Conkles Hollow State Nature Preserve
Conkles Hollow State Nature Preserve offers a scenic and accessible natural hiking experience with free parking and wheelchair-accessible entrances and trails. The park features a picturesque lower trail ideal for families and those looking for an easy hike with views of boulders, a creek, and small waterfalls. Picnic tables and public restrooms are available for visitor comfort. The preserve has both shorter, easy trails and a more challenging Upper Rim Trail with cliff views and photo opportunities, though caution is advised on the rugged upper paths.
Reviews
Short trail following the creek that leads you to a smaller waterfall at the end. Pretty trail that is flatish and easy. My only complaint is that it was crowded which is not what I’m after in nature.
Beautiful trails with amazing nature surrounding you. You can take the main trail in and out, which is super easy. Or take the upper rim for a longer hike with sky view. Amazing!
One of the best parks in Hocking Hills area. Upper rim can be sketchy but a lot of fun. Rocks are are grippy on upper rim lower gorge hike is easy both have great photo opportunities
I wish we had more resources to make this more pet friendly. We saw people with their pets and another review image literally has horses. We strolled our cats about a mile in before it got dark. It was a 7/10 place. For the Google Maps listing saying handicap accessible, 1/2 of it was wheelchair accessible. Though if you have a cane or something of that effect you’ll be ok on a less wet day
Ever since my first visit with my son, I have continued to go back year after year. Parking is free and there is handicapped / wheelchair access with ramps and an entirely paved lower trail. Be ready to view to an array of boulders, cliff views, a creek, and a stream of falling tricking water that can resemble a small waterfall after a good rain. This lower area of Conkle’s Hollow is gorgeous in the spring and summer with lots of ferns, moss, and foliage. Great for kids or the elderly, and not too far of a hike, maybe 3/4 of a mile there and back. Some bug or mosquito repellent is advisable.
Above is a 5+ mile Upper Rim Trail with quite a few stairs to begin or end with, and hand rails to assist in the ascent or descent. Along the way are a few places that offer views from above overlooking the area. Like most of Hocking Hills, there are very few banisters, so stay away from the cliff edges. As per the Park Ranger, one danger is that the tree roots don’t go very deep into the soil and cannot be relied on to hold onto to lean out, or used for support. They may uproot. Multiple deaths occur annually in the park. Be smart, be safe, and enjoy the area.