Little Rocky Hollow State Nature Preserve
Trail Map
Interactive map showing the trail route for Little Rocky Hollow State Nature Preserve. The map displays topographic information and trail markers.
Elevation Profile
Elevation data not available for this trail.
Chart showing elevation changes along the trail distance. Hover or focus on the chart to see specific elevation values at each point.
Little Rocky Hollow is a 256-acre state nature preserve in Hocking County, Ohio, located in the Hocking Hills region of the Allegheny Plateau. The Hocking Hills region is famous for its deep sandstone gorges, waterfalls, and forested hollows. It’s home to several protected areas and striking geological formations shaped by the Blackhand sandstone.
Location and Parking
17440 Kreashbaum Rd
Rockbridge, OH 43149
There is a small parking lot on Kreashbaum Road. It is easy to miss because there is no sign. There is just an entrance.
The little blue and yellow post is the only marker for the parking lot.
State Nature Preserve Designation
Little Rocky Hollow was one of the early acquisitions by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) in the state’s nature preserve program. It became part of the collection around the time the Natural Areas Act of 1970 went into effect, expanding protections for rare and important natural areas across Ohio. This preserve is among Ohio’s State Nature Preserves, lands protected by law to safeguard unique ecological, geological, and biological features.
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources, through its Division of Natural Areas and Preserves (DNAP), owns and manages the preserve.
Little Rocky Hollow is known as a scientific and interpretive preserve, where protecting its ecological integrity comes first and public access is carefully regulated.
Little Rocky Hollow is one of several preserves in the Hocking Hills that safeguard delicate ecosystems and rare species within rugged landscapes. While places like Conkle’s Hollow are open for regular public visits, access to Little Rocky Hollow is much more limited.
Trails
Permit-Required Entry
Access to Little Rocky Hollow is by permit only. Visitors must apply for and receive a permit from the Ohio DNR Division of Natural Areas and Preserves before visiting. It is recommended to submit permit applications at least 14 days before your planned visit to ensure processing time.
Little Rocky Hollow’s permit requirement exists to protect fragile ecology and geological features and to minimize human impact in sensitive areas.
There is only a short access trail (about ~1 mile) from the trailhead into the preserve.
Once inside, there are no formal marked trails — you’ll be hiking through rugged terrain and narrow gorge sections. The hollow itself features multiple small waterfalls and cascading stream segments if water is present — best after rainfall.
Because the interior is trail-less and rugged, this area is recommended only for experienced hikers comfortable with off-trail navigation and uneven, wet ground.
Little Rocky Hollow State Nature Preserve is a highly protected natural area in Hocking County, Ohio, prized for its rugged gorge, waterfalls, and ecological value. Because it is scientifically sensitive and ecologically fragile, access is controlled through a permit system managed by the ODNR Division of Natural Areas and Preserves. Trails within the preserve are very minimal and mostly unmarked, making it most suitable for prepared and experienced hikers who plan ahead and respect strict conservation rules.
History
The ODNR launched its State Nature Preserve acquisition program in the early 1970s under Ohio’s Natural Areas Act. Historic records show that Little Rocky Hollow was acquired in 1971 as one of the first preserves added to the system during this initial effort.
Much of the Hocking Hills region was once privately owned for farming, timber, or small-scale holdings before being merged into state forest and preserve lands. Early acquisitions often came from small purchases from multiple owners or as part of larger forest sales, making it harder to trace exact prior ownership without detailed county-level deed research.
Conclusion
We have visited Little Rocky Hollow State Nature Preserve two times and loved it. So many places require hikers to "stay on the trail"; it is really refreshing to be able to explore and make your own trails. It is rugged and it stays pretty wet and some places are slippery. However, it is worth the trip.
