As you journey alongside the stretch of freeway that leads from Columbus, Ohio to Hocking Hills State Park, the surroundings begins to alter. Billboards and buildings fall away, changed by rolling fields and ultimately, a towering forest that appears to stretch on ceaselessly. 

I visited the park in early January, when the wintery stillness highlighted the otherworldly serenity of the area. Nonetheless, Hocking Hills is price a visit in any season. Whether or not planning a summer time trip or an autumn tour, you’re positive to seek out your excellent escape within the Ohio wilderness.

Desk of Contents

Fossils & Historical past
Nature & Wildlife
Out of doors Recreation
Day Journeys & Close by Actions
Lodging
Meals & Drink
Weekend Itinerary for Hocking Hills, Ohio

Fossils & Historical past at Hocking Hills State Park

Over 200 million years in the past, an historic ocean occupied the land that’s now Hocking Hills. Sharp-eyed guests can nonetheless spot marine life fossils excessive above sea stage, embedded within the park’s attribute black hand sandstone rock formations left behind because the water receded.

Within the hundreds of thousands of years that adopted, the area was residence to many, together with the folks of the Adena tradition, chargeable for the unbelievable mounds constructed all through Ohio, and the Wyandot folks, who’s identify for the river flowing via the area—hockhocking—impressed the identify for the park. Hocking Hills State Park is established on the lands of the Shawnee, Delaware, and Wyandot folks. 

In 1924, the State of Ohio bought the primary 146 acres of what would turn out to be modern-day Hocking Hills State Park. Visitation rose all through the twentieth century, ensuing within the over 3 million annual guests that benefit from the park at the moment.

Nature & Wildlife in Hocking Hills State Park

The two,000 acres of Hocking Hills State Park are teeming with wildlife. Drive slowly down the park’s winding roads and also you’re positive to catch a glimpse of a white-tailed deer returning your gaze from the perimeters of the forest. Hearken to the hoots of barred owls as you hike the paths and hold your eyes peeled for the intense yellow chest of a Magnolia Warbler. 

There are a number of residents of the park you received’t wish to run into up shut, nonetheless. Black bears and bobcats each name Hocking Hills residence, though recognizing the previous has turn out to be uncommon in latest many years resulting from overhunting. 

Out of doors Recreation

Notable Trails

Every of the seven most important trails in Hocking Hills has its personal distinctive historical past and panorama. 

• Ash Cave: Named for the massive piles of ash uncovered by settlers when first encountering the cave. (Size: 1.5 miles)
• Outdated Man’s Cave:  Named after and, in response to many, haunted by the reclusive settler who lived within the cave within the late 18th century. (Size: 1 to 1.5 miles relying on the chosen path.)
• Whispering Cave: One of many longer trails within the park, hikers will encounter a swinging bridge, steep stairways, and platforms overlooking gorgeous views. (Size: 5 miles)
• Rock Home: Regardless of many path names suggesting in any other case, Rock Home is the one true collapse Hocking Hills. (Size: 1 mile)
• Cedar Falls: Comply with the path branching off from Outdated Man’s Cave to see Cedar Falls, a spectacular 50-foot waterfall. (Size: ½ mile)
• Conkle’s Hole: Select between the Higher Path (2 miles) or the Decrease Path (Size: ¾ miles lengthy and wheelchair accessible) to discover the cliffs and caverns of Conkle’s Hole.
• Cantwell Cliffs: Essentially the most rigorous hike within the park, the 2 loops of Cantwell Cliffs will convey hikers via distant wilderness, up and down winding stone steps, and thru the slim corridors of rock. (Size: 2 miles)

Guided Hikes and Climbs

Join a guided tour to get probably the most out of the area. 

Excessive Rock Adventures

Excessive Rock Adventures presents rappelling, mountaineering, EcoTours, and nature remedy excursions in Hocking Hills. The journey guides are educated and well-trained, facilitating a clean expertise for even probably the most anxious of hikers.

Contact the Earth Adventures

Contact the Earth Adventures, based by Mimi Morrison in 1984, is a information service devoted to reconnecting visitors with nature. Contributors are inspired to take a break from a society that’s, in response to Mimi, “centered on quick and ahead.” The corporate’s day- or weekend-long applications are an entire mind-and-body expertise, with itineraries together with moonlight kayaking, poetry studying, beaver-watching, mountaineering, and mindfulness workouts. Discover particulars on upcoming retreats right here.

Canoeing and Kayaking

Get out on the water and discover with one of many many canoeing and kayaking excursions accessible all through Hocking Hills. Standard paddling areas embody the Hocking River, Lake Logan, and Lake Hope.

