Plan Your Ash Cave Visit
Ash Cave gives you a big sandstone view without committing to a long gorge hike. The important choice is how you return: the paved approach and the stepped rim route are different walks. Compare them below before setting off.
Trail notes from the Pool House Lodge team who host in the Southern Region.
Ash Cave at a Glance
Fast Facts
- Trail length: About a quarter mile to the cave on the lower approach; the walking loop includes a stepped rim return
- Walking time: Allow around 40 minutes for the walking loop, plus stops
- Difficulty: Easy lower approach; steps and uneven ground on the rim return
- Accessibility: Wheelchair and stroller accessible (lower paved trail)
- Waterfall: Seasonal; flow depends on recent rainfall
- Cost: Free — no entrance or parking fees
- Restrooms: Available in the main parking lot
- Dogs allowed: Yes, on a six-foot leash
- Parking: Designated lot at 27291 OH-56, South Bloomingville, OH 43152; directions and arrival details
- Official info: Ohio DNR — Hocking Hills State Park
Inside Ash Cave — Ohio’s largest recess cave, Hocking Hills State Park
Choose Your Trail Route
| Route | Surface and access |
|---|---|
| Lower gorge approach | About a quarter mile to the cave area on pavement. Wheelchair and stroller users can return along this approach. The sandy cave floor is a different surface. |
| Rim return | Continues beyond the cave up steps and along unpaved ground. This portion is not wheelchair accessible. |
Follow posted walking directions and check current conditions with park staff. Use the official trail map and Ash Cave route guide to plan the loop or longer connections.
The trail dedication plaque at Ash Cave, describing the accessible route
The paved trail in, with one of the rest benches along the way
When to Visit and What to Do if Parking Is Full
Weekends, holidays and fall-color periods can be busy. A weekday or an earlier visit within posted park hours may give you a quieter experience, but neither guarantees an empty trail or a parking space.
Allow extra travel time and have another outing in mind. If the lot is full, follow posted signs and staff directions; use designated parking rather than assuming roadside spaces are approved overflow.
Parking, Amenities, and Getting There
Parking at Ash Cave is free. The main lot is at 27291 OH-56, South Bloomingville, OH 43152, with flush-toilet restrooms. There are also pit toilets just past the trailhead. Confirm current accessible parking and trail conditions with park staff before visiting.
Before you drive: maps, weather and notices
Download your maps before you go. We learned the hard way that cell service can be unreliable. While connected, download an area covering the drive there and back, and wait for it to finish. Saving a place is not the same as downloading a map. How to download a Google map for offline use official trail map Save the trail map too: offline Google Maps provides driving directions, but not walking directions or live traffic.
Before setting out, check the National Weather Service forecast for South Bloomingville and ODNR park information and notices. Weather and trail conditions can change; check posted notices at your destination too.
Get directions and estimated drive time on Google Maps. Choose your current location or enter a starting address to see the route to Ash Cave. Follow signs for designated visitor parking on arrival.
The trailhead entrance at the main Ash Cave parking lot
Useful links:
- Ohio DNR — Hocking Hills State Park (official)
- Ash Cave trail details — Hocking Hills Tourism Association
- Ash Cave on AllTrails — reviews, map & current conditions
The Waterfall: When Does It Run?
The waterfall at Ash Cave drops roughly 90 feet from the cave rim into a shallow pool on the floor below. Whether it looks like a curtain or a trickle depends on when you show up.
Flow is generally more dependable in wetter periods, often in winter and spring. Recent rainfall matters more than a calendar date; a visit in any season can coincide with low flow.
During dry spells the waterfall may be a thin stream or absent. Rain can increase flow, but there is no reliable 24–48-hour response or guaranteed waterfall for your visit. Our July Hocking Hills guide covers summer trip planning.
Video: Ash Cave From the Trail
A few moments from our family’s August visit: the paved approach, benches for a break, and time together at the cave. Waterfall flow changes with rainfall; the rim route has stairs.
Music: Life of Riley by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com), licensed under CC BY 4.0. Excerpted, volume adjusted and faded. Watch on YouTube.
The cave floor at Ash Cave — wide enough to feel like standing in an outdoor amphitheater
What to Pack for Ash Cave
- Footwear: Sneakers are fine for the lower paved trail. Waterproof hiking shoes are better if you want to explore the upper rim trail or wet areas near the creek.
- Water: At least one bottle per person. The hike is short but the cave can be chilly — you’ll warm up on the walk back.
- Layers: The cave interior stays cool year-round, often noticeably colder than outside. Bring a light jacket even in summer.
- Bug spray: From May through September, especially near the creek and cave floor.
- Camera: The cave is dim — your phone will struggle in auto mode. Tap to expose for the cave interior, not the bright rim above.
- For children: Spare socks and a change of clothes for rain or mud.
- Stroller or wheelchair: Plan for the paved lower route; the rim return has steps.
Dogs are welcome on the trail, on leash
What Else Can You Visit?
For another paved approach, review Conkle’s Hollow and its pavement limits. For a more rugged outing with steps and uneven terrain, see our Old Man’s Cave guide. Choose stops by walking ability and available daylight, and allow time for driving, parking and breaks.
Our family guide, guide for grandparents and limited mobility and accessible trail guide help match outings to your group.
Choosing a Place to Stay Near Ash Cave
Check the actual drive from your accommodation to the designated trailhead, nearby food and supplies, and the property’s arrival route. If accessibility matters, confirm parking-to-door access, bathroom features and the bedroom you will use before booking.
Pool House Lodge is in the Southern Region near McArthur. See the lodge’s rooms and amenities and property access details, or use the complete Hocking Hills guide for broader trip planning.
Other Questions Before Your Visit
Do you need tickets or reservations for Ash Cave?
No. There are no tickets, no reservations required, and no entrance or parking fees at Ash Cave. Ohio state parks are free for all visitors.
How far is Ash Cave from McArthur, Ohio?
About 20 minutes. Guests staying in the Southern Region near McArthur can hit Ash Cave first thing and still have most of the day ahead of them.
Planning a Group Stay Near Ash Cave?
Pool House Lodge sleeps up to 20 guests in 7 bedrooms, with a private heated indoor pool and hot tub. Explore the rooms and amenities or review our accessibility details before choosing your dates.
Check Lodge AvailabilityOriginally published .