Hocking Hills Ash Cave Shelter
The campground is currently open for reservations and accepting overnight stays. Reservations are available up to 6 months in advance through ReserveOhio. Note that the restrooms near the Ash Cave parking area are closed indefinitely as of March 2026, though pit latrines across the road remain available.
Flood Watch issued September 21 at 1:43AM EDT until September 21 at 12:00PM EDT by NWS Wilmington OH
* WHAT...Flash flooding caused by excessive rainfall continues to be possible. * WHERE...Portions of Indiana, including the following counties, Dearborn, Fayette, Franklin, Ripley, Union and Wayne and Ohio, including the following counties, Adams, Auglaize, Brown, Butler, Champaign, Clark, Clermont, Clinton, Darke, Delaware, Fairfield, Fayette, Franklin, Greene, Hamilton, Hardin, Highland, Hocking, Licking, Logan, Madison, Mercer, Miami, Montgomery, Pickaway, Pike, Preble, Ross, Scioto, Shelby, Union and Warren. * WHEN...Until noon EDT today. * IMPACTS...Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS... - Additional showers and thunderstorms will move across the area this morning. Locally heavy rain is possible and with the ground saturated from earlier rainfall, this additional rain could lead to flash flooding.
Flash Flood Warning issued September 20 at 11:37PM EDT until September 21 at 4:30AM EDT by NWS Wilmington OH
At 1137 PM EDT, radar indicated thunderstorms producing heavy rain across the warned area. Between 0.5 and 1.5 inches of rain have fallen. Additional rainfall amounts of 0.5 to 1 inch are possible in the warned area. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly. HAZARD...Flash flooding caused by thunderstorms. SOURCE...Radar indicated. IMPACT...Flash flooding of small creeks and streams, urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses as well as other poor drainage and low-lying areas. Some locations that may experience flash flooding include... Logan, Hocking Hills State Park, Hide-A-Way Hills, Starr, Amanda, Laurelville, Murray City, Sugar Grove, Tarlton, Gibisonville, Enterprise, Lake Logan State Park, Rockbridge, Ilesboro, South Bloomingville, Hideaway Hills, Buena Vista in Hocking County and Union Furnace.
About
Hocking Hills Ash Cave Shelter provides one of Ohio's most unique camping experiences, allowing overnight stays in an actual rock shelter formation near the park's famous Ash Cave. The shelter features a built-in fireplace and basic toilet facilities, offering weather protection from the natural sandstone structure while maintaining a primitive camping atmosphere. This is a single-site accommodation that requires advance reservation through ReserveOhio. Ash Cave itself is the largest recess cave east of the Mississippi River, measuring 700 feet from end to end, 100 feet deep, and 90 feet from floor to ceiling. A seasonal waterfall cascades 90 feet into the cave from above. The area has historical significance as an Indigenous gathering place, with the cave's name derived from the large quantities of ash found by early settlers from centuries of campfires. The nearby trail to the cave is wheelchair accessible and approximately half a mile long. This shelter camping option is ideal for campers seeking a bucket-list experience prioritizing a unique natural setting over modern conveniences. Maximum stay is 7 nights, and due to extremely limited availability, significant advance planning is recommended.
Directions
From Logan, Ohio, head south on State Route 664 for approximately 10 miles, then turn west onto State Route 56. The Ash Cave parking area is located off State Route 56 in the southernmost section of Hocking Hills State Park.
Nearby Campgrounds
Amenities
| Water | No |
| Fires Allowed | Yes |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | No |
| Wifi | No |
| Pets Allowed | Yes |
| Showers | No |
| Electric Hookups | — |
| Water Hookups | — |
| Sewer Hookups | — |
| Camp Store | No |
| Price | $50 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | 52ft |
| Max Trailer Length | — |
| Big Rig Friendly | No |
| Pull Through Sites | No |
Contact
| Phone | +1 (866) 644-6727 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | Yes |
| Verizon | None |
| T-Mobile | None |
Availability
Community Posts
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