Hiking Hiatus at Hocking Hills State Park

The beauty of this road trip is that we had no plans, new adventures come with each day. Well, we did have one thing planned. We needed to pick up some business cards we got printed for free in Cleveland, Ohio. So far our days have been waking up in our Subaru Tribeca home, moving things around in order to drive, and hitting the road east with the end goal of Maine in mind.  While exploring Ohio waiting for our business cards to be printed, we came across a must-visit on your next trip!

It was clear through a quick online search that Hocking Hills State Park was an iconic site in Ohio. We were happy to find this gem. Hocking Hills is the most visited State Park in Ohio.  In addition, it’s completely free to hike! Finding free hikes on this road trip is a big plus for us because we know there are so many beautiful places that are free, so seeking those out is a must for us. We know there will be some sites we need to pay to get in like National Parks, but the good thing is we will purchase the annual park pass for those visits. The annual America the Beautiful pass is currently only $80 and gives you entry to all National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands for 12 months from the date of purchase. It seems well worth, especially if you plan to road trip.

We pulled into the Visitor Center at Hocking Hills State Park to get a map and talk with the staff about trail suggestions since we had just the afternoon for a hike. There are a handful of popular hikes at Hocking Hills, and over 30 miles of hiking in the state park. Conkle’s Hollow is probably one of the most popular hikes there, as the photo turned up on numerous Pinterest searches! If we go back we hope to check this area out.

Cantwell Cliffs and Whispering Caves were suggested for more challenging hikes. We decided to go with Cantwell Cliffs which was 15 miles away from the Visitor Center and some of the main trailheads such as Old Man’s Cave. If you are wanting to get away from the crowds and don’t want to go to the Visitor Center for information, this would be a good option for you. We always go with the less-popular trails when hiking with our dog. 

We did the Cantwell Cliff loops, both the rim and the gorge. In total this was about 3 miles. It was the perfect amount of hiking for an afternoon to get exercise and stretch our legs from the long drive the past few days.

This loop is an intermediate loop with some steep hills, rocky terrain, and narrow trail. We would recommend this trail to people who hike on a semi-regular basis and are comfortable with some steep rocky terrain. If you don’t hike on a regular basis but want to check it out, hiking the upper rim trail is a good option. This way you’ll avoid the steep narrow climbs. 

One of the most unique features of this hike is the steep narrow passage you climb down to access the gorge. It was slippery, the stairs were old and not at all flat. Take it slow and steady and you’ll be fine! The green moss growing out of the rocks, the cobblestone look, and the moisture you feel all around you gives a very Lord of the Rings feel! This really would be the perfect place for movie shoots, family photo shoots, etc. The hike along the gorge was lush and full of rock formations and trickling waterfalls to see. There were a handful of people climbing the rock formations and falls too. Climb at your own risk! We were cool staying safe and admiring the glory of the rocks from the trail!

The old stone bridge is another unique feature on this hike. You will come across it as you are heading back to the rim from the gorge. It was picture perfect. Unfortunately, the waterfall wasn’t flowing when we were there.  On a day the water is flowing this would be an extra magical spot to sit and stare into the wonders the universe has to offer us.

Have you ever visited Hocking Hills State Park? Which trail do you prefer?

Peace, love, and hike thru life!