The Ash Cave Waterfall is a large natural rock overhang in the Hocking Hills region of Ohio. It is one of the premier Park destinations in the state, and the home of historic native populations in North America for millennia. A remnant of ancient pre-glacial North America, some of the flora species located here are unique to the continent. Other caves are also located nearby, and coupled with a visit to Ash Cave can make a truly unique and memorable visit to Southeast Ohio. Ash Cave is easily accessible from a large nearby parking lot and the trail is handicapped friendly. It is sometimes the location for special events, such as an annual concert by the Columbus Symphony Orchestra. This is a magnificent event and well worth attending, but tickets go fast so if you're interested really be on the lookout for them, so don't delay when they become available. read more

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This was absolutely beautiful and such an amazing place for kids to play! The waterfall was beautiful and even with all the people tourist-ing it was relaxing. I love how accessible this hike was - we took the stroller most of the way and turned around and walked back instead of finishing the loop. The natural beauty was out of this world! read more

Ash Cave Waterfall - Parks Near Me - Creola, Ohio

I've been to Hocking Hills twice and both times I've come to do the small hike around Ash Cave Waterfall and I highly recommend everyone make a stop here at least ONCE when they're in the Hocking Hills area! The hike is super easy and reasonable, only about half a mile in total. It's a loop and you get to see so much diversity in landscape and sights throughout the entirety of it! I highly recommend (and I believe it almost is a bit of a "one way" kind of loop that people don't realize, but essentially start on the LEFT path and make your way around the loop clockwise for the best effect! When you begin your hike to the left path, that starts completely paved leading up to the cave and waterfall, so it's very accessible to all to see the waterfall! Once you get to the base of the cave is when the path becomes unpaved, so if you need to you could just turn around from here after drinking in the sights of the cave and return back to the parking lot in an out and back manner. Ash Cave is insanely cool, it's a giant clamshell looking cave cut into the side of the rock with a waterfall that pours down over the rim of the cave so you both get to see it as you approach the cave and even get to walk under and behind the waterfall as you navigate around the cave! It's incredible to see and such a unique one to check out! In the wintertime, the water was falling with even more speed than when we came here in the summer, making for an extra impressive kind of waterfall. The water was cold at the bottom of the base of the waterfall pool as well so there were a bunch of jagged ice pieces in there, making it look like a pool that some sort of crystal mermaid would come out of - absolutely magical! From behind the waterfall, you'll then begin the staircase up the side of the cave as you exit, offering you continued awesome nearly 360 views of the waterfall. You will be walking a few feet and then stopping to take a picture consistently at every point around the falls since the vantage point keeps on changing. It's a very cool experience! Once you get to the top of the stairs, you'll essentially begin your walk back to the parking lot and you'll be in the woods again and won't be able to see the waterfall anymore. From here, it's a consistent and gradual decline back to the parking lot, making the remainder of the hike relatively easy, but watch your step as you'll be navigating unpaved trails and climbing over tree roots and the like. It also ends up being a bit monotonous as well after the beauty of the falls, but before you know it you'll be back at the parking lot! Thoroughly love Ash Cave Waterfall and it's definitely one of the most popular hikes in the Hocking Hills area for good reason! read more

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This is one of the most popular attractions in Hocking Hills. It's a short, moderate hike from the parking area. It's well. Worth the time and effort to get here. It's a very unusual rock formation. read more

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Great park, love the views! Not sure about the waterfall though, my son said there were magical creatures lurking behind...Gosh darn, i really wanted to see a loch ness monster. I'd love to return, but maybe they should add a wifi server first. Jimmy had a temper tantrum when "brick blast" wouldn't load. Thank y'all! read more

Most accessible hike I've ever seen! Multiple wheel chairs and strollers walked by us to see this marvel. It was a quick walk from the lot to the falls and so spacious no one was on-top of each other and everyone got their special moment! read more

Wonderful opportunity to admire an impressive rock formation and cave and a stunning waterfall from practically every angle, including being able to walk directly behind it! Highly recommend! Short but beautiful hike that does end up going up and down stairs/rocks, so something to keep in mind (not the most accessible). Lovely as a winter hike as well! Sounds like the waterfall is a bit bigger in the winter, and a little drier in the summer. Was very cool to see the ice formations at the bottom when we went as well. Looks like the whole waterfall may have potentially frozen at one point and then melted, leaving the ice at the bottom. read more

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Just a short straight walk from the parking lot, impossible to miss, this cave is an impressive sight. There wasn't any water, we visited after dry summer months, but it was still very impressive. We stayed for probably 30-40 minutes, walked around, imagined how native Indians used this cave as a shelter and for the rituals, hence the name. You can go back the same way, or keep going up the hill and accomplish the full circle returning to the parking lot. There were portable toilets on parking lots on both sides of the road. read more

