Hocking Hills State Park · Trail Guide
The only true cave in Hocking Hills — a 200-foot tunnel with Gothic-arch windows framing the forest.
Rock House is unique among Hocking Hills' seven major areas — it's the only true cave in the park system. While the other "caves" are technically recess caves (open-faced overhangs), Rock House is a 200-foot-long enclosed tunnel corridor set midway up a 150-foot sandstone cliff, with Gothic-arch window openings framing forest views.
The cave was historically used as shelter by both Native Americans and later as a hideout for horse thieves and bootleggers. The rough stone stairs leading to the cave were carved in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC).
The trail descends roughly 200 feet via approximately 200 stone stairs to reach the cave entrance. Inside, the tunnel is tall enough to walk through comfortably, with multiple window openings where sandstone columns frame the forest canopy. The interior stays cool year-round — noticeably cooler than the surrounding trail in summer. The CCC-era stonework is impressive in its own right.
The one-way gorge trail covers 0.6 miles; the rim trail adds 0.2 miles. The CCC stairs are steep and can be slippery when wet. Not wheelchair accessible. The effort is concentrated in the descent and ascent via stairs — the cave itself is relatively flat.
Rock House's lot rarely fills due to its location on SR-374 north of the main park cluster. It draws fewer visitors than Old Man's Cave, Cedar Falls, or Ash Cave, making it a good midweek or afternoon option.
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