Photo: See1, Do1, Teach1, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
🌤 Weather at Conkles Hollow State Nature Preserve by season
| Spring | Summer | Fall | Winter |
|---|---|---|---|
| 28–74 °F | 57–84 °F | 30–78 °F | 19–43 °F |
Each range runs from the coldest monthly average low to the warmest monthly average high in that season (1991-2020 climate normals), measured at Logan, 11 mi away, elevation 722 ft. Conditions at the park can differ from the station, especially where elevation differs — check a forecast before you go.
Conkles Hollow State Nature Preserve is a narrow gorge in the Hocking Hills, where cliffs of Black Hand sandstone rise nearly 200 feet above the valley floor. It is run by the Ohio DNR Division of Natural Areas & Preserves, not by Ohio State Parks.
Quick Facts
| County | Hocking County |
| Address | 24858 Big Pine Road, Rockbridge, OH 43149 |
| Protected | Bought by the state in 1925, dedicated as a state nature preserve in 1977 |
| Trails | Two trails, 3 miles in total |
| Accessibility | The Gorge Trail is partly paved and runs about 1 mile round trip through the gorge to the falls. |
The Gorge
The gorge is only 100 feet wide in places, and some consider it the deepest in Ohio. Waterfalls spill over its sandstone cliffs. The cool gorge floor and the cliff tops with their overlooks are different habitats, each with its own plants and animals. The sandstone formed about 350 million years ago from river sand deposited in the deltas of an inland sea.
Trails
A 2-mile loop trail circles the gorge along the rim. The Gorge Trail is partly paved and follows the gorge floor to the falls, about 1 mile there and back. Stay on the designated trails at all times. ODNR lists hiking and birding for the preserve, and fall color and spring wildflowers among its features.
Visitor Tips
Conkles Hollow is a state nature preserve run by the Ohio DNR Division of Natural Areas & Preserves, not an Ohio state park. No entrance fee is listed. The preserve is open from half an hour before sunrise to half an hour after sunset, and pets are not permitted. As of October 2026.
Explore More Ohio State Parks
Looking for state parks in Ohio? Discover them in our Best State Parks in Ohio guide, or use our Park Finder to search by activity, location, or features.
Keep exploring: The closest neighbors are Hocking Hills State Park (a short drive away) and Lake Logan State Park (a short drive away).
🐾 Dogs & Pets at Conkles Hollow State Nature Preserve
Park policy: Pets are not permitted under the Ohio DNR preserve rules, and visitors must stay on the designated trails (ODNR, October 2026).
- Pets allowed?
- No, pets are not permitted in the preserve
Are dogs allowed at Conkles Hollow State Nature Preserve?
No, pets are not permitted in the preserve.
More: Ohio state parks guide · Dog rules in all 50 states compared
Park Map
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