Cedar Falls is the largest waterfall by water volume in all of Hocking Hills State Park, making it one of the most popular stops in the park. The 50-foot waterfall is fed by Queer Creek, which tumbles over a face of Blackhand sandstone into a gorge surrounded by hemlock trees and moss-covered rock walls.
The hike to Cedar Falls is short and accessible, perfect if you’re visiting Hocking Hills for the first time or looking for a quick stop between longer trails. In this post I’ll cover what to expect on the trail, tips for visiting, and other nearby hikes worth adding to your trip.
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Cedar Falls Trail Details
- Distance: About 0.9 miles (one-way loop)
- Elevation gain: 177 feet
- Difficulty: Moderate (stairs and some rocky sections)
- Time: 30 minutes to 1 hour
- Cost: Free (no entrance fee)
- Hours: Dawn to dusk, year-round
- Facilities: Restrooms and picnic area at the parking lot
Hocking Hills recently redesigned their trail system into one-way loops, which added some distance to the Cedar Falls hike. The trail now starts from the parking area and follows a loop down to the falls and back. You’ll cross bridges, descend stairs cut into the rock, and walk through dense forest that keeps the trail shaded even in summer.
The trail descends into the gorge where you’ll get a full view of Cedar Falls from below. The amount of water varies a lot depending on recent rainfall. After a good rain, the falls are impressive with a wide curtain of water. During dry spells, the flow slows to a trickle, but the gorge itself and the rock formations are still worth seeing.
Cedar Falls trail on AllTrails
Tips for Visiting Cedar Falls
- Wear sturdy shoes. The trail has stairs, rocks, and sections that get slippery when wet. Hiking shoes or boots are a good idea, especially after rain.
- Visit after rain for the most impressive water flow. Cedar Falls moves the most water of any falls in Hocking Hills, and it’s at its best 1 to 2 days after heavy rain.
- Go early or on weekdays. Hocking Hills gets crowded on weekends, especially in fall when the foliage peaks. Arriving before 10am gives you a quieter experience and better parking.
- Stay on the one-way trails. The park enforces one-way hiking on all trails now. Follow the signs and don’t try to cut through in the opposite direction.
- Bring water even though the hike is short. There’s no water on the trail, and the stairs can be a workout on the way back up.
- Dogs are allowed on leash. Cedar Falls is pet-friendly, but keep your dog on a leash at all times and clean up after them.
Photography Tips for Cedar Falls
Cedar Falls is a great spot for waterfall photography. If you want that smooth, silky water effect, use a slow shutter speed (1/4 second or longer) with a tripod. An ND filter helps you achieve longer exposures during daylight without overexposing the image.
Overcast days are ideal for waterfall photography because the soft, even light eliminates harsh shadows on the rock walls and water. Midday sun creates high-contrast patches that are harder to work with. The gorge is shaded for most of the day, which helps, but cloudy skies give the best results overall.
For more tips on shooting in soft light, check out my golden hour photography guide.
Other Hocking Hills Hikes
Cedar Falls is just one of seven major hiking areas in Hocking Hills State Park. If you have time, these are the other trails worth visiting:
- Old Man’s Cave is the most popular trail in the park. It connects to Cedar Falls and Ash Cave via the Grandma Gatewood Trail (6 miles one way). The gorge, waterfalls, and rock formations along this trail are some of the best in Ohio.
- Ash Cave is the largest recess cave in Ohio with a 90-foot waterfall. The trail from the parking lot is paved and wheelchair accessible.
- Conkle’s Hollow has a rim trail with cliffs that drop 200 feet on both sides. It’s the most dramatic scenery in the park but not for anyone uncomfortable with heights.
- Rock House is the only true cave in the park. You can walk inside and explore the tunnels and window-like openings in the rock face.
- Cantwell Cliffs is the least crowded of the main areas and has a loop trail through a narrow slot canyon.
You can easily combine Cedar Falls with Old Man’s Cave and Ash Cave in a single day since they’re connected by the Grandma Gatewood Trail. If you’re visiting Ohio’s other waterfalls, check out my guide to Hayden Run Falls near Columbus.
Wrapping Up
Cedar Falls is one of the must-see stops in Hocking Hills State Park. The short trail makes it accessible for most visitors, and the 50-foot waterfall is worth the trip even on low-water days when the surrounding gorge and rock formations are still impressive. Pair it with Old Man’s Cave or Ash Cave for a full day of hiking in one of Ohio’s best state parks.
