Old Man's Cave Campground sits at 19852 OH-664 in Logan, Ohio, positioned inside Hocking Hills State Park rather than among the area's private campgrounds, as one reviewer pointedly noted. It carries a 4.7 rating across 439 reviews, a figure that suggests most people who stay here come away satisfied even when they have specific gripes to file.
The appeal is straightforward in the reviews: this is the campground closest to the trail system, caves and waterfalls that draw people to Hocking Hills in the first place. The trade-offs are equally consistent in what visitors write — compact sites, limited privacy, and bathhouse facilities that some describe as overdue for investment. This guide works only from the listed property details and the visitor reviews collected for the property; nothing here is a personal inspection of the grounds.
Old Man's Cave Campground at a Glance
The campground is listed in the Campground category and sits at roughly 39.44 latitude and -82.54 longitude, within the America/New_York timezone. Its published contact line is +1 740-385-6841, and the official web address points to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources planning page for Hocking Hills State Park campground, which is where current operating details would be confirmed. The property's location listing describes it as part of the state park's camping and campground offering, with a hiking area attached and camping cabins among the accommodation types on record.
The listed activity profile covers tent and RV camping — RV camping is explicitly noted as allowed — along with cabin stays. Visitors describe using the campground as a base for the wider park, naming spots such as Ash Cave, Cedar Falls, Cantwell Cliffs, Rock House and Conkle's Hollow within a few days of arriving. One reviewer mentioned staying both in a tent and with a travel trailer using full hookups, while another described an electric-only site followed by a full-hookup site on a second stay.
What Do Visitors Like About Old Man's Cave Campground?
Across the reviews collected, sentiment leans clearly positive, though almost every enthusiastic review includes at least one qualifier. Reviewers repeatedly praise the location relative to the trails, the helpfulness of staff at the camp office and store, and the general upkeep of the grounds. Rebecca Rader described the campground as well taken care of and the surrounding area as a secluded and special place in Ohio. Critical and mixed comments cluster around two things: site spacing and privacy, and the condition of the bath and shower houses. Ken Bowers called it an awesome campground whose only downfall was the shower facilities, while Patrick Russell rated it two stars despite acknowledging the convenience, saying it works for location but not for space or seclusion. The honest read is that visitors value access over roominess.
1. Location as the Deciding Factor
Nearly every positive review circles back to proximity. Patrick Russell, despite a two-star rating, wrote that the campground is very convenient if the main goal is easy access to the trails in Hocking Hills State Park and that the main areas are just minutes away. Gary Smith described a very short trail hike to Old Man's Cave from the site, adding that the climb back was tough. Kathy M listed Old Man's Cave, Ash Cave, Cantwell Cliffs, Rock House, Cedar Falls and Conkle's Hollow as places visited within three days of a five-night stay at the state park campgrounds. The location is the product here, and reviewers treat it that way.
2. Compact Sites and Limited Privacy
The most consistent criticism is spacing. Ying T described the campsites as closely situated with little privacy. Patrick Russell called the sites fairly small and close together so that it does not feel very private, and noted it can get crowded during busy times. Gary Smith agreed on small spots close together, though he added that the group was there for local attractions and did not really care about site sizes. For travelers whose priority is a secluded pitch, these comments are worth weighing carefully.
3. Bathhouses: Mixed Reports on Condition
Bathroom and shower facilities draw the widest spread of opinion. Kenny B. wrote that the bathrooms were kept very clean. Ken Bowers, however, described the shower facilities as the one downfall, noting no locking doors, only a curtain, and a shared dressing bench, and called an upgrade well overdue. Ying T observed that one bath and shower room had been upgraded while the other remained quite old, and mentioned a shortage of flushing toilets. Dirk Lang noted a missing door on a toilet stall and said the shower house needs some investment. Michael, by contrast, reported showers with hot water at the restrooms near the pool.
4. Cabins and Site Types Beyond Tent Camping
The listing records camping cabins alongside tent and RV sites, and reviewers describe using several of them. Ying T stayed in the Sherman cabin 2 and described a spacious living room and dining area, a position against a wooded area, and easy access to the lake at the back. Dirk Lang reported two different sites — an electric-only one and a full-hookup one — and said both locations were level, while observing that some other sites sat at a slight incline. John Perchinske mentioned having tent camped there as well as stayed with a travel trailer using full hookups.
5. Camp Office, Supplies and Practical Comforts
Michael described the camp office and store as staffed by helpful employees and stocked with souvenirs, ice, firewood and camping supplies, with a site that included a fire pit, parking spot, picnic table and a nearby water fountain. Janet D noted firewood availability and that each lot has its own fire pit, while Dirk Lang was less fond of the raised fire pits because the fire was hard to see. Michael also offered a caution about raccoons that are not the least bit afraid of people and will take food.
6. Trails, Scenery and Family Suitability
Reviewers describe a range of trail difficulty rather than a single experience. Richard Ball wrote that there are various difficulties suitable for recreation and beginners while still offering steep trails and long step combinations for avid hikers, and advised bringing water, comfortable clothing and a camera. Jon Steed described a weekend getaway with three children aged 11, 9 and 7 who handled the hike well and loved it. Jennifer Shafer cautioned that not all trails are for everyone and advised sticking to the path. Christy Leigh Wilkins called the rock formations huge and everywhere and mentioned seeing the Devil's Bathtub.
