Old Man's Cave
- Hike
- 1 mi round trip
- Road
- Paved
- Permit
- Not required
Old Man's Cave is a waterfall on Queer Creek in Hocking County, Ohio. Reaching it is a 1 mi hike round trip. Flow season is not on file yet. See every spot on Queer Creek.
Closures and warnings
One-way gorge trail with steep stone steps and slippery wet rock near Upper Falls, Lower Falls, and Old Man's Cave recess; stay on marked trails. As of September 30, 2026.
The falls
| Flow note | Upper Falls and Lower Falls on Queer Creek along the 1-mile moderate Old Man's Cave trail; CCC-era tunnel and steps above the gorge. |
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Access
| Hike | 1 mi round trip |
|---|---|
| Road | Paved |
| Road note | Old Man's Cave Visitor Center and main gorge trailhead off State Route 664. |
| Parking | Large Old Man's Cave / Visitor Center parking lot on SR-664. |
| When it fills | Fills on peak weekends; overflow used for special events. |
| 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 | Separate accessible route near the Visitor Center to Upper Falls viewing; gorge trail has steps and is not wheelchair accessible. |
| Managed by | Ohio Department of Natural Resources (Hocking Hills State Park) |
| Restrooms | Yes |
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| Picnic sites | Yes |
| Note | Visitor Center (typically 10 a.m.-4 p.m., seasonal) with raptor enclosure; picnic tables, grills, and latrines at the trailhead. |
Common questions
Common questions
Is Old Man's Cave open?
One-way gorge trail with steep stone steps and slippery wet rock near Upper Falls, Lower Falls, and Old Man's Cave recess; stay on marked trails. 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 long is the hike to Old Man's Cave?
It's a 1 mi hike round trip. The road in is paved. Old Man's Cave Visitor Center and main gorge trailhead off State Route 664. Parking: Large Old Man's Cave / Visitor Center parking lot on SR-664. Fills on peak weekends; overflow used for special events.
Do you need a reservation for Old Man's Cave?
No reservation or permit is required.
When is Old Man's Cave flowing?
Upper Falls and Lower Falls on Queer Creek along the 1-mile moderate Old Man's Cave trail; CCC-era tunnel and steps above the gorge.
What facilities are at Old Man's Cave?
Restrooms and picnic sites. Visitor Center (typically 10 a.m.-4 p.m., seasonal) with raptor enclosure; picnic tables, grills, and latrines at the trailhead.
Nearby
Sources
3
- 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 / hazardNote / waterfall.flowNote, access.wheelchairAccess / Visitor Center hours)
- https://ohiodnr.gov/discover-and-learn/safety-conservation/about-ODNR/news/hocking-winter-hike-60 (accessed September 30, 2026; backs waterbodyName Queer Creek / Upper Falls context)
- https://ohiodnr.gov/wps/portal/gov/odnr/go-and-do/see-the-sights/historic-places/new-deal-era-sites/old-mans-cave-tunnel-steps (accessed September 30, 2026; backs waterfall.flowNote)
More: Ohio waterfalls