Old Man's Cave is where Hocking Hills starts for most visitors — and for good reason. The trail packs an extraordinary range of geological features into 1.0–1.5 miles: waterfalls, a 250-foot gorge corridor, natural rock formations with names that have been attracting visitors since the 1870s, and the recess cave where a hermit named Richard Rowe lived from roughly 1796 until his death. The challenge isn't the hiking — it's the logistics. Here's how to do it right.
The Quick Facts
The Parking Problem — and How to Solve It
Old Man's Cave has the largest parking lot in the park system and it still fills by 9–10 AM on weekend mornings in every season. During fall foliage, it's full by 8 AM. The overflow situation — cars lined up on SR-664, people walking a half mile from unofficial roadside spots — is avoidable with a little planning.
- Best option: Arrive before 8:30 AM on weekends. Before 9 AM on weekdays. Simple.
- Second best: Use the free weekend shuttle from downtown Logan (9 AM–5 PM, spring–late October). Park once in Logan and ride directly to the trailhead. Wheelchair accessible.
- Third option: Hike the Gorge Trail from Cedar Falls to Old Man's Cave (6 miles one-way, strenuous) — this accesses Old Man's Cave from the Cedar Falls direction and bypasses the main lot entirely.
- Avoid: Arriving at 10 AM–2 PM on a fall Saturday. The lot will be full, the trail will be at maximum density, and the experience degrades significantly.
The Two Exit Options
Exits to the Naturalist Cabin at the upper end of the gorge. You see the main features — Upper Falls, Devil's Bathtub, the recess cave — but not Lower Falls. Good option for shorter groups or when time is limited. Note: this exit puts you at the Naturalist Cabin, not the main parking lot — there's a short walk back.
Continues through the cave and along the gorge to Lower Falls (~25 ft) and the Visitor Center at the lower parking lot. The full geological sequence. Ends at a different lot than where most people start — plan to walk back along SR-664 (~0.5 mi) or take the shuttle back to the upper lot.
Key Features on Trail
- Upper Falls (~20 ft): The first major waterfall, visible from the ADA-accessible observation deck above the gorge.
- Devil's Bathtub: A smooth sandstone depression carved by waterflow — one of the most photographed formations in the park.
- Old Man's Cave (the recess): The cave itself — named for Richard Rowe, a hermit who lived here from roughly 1796 until his death. The recess is large enough to walk into; the cave ceiling soars above you.
- Sphinx Head: A natural sandstone formation resembling a sphinx profile — visible from trail.
- Middle Falls: Located in the gorge narrows between Upper and Lower Falls.
- Lower Falls (~25 ft, Exit 2 only): The final major waterfall before the Visitor Center.
- Broken Rock Falls spur: A 0.25-mile two-way spur off the main trail — the only section where back-and-forth travel is permitted.
Black Hand sandstone becomes treacherous when wet. The mossy stone stairs and gorge floor after rain are among the most slippery surfaces you'll encounter in any Ohio park. Sturdy hiking shoes with good grip are essential — not trail runners, not sandals. Multiple visitors have fallen seriously on wet trail sections. If it rained within the last 24 hours, plan for significantly slower, more careful hiking.
"Richard Rowe chose this gorge in 1796 for the same reasons 3–5 million people visit it every year — the shelter of the recess cave, the sound of falling water, and the way the sandstone walls hold the world at a distance."
Weekdays, always. Early morning on weekends (before 9 AM). The gorge in winter fog, with ice-fringed waterfalls and almost no other visitors, is legitimately one of the best versions of this trail. Spring waterfalls run highest in February–April. Fall foliage from the gorge looking up at the canopy — mid-October — is extraordinary but crowded. Pick your priority.