Ultimate Guide to Whispering Cave, Ohio (Tours, Pricing, History, Map)

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We all know that Ohio has some of the best cave systems in the United States. Several magnificent caves are open to the public to explore. Hocking Hill State Park is home to one of the most famous caves in the state, Whispering Cave. The cave can be visited on all days of the year. It has become a favorite spot for many people after the Cave was opened to the public in 2017.

Whispering Cave, Ohio

Whispering Cave in Ohio has a unique feature that has impressed people – you whisper at one side of the cave, and someone will surely hear you on the other side! It is a huge cave, and visitors come here to experience this unique feature and admire the rock formations on the cave ceiling.

History of Whispering Cave

Hocking Hills State Park, home to Whispering Cave, is filled with reddish stone that can be seen all over the park. It is known as Blackhand Sandstone. It is believed that it was left behind almost 200 million years ago when the ancient ocean of Ohio drained away from the land.

But even after the disappearance of the sea, the land was still being changed by millions of movements and shifts beneath the earth. Apart from the earth’s movement, water and erosion made the place called Hocking Hills. Whispering Cave, the huge recess, was formed by water movement in the hills.

Geological Cave Formations in Whispering Cave

Whispering Cave is a massive recess on the side of the Blackhand sandstone cliff by the movement of water. However, caves like these are not termed true caves. They are merely rock shelters being carved in the cliff walls by the power of water erosion.

The Whispering Cave and its 105 ft waterfall are great examples of how water carves out the soft layers of the sandstone. The depth and size of the cave have a cooling effect that has allowed the growth of the ice-age era of plants in the environment.

Wildlife in Whispering Cave

Whispering Cave and its vicinity are not mainly known for any wildlife species, but the Hocking Hills State Park is home to white-tailed deer, barn owls, ruffed grouse, and even black bears!

Is Whispering Cave Haunted?

Whispering Cave is a rock shelter and is not haunted. It is visited by many tourists every year.

How Big is Whispering Cave?

The cave is 300 ft wide.

Whispering Cave Tours

You need to take the new Hemlock Bridge Trail to reach the Whispering Cave in the Hocking Hills. A patch or two on the trail where the springs bubble out of the ground and muddy the trail. There are short stretches of boardwalk over the areas which have become muddy. After a short hike, you will come across gravel-filled stairs that lead to the gorge’s lower area.

After following the trail for some time, you will come across a staircase. The stone stairway has been carved into the bedrock, and one would also find impressive sandstone cliffs beyond the stairs. When you come to a split, you must take the Whispering Cave trail. The signage here is excellent; it is hard to miss it.

The main tourist attraction at the trail’s end is the Whispering Cave. There are wooden stairs leading you to the recess cave floor. The Whispering Cave trail would take around ½ an hour to complete and is not an easy trail as there are some rugged parts and stairs that will make it a moderate hike.

You can embark on a self-guided cave tour when you reach the Whispering Cave. The Whispering Cave is a huge recess cave with a 300 ft cave opening and a 105 ft ephemeral waterfall flowing over its top. The cave would mark the end of the trail.

The Whispering Cave is a spectacular spot and is mainly famous for its acoustics. The unique feature of the cave is that a whisper at one end of the cave can be heard at the other end. The waterfall, too, seems to whisper in your ears as it flows over the top of the cave. However, since this is not a high-volume waterfall, it can be a trickle only if it has not rained in a while.

Whispering Cave Tour Prices and Discounts

Entry to the Hocking Hills State Cave is free. You need not pay anything for the trails or for exploring Whispering Cave.

Is Whispering Cave Cold?

Since Whispering Cave is a recess cave only and not a traditional one, there is not much temperature difference between the cave and its surroundings.

What to Wear?

Getting to Whispering Caves would involve walking on the hiking trails. One should wear loose, comfortable clothes and invest in a pair of quality hiking or walking shoes.

Whispering Cave Hours

The park is open each day of the year from dawn to dusk.

What to Do at Whispering Cave (Beside Tours)

You can never get bored at Hocking Hills State Park. After you have made the trail to the Whispering Caves, you can spend some time in the state park and enjoy the many attractions and activities. Lake Logan in the park covers 400 acres and is two miles long. The lake was built for recreational activities, and people came here for boating, hiking, and swimming.

Among the other activities, canoeing and kayaking are popular activities in the Hocking Hills. Almost ninety-nine acres of land have been set aside for rock climbing and rappelling. Hunting and fishing are permitted here. Visitors can hunt during the hunting season, and fishing is allowed in Lake Logan.

Here, a host of other activities includes canopy tours, train rides, horseback riding, archery, bird watching, and swimming in Rose Lake.

Best Time to Visit Whispering Cave

Whispering Cave can be visited throughout the year, from dawn to dusk.

How to Get to Whispering Cave

Whispering Cave can be reached from all major cities in Ohio, namely Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Toledo, and Logan. If you are coming from Columbus, you can take US 33 East through Lancaster to Logan and exit onto State Route 664 South.

People coming from Cleveland, for example, can take I-71 South to Columbus. Take 270 East towards Wheeling to US 33 East, known as the Lancaster Exit. Travel East to Logan and Exit on 664 South.

Hotels near Whispering Cave

The park has more than 200 campsites, and most are equipped with electricity. The campground is close to all the area’s hiking trails, and it is equipped with flush toilets, vending machines, a camp store, and shower houses. There are many hotels in the area where you can put up.

Places To Stay Nearby

Whispering Cave Fun Facts

The Whispering Cave is not a ‘true’ cave but a large recess or a rock shelter.
The cave can be visited 365 days of the year.
There are no charges for Whispering Cave, and even the trail to the cave is free.

Whispering Cave Details

Length: It is 300 ft wide.
Time Recommended: 1 to 2 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Kid-friendly: Yes
Dog-friendly: Yes
Fees: Free
Hours: Dawn to dusk

Download our FREE Whispering Cave Guide (Unofficial)

Visiting Whispering Cave

Do you need more information before visiting Whispering Cave? Call (740) 385 – 6841 for an information packet.

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