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    Home » Conkles Hollow - 2022

    Conkles Hollow - 2022

    April 25, 2022 by Cindy 1 Comment

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    Conkles Hollow is a State Nature Preserve located in Hocking Hills. Conkles Hollow features a rocky gorge with a beautiful valley floor.  | Visit Ohio Today | Hocking Hills | Conkles Hollow | Lower Trail | Ohio Hiking

    Conkles Hollow is a State Nature Preserve located in Hocking Hills. Conkles Hollow features a rocky gorge with a beautiful valley floor. 

    man with hat and red backpack facing a rocking waterfall

    Visit Conkles Hollow

    Conkles Hollow is a MUST visit when you are in the Hocking Hills area. Honestly, this is one of our favorite places in that area. There are two trails at Conkles Hollow. There is the rim trail and the lower trail.

    It is said that Conkles Hollow is one of the deepest gorges in Ohio! Conkles Hollow was purchased by the state of Ohio back in 1925 so that the beauty could be preserved.  It wasn’t until 1977 that Conkles Hollow was dedicated as a state nature preserve. 

    Conkles Hollow was named after W. J. Conkle who left his name and the date of 1979 carved into the wall of the gorge. 

    rocky water creek bed with paved path to the left and tall skinny trees with no eaves

    Conkles Hollow - Lower Trail Video

    Conkles Hollow - Lower Trail

    The Lower Trail at Conkles Hollow is a 1-ish mile out and back trail. The trail is considered easy and takes about a half hour to complete. The beginning of the trail is wheelchair and stroller friendly, but at one point, the level ground ends and do you have to climb through some rocky areas. 

    We like Conkles Hollow because it has so much to offer in that short distance. You cover over a bridge, walk along side a little stream, walk on a paved path, boardwalk and so much more. The further you walk into the gorge the narrower it gets. 

    Be on the lookout for a small recessed cave on your lower trail hike. As you walk on the Conkles Hollow lower trail notice how the vegetation growth changes. You will see that in some places the growth is so thick that sunlight does not reach the floor of the gorge. 

    PRO TIP: If you arrive early in the morning, enter the area quietly and you might find a deer drinking from the stream.

    As you walk back through the gorge, notice the massive height of the cliffs, which are about 200 feet above the valley floor.  At some points the gorge narrows to about 100 feet across. 

    As you make your way to the end of the lower trail, you will find a 20 foot waterfall.  The size of this waterfall will vary depending on recent rainfall. There is NO swimming or wading allowed near the waterfall. If it has rained recently, you should notice many waterfalls cascading down over the sandstone cliffs. 

    PRO TIP: Watch up in the trees as you hike the lower trail. We saw some bats flying around one afternoon we were there!

    man with hat and red backpack climbing a rocky hil

    Conkles Hollow - Rim Trail or Upper Trail

    The Rim Trail at Conkles Hollow is about 2 miles in length. The rim trail circles the gorge. The cliffs are some of the highest in the area.  The trail has uneven steps, large drop offs, drastic incline and decline as well as steep terrain. 

    Conkles Hollow Upper Trail offers extensive cliff views, but with that comes lots of steps! We will be hiking this one next time around and will report back and update the post with tips!

    man with hat and red backpack walking a path into the forest

    The Conkles Hollow Legend

    Legend has it that a petroglyph was found on the gorge wall by early settlers. The picture showed an arrow pointing to the opposite side of the gorge. Legend says that Indians robbed settlers and hid the loot deep inside the gorge.

    But don’t start digging at Conkles Hollow because that is illegal. It is said that the treasures were hidden in a small recess that could only be reached by climbing a tree.  (also don’t climb the trees!) 🙂 Many local friends of Conkles Hollow claim to have seen the wall carving, but time has since washed it away. 

    rocky gorge of conkles hollow with skinny trees

    Conkles Hollow Quick Tips

    • 2 Trails  (1 short, 1 long)
    • NO pets allowed
    • Waterfall onsite
    • Open Dawn until Dusk
    • Portapotties available
    • Lower Trail is paved, boardwork, ADA approved about ¾ of the way

    PRO TIP: The parking lot can easily look FULL, but do not let that deter you! The park is long and has plenty of room for everybody, even socially distanced if need be! So pull in, head to the back where the turn around is, there are usually spaces up front. Nobody seems to pull back all the way!

    rocky wet gorge with water, moss and tall trees

    Where is Conkles Hollow located?


    Conkles Hollow is located at 24858 Big Pine Road, Rockbridge, Ohio 43149. Located just off S. R. 374.  If you are looking for lodging, Idyll Reserve is close by.

    GPS Tracking: (39.452935, -82.572075).

    Let's go to Conkle's Hollow!

    Have you ever been to Conkle's Hollow in the Hocking Hills area? We want to know, did you hike the lower or upper trail? Any tips to share? Drop us a comment below!

    Love Hocking Hills? Be sure to check out our Hocking Hills Category page that lists ALL our posts about Hocking Hills. Be sure to follow us on Instagram to keep up with all our Hocking Hills Adventures and more!

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    1. Rock House Hocking Hills - Visit Ohio Today says:
      June 21, 2022 at 3:13 pm

      […] in the area you can visit: Rock Bridge Nature Preserve | Conkles Hollow | Ash […]

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