Old Man's Cave
Old Man's Cave
5
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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5.0
413 reviews
Excellent
338
Very good
61
Average
8
Poor
2
Terrible
4
TheTraveler3313
Toledo, OH771 contributions
Aug 2020 • Family
I have been to Hocking Hills a few time and every time we make sure to come to Old Man’s Cave. It is a easy hike and there are a lot of picture-taken moments. It’s a little dryer this time of year so I recommend possibly going in early spring. I would think for early spring there would be more water flowing in the cave/park. If you are going to Hocking Hills I recommend going to Old Man’s Cave.
Written August 5, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LSQRD1
Kent, OH868 contributions
Aug 2020
This is the most popular stop in Hocking Hills and there are some very nice areas to see along the hike. There are some cool little tunnels and bridges. The biggest issue we had was the large crowds..and we went on a weekday. The crowds definitely take away from the interaction with nature so I recommend going early in the morning. We were also disappointed at the amount of trash we saw on the ground.
Written August 9, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kerry G
Westons Mills, NY125 contributions
Aug 2020
This was one of the longer hikes we went on. Many many different rock formations. Trails were one one. Visitor center was closed but there were people in front of building with clearly labeled maps. Get there early as this is one of the lost popular trails.
Written October 13, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cynthia W
Freeland, MI814 contributions
May 2022
This is a rugged, tough path to see many caves and falls. You can divide this hike into at least 2 hikes. It really is a nice hike, somewhat long, a bit slippery, large steps, no restrooms in between, so prepare appropriately. I would not recommend this for small children. You should be in fairly good shape. Take water and maybe a walking stick to help. There are many, many steps. The area is just beautiful, and the falls are wonderful also. Just be prepared. I think the map they give you at the visitor's center is not very helpful. Printing off a detail map of the actual hike from the internet was more valuable to me. Also, at the visitor's center is bathrooms on the bottom, if they are closed for cleaning or other reasons, there is outdoor potties at the back of the visitor's center. There is also bathrooms on the bottom of the visitor's center through the big doors, after 10:00 am when the visitor's center opens. I can't figure out why the visitors center opens so late in the morning.. There is a very small gift shop inside, and very little options for eating... so bring your own drinks and food. The parking area is large, but it fills up fast. Maybe 250 cars can park here. Picnic tables scattered around the parking area. Best time to come is early morning or around dinner time in the evening.
Written June 14, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kim Y
Warren, MI4 contributions
Sep 2020
This was incredibly beautiful. Couple things I wished I had known...I wish they had a level of difficulty rating on their places of interest. This was a lot of walking up stairs and became a bit difficult at one point. The stairs are all different types, some very unlevel and narrow. Also, parking during the busy times is hard to come by and you may have to walk quite far to the park from a spot. I probably would have been fine seeing this from above but it really was beautiful. Just know your abilities.
Written September 10, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
imrico
413 contributions
May 2021
This could possibly make it to 5/5, but with the heavy traffic does hurt it. The small falls and caves are beautiful. I haven't seen anything better in the midwest that compares (although let me know if you know of any!)
The best part of this for touristy people is that most of the main things are close to the visitor center. Right away you're greeted with a fall and not much further you can see Old Mans Cave.
I would've loved to hike it further, but my party was beat so we turned back after a couple of hours.
The best part of this for touristy people is that most of the main things are close to the visitor center. Right away you're greeted with a fall and not much further you can see Old Mans Cave.
I would've loved to hike it further, but my party was beat so we turned back after a couple of hours.
Written May 18, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tim K
Columbus, OH2 contributions
Jul 2022
This is a physically demanding environment, full of truly beautiful scenery. The natural beauty is strong medicine here: we ended the day physically spent and mentally rejuvenated. Bring water! We packed 2 liters each, and were glad we did. (We visited on a Thursday, and the weather was in the mid/high 80s and quite humid.) The trail from the parking lot down to Old Man's Cave itself was somewhat crowded. Once we got past the Old Man's Cave section the crowds thinned out significantly. There were many points after that where we had nobody visibly up or down the trail from us. I strongly recommend proper hiking boots with good ankle support. Simply getting down to the gorge floor at the start of the Old Man's Cave trail requires descending some rugged terrain. Further in to the gorge we encountered lots of spots that took a little creativity to negotiate. Tree roots, slippery rocks, and (thanks to an overnight thunderstorm) muddy spots all made us glad to have proper waterproof hiking boots. Even in the gorge itself there are some notable elevation changes. We encountered one bridge in the gorge that was a little like something from the Lord of the Rings movies: it spanned a stream, but had no handrails at all. Further along there was a rope bridge as well.
