Hocking Hills State Park: 1st Time Visitor Guide
Tucked away in the rolling hills of southeastern Ohio, Hocking Hills State Park is a stunning natural getaway packed with waterfalls, caves, hiking trails, and outdoor adventures. Whether you’re visiting for a relaxing cabin retreat or an action-filled escape into nature, Hocking Hills Ohio offers something for every kind of traveler. If it’s your first time here, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know to make the most of your trip.
Overview
Hocking Hills State Park is the centerpiece of the region, known for its deep gorges, towering cliffs, waterfalls, and hemlock forests. Surrounding areas include scenic byways, historic towns, and a variety of outdoor recreation options like zip-lining, canoeing, and rock climbing.
Highlights:
- Home to famous trails like Old Man’s Cave, Ash Cave, and Cedar Falls
- Dozens of cabins and lodges with forest views
- Popular for hiking, stargazing, and seasonal foliage
Photos
How to Get There
By Car:
- From Columbus, OH: 1.5-hour drive (55 miles south)
- From Cleveland, OH: 3.5-hour drive
- From Cincinnati, OH: 2.5-hour drive
Closest Airports: John Glenn Columbus International Airport (CMH), then rent a car
Best Times to Visit
- Fall (Late September–October): Peak foliage and cool temperatures make for ideal hiking.
- Spring (April–May): Wildflowers and flowing waterfalls.
- Summer (June–August): Great for swimming, camping, and water activities, though it can be crowded.
- Winter (December–February): Less crowded, with beautiful ice formations in the caves and waterfalls.
10 Best Things to Do in Hocking Hills
Among these 10 options, I also recommend this Tripadvisor post on Hocking Hills for even more visitor recommendations:
- Hike Old Man’s Cave Trail: The region’s most iconic trail winds through tunnels, cliffs, and waterfalls.
- Explore Ash Cave: One of the largest recessed caves in the eastern U.S., accessible and stunning year-round. Ash Cave is accessible to just about anyone.
- Visit Cedar Falls: A short but scenic trail leads to one of the region’s most photogenic waterfalls.
- Conkles Hollow Nature Preserve: A quieter, dramatic gorge hike with breathtaking cliffs.
- Rock House: A unique cave-like formation where you can actually walk inside.
- Take a Canopy Tour: Try zip-lining through the forest with Hocking Hills Canopy Tours.
- Stargaze at John Glenn Astronomy Park: Enjoy one of the darkest skies in Ohio and free public telescope events.
- Kayak or Canoe on the Hocking River: Rent gear in Logan and explore the calm waters of the river.
- Horseback Ride at Spotted Horse Ranch: Scenic trails through forest and fields on guided tours.
- Check Out the Hocking Hills Scenic Air Tours: Take to the skies in a small plane for stunning aerial views.
5 Hidden Gems
- Cantwell Cliffs: Less crowded than Old Man’s Cave, but just as dramatic.
- Hemlock Bridge and Whispering Cave Trail: A newer, less-traveled trail with a 105-foot waterfall.
- Rockbridge State Nature Preserve: Home to Ohio’s longest natural rock bridge.
- Lake Hope State Park: Nearby park with swimming, boating, and mountain biking.
- Moonville Tunnel: A haunted, abandoned railway tunnel with folklore and hiking trails.
1–5 Day Sample Itinerary
Day 1:
- Arrive, check into cabin
- Sunset hike at Ash Cave
- Dinner in Logan
Day 2:
- Full hike: Old Man’s Cave, Cedar Falls, Ash Cave loop
- Afternoon zip-lining
- Stargazing at John Glenn Astronomy Park
Day 3:
- Explore Conkles Hollow + picnic lunch
- Visit Rock House
- Dinner and wine tasting at Hocking Hills Winery
Day 4:
- Morning canoe/kayak tour on the Hocking River
- Visit Cantwell Cliffs
- Relax at your cabin with a campfire
Day 5:
- Short hike to Rockbridge Natural Arch
- Stop by local shops in Logan
- Drive back
Packing List
You can get the majority of the items on this list from my Amazon gear store:
- Sturdy hiking boots or trail shoes
- Weather-appropriate clothing (layers recommended)
- Daypack with water, snacks, and first-aid kit
- Flashlight or headlamp
- Bug spray
- Rain jacket
- Map or offline trail app
- Camera or binoculars
- Reusable water bottle
- Bathing suit (for summer visitors)
Where to Stay
- Campsites: Check options
- Hotels: Check options
Things to Know Before You Go
- No cell service: Download maps or use GPS offline.
- Start hikes early: Parking lots at popular trails fill up quickly, especially in fall.
- Trails can be slippery: Wear proper shoes and watch for ice in colder months.
- Leave no trace: Stay on trails and pack out all trash.
- Reservations: Book cabins and tours early, especially during peak seasons (check deals).
- Pet-friendly: Many trails and cabins allow dogs but check in advance.
Related
Final Thoughts
For nature lovers, photographers, families, and solo explorers, Hocking Hills Ohio is one of the Midwest’s best-kept secrets. With its blend of scenic beauty, hidden gems, and accessibility, it offers an unforgettable outdoor experience. Whether you’re chasing waterfalls, hiking through caves, or unwinding by a campfire, your first visit to Hocking Hills State Park won’t be your last.
If you visit Hocking Hills state Park and you do not visit the Rock House portion of the park, then you are missing out on a very important feature. It is one of the areas true caves and one of the most unique features of the area. and don’t forget to visit Ash Cave it is handicap accessible via a level smooth sidewalk all the way to the cave. Ash Cave is astoundingly large and very impressive.
Yeah you’re right Luke. I was looking to revisit Hocking Hills and noticed the Rock Garden attraction you mentioned and did update the post, among other places!
Hocking Hills looks really nice. I haven’t been on a proper hike in ages, so I wouldn’t be too interested in something intense or highly involved. The loop going to and from Old Man’s Cave sounds like a great way to a get a feel for things before branching out longer and deeper into the park.
You mentioned that crowds can be huge here – does that apply to the whole park? I wouldn’t mind meeting a group or two, but are there times or days you would recommend to help avoid crowds?
So my advice for avoiding crowds is to come early and on a weekday (I went there on a Saturday because I had no choice given the logistics of my trip).
Aside from that, most of the hikes in this park are easy and besides Old Man’s Cave (the short one), I would recommend you try the Conkle’s Hollow hike (very short, very easy) and also check out upper falls (the area I showcased above with the bridge).
All of those areas are easy to reach. And of course there are more spots across the park, but these 3 will be pretty simple for you to hike through (Old Man’s Cave might be the toughest but it’s also pretty easy in hindsight to the other options I listed like Ash Cave).
Hi Vitaliy. Thank you for very interesting article. I never been in Hocking Hills State Park (which is a shame as its quite close to me) but after reading your post, definitely this is a place I need to visit. I love the pictures and climate of wild nature, and especially the falls looks spectacular. Looking forward to see other locations you recommended!
Thanks Cogito!
I do a lot of trail runs at the Washington state and federal parks. The hikes you mentioned look amazing at the Hocking HIlls State Park. I do a lot of traveling and the next time I am in the area I will definitely have to go for a run along these trails. I particularly like the Ash Cave and the Conkles Hollow trails.
I love Washington Coast and will be exploring the more inland parts of that state when I get the chance Al. I also know you’ll enjoy Hocking Hills State Park as it’s completely different than anything you’ve seen in Washington 🙂