ABOUT CANTWELL CLIFFS STATE PARK
Cantwell Cliffs is one of the six major areas of the Hocking Hills State Park, and has been described as the most picturesque location in Hocking County. Many people believe this area contains some of the park’s most beautiful features.
Standing approximately 150 feet high, the cliffs overlook Buck Run, which spills from above as a waterfall and flows over a portion of the cliffs. Erosion from the waterfall has created the deep valley, steep cliffs, and rock shelter beneath.
Visitors can access Cantwell Cliffs by way of two trails, the valley floor trail or the rim trail. Those who choose the East Rim Trail will be rewarded by a scenic view of the cliff and rock shelter at Lookout Point. Hikers approaching the rock shelter will find that the trail winds its way through narrow passageways caused by large slump blocks that have fallen away from the main cliff.
Despite its unparalleled beauty, Cantwell Cliffs is the least visited of the Hocking Hills State Park attractions.
History of Cantwell Cliffs State Park
Cantwell Cliffs was not originally included in the 1924 purchase of land by the State of Ohio in the Hocking Hills region. Eventually, additional land was purchased, and the cliffs were included in the state park. The cliffs are named after the Cantwell family, one of the earliest settlers of the Hocking County region from Virginia. Some accounts say it’s named after Joseph Cantwell, the eldest brother. However, his younger brother Josiah eventually died here, leading some to believe it was named in memory.
More about Cantwell Cliffs State Park
Cantwell Cliffs is located a
short drive away from the main attractions in Hocking Hills, around 17 miles from Old Man’s Cave for example. That makes it quieter and more exclusive and ideal for the hiker who likes to enjoy the countryside in peace. It still sits inside Hocking Hills State Park, but it the most northern attraction in it.
Despite being an effort to get there, it’s well worth the time. It’s a local favorite, too, I go there a lot, especially in spring and fall because the colors and activity in the forests around the area make for some very interesting days out.
Cantwell Cliffs was created by water erosion from nearby Buck Run. Over millions of years, the water has carved out spectacular niches and passages in the soft sandstone, called Blackhand sandstone by some. The harder, denser rock resisted this erosion, which is why there are so many spectacular formations to see.
Hocking Hills is an area made predominantly of sandstone with plenty of water around to make it interesting. Add in an ice age or two and water has carved us out a spectacular country!
Cantwell Cliffs itself is a horseshoe-shaped cliff that rises up to 150 feet above the floor. You can walk through and around the cliff top, affording amazing views of the Cantwell Cliffs area and Hocking Hills at large. It is these views that make the area a firm favorite and why people make the effort to come out here, even when the weather isn’t great. There are few places in the world that truly make you take stock of human insignificance in the face of nature and this is one of them.
The hiking around Cantwell Cliffs is challenging. The terrain is rough, it either climbs or drops, there are rocks to clamber over and “Fat Woman’s Squeeze” to get through. But when you do, you get to sit on the cliff edge and marvel at what nature has created. The hike isn’t very long, but can feel it at times, making it very worthwhile in our opinion.
In all, there are over 25 miles of trails in Hocking Hills State Park, so if you prefer a much more challenging experience you could hike from Old Man’s Cave for example, up to Cantwell Cliffs and back. Many of the trails join up and there are plenty of local maps showing you the way.
