Spring wildflowers in the Hocking Hills

log cabin with violets in foreground

Introduction

Hocking Hills is a beautiful place to visit any time of year, but spring is especially special. The wildflowers are in bloom, the waterfalls are flowing, and the birds are singing. Here are some of the best places to see spring wildflowers in Hocking Hills:

Where to see spring wildflowers

  • Ash Cave: Ash Cave is a large recess cave that is home to a variety of wildflowers, including Virginia bluebells, columbines, and wild geraniums.
  • Old Man’s Cave: Old Man’s Cave is another popular spot for wildflower viewing. Here, you can find wildflowers such as trillium, trout lily, and spring beauty.
  • Cedar Falls: Cedar Falls is a beautiful waterfall that is surrounded by wildflowers, including purple coneflower, black-eyed Susan, and blazing star.
  • Conkle’s Hollow: Conkle’s Hollow is a deep gorge that is home to a variety of wildflowers, including Dutchman’s breeches, jack-in-the-pulpit, and mayapple.
  • Rock House: Rock House is a natural rock formation that is home to a variety of wildflowers, including columbine, Virginia bluebells, and wild geraniums.

In addition to these popular spots, there are many other places to see spring wildflowers in Hocking Hills. Just be sure to keep your eyes peeled and you’re sure to find some beautiful blooms. In fact, Marsh Hollow Cabins is hosting a variety of flowers today (April 26): spring beauties, mayapple (not blooming yet but foliage is abundant), wild geranium, hepatica, violets, both purple and white, large trillium, bluets and more!

For more information about where to go and what to see, visit the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Wildflowers web site.

How to enjoy

Here are some tips for enjoying the spring wildflowers in Hocking Hills:

  • Visit in the spring (April-May). This is when the wildflowers are in bloom. But the Fall also has some gorgeous color, especially asters and goldenrod.
  • Don’t forget that trees also have flowers in the spring. Tulip poplars have large yellow/orange blooms. The pawpaw tree has dark, inconspicuous flowers that are easy to overlook.
  • Wear comfortable shoes. You’ll be doing some hiking!
  • Bring a camera. You’ll want to capture all of the beauty.
  • Be respectful of the wildflowers.
  • Don’t pick them or trample on them.

Writing this post gave me the opportunity to look back at a wildflower post I wrote in 2007. My goodness time flies.

Enjoy the beauty of nature!

Mary

Mary at Marsh Hollow

More Wildflowers

I’ve seen a lot more flowers since my last posting, here are the few I’ve taken the time to try to identify:

  • Daisy fleabane
  • Dogwood
  • Garlic mustard
  • Lady’s slipper
  • Perfoliate bellwort

And a strangely colored violet, mottled white and purple – haven’t figure out what it is yet.

Photographing Frozen Waterfalls

The Old Bear’s Den is offering an all day photography workshop Saturday, February 17, 2007, focusing on frozen waterfalls. This is definitely going to be a great weekend for frozen waterfalls. We walked up to the ones at Conkle’s Hollow last Friday, late afternoon and they were the best we’ve ever seen. Beautiful blue-green shading, amazing shapes and sure to be even better after the storm this week and VERY COLD temperatures today through the weekend.

More information is at: http://www.theoldbear.com/workshops.html

I really need this workshop. I’ve got lots of bad pictures of frozen falls!

Our creek is doing its version of a lateral frozen waterfall. There’s a layer of running water on the bottom, a thick layer of ice, then another layer of running water. I’m expecting solid ice by tomorrow afternoon.