Broken Rock Trail

Broken Rock Trail is an out-and-back spur to Broken Rock Falls, about 0.26 miles round trip along the same 0.13-mile corridor. Allow around 20 minutes for the spur itself; walking from the Old Man’s Cave parking lot to its junction adds a separate gorge approach. The short distance hides the main effort: a steep staircase of about 90 uneven stone steps.

The spur leaves the Lower Falls gorge path and follows a dirt trail into a narrow sandstone side canyon. Broken Rock Falls drops through a cleft in Black Hand Sandstone into a small pool, with large broken blocks scattered below and a shallow recess beneath the wall. The cascade is seasonal, so its flow varies. At the pool, frame the falls with the cleft walls and a section of steps to show how tightly the route is tucked into the gorge.

Park at the Old Man’s Cave lot off OH-664 by the Visitor Center, then follow the marked gorge route toward Lower Falls and look for the Broken Rock Trail sign. The approach is outside the spur’s 0.26-mile round trip. The Visitor Center has restrooms and a drinking fountain; there are no facilities on the spur. Stay on marked trails. Dogs are allowed on a leash no longer than six feet, and winter ice can make the stone steps slick.