Rock House at Hocking Hills State Park, Ohio

What is it? | Where is it? | Hiking Trails | History | FAQs | Places to Stay | Bottom Line

Rock House is the only true cave in the Hocking Hills area. While most caves in Hocking Hills are recess caves—open-air caves, normally sections of cliff face that’ve been carved out by the elements—Rock House is a real, dark, nooks-and-crannies cave.

Believe it or not, people have been flocking to Rock House for thousands of years. Long before Hocking Hills State Park was established, Rock House was used by those in search of shelter. More recently, it has become a popular tourist attraction.

When you walk through the 200-foot sandstone corridor, you may as well be on another planet. It’s not much of a debate: Rock House is one of the most beautiful spots in Hocking Hills. 

Here’s what you need to know about the ancient cave:

  • It’s rich in history. People have been living in, and visiting, Rock House for thousands of years. As you walk through the cave, you can see ancient carvings and structures in the walls; evidence of settlements from hundreds (or, perhaps, thousands) of years ago.
  • The loop trail is short and sweet. The Rock House cave is accessed on a short, 0.6-mile loop trail. However, the trail ends in a different parking lot, making the full trip closer to 0.8 miles once you get back to your car. Although you could finish it in roughly 30 minutes, the otherworldly cave scenery will probably keep you exploring for much longer.

What is Rock House?

It’s a 200-foot long cave, characterized by the Hocking Hills region’s famous Black Hand sandstone and unique erosion patterns. While most other popular spots (like Old Man’s Cave and Ash Cave) are rocky gorges and recess caves, Rock House is a traditional cave. It’s about 20 to 30 feet wide in most areas, and its ceiling is roughly 25 feet high.

The minute you step inside the cave, you’ll see what all the hype is about. Rock House contains seven “windows.” These cracks in the rock allow natural light to shine on the golden sandstone interior, and give the entire space the feel of a room. (You still might want a flashlight to explore some of the cave’s darker corners.)

Tourists have been visiting Rock House since at least 1835, when Colonel F.F. Rempel of Logan built a 16-room hotel with a ballroom and livery stable just a few hundred yards away. Sadly, the hotel no longer exists, but a picnic shelter stands in its place.

Where is Rock House located?

Rock House is a short drive from most of the other attractions in the Hocking Hills. It’s right off of Highway 374, about 8 miles to the northwest of the Old Man’s Cave visitor center. 

Here’s how long it’ll take to get there, if you’re driving from other spots in Hocking Hills State Park:

If you’re coming from elsewhere in Ohio, Rock House is about 1 hour from Columbus, 2 hours from Cincinnati, and 3 hours from Cleveland.

Hiking at Rock House

There are two short trails in the Rock House area. Let’s break them down:

Rock House Gorge Trail: This trail is 0.6 miles in total. It’s a one-way trail – you’ll start in the southeastern parking lot, pictured on the trail map above. Head up some stairs, and you’ll find yourself at the Rock House cave. Take some time to explore, then get back on the trail and finish up your hike in the larger parking lot. The distance between the parking lots is about 0.2 miles.

Rock House Rim Trail: This is a short, 0.2-mile trail that’s mostly used as a connector trail. If you’re looking to make your hike quicker, you can take the Rim Trail back to the parking lot after passing through the cave, instead of finishing your trek on the longer Gorge Trail.

History: The story behind Rock House

How Rock House was formed

The Rock House cave was formed by erosion. More than 300 million years ago, a shallow sea covered Ohio. When it receded, sediment condensed to form Black Hand sandstone, which is the type of sandstone you’ll see at almost every gorge and waterfall in Hocking Hills.

In the case of Rock House, cracks in the stone over time created areas for water runoff. After millions of years, this erosion carved out the impressive cavern you see at Rock House today.

How Rock House got its name 

Rock House has a pretty self-explanatory name. It’s made out of rock —Black Hand sandstone—and it’s been used as a home by many over the years. 

It was first inhabited by Native American tribes, including the Shawnee, Delaware, and Wyandot. As you walk through the cave, you can see some of the ancient carvings that these tribes made on the walls, usually referencing food or culture (of course, they’re not in English). 

There are also visible areas in the wall that have been carved out for use as turpentine mills. To make turpentine, the native tribes would take pitch pine wood and weigh it down with a rock in a recess in the wall. Then, they’d build a fire on top. The fire would draw the sap out, and it would trickle down a channel in the wall to collect in a bucket.

Many years later, settlers used the cave for animal storage. There are also stories that, at one point or another, criminals used the cave as a hideout—earning it the nickname “Robber’s Roost”. 

You won’t find any native tribes, settlers, or robbers in the cave now. But, it’s fascinating to explore the cave and imagine what life might’ve been like all those years ago.

FAQs about Rock House

How big is the Rock House cave?

Rock House is 200-feet long, roughly 20 to 30 feet wide, and has a ceiling about 25 feet tall.

Are dogs allowed at Rock House?

Yes, dogs are allowed at Rock House. Just make sure they’re on a leash – there are some big cliff dropoffs.

When is the best time of year to visit Rock House?

The Rock House cave is beautiful no matter what time of year you visit. Different times of year will offer different experiences, though. Go in the fall for fiery colors on the trees, the winter for fewer crowds, the spring for green leaves and sunshine, and the summer for a dry and warm cave hike.

What attractions are near Rock House?

Rock House is on its own in the Hocking Hills area, situated to the northwest of most of the famous spots in the area. If you’re looking to do some more exploring, try driving 10 minutes down to Conkle’s Hollow. It’s on the way to the rest of the attractions—so if you want to extend your trip from there, it’ll just take a few more minutes.

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.

Browse cabins by style:

Browse cabins by size:

The Bottom Line

Rock House is one of the most beautiful caves in all of Ohio. It’s a convenient 15-minute drive from the rest of Hocking Hills, and the views and history make it a worthwhile visit any time of year.