Ash Cave and Cedar Falls sit in the southern half of the Hocking Hills State Park system, and staying near them creates a different trip from staying near Logan or the Old Man's Cave corridor. You can reach two headline park areas quickly, spend less time in the busiest traffic, and build mornings around the quieter southern end.
Verified distance comparison
| Property | Ash Cave | Cedar Falls | Old Man's Cave | Best fit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Caveside Cabins 1 & 2 | ~2 mi | ~4 mi | ~6 mi | Couples |
| Big Buck Cabin | ~2 mi | ~2 mi | ~5 mi | Couples + pets |
| Red Deer Cabin | ~2 mi | ~2 mi | ~5 mi | Couples |
| Farmhouse near Cedar Falls | Check route | <2 mi | <2 mi per listing | Families, up to 8 |
Caveside Cabin 1 — two guests
Caveside Cabin 1 is a newer two-person cabin completed in 2023. Its current operator profile lists Ash Cave at about two miles, Cedar Falls at four miles and Old Man's Cave at six. It includes a private hot tub, gas fire pit, grill, Wi-Fi and a king bed.
The location also puts the Inn & Spa at Cedar Falls at roughly one mile and Le Petit Chevalier Vineyard & Winery at about four miles according to the current listing.
Best for: couples who want their trip centered on Ash Cave and Cedar Falls rather than Logan nightlife.
Caveside Cabin 2 — two guests
Cabin 2 uses the same distance profile and adds one unusually practical detail: the current listing describes a short, flat driveway accessible by any type of vehicle. That can matter in a region where many romantic cabins come with steep gravel approaches and AWD/4WD recommendations.
It currently lists a private covered back porch with hot tub, king bed, gas grill and gas fire-pit area. Pets and parties are not allowed in the current booking policy.
Big Buck Cabin — two guests
DeerWatch currently lists Big Buck about two miles from Cedar Falls and Ash Cave and five miles from Old Man's Cave. It has a covered-deck hot tub, kitchen, fire ring and gas grill and is currently pet-friendly.
This is one of the cleanest matches for travelers who want a two-person hot-tub cabin and are bringing a dog.
Red Deer Cabin — two guests
Red Deer is another DeerWatch two-person cabin with essentially the same operator-published park distances: around two miles to Cedar Falls and Ash Cave and five to Old Man's Cave. Current amenities include hot tub, kitchen, bathroom, heat/AC and outdoor fire setup.
Farmhouse near Cedar Falls — up to 8
A current Airbnb Guest Favorite markets itself as less than two miles from Cedar Falls and Old Man's Cave. It sleeps up to eight with two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a six-person hot tub and large covered porch and is currently dog-friendly for an additional fee.
The distinction here is group size. Most of the very-close Ash/Cedar inventory in this pass is couples-oriented. This farmhouse is more useful for families or two small families traveling together.
Why stay near Ash Cave instead of Old Man's Cave?
Ash Cave has a short accessible Gorge Trail and a large parking area, making it a strong first or last hike of the day. Cedar Falls is nearby, and the southern route toward South Bloomingville feels more rural than the Logan side of the park.
If your trip is specifically Ash Cave + Cedar Falls + Conkle's Hollow, staying south cuts repeated drives through the central corridor.
The tradeoff: fewer town conveniences
The closer you get to Ash Cave, the farther you are from Logan's supermarkets, big-box stores and concentration of restaurants. That is not a problem if you grocery-shop before check-in. It is annoying if you forget coffee, breakfast and medicine.
Use the companion visitor guide before arrival: Where to Buy Groceries Before Your Cabin →
Road and driveway questions
Do not confuse “two miles from the trail” with “two easy miles.” Rural roads and private drives vary. Caveside Cabin 2 specifically advertises a short flat driveway; other properties may recommend AWD/4WD during winter or wet conditions.
A good two-day itinerary from the southern park area
Day 1
Ash Cave early, lunch/rest at the cabin, Cedar Falls later in the day, hot tub after dark.
Day 2
Conkle's Hollow early, then Old Man's Cave after the first morning crowd begins dispersing. Use HockingHikes for detailed route decisions rather than trying to turn a rental page into a trail guide.
Frequently asked questions
Can I walk from these cabins to the trails?
Do not assume so. “Two miles” is a driving-distance claim and rural roads may be unsafe or unpleasant for pedestrian access. Drive unless the operator explicitly provides legal walking access.
Is Ash Cave better for older guests?
The lower Gorge Trail is one of the region's strongest accessible/low-mobility options. See the detailed accessibility coverage at HockingHikes/HockingHillsOhio for current trail conditions.
Are there restaurants right at Ash Cave?
The area is much more rural than Logan. Plan meals and groceries deliberately.
Staying near Ash Cave is a location strategy: less central-town convenience in exchange for faster access to the southern park areas and a quieter cabin setting.
Verification & sources
Named-property facts were checked against current operator pages, HockingHills.com booking pages, or live platform listings on August 20, 2026. Rates, fees, road conditions, amenity availability and policies can change. Verify anything decisive directly with the property before booking.
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