Cedar Falls
Cedar Falls produces the greatest volume of water of any waterfall in Hocking County — a 50-foot cascade that's arguably the most photographed in Ohio.
🐕 Dog Friendly: Dogs allowed on leash (6 ft max). Bring water, a collapsible bowl, and waste bags. Dispose of waste at parking lot receptacles.
Highlights
Highest-volume waterfall in Hocking Hills (50 ft), Fibonacci-designed 'Democracy Steps,' hemlock forest, Queer Creek
The Trail
Despite the name, there are no cedar trees here. Early settlers mistook the Eastern hemlocks for cedars, and the misnomer stuck. The falls are fed by Queer Creek, which flows through a narrow sandstone channel before dropping 50 feet over a blackened rock ledge. In the 1800s, a grist mill operated at this site, harnessing the creek's consistent flow.
The half-mile loop trail descends through hemlock forest via the "Democracy Steps" — a staircase designed by Japanese architect Akio Hizume using the Fibonacci Sequence. Built in 1997, the steps were engineered specifically to reduce strain on hikers, and they're noticeably more comfortable than the CCC-era stone stairs found elsewhere in the park. Dogs handle these steps well, making Cedar Falls one of the best trails in the park for hiking with pets.
Waterfall flow is seasonal and rainfall-dependent. The most impressive viewing is from late fall through early summer when precipitation is highest. During extended dry spells in summer and early fall, the falls can slow to a trickle. Cedar Falls also freezes dramatically in winter — the high water volume produces towering ice columns that glow blue-white in morning light.
Cedar Falls sits roughly at the midpoint of the Grandma Gatewood Trail, 3 miles south of Old Man's Cave and 3 miles north of Ash Cave. During the annual Winter Hike in January, the Logan Kiwanis Club serves their famous bean soup and cornbread here — it's become one of the event's signature traditions.
Tips & What to Know
The small trailhead lot fills fast — arrive early or use the larger main lot. Best waterfall flow is late March through May when spring rain combines with snowmelt. This trail pairs naturally with Old Man's Cave (connected via the Grandma Gatewood / Gorge Overlook trails, about 3 miles) for a half-day itinerary.
Getting There
Address: SR-374, between Ash Cave and Old Man's Cave
GPS: 39.4183, −82.5263
Parking: Small trailhead lot (~7 spaces) plus larger main lot
Stay Near Cedar Falls
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