Conkle's Hollow

Conkle's Hollow is about 35 min by car from Avenwood Cabins in New Straitsville, Ohio.

Conkle's Hollow is one of the deepest gorges in Ohio, with sandstone walls rising 200 feet above a narrow valley floor. This state nature preserve offers two distinct experiences: a gentle walk along the gorge floor and a more challenging rim trail that delivers some of the most dramatic views in all of Hocking Hills.

The gorge floor trail is a half-mile out-and-back path that follows a creek through towering cliffs draped in ferns and hemlock. The walls are so high and close together that the gorge stays cool and shaded even on the hottest days. At the back of the gorge, a small seasonal waterfall marks the end of the trail.

The rim trail is where the real adventure begins. This 2.5-mile loop climbs to the top of the cliffs, offering stunning overlooks of the gorge below and the surrounding forest canopy. Several viewpoints along the rim provide perfect photo opportunities, particularly during fall foliage season when the gorge becomes a canyon of color.