Little Rocky Hollow State Nature Preserve

Trail FactsLittle Rocky Hollow State Nature Preserve1 miDistance

Little Rocky Hollow is a ~259-acre state nature preserve in Hocking County, Ohio (ODNR Division of Natural Areas and Preserves access-permit directory as of September 2026; older secondary guides often round to 256 acres), 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.

Visitor info (as of September 2026): Permit only — apply through ODNR DNAP at least 14 days ahead; permits may cover up to a 10-day visit window. Exact parking/map directions are emailed with the permit. Community guides often point to an unsigned pull-off near Kreashbaum Road, Rockbridge, OH 43149 (sometimes listed as 17440 Kreashbaum Rd) — treat that as approximate until your permit packet arrives. Scientific preserve: stay off unmarked private land approaches. Pets are generally not allowed on Ohio State Nature Preserves. Confirm on the ODNR access-permit page (HTML intermittently 404’d from this runner).

Location and Parking

Directions and parking come with your ODNR permit. Field reports describe a small unsigned lot on Kreashbaum Road near Rockbridge — easy to miss (often only a blue/yellow post).

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 designated as a scientific preserve (neighboring Sheick Hollow is the interpretive one in Hocking State Forest), where protecting 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.

State Nature Preserves Access Permit

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.