3 Days in Hocking Hills: Waterfalls, Caves, and a Cozy Container Stay

If you're looking for a fun, active, nature-filled getaway not far from Columbus, Ohio, Hocking Hills is a must! This gem is packed with beautiful waterfalls, towering cliffs, forest trails, and magical rock formations that will have your kids saying, "Whoa, did you see that?"

We’re always looking for new, fun, and unique experiences—and this time, we stayed in a refurbished shipping container! Yep. It was tiny but super efficient, creatively designed, and surprisingly cozy. While I did miss having an oven (because I do like cooking on vacation), it had everything else we needed for a comfortable stay.

We spent 3 days and 2 nights exploring the parks, walking miles of trails, snapping photos of waterfalls, and enjoying the beauty of Ohio’s rugged scenery. Our favorite hikes? Conkle's Hollow and Cantwell Cliffs. Both had us ooh-ing and ahh-ing at every turn.

Our 3-Day Hocking Hills Itinerary:

Day 1: Rock Bridge Nature Preserve

The trail starts off in a wide, grassy field lined with blooming honeysuckle (we went mid-June—it smelled amazing).

Birch trees along the way were covered in carvings. While I don’t love that people did that to the trees, I can’t lie—it looked kinda cool.

You’ll hit a fork in the trail: one path is a short quarter-mile to the natural rock bridge, and the other is a longer, quieter forest loop.

Pro tip: take the short trail to the rock bridge—it’s the star of the show! At 100 feet long and 10–20 feet wide, it’s the largest natural bridge in Ohio.

Day 2: Old Man’s Cave + Surrounding Trails This whole area is PACKED with magical spots:

Upper Falls: A 20-foot waterfall with a stone bridge = dreamy photo op.

Devil’s Bathtub: A swirling rock formation that legend says goes to Hades (spoiler: it doesn’t, but it’s cool to look at!).

Old Man’s Cave: Named after hermit Richard Rowe who lived (and is supposedly buried) there.

Lower Falls: Gorgeous views, perfect for family photos.

Broken Falls: Tucked away and easy to miss—climb the steps for quieter views.

Cedar Falls: Take the scenic Buckeye Trail for a peaceful walk, or drive closer for a shorter visit.

Whispering Cave & Hemlock Bridge Trail: Less crowded, totally breathtaking. Don’t skip them!

My husband planned this trip as a Christmas gift after reading Grandma Gatewood’s Walk—an inspiring story of the woman who saved the Appalachian Trail. She said Old Man’s Cave was her favorite stop. We had to see it ourselves!

Tip: Visit early to beat the crowds.

Day 3: Conkle’s Hollow + Cantwell Cliffs + Ash Cave

Conkle’s Hollow State Nature Preserve

This was our #1 favorite spot!

Gorge Trail: Flat, easy, and packed with beauty—perfect for a casual walk with big payoff.

Rim Trail: 2.5 miles of WOW views. Steep in parts with lots of stairs. Maybe not ideal if you’re afraid of heights, but would be AMAZING for fall leaf viewing.

The gorge cliffs rise over 200 feet above the trail—photos just don’t do it justice.

Cantwell Cliffs

Narrow rock passage humorously called Fat Woman’s Squeeze. (Yes, that’s actually on the map.)

Choose from a valley floor trail or a rim trail—we did both, but the valley floor was our favorite.

Towering rock walls, natural steps, and a less-crowded vibe.

Ash Cave

The biggest recessed cave in the state—and it is massive.

A short, easy trail leads you through a forest gorge that opens into a horseshoe-shaped cave 700 feet wide and 100 feet deep.

A small waterfall trickled the day we visited, but even dry it was awe-inspiring.

Fun fact: Ash Cave got its name from the huge pile of ashes left by early settlers under the shelter.

Hiking Mom Tips:

• Pack lunches and snacks! There aren’t a lot of nearby restaurants, and you won’t want to stop hiking once you’re out there.

• Bring water, especially for longer trails. Even in the shade, you’ll sweat!

• Bring your BEMER. All that up-and-down hiking is no joke. We used ours each night and woke up ready for more.

• Stop often and look up! Tree formations, cliff lines, birds—you’ll miss so much if you only look down at the trail.

This trip was such a great combo of fun, movement, nature, and unique lodging. Whether you're looking to explore with your family, get in some nature therapy, or just try something new—you’ll love what Hocking Hills has to offer.

*BEMER does not provide any medical advice or services. This de vice is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. It should not be used for any purpose other than as described in the user manual. Please consult your own healthcare provider if you have any medical issues.