Plan Your Old Man’s Cave Visit
Old Man’s Cave has sandstone overhangs, stone stairs, roots and narrow passages. We’ve walked it as a family and filmed along the way. Our photos and video show what the walk looks like beyond the waterfall views—including the footing you will need to manage.
At a glance
- Terrain: stairs, uneven rock, roots and a low, narrow passage.
- Access: the gorge route is not step-free or suitable for a stroller.
- Distance: about 1 mile for the short gorge loop; longer connections are separate hikes. Compare the routes and exits below.
- Time: allow about 1–2 hours for a gorge-focused visit, plus extra time for rests and photos. This is a planning allowance; the regional tourism association’s sample itinerary allows 1½ hours for a one-mile hike.
- Arrival: use the visitor-center parking area on State Route 664.
- Admission: free for ordinary self-guided day hiking.
Choose Your Route and Exit Before Starting
| Route and distance | Exit and return plan |
|---|---|
| Short gorge loop About 1 mile total | Start near Upper Falls and follow the one-way gorge trail past Devil’s Bathtub and stone tunnels to Old Man’s Cave. Use the signed exit near the cave; steps climb back toward the visitor center and parking area. Lower Falls is beyond this short-loop exit and requires continuing farther through the gorge. |
| Grandma Gatewood Trail 5.3 miles on the ODNR map | The longer trail connects the Old Man’s Cave area, Cedar Falls and Ash Cave. If you finish at Ash Cave, you are at a different trailhead. Plan your transport back before starting. The mapped trail length is not a round trip to your parked vehicle; access paths and detours can add distance. |
The short-loop estimate and exit are described in The Hocking Hills Organization’s field-checked route guide. Longer-trail mileage comes from the ODNR trail map. Use that map to check your chosen start, exit and complete return journey.
Parking, arrival and restrooms
The Old Man’s Cave visitor-center and parking area is on State Route 664. Before leaving the lot, look at the trailhead map and notices, choose your route and check where it exits. Plan a restroom stop before heading into the gorge.
Confirm current visitor-center hours, restroom availability and any parking or trail restrictions through park information before your trip. Leave time to get oriented before starting the walk. If the lot is full, follow staff directions and use only designated parking.
Is there a shuttle instead of driving to the trailhead?
A free seasonal weekend shuttle connects downtown Logan with the Old Man’s Cave Park Office, with a separate parks loop serving other trailheads. Check the tourism association’s current shuttle dates, stops and schedule before planning your trip. Confirm the last return service for your chosen day; the shuttle is not a year-round service or a guaranteed return option for a longer hike.
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 your starting address to see the route and estimated driving time to the Old Man’s Cave visitor center. Follow signs for visitor parking on arrival.
How difficult does “moderate” feel?
The useful question is what your group can comfortably manage. In our footage, the terrain changes between dirt paths, stonework, roots and steps. Even where the distance is short, each change can affect your pace.
| What we can show | What to consider |
|---|---|
| Stair flights and individual steps | Comfort going down as well as climbing back up. |
| Roots and embedded rocks | Balance and careful foot placement on irregular ground. |
| A low, narrow tunnel | Headroom, passage width and space around a backpack. |
| Changing surfaces | Shoes with grip and time to walk at the slowest person’s pace. |
See the Trail in Our Family Video
Take a look at our 50-second family walk through the gorge, steps, roots and narrow passage. Use the trail map to plan your route; the video shows our visit, not today’s conditions.
Music: “Carefree” by Kevin MacLeod, licensed under CC BY 4.0. Excerpt trimmed, volume adjusted and fades added.
Can we swim or wade in Devil’s Bathtub or the waterfalls?
No. Swimming and wading are prohibited in the park’s waterfalls and creeks, including Devil’s Bathtub. Enjoy the water from the marked trail. See the published trail rules.
Visiting Old Man’s Cave with kids
Our child joined us on this walk. In the photos, you can see the size of the steps and sandstone walls beside her. Before choosing it for your family, think about how your child handles uneven ground, stairs and staying close on a busy path.
- Leave enough energy for the return climb.
- Keep children close at steps, narrow sections and edges.
- Bring water and shoes with grip.
- Choose a route that suits the whole group; the gorge is not a stroller walk.
For a gentler outing, compare the options in our Ash Cave guide and Hocking Hills with kids guide.
Grandparents, knees and mobility
Age alone does not tell you whether this is a good fit. Talk about comfort descending steps, balance on irregular ground, low passages and the climb out. Someone who enjoys a level walk may find those demands quite different.
The gorge route shown here includes stairs and is not a step-free route. If you split up, agree on a meeting place before setting off.
Can we see anything without descending into the gorge?
Yes. A separate accessible trail near the Park and Camp Office passes the visitor center and reaches the Upper Falls observation area. It offers a way to see part of Old Man’s Cave without taking the stepped gorge route. See the field-checked trail guide and ask park staff about the current route and conditions for your wheelchair, stroller or walking needs.
Compare options in our grandparents guide and accessible Hocking Hills guide. The stair and terrain views above are there to help that conversation.
What to bring and when to go
- Shoes with grip for stone, dirt and roots.
- Water and an offline copy of the official trail map.
- Spare socks and a change of clothes for children in case of rain or mud.
- Time for rests, photographs and the climb out.
An earlier weekday visit may be quieter than a busy weekend; it does not guarantee parking or an empty trail.
Check weather and ODNR park information and notices before setting out. Wet rock changes the footing; thunder, flooding or ice can change the decision entirely. Our rainy day guide offers alternatives when a gorge walk does not suit the conditions.
Build a day around your group’s energy
You do not need to fit every gorge into one day. Compare Ash Cave and Conkle’s Hollow, or use our complete Hocking Hills guide to plan a mix of walking and downtime.
Other Questions Before Your Visit
Do you need tickets, reservations or a guided tour for Old Man’s Cave?
No admission ticket or paid guided tour is needed for an ordinary self-guided day hike. Admission is free, and regular day hiking generally does not require an advance reservation. Camping, private tours and special activities have separate arrangements. See the regional visitor FAQ and day-hike reservation guidance; check ODNR notices before traveling.
What time does Old Man’s Cave open and close?
ODNR lists Hocking Hills State Park hours as half an hour before sunrise to half an hour after sunset. Plan to finish your hike before dark and follow any posted trail closures. Visitor-center hours are separate. Check the official ODNR hours and park information before your trip.
Are dogs allowed at Old Man’s Cave?
Yes, dogs are allowed on the Old Man’s Cave trail. Keep your dog on a six-foot leash, clean up after it and consider whether it can manage stairs, narrow passages and nearby hikers. The same pet rules do not apply to every nearby nature preserve. See the Old Man’s Cave visitor guide and ODNR pet and trail guidelines.
About This Guide
The family observations come from our own footage and photographs of the walk. For current conditions and restrictions, use ODNR park information and follow on-site notices. This guide is by the Pool House Family; explore our other Hocking Hills travel guides for further planning.
Originally published .