio DNR says trails are often icy in winter, and shaded stairs and ledges hold ice longest. Carry traction and check conditions before you go.
When does daylight saving time start in 2027?
It begins on the second Sunday of March, which is March 14, 2027. After that, sunset in the Logan area is around 7:30 p.m. Ohio DNR closes trails half an hour after sunset.
Are ticks active in March?
They can be. The CDC says adult blacklegged ticks may be out searching for a host any time winter temperatures are above freezing, so check yourself after a walk.
What is the best trail in March if conditions are rough?
The Ash Cave gorge trail, at about a quarter mile and wheelchair accessible per Ohio DNR, is the most forgiving. Choose a drier day for stair-heavy gorges.
Sources and verification. Trail hours, distances and the winter ice note come from the Ohio DNR Hocking Hills State Park page. Conkle's Hollow details are from the Ohio DNR Conkle's Hollow page. The daylight saving rule is from NIST, which gives the second Sunday of March. The tick statement is from the CDC. The February 2022 closure is from News 5 Cleveland, and the no-swimming guidance is from the Winter Hike notes. Sunset times are my own approximate calculations. Checked in October 2026. I did not find a current closure notice, so confirm conditions before you go.