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Beautiful area, the hike its self was nice. There are some elevated areas and areas that are at a decline. Definitely wear shoes and not sandals. Go the late afternoon we tried around noon and it was just packed and no parking. Nice area to walk and hike trails. Several trails in the area. Maps are at the entrances of the trails. read more

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This was, by far, the most breathtaking natural feature that I saw in Hocking Hills State Park. The hike to the cave is gorgeous, but as you get closer and closer, it surprises you just how large the opening is and how far up the waterfall starts. I came in the winter, which means the waterfall was more of a watertrickle, but unlike many waterfalls that steal the show, this one blends in perfectly with the natural beauty around it. In fact, I would argue that its showier cousins, like say, Bridalveil Fall in Yosemite National Park, might detract from their natural surroundings because all you're looking at is the water, and you're ignoring the landscape around the falls. It's a long trail to here from anywhere you'll be, but it's less of a hike and more of a long walk. If you ever come to Hocking Hills, be sure to visit the Ash Cave Waterfall. It alone is worth the price of admission--and worth later having to pay for a tow truck (called a "wrecker" in these parts of Ohio) to pull your car out of the ditch after you hit a patch of black ice on your way back to Indiana the next day. It's a long story that I'll probably eventually tell in another review, if I haven't already. read more

Sunday April 25th, 2021 went hiking here today with hubby, Tony with my Daughter and son in-law. It was my son in-law first time here. Free to enjoy!! The hike from the parking lot is about a 12 minute walk. Very nice park with awesome scenery. The waterfall is stunning!!! Highly recommend to all that enjoys nature! read more

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Nice flat path out to Ash Cave. Ada accessible for wheelchairs and strollers. Cave is huge and there is a spot kids can play in the water too. The second half is more strenuous, but you have the option to go back the way you came from. read more

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While one of the shorter trails in the Hocking Hills area, Ash Cave is absolutely breathtaking and fun to explore. The entrance is super easy as it starts at ground level and really close to the parking lot. Once you make your way down the trail a few hundred yards, you'll quickly notice the tall gorge and cave-like formation. In the center of the cave you find a small trickling waterfall and a teeny little pond where the water lands. Out of the tons of times I've visited, I've never seen this waterfall get any larger than a trickle, but it's beautiful nonetheless. Once you're finished admiring mother nature, the trail leads up a steep set of stairs which will loop you back to the parking lot. Over the years a lot more regulation has been set in place. You used to be able to climb all over the area but with an increase in visitors they're trying to better preserve the space and keep people safe. Pro tip - If you can come early in the morning in the middle of the week, that's ideal. Happy exploring! read more

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Beautiful, and yes extremely crowded on weekends. This is a really beautiful waterfall which I would recommend visiting super early to avoid the rush. I do believe this location closes earlier than other parks, check hours before going. read more

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This was a tiny, but tall waterfall at the corner of a very wide cave mouth. Being on the sandy base of this trail really gives you perspective at the size of the cliff. This was a quick hike at just .7 miles. The elevation gain was 108 feet and all on the way out - the second half post the cave and falls. The hike in on the one-way trail was a paved sidewalk basically and would be rated easy. The hike out was uphill and moderate. You could do this hike and just go against one-way traffic to get out if you were unable to climb the stairs or hills on the way out. read more

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One of the main popular stops to visit at this amazing park. the cost... Free .. Hocking hills is the best thing Ohio has to offer in my opinion and this is one of the top 5 places to see .. about half mile walk. Its best if you can spend a day or two but if you are like me and make it a day trip .. this is one of the places to put on the list. It's one of the easiest places to hike .. if you back track the way you came it's even easier. Ash cave ..is like many of the caves in Hocking hills ... my husband refers to them as rock shelf but its large and impressive. The falls highest in the area but it's not a strong flow .. I'm betting there are times in late summer it dries up or barely running. It just rained yesterday so is was running great for this late in the year. of course spring would be ideal for viewing the waterfalls. I've seen pics in winter where it's frozen but haven't seen that in person. Hocking hills is different every season .. every time we came. read more

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This trail is shorter compared to other hikes in the park, but it still delivers on the beauty of the natural environment and exploration of the cave. There is a waterfall that seeps over the top of the cave and, combined with the blue sky and nearby trees, made for remarkable memories. I also liked that the path to Ash Cave is handicap- and stroller-accessible. read more

