There's a short window every April when Hocking Hills feels like it belongs to you. The snowmelt is still feeding the creeks, the waterfalls are thundering at full volume, and the forest floor erupts in wildflowers before the tree canopy fills in overhead. The weekend crowds haven't shown up yet. The air is cool enough to hike hard without sweating through a shirt. If you ask anyone who lives here which month is the real best month, most will tell you quietly: it's this one.
Hocking Hills State Park has seven major hiking areas, all arranged across the southern edge of Hocking County in a loose constellation of sandstone gorges, recess caves, and hemlock-lined ravines. Every one of them is worth your time in April — but they're not all equal, and they're not all the same kind of adventure. This guide walks through all seven in the order a smart spring visitor should tackle them, with the specific reasons each one shines in April and what to know before you go.
Why April Is the Window
Spring rainfall and lingering snowmelt swell the creeks across the region, and waterfalls like Cedar Falls and the cascades at Old Man's Cave hit their peak volume for the year. By June, many of the smaller falls dwindle. By August, after a dry stretch, some of them stop running entirely. April is also when the forest floor does its best work: the large-flowered trillium, Virginia bluebells, Dutchman's breeches, trout lily, and spring beauty all bloom before the oak and maple canopy closes in and shades them out. For a few weeks, the understory is brighter than the treetops.
Typical April daytime temperatures run 50–65°F — cool enough to hike the steep gorge trails in comfort, warm enough that you won't need more than a light layer. Mornings can dip into the 30s, so pack accordingly. And yes, it's mud season. Waterproof boots are not optional.
Before You Go
- Hours: All state park trails are open dawn to dusk, year-round.
- Fees: No entrance fee for Hocking Hills State Park.
- Pets: Allowed on leash at most trails — except Conkle's Hollow, which is a state nature preserve.
- Rules: Stay on marked trails. No swimming or wading in creeks or waterfalls.
- Trails: Most hiking areas are one-way systems, so plan your route before starting.
The 7 Hikes, Ranked for April
1 Old Man's Cave
This is the one most people picture when they think of Hocking Hills, and for good reason. The gorge trail threads past Upper Falls, the swirling pothole known as Devil's Bathtub, Lower Falls, and the recess cave itself, all in roughly a mile. In April, every one of those waterfalls is running hard. The hemlock canopy keeps the gorge cool and dim, and the sandstone walls hold moisture that spring wildflowers love. Arrive early — this is the most popular trail in the park, and even in April the parking lot fills by mid-morning on weekends.
2 Cedar Falls
Don't let the name fool you — there's not a cedar in sight. Early settlers mistook the hemlocks for cedars, and the name stuck. Cedar Falls is the largest-volume waterfall in the park, and in April it roars. The descent down stone steps into the primitive hemlock ravine feels like walking into a different climate zone. If you have the energy, you can link Cedar Falls to Old Man's Cave via the Buckeye Trail for a six-mile one-way hike through the heart of the park.
3 Ash Cave
Ash Cave is a 700-foot-wide sandstone amphitheater with a thin ribbon waterfall that drops 90 feet over its lip, fed by a tributary of Queer Creek. The gorge trail is a paved, wheelchair-accessible quarter-mile — the most accessible hike in the park — which makes it the best pick for mixed-ability groups or visitors who want one jaw-dropping payoff without the elevation. In April the waterfall is at its most dramatic, and the valley floor between the trailhead and the cave is dense with trillium and Dutchman's breeches.
4 Conkle's Hollow
Conkle's Hollow is a separate state nature preserve, which means no dogs — but also means stricter protections and exceptional wildflower diversity. The lower gorge trail is a flat, paved mile flanked by towering sandstone cliffs; the 2.5-mile rim trail above it is a serious undertaking with dramatic overlooks. In April the valley floor glows with ferns, Dutchman's breeches, blue cohosh, and jack-in-the-pulpit. The cool, moist microclimate at the base of the 200-foot cliffs holds spring blooms later than most of the park.
5 Rock House
Rock House is unique: a 200-foot-long tunnel-like corridor carved midway up a 150-foot Blackhand sandstone cliff, with Gothic-looking window openings cut through the rock by erosion. It's the only true cave in the park — the others are technically recess caves. The trail is short but includes a steep set of stone steps. In April, the woods above the cave are full of birdsong from returning migrants, and the window openings frame a valley that's just starting to turn green.
6 Cantwell Cliffs
Cantwell Cliffs sits at the far north end of the park and sees a fraction of the traffic that Old Man's Cave does. The trail is short but punishing — narrow rock squeezes (the famous "Fat Woman's Squeeze"), steep stone staircases, and soaring cliff overhangs. It's the hike for people who want the Hocking Hills experience without the crowds, and April is the ideal time because the creek running through the hollow is at its fullest. Bring trekking poles if you have bad knees.
7 Whispering Cave
Whispering Cave is the newest hiking area in the park, accessible from the Hocking Hills Visitor Center near Old Man's Cave. It features a 105-foot seasonal waterfall that only really performs after significant rain — which means April is one of the few months you'll catch it at full force. The most rewarding way to hike it is as a four-mile loop combined with Old Man's Cave, crossing the Hemlock Bridge and descending to the cave's massive recess overhang.
A Smart Two-Day April Itinerary
If you only have a weekend, here's the local move: tackle Ash Cave and Cedar Falls on Saturday morning when the light is good for photography and the waterfalls are freshest from overnight humidity. Have lunch back at your cabin, then hit Conkle's Hollow in the afternoon for wildflowers. Sunday morning, do the Old Man's Cave / Whispering Cave loop before the day-trippers arrive from Columbus. Save Cantwell Cliffs and Rock House for a return trip — they deserve their own day.
The trails are slippery in April. Sandstone, wet leaves, and the spray from running waterfalls combine to make every set of stone steps surprisingly treacherous. Stiff-soled hiking shoes with real tread are the difference between a great day and a trip to the Logan ER.
What to Pack
Dress in layers — a moisture-wicking base, a fleece mid-layer, and a light rain shell will cover any April day in the hills. Waterproof boots are essential. Bring more water than you think you need; the cool weather makes it easy to forget to drink, and then the hills catch up with you. A small daypack, trail snacks, a printed trail map (cell service is spotty to nonexistent in the gorges), and tick prevention round out the basics. Yes, ticks are out in April. Check yourself at the trailhead.
The Bottom Line
If you've only ever visited Hocking Hills in October, you haven't really seen it. April shows you the park as a living system — water moving, plants waking up, birds returning from Central America, the whole forest exhaling after winter. The crowds won't catch on until May. Book your cabin, pack the waterproof boots, and come see why the locals keep this month for themselves.
Ready to Book Your Spring Trip?
Cabins fill fast once April hits. Lock in a secluded hot-tub cabin near the trails.
Find a Cabin for April →