Ash Cave
- Height
- 83 ft
- Hike
- 0.5 mi round trip
- Road
- Paved
- Permit
- Not required
Ash Cave only runs after rain or snowmelt. Ash Cave is a 83 ft waterfall on East Fork of Queer Creek in Hocking County, Ohio. Reaching it is a 0.5 mi hike round trip.
Closures and warnings
Seasonal waterfall and cave floor can be wet or sandy; stay on marked trails and supervise children near drop-offs at the recess rim. As of September 30, 2026.
The falls
| Height | 83 ft |
|---|---|
| Flow | Only after rain or snowmelt |
| Flow note | Runoff plunge over Ohio's largest recess cave; ODNR survey measured an 83-foot drop. Flow is strongest in spring and after rain and may be reduced or dry in summer. |
Access
| Hike | 0.5 mi round trip |
|---|---|
| Road | Paved |
| Road note | Ash Cave trailhead parking off State Route 56 south of the Hocking Hills park areas. |
| Parking | Ash Cave main parking lot with picnic area and restrooms at the trailhead. |
| Hours | Trails and picnic areas open half hour before sunrise to half hour after sunset (OAC 1501:3-46-07). |
| Reservation or permit | Not required |
| Wheelchair access | Ash Cave Gorge Trail is paved and listed wheelchair accessible to the cave floor (surface may be sandy at the recess). |
| Managed by | Ohio Department of Natural Resources (Hocking Hills State Park) |
| Restrooms | Yes |
|---|---|
| Picnic sites | Yes |
| Note | Reservable shelter house at Ash Cave when not reserved; latrines and grills at the parking area. |
Common questions
Common questions
Is Ash Cave open?
Seasonal waterfall and cave floor can be wet or sandy; stay on marked trails and supervise children near drop-offs at the recess rim. As of September 30, 2026. Hours: Trails and picnic areas open half hour before sunrise to half hour after sunset (OAC 1501:3-46-07).
How tall is Ash Cave?
Ash Cave drops about 83 ft.
How long is the hike to Ash Cave?
It's a 0.5 mi hike round trip. The road in is paved. Ash Cave trailhead parking off State Route 56 south of the Hocking Hills park areas. Parking: Ash Cave main parking lot with picnic area and restrooms at the trailhead.
Do you need a reservation for Ash Cave?
No reservation or permit is required.
When is Ash Cave flowing?
It only runs after rain or snowmelt, so it is often dry. Runoff plunge over Ohio's largest recess cave; ODNR survey measured an 83-foot drop. Flow is strongest in spring and after rain and may be reduced or dry in summer.
What facilities are at Ash Cave?
Restrooms and picnic sites. Reservable shelter house at Ash Cave when not reserved; latrines and grills at the parking area.
Nearby
Fishing nearby
Public land
Ash Cave is inside Hocking Hills State Park .
Sources
2
- https://ohiodnr.gov/go-and-do/plan-a-visit/find-a-property/hocking-hills-state-park (accessed September 30, 2026; backs manager / access.hikeDistanceMi, access.hours, access.parking / access.roadNote / hazardNote, waterbodyName)
- https://www.cleveland.com/entertainment/2021/12/we-measured-3-waterfalls-to-determine-ohios-tallest-video-photos.html (accessed September 30, 2026; backs waterfall.heightFt / waterfall.flowNote / waterfall.ephemeral / waterbodyName)
More: Ohio waterfalls