Visitor Highlights
Paraphrased summary of what visitors mention most — not direct quotes.
15 visitor mentions analyzed · 11 positive · 3 mixed · 1 critical
Reviewers repeatedly credit the campground's short distance to the main trails and rock formations.
Staff at the camp office and store are described as helpful, with ice, firewood and supplies on hand.
Some guests report clean bathrooms and hot showers near the pool area.
Cabin stays are described as spacious, with a wooded setting and easy lake access at the back.
Free parking and level sites in some loops are noted as practical pluses.
Trail difficulty is described as varied, with options for beginners and steeper routes for avid hikers.
Campsites are described as small and close together, offering little privacy.
Shower facilities draw complaints about curtain-only stalls and a shared dressing area.
One bath and shower room is described as upgraded while the other is called quite old.
Crowds during busy periods are mentioned as a drawback by more than one guest.
Rainy weather is said to make some sites less than ideal depending on location.
Raised fire pits are described as making the fire hard to see.
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Facilities and Amenities: What Should You Know?
Facilities and Amenities: the property listing records public toilets and a public shower among its amenities, and reviewers describe separate bath and shower rooms, with one reporting hot water in the showers near the pool and another noting that only one of the two bath and shower rooms had been upgraded. Accessibility is documented in the listing as wheelchair-accessible parking, a wheelchair-accessible entrance and a wheelchair-accessible toilet. Parking is listed as a free lot with on-site parking, and Richard Ball separately described parking as free. Dogs are allowed according to the pets field, and Christy Leigh Wilkins encouraged bringing a dog along. Payment information in the listing is mixed, showing acceptance of credit and debit cards alongside a cash-only marker, so carrying both a card and some cash is the practical approach. The campground is listed with a hiking area and as allowing RV camping, with camping cabins among the accommodation types, and the contact number on record is +1 740-385-6841. The official Ohio Department of Natural Resources page linked from the listing is the place to confirm current rules, rates and openings, since the source data does not publish hours or pricing.
Is Old Man's Cave Campground Worth Visiting?
Is Old Man's Cave Campground Worth Visiting? For travelers whose primary reason for coming to Hocking Hills is the trail system, the reviews make a reasonable case that it is. The convenience factor is described repeatedly and by reviewers of every rating band, including the least satisfied ones. Visitors who need generous spacing, guaranteed quiet or modern bathhouse design should read the critical reviews closely before booking, because those are the recurring complaints rather than isolated ones.
Who it suits: campers who want to walk or drive a very short distance to Old Man's Cave and the surrounding trails; families with children, based on one reviewer's account of a hike with kids aged 7 to 11; RV and travel trailer users, since RV camping is listed as allowed and reviewers mention full hookups; cabin seekers, based on a described stay in a cabin with a living and dining area; and dog owners, since dogs are listed as allowed. Who may want to look elsewhere: anyone prioritizing seclusion, large sites or a recently renovated bathhouse.
What Are the Potential Limitations?
The source data does not establish opening seasons, check-in or check-out times, nightly rates, reservation requirements, pool operating hours, or the current condition of any specific bathhouse or site loop. Reviewers describe conditions at the time of their stays, which span from roughly eight years ago to a few months ago, so facility details may have changed since. Crowd levels are described only in general terms by individual reviewers and cannot be treated as a reliable seasonal pattern. The mixed payment listing — cards accepted alongside a cash-only marker — cannot be resolved from the data alone. Nothing in this review reflects an inspection of the property, and no claim is made about whether current conditions are better or worse than any reviewer described.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Where is Old Man's Cave Campground located?
- The listing places it at 19852 OH-664, Logan, OH 43138, United States, within Hocking Hills State Park. Reviewers describe it as the official state park campground rather than a private one, with short access to the main trail areas.
- Are dogs allowed at Old Man's Cave Campground?
- Yes. The pets field in the property listing records that dogs are allowed, and at least one reviewer encouraged bringing a dog along.
- Does the campground have showers and toilets?
- The amenities listing includes public toilets and a public shower. Reviewers describe separate bath and shower rooms, with opinions on their condition varying — one called the bathrooms very clean, while others said the shower facilities need investment.
- Is RV camping possible here?
- RV camping is listed as allowed, and reviewers mention staying with a travel trailer using full hookups as well as an electric-only site. Site types and availability should be confirmed with the park directly.
- Is parking free?
- The parking field lists a free parking lot with on-site parking, and one reviewer also described parking as free.
Final Verdict
Final Verdict: Old Man's Cave Campground earns its 4.7 rating across 439 reviews largely on geography. Visitors write about short walks to Old Man's Cave and quick drives to Ash Cave, Cedar Falls, Rock House, Cantwell Cliffs and Conkle's Hollow, about helpful staff and a stocked camp store, about level sites in at least some loops, and about a pool area. They also write, with notable consistency, about tight site spacing and bathhouse facilities that some consider dated. It is a strong choice for travelers treating the campground as a trailhead with a tent, RV or cabin attached, and a weaker one for anyone whose trip depends on privacy and space. Confirming current details through the official Ohio Department of Natural Resources page or by phone at +1 740-385-6841 is the sensible final step before booking.
This review was compiled from information gathered from various public sources and from visitor reviews, then organized into general informational content. Details such as facilities, policies, availability and conditions may change over time and should be verified with the official source before making plans.
