Conkle’s Hollow, Hocking Hills — Gorge Trail & Rim Trail guide
The gorge walls at Conkle’s Hollow rise 200 feet on both sides. The hollow is so narrow in places that standing at the bottom feels more like being inside a building than outside. It’s one of the most striking geological features in Ohio, and most people who visit don’t realize there are two completely different ways to experience it.
The Gorge Trail runs along the floor of the hollow on a paved, flat path. It’s wheelchair and stroller accessible, and it puts you right under those walls the whole way in. The Rim Trail climbs to the top and follows the edge with views straight down. It’s one of the hardest hikes in Hocking Hills. They share a trailhead but are otherwise different experiences.
The Gorge Trail at Conkle’s Hollow is paved, flat, and wheelchair accessible — about 0.75 miles one way through one of the deepest gorges in Hocking Hills. The Rim Trail is the opposite: very difficult, steep, and not accessible, with 200-foot drops at the edge.
Inside Conkle’s Hollow — the gorge walls rise 200 feet above the trail floor
Conkle’s Hollow at a Glance
Fast Facts
- Gorge Trail: ~0.75 miles one way (1.5 miles round trip) — paved, flat, wheelchair & stroller accessible
- Rim Trail: ~2.5 miles, very difficult — steep, not accessible, exposed edges
- Gorge wall height: Up to 200 feet
- Cost: Free — no entrance or parking fees
- Restrooms: Vault toilets at the trailhead parking area
- Dogs allowed: Yes, on leash
- Address: 24858 Big Pine Rd, Rockbridge, OH 43149
- Managed by: Ohio DNR — State Nature Preserve (stricter rules than state parks — stay on marked trails)
- Official info: Ohio DNR — Conkle’s Hollow State Nature Preserve
The Two Trails: Which One Is Right for Your Group?
Conkle’s Hollow sits on the border between the main Hocking Hills State Park corridor and the quieter back roads of the Southern Region. The trails start from the same lot, split immediately, and offer nothing alike.
▶ Gorge Trail — Accessible
Gorge Trail
- Distance: ~0.75 miles one way (1.5 miles round trip)
- Difficulty: Easy — minimal elevation change
- Surface: Paved asphalt the full length
- Accessibility: Wheelchair and stroller accessible
- What you see: The gorge floor, 200-foot sandstone walls, a seasonal seep waterfall at the end, creek crossings on small bridges
This is the trail most visitors take. You walk in along the creek, the walls close in around you, and at the back of the hollow there’s a small seasonal waterfall coming off the rim. The paved path is wide enough for a standard wheelchair and runs the full 0.75 miles without a break in surface. If anyone in your group has mobility limitations, this trail delivers a world-class experience with no compromises.
▲ Rim Trail — Very Difficult
Rim Trail
- Distance: ~2.5 miles
- Difficulty: Very difficult — steep climbs, uneven terrain, exposed edges
- Surface: Unpaved natural trail
- Accessibility: Not accessible — not suitable for wheelchairs, strollers, or young children
- What you see: Views from 200 feet above the gorge floor, looking down through the treetops, distant ridge lines
The Rim Trail is a serious hike. You gain most of the elevation quickly after leaving the trailhead, and the rim itself has no guardrails at the edge. The payoff is real — standing at the top and looking straight down into the gorge is a completely different experience than walking the floor below. Go early, wear real hiking shoes, and leave this one out if anyone in your group is uncomfortable with heights.
The end of the paved gorge trail — the bridge crossing at the back of Conkle’s Hollow
Trail Map & Navigation
Both trails start from the same parking area off Big Pine Road. At the trailhead, the path splits: left leads down into the gorge on the paved Gorge Trail, and right climbs toward the rim. Signs at the trailhead mark both clearly.
The Gorge Trail is a straightforward in-and-out — follow the paved path into the hollow, walk to the back where the walls close in and the seasonal waterfall is, then return the same way you came. You can’t really get lost. The Rim Trail is a loop that returns you to the trailhead from a different direction, but it crosses the Gorge Trail mid-route, so some visitors combine a partial gorge walk with a section of the rim.
