The Hocking Hills

10/08/2026

Conkle's Hollow October 8, 2026. You can find more trails- Hocking Hills Hiking Trail Guide at Grandma Fayes right up the street from Old Man's Cave!

10/07/2026

October things to do in the Hocking Hills this weekend...

Midnight at Moonville is this weekend in Zaleski, Ohio!

The festival takes place Friday, October 9, and Saturday, October 10, 2026 in Zaleski, with vendors, entertainment, paranormal groups, and activities throughout the weekend. Ohio PRISM will also be there as part of the event.

I’ll be at the festival with my books, including Big Book of American Ghost Stories, Big Book of American Cryptids, Haunted Hocking Hills, the Haunted Ohio series, and, of course, Moonville Whispers, which includes the ghost stories connected with the full nine miles of the Moonville Rail Trail.

Then both evenings, I’ll head over to Moonville Tunnel to lead the Moonville Night Hike and Ghost Hunt.

We’ll hike about 1.5–2 miles one way along the old rail trail, sharing the ghost stories and legends connected with Moonville before ending with a paranormal investigation at the tunnel.

Registration is required. Sign up at 21 Crows (Dark Journeys)

Come see me at the festival in Zaleski, pick up a book, then join me after dark at Moonville.

10/07/2026

This upcoming weekend is a perfect time for a stroll from Ash Cave to the Ash Cave Fire Tower, especially with the fall color starting to come in.
The hike is about 2.8 miles round trip, out and back. Start at Trail Marker O near the Ash Cave entrance, follow the trail beneath the Ash Cave waterfall, climb the wooden steps, and go left at the top to continue through the woods. (Right goes to parking) From there, the trail follows an old forestry service road to the Ash Cave Fire Tower before returning along the same route.

I hiked it on Tuesday, and one heads-up: the fire tower itself was closed because hornets are nesting in the cabin at the top. You can still hike out to the tower, but for now, don’t plan on climbing it.

It’s a nice fall walk, with Ash Cave at one end and the old fire tower at the other.

For more Hocking Hills trails with interactive maps, photos, landmarks, and detailed hiking information, check out Hocking Hills Hiking Trail Guidebook: The Big Seven, Forest Trails & Hidden Hikes. It goes beyond the state park, with trails throughout the surrounding forests and lesser-known areas of the Hocking Hills.

10/03/2026

Watching the fall leaf change in the Hocking Hills...October 3, 2026. Conkle's Hollow, Rim Trail.

09/30/2026

Looking for those peaks during peak leaf season? This is a great view from Airplane Rock in the Hocking Hills State Forest in southeastern Ohio. As of September 30, you can already see just a bit of color beginning to come through. Park at the rock climbing/rappelling area.

09/30/2026

Waterfall Peek — September 30: Twin Falls and Chapel Cave trails are open, although there is still one tree down before Chapel Cave and another before Twin Falls. Most hikers should be able to scramble over or around them. Hopefully, the state forest service will have them cleared by the weekend. Regardless, the leaves are starting to change, and fall is beginning to show in the Hocking Hills!

09/25/2026

A couple of waterfalls in the Hocking Hills that are typically little more than a trickle are still running pretty good this weekend—one at Conkle’s Hollow State Nature Preserve and the other at Twin Falls along the Hocking Bridle Trail.

If you’re heading to the Hocking Hills this weekend, this is a good time to take a hike and check them out!

Conkle’s Hollow Lower Trail is about 0.5 miles one way, and the path has been cleared following the recent flooding. https://thehockinghills.org/conkles_hollow.htm

Twin Falls, after passing Chapel Cave, is also flowing nicely, but just a heads-up: there are a couple of fallen trees along the trail and several small creek crossings.

09/23/2026

Waterfalls, waterfalls, waterfalls! Rainy days in the Hocking Hills of Southeastern Ohio about a forty-five minute drive from Columbus can turn an ordinary hike into a trail of waterfalls.

After a good rain, the Whispering Cave Trail comes alive with water pouring from the cliffs, spilling over rock ledges, and rushing down the hillsides. On this particular hike, there seemed to be another waterfall every ten steps.

If you love waterfalls, this is the kind of day to pull on your hiking boots and head into the hills.

Trail information and directions are in the comments below.

09/16/2026

Tip-toeing into the Halloween/Autumn season-night hikes and paranormal investigations for those who dare a bit of adventure. . .

09/16/2026

Looking for a quieter hike this week? Christmas Rocks State Nature Preserve in southern Fairfield County is a great off-the-beaten-path choice. The trail climbs to Jacob’s Ladder, a 250-foot Black Hand Sandstone cliff with a beautiful overlook that becomes especially impressive once the fall color arrives.

It’s still mostly green right now, but the hike is moderately strenuous, scenic, and generally less crowded than many of the better-known trails in the region. Since this is a state nature preserve, dogs are not permitted, so plan to leave your hiking buddy at home for this one. Directions in the comments . . .