Old Man’s Cave Trail

The kiosk is by the Upper Falls parking area. From there the marked gorge trail drops down rugged stone steps. Upper Falls is right at the start, then the path follows the creek between high sandstone walls. The route passes Devil’s Bathtub, a round basin below a rock bridge, then continues by stone tunnels, ledges and the recess cave. The creekside stretch is comparatively easy; the stairs and narrow path sections beside cliffs ask for more care. Stay on the marked line, especially near the edges.

At Upper Falls, frame the water with the stone bridge above it. That gives the picture the scale and shape of the gorge, and the observation area keeps you on the established route. At Devil’s Bathtub, pause near the rock bridge and look down into its round basin. Stay on the marked path rather than edging closer for a different angle.

Old Man’s Cave is a recess in Black Hand sandstone, not a deep underground cave. The park’s sandstone has harder layers above and below a softer middle band. Water and weather wear back that softer layer, leaving the broad alcoves and overhangs you walk beneath. Look at the rounded edges and narrow cuts around the tunnels: they make the gorge feel less like one big cliff and more like a set of small rooms joined by the creek.

Local tradition says an early trapper lived in the area and was buried in the recess, which is how the cave got its name. His identity hasn’t been established, so treat the story as local lore rather than a confirmed biography. The name has stuck to the whole hiking district, even though the visitor loop is a route through several features, not just a stop at the cave.

Weekdays are usually quieter, and the gorge gets busier later in the day. The Visitor Center is at the Old Man’s Cave lot off OH-664; it has restrooms, exhibits and a gift shop. Park trails follow daylight access, from half an hour before sunrise until half an hour after sunset. The gorge itself isn’t wheelchair or stroller accessible. Dogs are allowed on a leash no longer than six feet, but narrow passages and steep steps can be awkward for some pets. Winter ice can make the stair sections especially challenging.

The mile describes the shortest loop, which exits near Old Man’s Cave. Lower Falls and Broken Rock Falls are farther along the gorge and make a longer, more strenuous outing; they aren’t part of this saved route. If you want the short version, leave the gorge at the signed cave exit.