Ash Cave

Ash Cave, near South Bloomingville in the southern part of Hocking Hills State Park in Ohio, is a horseshoe-shaped recess about 700 feet (213 m) wide and 100 feet (30 m) deep, with a rim rising about 90 feet (27 m). A historical marker calls it Ohio's largest recess of its kind. A small tributary of the East Fork of Queer Creek spills over the edge into a pool, though the waterfall flows well only at certain times. The path through the narrow gorge to the cave is about a quarter mile (400 m) long and wheelchair accessible, as are the restrooms. That makes it one of the most accessible natural sights in the region.

The name comes from a pile of ashes that early settlers found under the overhang; the largest was about 100 feet (30 m) long, 30 feet (9 m) wide and 3 feet (1 m) high. Its origin is uncertain, and generations of campfires are the likely explanation. An 1877 excavation turned up pottery, corn cobs and animal bones. Thanks to its acoustics, the recess served as a gathering place in the 1800s, and services were held on Pulpit Rock at the entrance. Picnic tables stand next to the parking lot.