AllTrails maps:
- Conkle’s Hollow Gorge Trail on AllTrails — map, photos & current conditions
- Conkle’s Hollow Rim Trail on AllTrails — map, photos & current conditions
Cell service can be unreliable in the gorge. Download the AllTrails map offline before you leave the lodge if you want it on the trail.
When Is the Best Time to Visit Conkle’s Hollow?
Spring and fall are the best times, without much debate. In April and May the creek runs strong and the gorge stays noticeably cooler than the surrounding woods. Fall color — typically peaking in the second and third weeks of October — frames the gorge rim in red and orange that reflects off the sandstone walls. Both seasons hit the parking lot hard on weekends.
Summer is still worth doing. The gorge runs 10–15°F cooler than air temperature on a hot August day, which makes it a good morning hike when the rest of Hocking Hills feels muggy. The seasonal waterfall at the back of the hollow usually slows to a trickle by July, but the gorge walls are the main draw anyway.
Winter is the quietest time. Ice forms on the gorge walls in cold snaps, the crowds disappear, and you can have the whole hollow to yourself on a weekday in January. The paved trail handles light snow reasonably well, but ice patches form near the creek in cold stretches — check conditions before going if you’re planning an accessible visit.
Crowds: When to Go and When to Skip It
Conkle’s Hollow draws fewer visitors than Old Man’s Cave or Ash Cave, but the parking lot is small. On a busy fall weekend, cars overflow onto Big Pine Road within the first hour after the lot opens. Get there before 9 AM on weekends from May through October.
Best times to visit:
- Weekday mornings, any season
- Tuesday through Thursday are the quietest days
- Early morning in fall — the light in the gorge before 9 AM is exceptional
- January through March for near-total solitude
Times to avoid:
- Saturday and Sunday afternoons from May through October
- Peak fall foliage weekends (typically the 3rd and 4th weekends of October)
- 4th of July weekend
- Spring break weekends in late March and April
Staying in the Southern Region near McArthur puts you outside the main Logan traffic. You can leave the lodge early, hit the trailhead before the crowd wave, and be back at the pool before most visitors are finishing breakfast.
Parking, Amenities, and Getting There
Conkle’s Hollow is at 24858 Big Pine Rd, Rockbridge, OH 43149. The parking lot is small — a couple dozen spaces — with vault toilets at the trailhead. No flush restrooms, no fee, no reservation required. ADA-accessible parking spaces are available in the main lot.
The lot fills fast on busy days. If you arrive and it’s full, Big Pine Road has limited roadside pull-off space, but it’s not designed for overflow. The only real fix is arriving earlier. Weekdays, the lot rarely fills at all.
Useful links:
- Ohio DNR — Conkle’s Hollow State Nature Preserve (official)
- Gorge Trail on AllTrails — map, reviews & current conditions
- Rim Trail on AllTrails — map, reviews & current conditions
What to Pack for Conkle’s Hollow
- Gorge Trail footwear: Sneakers are fine. The paved surface handles most shoes, but closed-toe is better than sandals near the creek crossings.
- Rim Trail footwear: Waterproof hiking shoes with ankle support. The rim trail is rough and has sections that get muddy after rain.
- Layers: The gorge floor stays 10–15°F cooler than the air outside. Bring a light jacket in spring and fall, even if the parking lot feels warm.
- Water: No water available on the trail. Bring at least one bottle per person.
- Bug spray: May through September, especially along the creek in the gorge.
- Wheelchair or stroller: The Gorge Trail handles both. No hesitation — bring it.
- Offline map: Download AllTrails before entering the gorge. Cell service drops inside the hollow.
- Camera: The light in the gorge is indirect and dim. Early morning or overcast days photograph better than bright midday sun, which creates harsh contrasts between the shaded floor and the bright rim.
