Hiking in Conkle's Hollow State Nature Preserve

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Do you love to hike? Although I am not an avid hiker, I do love being outside surrounded by nature. There is something incredibly calming about walking on a dirt path surrounded by trees with the sounds of birds and bugs surrounding you. Conkle’s Hollow State Nature Preserve may be one of the most magical hikes I have ever been on. You can find it hiding within the state of Ohio.

Imagine walking through the woods between sandstone cliffs that start to narrow and overhang, until you are walking up to what could only be described as an otherworldly fairyland. When I picture forests in fantasy stories, this is what I imagine. You can picture my excitement upon stumbling upon this scene in real life.

The hikes at Conkle’s Hollow are either easy or a little more challenging. There are a few things that you need to know before you set off on your own adventure.

This bridge is the first you will cross as you embark on the Conkle's Hollow trails. — You will cross this bridge to get to the starting point of each trail. No riddles three required.

Getting There

Conkle’s Hollow State Nature Preserve sits right next to Hocking Hills State Park. This area is truly a gem in Ohio. Located about an hour and 15 minutes South of Columbus and about two and a half hours Northwest of Cincinnati, this is where I highly recommend visiting to escape the city.

The whole area is full of beautiful hikes and fun activities, with Conkle’s Hollow as my favorite hike so far. There is easy parking with a restroom and some picnic tables at the beginning of the trail. No pets are allowed, and you can only enter the trail on foot. This is to preserve the habitats in the area.

At the end of the Conkle's Hollow Gorge trail, you will see this beautiful view. — The view of the Conkle’s Hollow Gorge trail. Pure fantasy.

The Trails

Conkle’s Hollow has two trails, the Lower Gorge and the Rim Trails. The Lower Gorge trail is only a mile long on an easy footpath. This leads down into the gorge between the Black Hand sandstone cliffs. If you want to find the fairyland that I mentioned earlier, this is where it is! I recommend this to hikers of all skill levels. Even without the challenge, the sight at the end of the trail is so worth seeing.

The other trail leads up to the rim of the cliffs. You can walk along both the East and West rims of the gorge. The cliffs are much higher so you can see some amazing scenery from the top. This trail is more difficult so make sure that you are in good condition and properly equipped before attempting it. While the trail is challenging in all weather conditions, make sure to check with a park ranger to learn more about the condition of the trail if you suspect the weather could have affected the terrain. Better safe than sorry!

Look at all those ferns. They make me think of dinosaurs for some reason.

What is Being Preserved in Conkle’s Hollow?

As you walk along the trail you will see many wild ferns, wildflowers, and trees such as hemlock and birch. We saw some chipmunks scurrying around, and I’m sure if I had turned over a few wet logs I could have found some amphibians lurking. By walking off the trail, people can damage these things without even realizing it.

Conkle’s Hollow is one of the deepest gorges in Ohio, with cliffs made of sandstone. The preserve is home to many different habitats that visitors can see for themselves. Just be sure to stick to the marked paths. Keep an eye out for signs as some of them tell you where you can explore off-trail. If there is not a sign, then don’t go off-trail!

Although it appears that most of the erosion that formed the Conkle’s Hollow Gorge happened many hundreds to thousands of years ago, the small stream that runs through the gorge is causing erosion to this day. Did you know that glaciers used to move across Ohio, and such a thing played a part in the landscape that you see in this area? Even though we won’t see much of an effect during our lifetime, generations after us may see a different gorge than what is there now. How cool is that?

A water strider on the stream in Conkle's Hollow in Ohio — This little water strider was hanging out in the water as we crossed.

Why You Should Visit Conkle’s Hollow

While the hikes around Conkle’s Hollow are not too long, you can take your time here just enjoying being surrounded by nature. A popular trail like this is best explored early in the morning before the crowds close in. Being down in such a gorge also provides ample amounts of shade and being so low the temperature can drop enough to make it a comfortable stroll on even the hottest of days.

Find the waterfalls, small streams, and keep a sharp eye out for the wildlife. Make your way up to the observation areas along the rim of the cliffs and see how far you can see. Conkle’s Hollow will not disappoint, I can promise you that!

The entrance to Conkle's Hollow State Nature Preserve in Ohio. — Of course, there is a cornfield right at the entrance. This is Ohio after all.

Start Planning Your Visit

If you are visiting Conkle’s Hollow, chances are you will explore Hocking Hills as well. There are many trails to hike and adventures to be had in this beautiful area in Ohio.

If you want to know more about Conkle’s Hollow and the surrounding area, check out this website.

I am already thinking about when I can go back and explore new places. Next time I want to stay a night or two and really take the time to relax.

Do you love to hike? Do you think of Ohio when you think of places to go hiking? Let me know!

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