Cantwell Cliffs at Hocking Hills State Park, Ohio

Hocking Hills State Park receives millions of visitors per year. And while many spots in the park can get busy during peak season, there’s one place where you can normally avoid the crowds and get some of the best views in the park: Cantwell Cliffs.

Here’s what you need to know about Cantwell Cliffs:

It’s one of the most picturesque parts of the park. Cantwell Cliffs features many of the most impressive gorges and cliffs in the area. Some of the walls reach up to 150-feet tall – in person, the cliffs will take your breath away.

The cliffs aren’t in the main Hocking Hills area. The reason Cantwell Cliffs is less crowded is that it’s not located where most of the other attractions are. To get there, it’s about a 25-minute drive north from most areas in Hocking Hills.

What is Cantwell Cliffs?

Cantwell Cliffs is one of the seven major hiking areas in Hocking Hills State Park. And though it’s about 15 miles to the north of the rest of the park, it offers some of the most striking scenery in all of Ohio; the area certainly lives up to its name.

When you arrive at Cantwell and start hiking, you’ll be met almost immediately with the area’s massive cliffs. The trails in the park will take you through, around, and above the cliffs – you’ll get great views from all angles.

If you drive up to Cantwell Cliffs: Keep in mind that Clear Creek Metro Park is just a couple minutes further to the north. And although it’s not technically in Hocking Hills, the metro park offers a variety of beautiful landscapes in a quiet setting.

Where is Cantwell Cliffs located?

You can find Cantwell Cliffs just off of Highway 374, about 15 miles to the north of the center of Hocking Hills. If you’re driving down from Columbus or Cleveland, the cliffs are on the way to the main part of Hocking Hills.

The drive to Cantwell Cliffs is about 3 hours from Cleveland, 2 hours from Cincinnati, and 1 hour from Columbus.

Hiking at Cantwell Cliffs

The main hike at Cantwell Cliffs is a simple loop, as shown on the AllTrails map above. But there are actually two different trails at Cantwell Cliffs, and they’re slightly different. Here’s a simple breakdown:

Cantwell Rim Trail: This is the main trail at Cantwell Cliffs. It takes you on the ridge above most of the area, giving you great views of the sandstone cliffs and the forests. It’s a one-way, 1.8-mile loop. It’s a well-maintained trail, and there are some easy steps on the steeper bits.

Cantwell Gorge Trail: This is a connector with the Rim Trail. In fact, about 0.2 miles in, you’ll briefly transfer from the Rim Trail to the Gorge Trail. Then, you’ll have the option to stay on the Gorge Trail for another half-mile or to continue on the Rim Trail. Either way, you’ll end up back on the Rim Trail for the majority of the hike. The only difference is that the Gorge Trail takes you through the canyons at a lower elevation.

As with most other trails in Hocking Hills, there’s clear signage in the area that’ll help you understand where you’re hiking.

How was Cantwell Cliffs formed?

The formation of Cantwell Cliffs is a miracle of geology. The cliffs are made up of Black Hand sandstone. It’s unique to Ohio, and you’ll see the sandstone all around Hocking Hills.

Hundreds of millions of years ago, when an ancient sea covering Ohio began to recede, leftover sediment condensed and formed Black Hand sandstone. When geologists studied the Black Hand sandstone, they discovered that it can be grouped into three sections: The upper layer, the middle layer, and the bottom layer.

Places like Cantwell Cliffs form because the middle layer of Black Hand is most susceptible to erosion. So, while the roof and floor of the cliffs are still fairly intact, the middle layer has eroded to create massive recess caves and corridors. The result is a series of stunning gorges, boulders, and cliffs you can enjoy today.

FAQs about Cantwell Cliffs

Can I bring my dog to Cantwell Cliffs?

Yes, you can! Just make sure they’re on a leash.

How long does it take to hike Cantwell Cliffs?

You can complete the loop trail in about 1.5 hours. But if you want to spend some time exploring the caves and taking photos, plan for more time than that.

How far is it from Cantwell Cliffs to Hocking Hills?

Although Cantwell Cliffs is one of the major areas in Hocking Hills, it’s not in the center of the park. Many of the popular attractions in Hocking Hills State Park like Old Man’s Cave or Cedar Falls are a short drive away – about 20 minutes to the south.

Places to stay near Cantwell Cliffs

Wondering where to stay when you visit Hocking Hills? Clear Falls has 15 cabins situated on a secluded 500-acre wildlife preserve, just minutes from Cantwell Cliffs. It’s paradise in the wilderness—and just a few minutes’ walk from most of Hocking Hills’ most beautiful attractions. Find your cabin below.

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The Bottom Line

If you visit Hocking Hills, don’t forget to check out Cantwell Cliffs. It may not be central to the rest of the park, but the extra drive is paid off in full with fewer crowds and spectacular views.