Trailhead Adventures

This short hike features sandstone cliffs, the beautiful Cedar Falls crashing 50-feet into an emerald pool, a well maintained trail, and a picnic area complete with bathrooms. This hike has everything….except actual cedar trees. Oops.

Locations:
– Parking Coordinates: 39.418303, -82.526456 (Cedar Falls has an overflow parking lot near the main lot if spots are all taken.)
– Trailhead Coordinates: 39.418347, -82.526202 (The trailhead is located just off the main parking lot, across from the bathrooms. Look for a wooden sign near the trailhead.)

Hike Details
– Distance and Type: 0.6 Mile Loop
– Trail Difficulty: Easy
– Elevation Gain: +/- 65 feet
– Trail Markers: The trail is well marked with signs.

Hike Features
– The 50 foot Cedar Falls
– Queer Creek
– Sandstone cliffs with a small overhang cave
– The 12 foot Hidden Falls next to Cedar Falls
– A beautiful emerald pool at the base of the falls.

Note: Trail conditions change over time.  If you discover any inaccuracies with this post during your visit, please post a comment below to let us know.

Cedar Falls is just one of a handful of waterfalls located within Hocking Hills State Park, and is arguably one of the parks most beautiful features. Located between Old Man’s Cave and Ash Cave, off of route 374. The hike itself is just over a half mile in length with minimal elevation gain making it an easy and family friendly hike. This also means the trail is usually crowded and finding nearby parking may be difficult at times.

Hocking Hills State Park built and maintains a shelter and picnic area at the falls and a new bathroom complete with water fountains.

Cedar Falls got its name when early settlers had mistaken the nearby hemlock trees as cedar trees. Cedar Falls was the home to a mill built above the falls that harnessed the power from Queer Creek as it flowed over Cedar Falls. The mill has long been removed and there are no remnants of the mill visible from the trail. Also located near Cedar Falls is the 12 foot Hidden Falls, viewable as you make your way back to the parking lot.

Unlike some of the other waterfalls at Hocking Hills that tend to dry up during the warm summer months, Cedar Falls is guaranteed to be flowing. My visit was in the first week of February, and not only was Cedar Falls flowing, but massive icicles formed on the nearby cliffs giving the gorge an added layer of beauty.

The hike is short and the views are plenty making the Cedar Falls loop a must hike stop during your visit to the park. The park has implemented a one way trail system to help minimize congestion on the trail.

Hike walkthrough

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