Hocking Hills is known across the state for its breathtaking beauty and world-class hiking and recreation. Places like Old Man’s Cave and Ash Falls top the bucket lists of most Ohio adventurers, as one could easily spend days and weeks exploring Hocking Hill’s waterfalls and caves. There are a lot of similarities between Hocking Hills State Park in Ohio and Red River Gorge in Kentucky, in fact, including a little-known gorge in the former that bears a striking resemblance to the Grand Canyon of Kentucky.
Known as the “Grand Canyon of Kentucky,” Red River Gorge is a canyon system along the Red River in the eastern part of the state.
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Red River Gorge is hailed as the Holy Grail of outdoor recreation and adventure, its 29,000 acres flush with waterfalls and rock formations, lush forests, caves, and crevasses.
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In Ohio, Hocking Hills State Park is the Buckeye State’s very own Red River Gorge. Its 2,000 acres teeming with flora and fauna, rock formations and caves, waterfalls, and views.for.days.
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Hocking Hills consists of six separate areas encompassing Old Man’s Cave, Cedar Falls, Ash Cave, Conkles Hollow (a state nature preserve), Rock House, and Cantwell Cliffs.
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Each of these areas is unique and wholly wondrous, and while Old Man’s Cave and Ash Cave tend to steal the spotlight, we think Cantwell Cliffs might just be the park’s best asset.
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Located in the northern reaches of Hocking Hills, Cantwell Cliffs is known for its deep valleys, huge cliffs, striking gorges, and incredible rock formations.
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The hiking here is unrivaled, with the Cantwell Cliffs Loop offering a 1.8-mile trek that’s not only accessible for most, but will also have you double-checking your GPS to make sure you’re still in Ohio… and not Red River Gorge.
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The trail is challenging but rewarding for patient hikers, and the views along the way are worth each and every step climbed and crevasse passed.
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Cantwell Cliffs is reminiscent of Middle Earth at times, especially in the lushness of early spring and summer.
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Ohio might not lay claim to Red River Gorge, but we happen to think Cantwell Cliffs – and, more broadly, Hocking Hills State Park – is better. There’s a world of wonder waiting in southeast Ohio, just waiting to be discovered!
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Have you visited the Cantwell Cliffs in Hocking Hills before? Do you agree this Ohio gorge is just as wondrous as its Southern lookalike?
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Address: Cantwell Cliffs, 13540 OH-374, Rockbridge, OH 43149, USA
