8 Hocking Hills Dog-Friendly Trails You Can Visit In 2024
By Ashley Bates
Updated on
Hocking Hills consists of acres of beautifully wooded land. It is a tourist attraction located in Hocking County, Ohio. It has incredible views, from rocky formations to cliffs to densely wooded trails. People come from all over to enjoy the sites.
Not all trails at Hocking Hills allow dogs. But if you are the kind of family who loves to bring Fido along on the journey, you are smart to plan ahead! Here, we’re going to discuss some beautiful attractions where your pooch can tag along.
Keep in mind, all dogs have to be leashed to be in these areas, as it is very hazardous for both people and pets. You can use the Hocking Hills locator map1 and the Hocking Hills website to find all of these locations.2
The 8 Hocking Hills Dog-Friendly Trails
1. Old Man’s Cave
| Distance: | 1 – 6 miles |
| Difficulty: | Moderate |
Old Man’s Cave is the most popular trail at Hocking Hills. It’s likely the one that attracted you in the first place. This has a really cool back story and rich history; it’s also a dog-friendly portion of the park. So, you can bring your dog anywhere on this trail to accompany you as you check out the sites.
Old Man’s Cave gets its name from the hermit named Richard Rowe who once dwelled within its caves. He moved to the area around 1796. He lived in the most extravagant recess of The Cave. Now you can visit this area to appreciate the lifestyle he forged.
The beauty of the Old Man’s Cave portion of Hocking Hills is just as interesting as its legends.
2. Ash Cave
| Distance: | 0.5 mile |
| Difficulty: | Easy |
Ash Cave is one of the most popular recesses of the cave, and for a good reason! This particular recess is home to a gorgeous waterfall area. The trail lining is full of deciduous trees and other natural beauty.
This is a horseshoe-shaped cave measuring 700 feet from end to end, and it is over 100 feet deep! It is named after the massive pile of ashes found underneath a shelter by early settlers, according to the Hocking Hills website. But what caused the ashes?
Some historians believe that it is due to a build-up of Indian campfires over time. That Indians were smelting silver or lead, as several thousand bushels of ashes were found in the region. An escalation test showed sticks, stocks of coarse grasses, arrows, animal bones, pottery, flint, and corn cobs dispersed throughout.
Regardless of the origin, this part of the Ash Cave was definitely inhabited by a wide variety of people at one time. This is a fantastic walking trail for pets and people alike. The shortest portion is wheelchair accessible, making it a prime choice for walkers of all capabilities and ages.
3. Cedar Falls
| Distance: | 0.5 mile |
| Difficulty: | Easy to Moderate |
Cedar Falls is located in the lower portion of Old Man’s Cave. It is home to the largest waterfall in all of Hocking Hills and arguably one of the most beautiful. Japanese architect and mathematician Akio Hizume created steps known as Democracy Steps leading down to the falls, which are an extremely natural and freeway-breathtaking addition to this scenery.
You can take your best buddy along to look at the primitive chasm with steep, layered rock walls, waterfalls, wildlife, and caves. This particular trail is described as one of the most hauntingly beautiful trails Hocking Hills has to offer.
There is a picnic and restroom area above the falls. So, if you need a little break afterward, you and your pup can relax for a drink and a quick snack.
4. Rock House
| Distance: | 0.8 mile |
| Difficulty: | Moderate |
Rock House is certainly a one-of-a-kind formation—a natural structure built into the earth. It mimics man-made windows and doorways. This fortress is a real sight, gathering onlookers from all over the states to come and awe over it.
This lovely hiking trail boasts more than just a natural home structure. It’s almost a mile long, showing off beautiful foliage and water sources to add to the appeal of it.
It just so happens your pup can enjoy the experience, too. According to Hocking Hills, well-behaved, non-aggressive dogs are welcome on the trail—permitting you clean up after your pup, of course!
The Rock House trail operates on a one-way loop system. You enter one way, exit at the end, and never have to circle to where you came from. Very convenient. You can enter from either the upper or lower hiking trails, and both entrances have a parking lot available for use.
Even though you are allowed to bring your pooch along, you can’t swim in the waterfalls or creeks—and neither can your pups!
5. Cantwell Cliffs
| Distance: | 2 miles |
| Difficulty: | Advanced |
Cantwell Cliffs is in a very remote location in Hocking Hills. It is 17 miles away from Old Man’s Cave off of State Route 374. Because it is such a remote location, it gets a lot less foot traffic. So, if you’re the kind of person who loves exploring the road less traveled, this trail might be the one for you.
This trail is home to rock walls, waterfalls, and deep valleys. The narrowest passageway therein is nicknamed the Fat Woman Squeeze. In total, the portion of the Cantwell Cliff is one mile in length.
This trail is not for the faint of heart. Do be careful taking your pup on this hiking trail. It is pretty treacherous, so keeping them close by on a short leash is important.
6. Rock Stalls Natural Sanctuary
| Distance: | 1.1 miles |
| Difficulty: | Easy |
Camp Akita privately owns the Rock Stalls Natural Sanctuary, but they allow the public to enjoy the hiking trail. It’s a fairly flat path, allowing easy access for dogs and folks who can’t get up and down cliffs and rocks.
This area boasts a lovely flowing waterfall that is active most of the year. This is another pretty private trail, considering it is far away from all the main tourist attractions. So, if you’d like a quiet day out with your dog, this is a more relaxed setting without a crowd.
7. Airplane Rock
| Distance: | 4.4 miles |
| Difficulty: | Moderate |
Airplane Rock is a breathtaking sight once you reach the outlook. On the way up, this trail borders a bridle trail. So, horses, along with their riders, come and go all day long. If your dog is afraid of horses, this might be a little overwhelming and potentially problematic.
However, if your dog is okay with it, this is definitely a scenic route you won’t want to miss. Because this is a riding trail, it is a little more muddy than other areas. So, if it is the rainy season, remember that so you can grab the right foot gear and clean-up supplies before you go.
This area is also home to 21 Horse Cave, or Chapel Cave, which is enormous enough to hold—you guessed it—21 horses. Not far off is Twin Falls, two waterfalls side by side flowing beautifully down a rugged cliff. It’s definitely a must-see.
8. Hemlock Bridge
| Distance: | 1.5 miles, 5-mile loop |
| Difficulty: | Moderate to Difficult |
Hemlock Bridge is a tricky and pretty treacherous trail to travel. However, if you choose to take on the challenge, your pup can accompany you along the way. This particular trail is between Old Man’s Cave and Cedar Falls.
This five-mile loop provides a good point for some much-needed exercise. It is a challenging path, but it is a beautiful one. You even have the option here to hike behind the waterfall, which was a neat experience for everyone.
If you’re looking for something a little less challenging, certainly check out one of the other options on our list. If you go on this trail, you’ll see lots of wooded scenery and even an all-purpose bike trail.
Conclusion
There is certainly a lot to do around the Hocking Hills area in Ohio. Even though there are certain places on the map where you cannot bring your dog, there are even more available. Your dog doesn’t have to stay home while you go out on your latest journey.
Just make sure to plan ahead to bring all necessary supplies, gear, and snacks for the road. If you are curious about a place that didn’t make it on our list, look it up individually before assuming that they don’t allow dogs.
Related Reads:
Featured Image Credit: alexei_tm, Shutterstock
