You don’t want to miss Ash Cave in Hocking Hills State Park.
Ash Cave isn’t like those we splunked through in Cumberland Caverns. It is a type of cave called a recess cave – and it is the largest one in the state of Ohio.
A recess cave is the result of the middle section of rock eroding over time while the top and bottom layers do not. In the case of Ash Cave, the results are very impressive.
Getting to Ash Cave is easy. The trail is entirely accessible and paved. It winds through a narrow gorged, filled with plenty of beautiful, large hemlock and beach trees.
After about 0.25 miles, it opens up and there the giant stands.
Ash Cave stretches 700 feet long, is 100 feet deep, and 90 feet tall. That first glimpse is amazing. This is something you have to witness to really understand just how massive it is.
In the center of it all is a shallow plunge pool where the east fork of Queer Creek trickles over the rim’s edge, further creating an fairy tale landscape.
The paved trail ends here and is replaced with soft sand – the result of the sandstone walls eroding. We made our way across all 700 feet, taking it all in.
The trail continues beneath the waterfall and up a set of stairs. Those with mobility challenges can return back to the parking lot down the paved trail. Others can choose to move forward over the steep, tree-rooted, dirt path back to the parking area.
My Top Tips for Visiting
To really enjoy Ash Cave, I recommend taking some extra time here. Visitors can get up close to the rock walls, which is difficult (or illegal) to do in other areas of the park.
I also recommend going early to avoid the crowds.
This is one of my top recommended “Don’t Miss” stops within Hocking Hills State Park.