Hiking To Cedar Falls In Hocking Hills State Park
Cedar falls is an easy to moderate hike located in Hocking Hills State Park in Ohio.
This 1/2 mile one-way loop trail starts and ends at the trailhead parking lot (39.41829, -82.52652). During the hike you will encounter a waterfall, bridges, a boardwalk and several unique rock formations.
This hike is also pet friendly so leash up your furry friend and bring him along.
Cedar Falls is a seasonal waterfall and is most likely to run in spring, winter, and autumn. It is known to dry up in times during the summer. In the rainy spring season it’s flowing best or after some heavy rainfalls.
We were lucky that it had been raining for several days before our visit and it was flowing really well.
Queer Creek cascades down 40 feet of rock before ending in a 10 foot drop. This 50-foot waterfall is the largest, by water volume, that can be found in the Hocking Hills region.
The hike is only considered moderate, in my opinion, because there are quite a few steps at the beginning and end of the trail.
At the start of the hike you’ll descend a bunch of steps and follow a small stream through the forest. Cross a couple bridges and then you’ll find yourself at the base of Cedar Falls.
We were so lucky and got there by 8 AM and had the entire trail to ourselves.
We took our time taking pics and just enjoying a pretty cool waterfall. We have been on this trail a couple times before and this was the best flowing version of it we have encountered.
After you have spent some time admiring the cascading waterfall continue on the trail.
You’ll make your way through the woods crossing a bridge (maybe two), traveling over a boardwalk and ending the hike with some steps to the top and the parking lot.
It’s a short and easy hike (minus those pesky steps) with a great waterfall and should not be missed when visiting the area.
If you’re looking for a longer hike you can take Cedar Falls to Old Man’s Cave to Ash Cave for an epic trail. I think that works out to 6 miles, but I can’t be for certain if that’s total or one-way.
Stop at the visitors center for maps and ask at the information desk for more details.
Fun Fact: The waterfall was mistakenly named Cedar Falls by early settlers, because they mistook the hemlock trees surrounding it for Cedars.
A restroom with flushable toilets and a picnic shelter can be found in the parking lot near the trail entrance.
There is no swimming or wading at Cedar Falls.
Climbing rocks is also prohibited.
The park closes at dark and there is no overnight parking.
