Cantwell Cliffs

Cantwell Cliffs is one of the most dramatic and rugged corners of Ohio’s Hocking Hills, a deep, winding gorge ringed by towering cliffs of Blackhand sandstone in the northern, quieter end of the region near Rockbridge. Less crowded than the famous central areas, Cantwell Cliffs rewards those who make the trip with some of the steepest, most spectacular cliff-and-gorge scenery in the Hocking Hills.

Its trails wind along the gorge floor beneath the great cliffs, into a cool box canyon, and up to cliff-top overlooks, passing through the famous tight rock passage known as Fat Woman’s Squeeze — a narrow stairway-like cleft that descends steeply between the rock walls. The play of light, the deep recesses, the rugged cliffs and the relative solitude give Cantwell Cliffs a wild, adventurous character. A scenic and lesser-known gem of Hocking Hills State Park, it is a favorite of those seeking the region’s rugged beauty away from the crowds.

Cantwell Cliffs offers rugged, adventurous hiking on trails that wind along the gorge floor beneath towering cliffs, through the famously tight Fat Woman’s Squeeze passage, into a cool box canyon, and up to cliff-top overlooks. Hiking, photography and exploring the dramatic cliffs and recesses are the draws, with a parking area and trailhead serving the northern, quieter end of the Hocking Hills. The steep, spectacular scenery and the relative solitude make Cantwell Cliffs a favorite for those seeking the region’s rugged beauty away from the crowds.

Spring brings wildflowers and fuller streams, summer cool shade in the gorge, and fall spectacular color among the cliffs. Winter brings ice and a stark, dramatic beauty, though the steep trails and tight passages can be hazardous. Being less crowded than the central Hocking Hills areas, Cantwell Cliffs offers solitude in most seasons; fall color is a highlight, and the rugged trails are best enjoyed in dry conditions. Take special care on the steep, narrow passages when wet or icy.

Cantwell Cliffs, in the northern reaches of the Hocking Hills, was added to Ohio’s protected lands as part of Hocking Hills State Park, preserving its rugged gorge and dramatic cliffs. Long known to local people for its steep scenery and the distinctive tight passage of Fat Woman’s Squeeze, the area has remained quieter and less developed than the famous central wonders. Protected for its rugged beauty, Cantwell Cliffs offers a more solitary experience of the sandstone gorges that define the Hocking Hills.

Cantwell Cliffs is carved into Blackhand sandstone, deposited some 350 million years ago, where a stream has cut a deep, winding gorge ringed by some of the steepest cliffs in the Hocking Hills. The varying hardness of the sandstone produced the towering walls, the recessed box canyon, the cliff-top overlooks and the narrow cleft of Fat Woman’s Squeeze. The cross-bedded, water-sculpted rock, eroded over vast time, gives Cantwell Cliffs its rugged, dramatic character among the gorges of the region.

The deep gorge and forested cliffs of Cantwell Cliffs shelter salamanders and amphibians in the moist recesses, while the surrounding forest hosts white-tailed deer, wild turkey, foxes, and a rich community of birds, including species nesting on the cliff ledges. The cool, shaded hollow supports wildlife adapted to its microclimate. Hikers on the rugged trails may glimpse wildlife in this quieter, sheltered corner of the Hocking Hills, where the cliffs and gorge provide distinctive habitat in southeastern Ohio.

Cantwell Cliffs shares the cool, moist gorge ecology of the Hocking Hills, where the shaded depths shelter eastern hemlock, ferns, mosses and relict plants that are remnants of the colder Ice Age climate, isolated far south of their usual range. The towering cliffs, the recessed box canyon and the stream form a distinctive ecosystem supporting diverse plant and animal life. The cool microclimate of the deep gorge makes Cantwell Cliffs an ecologically significant and scenic part of the Hocking Hills landscape.

Cantwell Cliffs, with its rugged gorge, towering cliffs and the famous tight passage of Fat Woman’s Squeeze, holds a beloved place among the wonders of the Hocking Hills, prized especially by those seeking dramatic scenery and solitude away from the crowds. Its steep, adventurous trails and spectacular cliff scenery have made it a favorite of hikers and photographers, embodying the rugged, wild character of the northern Hocking Hills and the sandstone gorges that define the region.

Cantwell Cliffs is in the northern Hocking Hills of southeastern Ohio near Rockbridge, off State Route 374, about an hour southeast of Columbus, with a parking area and trailhead. It is part of Hocking Hills State Park and free to enter, quieter than the central areas. The trails are steep and rugged, descending through the tight Fat Woman’s Squeeze passage. The narrow cleft and steep steps can be difficult. Check the Ohio Department of Natural Resources for trail conditions and access before visiting.

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources protects the rugged gorge, cliffs and relict plant communities of Cantwell Cliffs within Hocking Hills State Park. Visitors help by staying on the designated trails (off-trail travel erodes the fragile sandstone and tramples rare plants), keeping back from cliff edges, not climbing on or carving the rock, packing out everything, and respecting the quieter preserve. Protecting the steep cliffs and the cool gorge ecosystem sustains this rugged and scenic corner of the Hocking Hills.

Cantwell Cliffs’ trails are steep and rugged, with cliff-top overlooks that have dangerous drop-offs and the very tight, steep Fat Woman’s Squeeze passage — keep well back from cliff edges, watch footing on the narrow, sometimes slippery steps, and supervise children closely. The squeeze and steep sections can be difficult and are hazardous when wet or icy. Wear sturdy footwear, take special care in winter, and do not climb on the rock formations. Respect the rugged terrain and the deadly cliffs.

Cantwell Cliffs is part of Hocking Hills State Park and free to enter; stay on designated trails and keep off the rock formations and back from cliff edges. Climbing and rappelling are prohibited here (allowed only in the park’s designated climbing area). Pets must be leashed. Drones are generally prohibited in Ohio state parks. Collecting plants, rocks or artifacts is prohibited. Pack out all trash. Check the Ohio Department of Natural Resources for current rules and conditions before visiting.

Cantwell Cliffs anchors the northern end of the Hocking Hills, with Rock House to the south and the famous central wonders — Old Man’s Cave, Cedar Falls, Ash Cave and Conkle’s Hollow — a short drive away. The town of Rockbridge, the Hocking State Forest, cabins and the lodge lie nearby, and Columbus is about an hour northwest. Cantwell Cliffs offers a rugged, quieter complement to the busier central areas on a tour of the Hocking Hills wonders.

Make the trip to the quieter northern Hocking Hills for some of the region’s most dramatic cliffs and a taste of solitude — squeeze through the famous Fat Woman’s Squeeze passage and hike to the cliff-top overlooks, keeping well back from the dangerous edges. Wear sturdy footwear for the steep, rugged trails, take special care in wet or icy conditions, and visit in fall for spectacular color. Pair Cantwell Cliffs with nearby Rock House for a northern Hocking Hills day.