Stargaze at John Glenn Astronomy Park

The John Glenn Astronomy park, named after the primary American astronaut to orbit earth, invitations guests to benefit from the park’s lack of sunshine air pollution to expertise the wonders of the evening sky. Go to to easily gaze on the uninterrupted view of the celebrities or take part in considered one of their pre-planned applications, from constellation recognizing to viewings of the complete moon. Be certain to benefit from their telescope for a greater look! 

Days Journeys & Close by Actions

Hocking Hills Orchard

Derek Mills, founder and proprietor of Hocking Hills Orchard and long-time apple fanatic, invitations visitors to discover the greater than 1,700 sorts of apples grown on his property. Pattern considered one of his three varieties that style eerily like bananas or marvel at an Arkansas Black apple, named for its deep purple-red pores and skin. A real professional, Derek is at all times able to fill visitors in on the historical past of everybody’s favourite fruit, from the placement of the primary apples in America (Roxbury, Massachusetts) to George Washington’s favourite selection (the Newton Pippin).

Peak choosing occasions are the second and third week of September. 

Glass Blowing at Jack Pine Studios

Get in contact together with your inside artist with a glass blowing class at Jack Pine Studios in close by Logan, Ohio. Contributors are guided via each step of the method, from heating the molten glass within the forge to shaping the ultimate particulars. The studio presents group periods beginning at $49 per individual and personal classes beginning at $195.

Moonshine Tasting

For vacationers bored of typical wine tastings, strive a sampler of moonshine at Hocking Hills Moonshine. This distillery presents distinctive flavors akin to peach tea, granny apple, and blackberry. Hardcore fanatics can strive a shot of Buckeye Thunder, a 151 proof Hocking Hills unique—simply be sure to have a chosen driver to corral the group again to the resort afterwards.

Hit the Golf Course

Hocking Hills Golf Membership in Logan is only a quick drive from the park. Play a spherical whereas having fun with the gorgeous surroundings, then hit the Professional Store or the course’s onsite restaurant, The City Grille,  for lunch.

Lodging

Resorts within the Park

There are dozens of lodging inside Hocking Hills, from glampgrounds to log cabins to traditional mattress and breakfasts. Flick through your entire catalog right here. Within the meantime, listed below are some standout choices to begin your search. 

Inn & Spa at Cedar Falls

The Inn & Spa at Cedar Falls is a quiet escape from the surface world. The decentralized format of  particular person cabins, cottages, yurts, and geodomes will go away visitors feeling like they’re tenting alone within the woods. Nonetheless, the luxurious of the resort’s on-site spa, restaurant, and reward store are all inside straightforward attain. Parking is unfold all through the property, so visitors don’t must stroll to the primary constructing to entry their car. 

Magical Earth Retreat

Not do Lord of the Rings followers must journey to New Zealand to really feel like part of the journey. Trip Shire-style in considered one of Magical Earth Retreats partially underground rooms, stylized to appear like hobbit homes from the well-known franchise. Every room options sinks produced from reclaimed wine barrels, cozy electrical fireplaces, colourful vintage-style kitchenettes, and distinctive decor.

Shared facilities embody an out of doors sauna and communal fireplace pits dispersed all through the property. 

Hocking Hills State Park Lodge

Ground-to-ceiling home windows, rustic picket beams, and roaring fireplaces greet visitors as they enter Hocking Hills State Park Lodge. Rebuilt greater and higher than ever following fires in 2016, the State Park Lodge has 81 guestrooms and 40 free-standing cabins, together with pet-friendly cabins. The property has an indoor and outside pool, scorching tub, health heart, and restaurant on-site—a much-appreciated comfort after an extended day exploring the park.

Meals and Drink

Rock Home Restaurant

Get pleasure from a hearty meal at Rock Home Restaurant, positioned contained in the Hocking Hills State Lodge, surrounded by rustic structure and roaring fireplaces. 

The Ridge Inn

The Ridge Inn is positioned in close by Laurelville, Ohio. Whereas the restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, locals understand it greatest for Jo’s Well-known Donuts, made contemporary and bought first-come, first-serve on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. 

Kindred Spirits Restaurant

Kindred Spirits Restaurant, positioned at The Inn & Spa at Cedar Falls, serves up gourmand dishes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Get pleasure from a cocktail or espresso by the sitting room fire earlier than heading into the spacious eating space, each positioned contained in the property’s unique nineteenth century log cabins. 

Hocking Hills Vineyard

Unwind after a day of mountaineering with a sampler flight of wine and a charcuterie board at Hocking Hills Vineyard. Attempt considered one of their Wine Slushies in flavors like pink lemonade and sangria for a enjoyable summer time deal with. 

Weekend Itinerary for Hocking Hills, Ohio

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Editor’s Word: The writer was hosted by Hocking Hills Tourism Affiliation.