Conkle's Hollow
Designated a State Nature Preserve in 1977, Conkle's Hollow contains one of the deepest gorges in Ohio — sheer Black Hand sandstone cliffs rising nearly 200 feet from the valley floor.
⚠️ No Dogs Allowed. This is a State Nature Preserve. Pets are not permitted on any trail. No exceptions.
Highlights
One of Ohio's deepest gorges (200-ft sandstone cliffs), State Nature Preserve since 1977, spectacular fall foliage from rim trail, ice-age relict hemlock microclimate
The Trail
Named for W.J. Conkle, who carved his name and the date 1797 into the sandstone walls, this 87-acre preserve offers two fundamentally different experiences. The gorge trail is a flat, paved, 0.75-mile out-and-back walk between soaring cliff walls that narrow to roughly 100 feet wide in places. It's wheelchair accessible on the paved section, easy, and genuinely impressive — the scale of the cliffs towering overhead is difficult to convey in photographs.
The rim trail is another story entirely. This 2.0 to 2.5-mile one-way loop runs along the cliff tops with exposed edges, 70 to 100-foot drop-offs, and no guardrails. It's rated Strenuous and requires confident footing. The payoff: panoramic views over the hemlock-filled gorge that are widely considered the best in Hocking Hills, particularly during fall foliage when you're walking through a canopy of gold above a gorge of green.
The deep gorge creates a cool, moist microclimate that supports ice-age relict species including Eastern hemlocks pushed south by glaciers. This ecological significance — combined with rare and endangered plant species on the cliff faces — is why the preserve carries strict protections. The gorge floor receives direct sunlight for only a few hours per day.
Ohio first purchased this land in 1925 — just one year after acquiring Old Man's Cave. The 1977 State Nature Preserve designation added the highest level of legal protection available for natural areas in Ohio.
Tips & What to Know
No dogs allowed — this is a State Nature Preserve, not a state park trail. The restriction is absolute with no exceptions. The rim trail is the undisputed best fall foliage hike in the region — plan for mid-October and arrive before 8 AM, as the small parking lot fills quickly. In winter, microspikes are essential for the rim trail; skip it entirely if conditions are icy. The gorge trail is safe in all seasons.
Getting There
Address: 24858 Big Pine Road, Rockbridge, OH 43149
GPS: 39.4529, −82.5721
Parking: Small lot — fills fast during peak season
Stay Near Conkle's Hollow
Find cabins with hot tubs and fire pits minutes from this trailhead.
Find Your Cabin →