Ohio's Ash Cave State Park Features the State's Largest Recess Cave

Ash Cave State Park features the largest recess cave in the Hocking Hills area. Its wheelchair accessible trail makes for an easy hike with an excellent payoff at the end.

The cave got its name from the massive pile of ash found in the cave by early settlers. Theories on its origin range from the buildup a multitude of Indian campfires over time to the making of salt-peter.

The cave, located on OH56, is the southernmost of all the Hocking Hills state parks. It is also the terminus of the Grandma Gatewood trail, which connects Old Man's Cave, Cedar Falls and Ash Cave. Grandma Gatewood is a famous Ohio hiker who traipsed around the Hocking Hills area in the last century.

In addition to the wheelchair accessible trail, there is a rim trail that connects to the Grandma Gatewood trail. Obviously, the rim trail is more strenuous and one needs to be conscious of staying back from the cliff-face.

The star of the show is Ash Cave itself. The stunningly large recess cave has acoustics to die for. I've always wanted to attempt an acoustic field recording inside the cave. If one wants to try it, make sure to visit on a weekday, as Ash Cave, like the rest of the Hocking Hills parks, can be pretty crowded on the weekend.

Moving across the sand covered floor feels like walking on the beach. This makes sense as this part of Ohio was covered by a sea millions of years ago when the area was being formed.

The small (in volume) 90-ft waterfall at the cave was pretty active the day we visited. During the winter it makes for a nice ice sculpture. There are other spots along the trail that also sport large icicles during wintertime.

When one reaches Ash Cave itself, they can continue through the cave and then upward to the rim or Grandma Gatewood trails, or turn around and head back to the parking lot on the wheelchair trail.

There are restrooms at the trail head and a large number of picnic tables and extra parking on the other side of OH56.

Obviously, Ash Cave is a must see when visiting the Hocking Hills. Make sure you come during the week if you want some privacy; this is a popular park.