Old Man’s Cave at Hocking Hills State Park, Ohio

It’s an unexpected place. Most people don’t know that somewhere like Old Man’s Cave exists. And if they do, they don’t imagine that it’s in Ohio.

For hikers and nature-lovers, Old Man’s Cave is a must-visit. Nestled in the north end of Hocking Hills State Park, it is both a piece of rare history and one of the most beautiful parts of Ohio—or, many would argue, the entire Midwest. It’s part of an ancient gorge, filled with hiking trails and waterfalls and jagged sandstone.

We’ll cover all the important details below. But, first, here’s what you need to know about Old Man’s Cave if you’re planning a trip out:

It’s not actually a cave. The name is deceiving for first-timers. Old Man’s Cave is a 1-mile section of Hocking Hills State Park that cuts through a 150-foot-tall gorge, filled with waterfalls and some of the most impressive sandstone structures in the park.

There are plenty of trail options around the “cave”. The Grandma Gatewood trail—a legendary stretch of the Buckeye Trail—runs the length of the gorge. There are a few other trail choices too, which we will cover in the hiking trails section below.

It’s the crowd favorite in Hocking Hills. Old Man’s Cave is the most popular attraction at Hocking Hills State Park and it’s one of the “Big Three” (along with Ash Cave and Cedar Falls). If you want a chance at some solitude beneath the towering sandstone, you should plan on getting an early start.

Old Man’s Cave is a highlight of any trip to Hocking Hills—the highlight, for many.

What is Old Man’s Cave?

Old Man’s Cave is a roughly 1-mile stretch of gorge within Hocking Hills State Park. It extends from the Upper Falls (near the parking lot) to the Lower Gorge, and it gives access to some of the most dramatic scenery in all of Ohio.

The gorge at Old Man’s Cave is one of seven hiking areas in the Hocking Hills State Park, and it’s by far the most popular. The raging pools, smooth waterfalls, and massive recesses in the sandstone products of ancient history, and you’ll see them all here. The area is home to some of the best waterfalls in Ohio.

The area consists of three main attractions:

Upper Falls

The first waterfall you’ll encounter, if you’re hiking north to south on the Grandma Gatewood trail, is Upper Falls. It’s not the biggest or tallest waterfall in the park, but it’s peaceful and the water rolls off the lip of the rock like it’s been practicing for thousands of years—which, coincidentally, it has.

Devil’s Bathtub

Of the many rumored portals to the underworld on this planet, the Devil’s Bathtub is undoubtedly the prettiest. It is a small, tiered waterfall, but the shape of the stone causes the water to form a raging whirlpool as it cascades downstream.

There’s no swimming, though: So whether or not it’s truly a gateway to Hades, the world will never know.

Sphinx Rock Formation and Lower Falls

The Sphinx Rock Formation and Lower Falls are about a half-mile down the gorge from Devil’s Bathtub. Above the Lower Falls, the distinctive rock known as the Sphinx Head guides Old Man’s Creek down into a pool below, surrounded by otherworldly erosions in the sandstone.

Below the falls, there’s a small beach and open area. It’s a lovely place to stop and take a rest. Downstream from here, the creek continues beyond Old Man’s Cave and heads towards other attractions in the park (like Whispering Falls).

Where is Old Man’s Cave located?

Old Man’s Cave is at the north end of Hocking Hills State Park and conveniently located off Route 664. The Old Man’s Cave Visitor Center has plenty of parking and is just steps away from the Upper Falls.

More generally, Old Man’s Cave (and the rest of Hocking Hills State Park) is located in Southern Ohio. If you’re driving from Columbus, it’s roughly an hour trip. It will take you about 2 hours from Cincinnati, 3 hours from Cleveland, and 3.5 hours from Pittsburgh.

Hiking in Old Man’s Cave

The gorge at Old Man’s Cave is only about a mile long. But there are multiple trails within this section, and you’ll need to know which to take if you want to hit the right attractions.

The trails around Old Man’s Cave are mostly one-way. They are designed to be taken as loop trails—so make sure you plan your route before you head out.

Here’s a simple breakdown of the trails in the area:

Grandma Gatewood Trail: This trail extends 6 miles through the entire state park, but the stretch of this trail in Old Man’s Cave is only about a mile long. It starts at Upper Falls, and takes you south past the Devil’s Bathtub, Sphinx Head, and Lower Falls. It’s the most common route for hikers.

