Hocking Hills State Park is home to the iconic Ash Cave and Old Man’s Cave, but the only true cave in the park is the Rock House.
One of the seven major hiking trails in Hocking Hills State Park, Rock House is named for its resemblance to a housing structure with multiple natural windows. Shawnee and Miami Indians lived in Rock House for centuries before settlers arrived.
Rock House is situated halfway up a 150 foot Black Hand Sandstone cliff. The cave is approximately 25 feet high, 200 feet long, and 20-30 feet wide. Seven window-like openings allow sunlight into the cave. Numerous large sandstone columns support the cave’s roof structure.
According to local folklore, not so welcome visitors frequented Rock House. Robbers, horse thieves, murderers, and bootleggers earned Rock House its reputation as Robbers Roost.
In 1835, Colonel F.F. Rempel of Logan built a 16-room hotel compete with a ballroom, livery stable and a U.S. Post Office. The hotel stood where the picnic shelter is today and was torn down in the early 1900s.
