Tent Camping Ninjas: Hocking Hills State Park: TRAILS AND NATURE

If you have read my campsite review first, then you might wonder how it is possible that we still enjoyed our trip? What we lacked in campsite space was more than made up in opportunities to explore. Hocking Hills area is incredible. So if you are someone who is looking at all the options and wondering where to start, I thought I would post some trail reviews. Here is a link to the trail maps. If you buy a map, they cost $2.00, so I recommend going to this site and using your printer before you leave. There are trails for the older, more hard-core hiker. What I loved was how easy it was to get to most of the cool sites via more short trails. The areas we visited were: Cedar Falls, Old Man's Cave (cave, upper, and lower falls), Conkles Hollow, and Rock House. At Old Man's Cave we talked it up with a park ranger. He volunteered many horrifying stories of people who ventured off the trail to fall to their deaths in graphic ways. He said something along the lines of, "People often ask if we give helicopter tours when they see we have a helicopter pad. I tell them that we do. It only costs $12-14,000 depending on the hospital we airlift them to." After hearing from the ranger, my 11 year old refused to go on any more trails because he was convinced he would die in some grisly manor. So you may, or many not, want to avoid conversations with the rangers. Apparently they are prolific ticketers to people who venture off the designated trail, so do not do it!

CEDAR FALLS: Our first stop, it was .5 miles total. We completed it in an hour, with time for the kids to explore the standing pools and rocks at the large falls area.

My 11 year old found a crawdad, which was exciting.

BEGINNING (at Parking Lot)

It was well paved, and only got tricky toward the end (or beginning, depending on where you might start) where we had to climb through rocks to get up to the concluding trail. Our 3 year old did just fine, with help (of course). The best part is the fantastic picnic area off of the parking lot. The gazebo wasn't reserved so we made use of it. Also, it was not crowded in the late morning.

TOWARD END (comes out down from parking lot)

OLD MAN'S CAVE:
The nature center here is not much, but it still gives a good overview. We did learn who the old man was who actually lived in "Old Man's Cave." There is an ice cream / snack place, but it only takes cash. This loop is probably the most popular. It was definitely the most crowded while we were there. There is an upper and lower falls, as well as the large cave. It is maybe a mile long, so we were still able to see a lot in short distances. This is where we encountered the ranger, so be sure to stay on the trails. You do NOT want the scenic helicopter tour.

The Lower Falls

The Upper Falls

Old Man's Cave

Fun Tunnels and Bridges are throughout the area!

"Devil's Bathtub" (Do not jump in...we were warned by the Ranger you will not get out!)

CONKLES HOLLOW:
After the talk from the Ranger, my boys wimped out. Figures that it would be just us ladies still standing! So my 3 year old, and my friend, explored the last two areas with me. We had such a blast. I loved Conkles Hollow. The trail was wide and mostly smooth. It was an easy going mile round trip. Really, I think you could probably roll a stroller almost the entire way there (just a few steps toward the end). We saw the most wildlife and plant life here, including a doe and her spotted baby! Pets are not allowed, which might aid the natural growth. Either side of the trail is covered in green plants and ferns, and the abundant, tall, trees create a cool (temperature) canopy. There are plenty of small rocks on the trail that are safe enough for children to climb up onto. My 3 year old was so very, very, happy. There are also several rocks that are not safe, so DON'T DO IT!

Rock formation that is suppose to have image of horse...I can't see it.

GREEN! As far as the eye can see.

My budding rock climber...on safe, trail rocks.

Almost at the Hollow!

It was just a little trickle (and dark), but the fall at the Hollow was still neat.

If you look closely, the doe and her baby are camoflaged by the green. It's not a great picture, but they were actually really close and easy to see.

ROCK HOUSE:
We saved Rock House for last. Although this trail is only .5 miles, it is very sloped. Going there was not so bad. Coming back is rough! We hiked it without really looking at the trail map. I just looked to discover that we actually only hiked half the trail, then backtracked (not realizing it continued past Rock House). Oops. So maybe it gets more interesting after one gets to Rock House. But the trail on the south side of the map is steeply sloped, just so you know. What we hiked was also not particularly child friendly. Getting into (and out of) the rock house was a little tricky climbing. That said, my 3 year old did fine with help. The inside of the Rock House is cool, but it is also worth it to consider bringing a flashlight. It was wet inside, and really dark! We were reminded of the Ranger's words when we witnessed a group of people trying to climb out the Rock House (off trail). I'm telling you, DON'T DO IT! I'm glad we went, however this was my least favorite of all of the sites due to the grade of the hike down. Also, Rock House is really the only interesting thing about the part of the trail we hiked, so that was a negative. Looking at the map, the trail ends in a different parking lot. So I would also guess that it will actually be a little further than it says it is (to allow for the walk back to the other lot to your parked car).