Upper Falls Loop Trail: If you’re looking for a quick and relaxing hike, consider the Upper Falls loop. It’s only 0.6 miles, and it’ll take you past Upper Falls, over the gorge on an A-frame bridge, and back to the parking lot.

Gorge Exit Trail: This 0.5-mile trail offers an up-close view of the Sphinx Rock Formation and Lower Falls. You can get there one of two ways: By crossing over from the Grandma Gatewood Trail, or by continuing from the Upper Falls Loop Trail.

There are various smaller access trails and connecting trails in Old Man’s Cave. For example, you can add a trip to Whispering Falls or plenty of other places. Wherever you end up exploring, there are signposts on the trails that’ll tell you all you need to know.

History: Where did that name come from?

There is a rich history surrounding Old Man’s Cave—both the landscape and the legend.

How was Old Man’s Cave formed?

More than 300 million years ago, a shallow sea blanketed Ohio. After a while, the ocean receded and erosion created marshy wetlands (like what you’d see in the modern-day Mississippi River Delta). The sediments in this delta condensed, and created what’s known as Black Hand sandstone.

The sandstone is unique to this region of Ohio, and examples of it can be found throughout the Old Man’s Cave area. Wherever you see a large rock formation and a carved out section of a cliff, you’re probably looking at Black Hand sandstone. It’s a rare type of rock and part of why Hocking Hills is one of a kind.

The rugged formations and carvings you’ll see in the gorge were caused by erosion from the creek that flows through the canyon. The combination of millions of years of weathering and the unique composition of the Black Hand sandstone is why you can see such dynamic land formations in Hocking Hills today.

How Old Man’s Cave got its name

Like many of the great names in history, the name “Old Man’s Cave” comes from legend. The story goes that in the late 1700s, a man named Richard Rowe traveled along the Ohio River gunning for wild game.

Per the tale, Richard eventually settled near what’s now known as Old Man’s Cave, and it’s hard to blame him. Richard took to solitary existence in the hills and lived inside one of the majestic rock shelters nature provided. He became the “old man” at Old Man’s Cave. (It’s even rumored that he’s still there, buried beneath the rock ledge.)

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you swim at Old Man’s Cave?

No, you can’t swim at Old Man’s Cave or anywhere else in Hocking Hills State Park. It’s a disappointment for some, but the rules are in place to protect the precious landscape and wildlife that have developed over millions of years.

How long is the trail to Old Man’s Cave?

Old Man’s Cave isn’t one location in particular, but rather a section of gorge within Hocking Hills. In the Old Man’s Cave section of the park, you’ll find just over 2 miles of trails. Of course, there are many other trails throughout Hocking Hills State Park you can explore as well.

What is there to do at Old Man’s Cave?

There’s plenty to do at Old Man’s Cave, and Hocking Hills State Park in general. The visitor center offers a heavy dose of history, there are plenty of great picnic spots, and the trails and waterfalls throughout the area could keep the most easily-bored hiker enthralled for days.

How busy is Old Man’s Cave?

Because it’s roughly one hour outside of Columbus and it’s the most beautiful area in Ohio, Hocking Hills State Park can get crowded. This is especially true during nice weather and on the weekends. Old Man’s Cave is the most popular area in the park, so if you want to get away from the crowds, try going early and on weekdays. And if it’s too busy, head toward some of the less crowded gems nearby like Conkle’s Hollow.

What attractions are near Old Man’s Cave?

Old Man’s Cave is one of the “Big Three” attractions in Hocking Hills State Park. The other two are Cedar Falls and Ash Cave, both of which are stunning and worth a visit.

Because Hocking Hills isn’t a large park, it’s not very difficult to drive to the trailheads for the other attractions in the area. And if you’re up for a longer trip, it’s even possible to hike between all three. There’s plenty to explore.

Places to Stay

Wondering where to stay when you visit Hocking Hills? Clear Falls has 15 cabins situated on a secluded 500-acre wildlife preserve. 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

Old Man’s Cave is one of the most drop-dead gorgeous places in Ohio. Or, better yet, the entire Midwest. It’s accessible to almost anyone, features geographic details that can’t be found anywhere else, and stays accessible through much of the year. Nearly everyone will enjoy these lofty rock walls, serene cascades, and meandering gorge pathways. Get out there and start hiking!