Explorations of a surprisingly gorgeous area of Ohio!
Hocking Hills, in southeastern Ohio, is an area of the Western Foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. It is known for its cliffs, gorges, natural rock shelters and waterfalls. There are many state, local, and private parks in the area. I visited two, Hocking Hills State Park and Conkle’s Hollow State Nature Preserve.
My visit was split into an afternoon and the next morning. Definitely not enough time. I started at the Old Man’s Cave area of Hocking Hills State Park. This is the most popular part of the park and has several trail options.
Wandering Jana Near the parking area is a one way loop trail, made up of different trails. The first views did not disappoint.
Wandering Jana A creek runs through the gorge, leading to a lot of bridges.
Wandering Jana It’s a nice gorge.
Wandering Jana Cute little stone bridge.
Wandering Jana Another stone bridge with a little waterfall underneath.
Wandering Jana That kind of looks like a horse head.
Wandering Jana But from this angle it looks like a turtle.
Wandering Jana Brought out my wide angle lens for this one.
Wandering Jana Old Man’s Cave.
Wandering Jana It’s a good sized cave.
Wandering Jana Love this.
Wandering Jana Another waterfall.
Wandering Jana So many cool bridges.
Wandering Jana A very hard to see waterfall.
Wandering Jana I took a side trail to another waterfall.
Wandering Jana The trail was also great here.
Wandering Jana Another hard to photograph waterfall.
Wandering Jana Super neat trail.
Nearby at another parking area is Cedar Falls.
Wandering Jana I love all the fallen leaves.
Wandering Jana Very pretty.
Wandering Jana Cedar Falls.
The next morning, my first stop was Conkle’s Hollow State Nature Preserve. It’s not officially part of the state park but is nearby.
Wandering Jana There is a section of the trail that is paved. It’s super pretty.
Wandering Jana I love a good hollow.
Wandering Jana This trail is great.
Wandering Jana Very, very pretty.
Wandering Jana An unpaved trail continues down the hollow.
Wandering Jana Such as gorgeous trail.
Wandering Jana Like, I love this.
Wandering Jana The waterfall at the end of the trail was only a trickle, but this trail is worth this hike all on its own.
Wandering Jana There is a waterfall in this picture. I swear. It was also raining by this point.
My last stop was back in Hocking Hills State Park Rock House area.
Wandering Jana Part of the trail follows a cliff.
Wandering Jana The roots on this tree are insane.
Wandering Jana Now for Rock House.
Wandering Jana Heading into the cave.
Wandering Jana It’s a very large cave in the cliffside. You can easily fit a small house in this cave.
Wandering Jana It has these really cool windows.
Wandering Jana And a balcony.
Wandering Jana Like I said, it’s pretty big.
Wandering Jana Such a cool cave.
One can easily spend a few days in this area. There’s multiple parks to explore and even more trails. It will be returning someday.
Check out my next update where I return to the Great Smoky Mountains!
or
Check out the crazy history behind the Toledo War, fought between Michigan and Ohio!
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