Jaw-dropping natural beauty abounds here. Despite the crowds at spots it feels largely untouched, which is remarkable. The only signs of human impact we noted were the trail itself, where there are spots worn down by generations of visitors. The rock formations, gorgeous woodlands, and the many interesting falls and water formations made the trek more than worth it.
Jaw-dropping natural beauty abounds here. Despite the crowds at spots it feels largely untouched, which is remarkable. The only signs of human impact we noted were the trail itself, where there are spots worn down by generations of visitors. The rock formations, gorgeous woodlands, and the many interesting falls and water formations made the trek more than worth it.
Written July 22, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Previa1994
Chicago, IL6,648 contributions
Aug 2021
I went hiking on the Old Man's Cave Trail on a fine August afternoon with a friend and thoroughly enjoyed the hike, in spite of the crowds. The trail is well marked and provides awesome views of the water and the sheer cliffs that rise above the trail. There are artfully designed foot bridges and stairs across the stream. There are two tunnels bored into the rock that make for an exciting experience. The trail is one-way, with the front leg of the trail being downhill, while the return is uphill.
Old Man's Cave Trail is worth many revisits, as a part of the amazing Hocking Hills State Park.
Old Man's Cave Trail is worth many revisits, as a part of the amazing Hocking Hills State Park.
Written November 30, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
cindyschulte81
Springboro, OH31 contributions
Jun 2021
My husband and I drove about 2 hours to get here. We spent the night at a hotel in Logan then got up the next morning and went to the Welcome Center nearby. We decided to do the Old Man's Cave. We loved it! It was definitely exciting! We are in our 60's and a bit stiff and a little out of shape, but we surprised ourselves at how well we got through! This place is clean and well kept up. We loved the waterfalls! I don't recommend this trail for small children or old dogs. We only took our Chi with us whom my husband carried at times and who got along with everyone. We loved the experience and can't wait to come back and try some other trails. We let people go around us if we took awhile to navigate some of the rock steps, and it had rained the night before. Everyone was patient and understanding. We recommend doing Old Man's Cave first then you will want to check out the others!
Written June 23, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
342mbl
Chesterfield, MI48 contributions
Aug 2024 • Family
Stayed in Logan for 4 days and visited Old Man's Cave a few times. Friday afternoon around 4 pm for a few hours (despite being advised it would be crazy busy). We saw other people, but it wasn't busy at all. We got lucky! Saturday afternoon we drove right past it, because not only was the parking lot full, but also up and down the road and across the street. Because there are places that only one person can pass/fit through at a time, we knew it wouldn't be a good time. We went back Sunday afternoon around 5 and it wasn't busy enough to affect our time. It is a stunning place, breathtaking and magical. I did see people of varying fitness levels and ages, some people stopped and took breaks here and there.
Written August 13, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
No tour is required to hike any of the hiking hills state park trails. Just pick a trail and enjoy! Recommend looking up the 7 main attractions (old mans cave is one of them!)
Written September 18, 2023
Olivia S
Rockford, Illinois
My husband and I really want to take a trip here but don't know if it would be suitable for our 5 year old and 18 month old. Thoughts?
Written March 29, 2021
Hi! I would compare this type of park to Starved Rock in Illinois. Have you been? How do you think your kids would do there? I would say that the littlest one would need to be carried at times, but I am outdoorsy and would go for it!
Written March 30, 2021
Are dogs allowed on trails & all through Hocking Hills?
Written November 26, 2019
Yes, we’ve taken our dogs multiple times
Written August 21, 2020
Absolutely! I think they must have a Welcome Sign out, because they day we were there, we saw dozens of dogs throughout the park. Very pet friendly!
Written November 14, 2019
How long does it take to do the whole loop? How long does it take to do the "direct" route?
TIA
Written July 26, 2018
I will be arriving late afternoon, mid-week, in September. I will have driven for about 6 hours and will need to stretch my legs. This looks perfect for that. From the website, I understand they're open until sundown. Anything I should know about mid-week arrivals after school has started? Thanks.
Written July 25, 2018
Nothing special to worry about. Hopefully you will experience some of the magnificent fall foliage in the area. And hopefully there will have been sufficient rainfall such that the waterfalls are flowing well.
Written August 23, 2018
My husband and I are novice hikers at best, i.e. used to three mile R/T metropark loop with no chance of getting lost. Is this trail marked well, heavily traveled on a Sunday afternoon?
Written September 14, 2017
You and your husband should have no problem finding your way from the entrance of Old Mans Cave to the falls and back regardless of how many people are visiting. The walk is easy to moderate at times and includes steps. Weekends are exceptionally busy at this location but less so in the winter. Hope this helps.
Written October 28, 2017
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