You Won't Believe This Town Is In Ohio
When many people, particularly those from outside the state, think of Ohio, they picture flat plains. While these dominate the western half of the state, they only tell part of the story. In the southeast, the Hocking Hills region breaks that mold, with the small town of Logan right at its heart. Here, an impressive diversity of natural wonders awaits: recess caves with waterfalls flowing from their rims, sandstone cliffs and gorges, and pristine lakes and rivers. If this kind of beauty catches your eye, Logan deserves a place on your summer itinerary.
Caves & Waterfalls
The area around Logan is absolutely filled with majestic caves and waterfalls, many of them less than a 30-minute drive away. Ash Cave is a must-visit during your time in Hocking Hills, as it is the state’s largest and most impressive recessed cave. As you approach the cave, you will pass through a narrow, quarter-mile tree-lined gorge before emerging to views of the recessed cave’s overhanging ledge. The cave is enormous, measuring about 700 feet from end to end, 100 feet deep, and 90 feet high! A small waterfall also cascades over the cave’s edge, sourced from the East Fork of Queer Creek.
Old Man’s Cave is another Hocking Hills favorite. This cave area is divided into five sectors that wind along the valley of Old Man’s Creek: Upper Falls, Upper Gorge, Middle Falls, Lower Falls, and Lower Gorge. Formed by the creek, this trail cuts through 150 feet of Blackhand sandstone, giving hikers a rare view of the earth’s subsurface. The Upper Falls section of the trail is one of its highlights, home to a scenic waterfall that plunges into a pristine pool surrounded by sandstone cliffs and lush vegetation.
Lastly, make sure to visit Rock House Cave, an enclosed, tunnel-like cave in Hocking Hills State Park. This cave features a passageway supported by massive stone columns, each separated by a “window.” Steps carved into the cliffside lead through these openings. Archaeological evidence suggests that Native American groups inhabited the cave for thousands of years, making it a fascinating historical site as well.
Cliff Hikes
Once you’ve checked out the caves and waterfalls of Hocking Hills, it’s time to tackle a cliff hike, another adventure you will not want to miss around Logan. Travelers can begin their hiking trip at Clear Creek Metro Park, a 5,300-acre property that is filled with woodlands, cliffs, ravines, and creeks. The landscape throughout the park is incredibly diverse, featuring everything from the rugged terrain of the Appalachian forests to the rolling prairies of the west. Because of this diverse terrain, over 2,200 species of plants and animals call the park home, hiding among the rock outcroppings, valleys, and hemlock forests.
If you are looking for one of the region’s lesser-known gems, make sure to check out Cantwell Cliffs as well. These cliffs are rather remote, often resulting in fewer visitors. However, many hikers who visit consider it to be one of the most scenic places in the county. A rock shelter, steep cliffs, and a deep valley are a few of the prominent features, with hikers able to appreciate the geological beauty passing through the cliffs’ narrow passageways. Meanwhile, Conkles Hollow State Nature Preserve requires a half-hour drive, but features a magnificent gorge and cliffs. Despite being only 100 feet wide, the preserve’s gorge is sometimes considered to be the deepest in the state. Waterfalls also often cascade from the surrounding sandstone cliffs, with visitors able to explore them via 3.5 miles of hiking trails.
Water Recreation
August heat can be brutal, so visiting Lake Logan or floating down the Hocking River is the perfect way to cool off. Travelers hoping to swim can head to Lake Logan State Park, which offers a 400-acre lake with a 527-foot swimming beach. The lake is also popular for boating and fishing, with common fish species including bluegill, crappie, muskie, catfish, and bass. In the spring, summer, and fall, the Lake Logan Marina also provides kayaks, canoes, paddleboards, pontoon boats, and pedal boats for rental. If a float down the river is more your style, Hocking Hills Adventures is the perfect starting point. This local outfitter offers a variety of river trips, including tubing, kayaking, and canoeing tours.
Hocking Hills is one of the most underrated regions of the Midwest, and Logan makes the perfect basecamp for your adventure. In under a half hour’s drive from town, you can reach numerous cliffs, caves, and waterfalls, with Lake Logan and Hocking River being equally accessible. Whether you plan on exploring the region by hiking, paddling, or fishing, rest assured that you will likely have the most interesting vacation yet!