Conkle’s Hollow vs. Ash Cave vs. Old Man’s Cave
Conkle’s Hollow is the right call if your group wants something slightly off the main trail and has mixed abilities. The paved Gorge Trail handles wheelchairs and strollers the full distance, which is something Old Man’s Cave and Cedar Falls can’t offer. The gorge itself is more dramatic and more enclosed than Ash Cave — narrower walls, deeper shadows, a different sense of scale.
Ash Cave is the easier comparison. Both have paved accessible gorge trails and towering walls. Ash Cave has a bigger waterfall and more open cave floor. Conkle’s Hollow has a tighter, more dramatic gorge with more of a “walking into the earth” feeling. If you can only do one accessible trail, Ash Cave has a more reliable waterfall. If you want the narrow gorge experience without the crowds, Conkle’s Hollow wins.
Old Man’s Cave is the most rugged and most visited of the three. It’s not accessible, has more stairs and cliff edges, and is where you go when the whole group can handle a proper scramble. Crowds on weekends are significant. For a comparison of all seven major trails in the area, the fall hikes guide ranks them by difficulty, foliage payoff, and crowd levels.
Where to Stay Near Conkle’s Hollow
Most cabins in the Hocking Hills area cluster near Logan, close to Old Man’s Cave but in the middle of weekend traffic. Pool House Lodge is in the Southern Region near McArthur — about 25 minutes from Conkle’s Hollow, 20 minutes from Old Man’s Cave and Cedar Falls, and 4 miles from Lake Hope State Park. It’s a quieter base with shorter drives to most of the trails.
Pool House Lodge sits on 22 private wooded acres and sleeps up to 20 guests. It has a heated indoor pool (86°F year-round), a hot tub, and a fully wheelchair accessible layout — ramps at every entrance, a main-level accessible bedroom suite with roll-in shower, and wide doorways throughout. If you’re visiting Conkle’s Hollow on a trail day and coming back to the lodge for the pool, that’s a solid day in Hocking Hills. See what guests say or check availability.
Stay 25 Minutes from Conkle’s Hollow
Private heated pool · Hot tub · 22 wooded acres · Wheelchair accessible · McArthur, Ohio
Check AvailabilityFrequently Asked Questions About Conkle’s Hollow
How long is the Conkle’s Hollow Gorge Trail?
The Gorge Trail is about 0.75 miles one way — a 1.5-mile round trip on paved, flat trail. Most visitors spend 45 minutes to an hour including time at the back of the hollow. If you add the Rim Trail on top, plan on 3–4 hours for the full loop.
Is Conkle’s Hollow wheelchair accessible?
Yes — the Gorge Trail is paved the full length and flat enough for a standard wheelchair or stroller. ADA parking is available in the main lot. The Rim Trail is not accessible and should be skipped if anyone in your group has mobility limitations.
How hard is the Rim Trail?
Very hard. The Rim Trail involves about 200 feet of elevation gain, steep uneven footing, and exposed edges with no guardrails. It’s one of the more strenuous hikes in Hocking Hills. Wear proper shoes and go early — the section near the rim gets more technical than it looks on the map.
Is there a waterfall at Conkle’s Hollow?
There’s a small seasonal waterfall at the back of the gorge where the walls meet. It runs best after rainfall in spring and fall, and slows to a seep in summer and dry stretches. It’s not the main draw the way Ash Cave’s waterfall is — the gorge walls are the feature here.
Is Conkle’s Hollow free?
Yes. No entrance fee, no parking fee, no reservation required. It’s a state nature preserve, so the rules are stricter than a state park — stay on marked trails only.
How far is Conkle’s Hollow from Pool House Lodge?
About 25 minutes. Guests based in McArthur can hit Conkle’s Hollow early, drive over to Old Man’s Cave or Cedar Falls, and still be back at the pool before dinner. It’s a comfortable day-trip distance from the Southern Region.
Posted July 27, 2026