Ash Cave Waterfall - Parks Near Me - Creola, Ohio

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Alrighty y'all, if you want the hiking deets I've gotchu. Below I outline how to hike from Ash Cave to Old Man's Cave and back while hitting all the main landmarks like Cedar Falls, Whispering Cave and more! I parked at Ash Cave at 8am and started hiking the entrance trail at 8:08. This trail takes you past a set of bathrooms and then a short jaunt to Ash Cave. Around the bottom of Ash Cave and up the stairs turning left onto the Buckeye Trail (this specific portion of the 1440 mile Buckeye Trail is also called Grandma Gateway Trail and is marked with blue markers also called blazes). Follow the blue blazes through the forest to a gravel path. You can hike straight down the gravel or take the side trails (I did both). Keep following the gravel! It will lead you down an access road and out across a parking lot for the fire tower. Then you cross Chapel Hill Road and the trail picks up on the other side of the road. Back on a dirt path the blue blazes continue until the trail turns into another gravel path. Continue on this path, straight ahead until you exit another access road. The blazes go straight across the Cedar Falls parking area (the main one with bathrooms, not the quick side pull off). Follow the blue blazes to enter the trail, this is the start of a one way trail. After hiking down the trail spilts left to Old Man's Cave or right to Cedar Falls. Go left, and continue following the blue blazes. This part of the trail is bidirectional. The trail will come to another fork. I went left, across the bridge, to Hemlock Grove and Whispering Cave. Follow the purple blazes for a little while and then up a steep incline. FORK! Left will take you to Whispering Cave and right to Hemlock Grove (and to Old Man'a Cave). After hitting Whispering Cave hike back to the fork and continue straight following signs for Hemlock Grove. This trail runs along side and crosses the road. On the second road crossing follow the paved path in the left. This will bringing you out on the backside of the new lodge. I hiked around the front of the lodge and down the side walk that runs along the front of the double decker parking area. Re-entering the trail at Upper Falls and following the blue blazes down and through Ohio's most popular gorge. This will take you across bridges, over boulders, through a tunnel and up winding rock steps. On this portion of the trail expect delays and congestion especially on the weekends. You will hit Upper Falls, Devil's Bathtub and Lower Falls on this portion of the trail. After exiting the tunnel previously mentioned go straight to continue on the Buckeye Trail. Follow the blue blazes to Cedar Falls. Once you hit Cedar Falls then continue straight at the fork. Going left will lead you to the wrong exit (side parking area). After taking the straight ahead trail you will end up exiting AGAIN to the Cedar Falls main parking area. The same one we crossed the first time, only this time you are going the opposite direction. Follow the blue blazes across the road and down the median back to the service road entrance (the second one we exited the first time). Confused? I have an AllTrails map with pictures to help you out! Anyway, back on the service road which turns into the same dirt path that winds its way through forest until spitting you out at Chapel Hill Rd. Cross the road, the parking area and re-enter the first service road (again!). Then following the gravel path (the blue blazes on trees are just side trails that put you back out on the same gravel path). So keep trucking away and soon you'll be at the top of the Ash Cave stairs where this all started. I went straight to follow the red blazes out to the parking lot. And that's it! 12 miles later, you've hit every major landmark in this area of the Hocking Hills. Rock House, Cantwell Cliffs and Conkles Hollow are a different unrelated topic to this review. Hope this was helpful! For more details check out AllTrails. There are multiple maps of the area, if you want to follow my route look for "Hocking Hills Mega Loop". My AllTrails says 13.9 miles which is incorrect. My Garmin watch was also tracking and is more accurate especially in gorges and thick tree cover. So expect to do about 12 miles! read more

A shorter trail with a beautiful waterfall. Easy walk with the dogs. Everything is marked.

Amazing handicap-accessible hike to a beautiful rock formation and waterfall spilling into a shallow pool. Saw people coning out pushing walkers---something you don't see every day hiking to caves and waterfalls!! Also, the majority of trails in Hocking Hills allow pets. We left our dog at home bur may reconsider if we return. read more

Awesome place nice hike will definitely have to come back in the warm weather sometime

One of our families favorite hang out spots we park a lunch and blankets and just play there for hours. So beautiful and serial. Gorgeous place! read more

We have visited Ash Cave many times over the years and it always is beautiful no matter the time of the year. This is one of our favorite easy hikes in the Hocking Hills area. We like that the bottom path almost all the way back to the waterfall is paved and quite level. This makes it easily accessible for motorized scooters, wheelchairs and strollers. The park currently still has the one-way trail sign up however if you have mobility restrictions you can go out the same way you came back in. Otherwise the trail leads you up the stairs behind the waterfall and down the side of the hill. That complete hike gives you such a variety of scenery! Tip: when you get to the top of the stairs there's a sign that says it's a 2 mile hike to Cedar Falls. We have actually taken this hike it's 4 miles round-trip and well worth it. But if you're not up for that big of a hike still take a left and walk just a little tiny bit and you'll be able to see the water before it flows over into the waterfall area. read more

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