When it comes to aboveground caves and colorful caverns, Ohio is full of several rock shelters to explore that will make you feel like Indian Jones himself. Since The Buckeye State is practically made for explorers, we wanted to map out the best route to some of the best caves in Ohio. From the popular caverns to the little-known caves, this trip features some of Ohio’s best caves that are guaranteed to bring out your adventurous side. The trip is designed in a loop, so simply start at the cave closest to you:

Only In Your State

The total trip to the best caves in Ohio takes about five hours of driving time. We recommend taking the trip over a weekend. Explore the Hocking Hills area caves in one day and explore the Ohio Caverns and Olentangy Indian Caverns on the other day. You can view a Google Map of the trip in a operate tab or window to plan out your trip ahead of time. Now, who’s ready for a subterranean adventure in the Buckeye State?

1. Ohio Caverns (West Liberty)
Brian Timmermeister/Flickr
Ohio Caverns - Open All Year, 2210 OH-245 E, West Liberty, OH 43357, USA
Wes Reimer/Flickr
Are you ready to experience beauty that's downright otherworldly? "America's Most Colorful Caverns" can be found in West Liberty, Ohio. The caverns were formed thousands of years ago when an underground river cut through ancient limestone and created vast rooms and passageways. These passageways are now filled with crystal stalactites, stalagmites and many other formations.Within the Ohio Caverns is one of the world's largest and most perfectly formed stalactites. Crystal King (pictured) is nearly five feet long, weighing an estimated 400 pounds, and is estimated to be more than 200,000-years-old. You'll find this magical spot at 2210 OH-245 E, West Liberty, OH, 43357.
2. Olentangy Indian Caverns (Delaware)
Olentangy Indian Caverns/Facebook
Olentangy Caverns, 1779 Home Rd, Delaware, OH 43015, USA
Olentangy Indian Caverns/Facebook
History and geology blend at this unique attraction, which features caverns once used by the Wyandotte Indians. Formed by an underground river cutting through solid limestone rock, these caverns were formed millions of years ago, making them an exciting natural wonder to explore. Above ground, you can mine for gems, explore Frontier Town and even play mini golf at the Olentangy Indian Caverns in Ohio. It's a great family day trip destination. You'll find this destination at 1779 Home Rd, Delaware, OH, 43015.
3. Rock House (Hocking Hills State Park)
daveryin/Flickr

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Rock House, 16350 OH-374, Laurelville, OH 43135, USA
See 1, Do 1, Teach 1/Flickr
Within the Hocking Hills State Park area in Logan is the beloved Rock House, where visitors can freely explore this unique cave with a 25 ft. high ceiling and window-like openings. Evidence shows that the homey Rock House was often used for shelter by past visitors, Native Americans and even bootleggers, robbers and horse thieves. Today, it has a much more peaceful milieu. You'll find this landmark at 16350 OH-374, Laurelville, OH, 43135.
4. Chapel Cave (Rockbridge)
April Dray/Only In Your State
Chapel Cave, 24798 Big Pine Rd, Logan, OH 43138, USA
April Dray/Only In Your State
Many people are familiar with popular caves in Ohio such as Old Man’s Cave and the Rock House ― but few people know about "Chapel Cave" (also known as "21 Horses Cave") hiding in the Hocking Hills. It’s a hidden gem in the Hocking State Forest that you won’t find on any park or nature preserve maps, but you can find the trailhead less than 5 minutes away from the Conkle’s Hollow State Nature Preserve entrance in Rockbridge, Ohio. You'll find this local landmark near 24798 Big Pine Rd, Logan, OH, 43138.
5. Old Man's Cave (Hocking Hills State Park)
Hocking Hills State Park Visitor Center, 19988 OH-664 Scenic, Logan, OH 43138, USA
Vasenka Photography/Flickr
Hocking Hills State Park is arguably Ohio's most beloved state park, where waterfalls, caves, unique rock formations and hiking trails abound. Old Man's Cave has an interesting history and origin to its name. Legend has it, a 19th-century hermit who once lived in the cave, (named Richard Rowe,) is buried under a cave ledge in the area. Take the 1-mile Old Man's Cave Loop trail for an unforgettable day hike. You can park near 21725 OH-374 Scenic, Logan, OH, 43138.

Curious about what to expect when hiking to Old Man's Cave? Check out this YouTube video from Trailhead Adventures:
6. Ash Cave (Hocking Hills State Park)
J Todd Poling/Flickr
Hocking Hills State Park, Logan, OH, USA
Ash Cave (Hocking Hills State Park)
Matt Chan/Flickr
The Ash Cave Trail within Hiking Hills State Park features a .25-mile long Gorge Trail that is wheelchair accessible, as well as a .5-mile long Rim Trail. Most days, the falls that flow from the top of Ash Cave are fairly narrow but being able to walk behind them is a magical experience. The Ash Cave Trail within Hiking Hills State Park features a .25 mile long Gorge Trail that is wheelchair accessible, as well as a .5 mile long Rim Trail. Most days, the falls that flow from the top of Ash Cave are fairly narrow but being able to walk behind them is a magical experience. You'll find this lovely spot off near OH-56, Logan, OH 43138.

7. Whispering Cave (Hocking Hills State Park)

With massive sandstone cliffs, a new cave, a towering waterfall and a swinging bridge, the brand new Hemlock Bridge Trail to Whispering Cave at Hocking Hills State Park is an Ohio adventure you simply have to take this summer. The Hemlock Bridge Trail is a 1.5-mile trail that leads to Whispering Cave, a 300 ft.-wide cavern many past visitors have yet to explore. (The trail also features a 105-ft. waterfall, towering sandstone cliffs Hocking Hills explorers know and love and a swinging bridge that will bring out your sense of adventure.) The trailhead is located at the entrance of the former dining lodge parking lot, which you can park at during daylight hours. This spot is nestled away in Logan, OH 43138.

 

Have you explored any of the best caves in Ohio before? If so, please share your adventures with us in the comments! We’d also love to hear your thoughts on other incredible caves that you think would fit well with this road trip.

For more nature-related Ohio road trips, check out our previous articles: The Ultimate Ohio Waterfalls Road Trip Is Right Here – And You’ll Want To Do It and This Natural Wonders Road Trip Will Show You Ohio Like You’ve Never Seen It Before.

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Best Caves In Ohio

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What are the most beautiful hikes in Ohio?

Ohio's cave hikes are stunningly beautiful, but there are a few other places worth checking out. The Cleveland Metroparks up North is appropriately nicknamed the "Emerald Necklace," and the Cuyahoga Valley National Park in Summit County astounds visitors as the only national park in Ohio. There's so much to love about neighborhood parks, too!

What are the best waterfall hikes in Ohio?

The Buckeye State is astonishingly full of natural splendor. There are a number of waterfalls in Ohio, from the southernmost reaches of our massive state to the shores of Lake Erie up north. Hayden Falls, Brandywine Falls, and Lanterman's Falls stun visitors to this day!

Does Ohio have any natural wonders?

The very landscape of Ohio is a natural wonder! The northern portions of the state are notably flat, a natural feature caused by heavy glaciation throughout the Pleistocene. Essentially, the most recent Ice Age left the region covered in heavy (and constantly moving) glaciers that flattened the local landscape. Some of the finest examples of glacial striation in the world can be found in Ohio!

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