Hocking Hills State Park

by Ben ·

Hocking Hills State Park is one of the most-loved and most-visited state parks in the great state of Ohio. Well-known for such sites as Old Man’s Cave and the Rock House, Hocking Hills offers a variety of activities for those interested in spending time outdoors. Located in the gorgeous rolling landscape of Logan, Ohio, Hocking Hills is full of tall cliffs, magnificent waterfalls, and picturesque trails for the hiker and nature lover.

Nature Trails

There are miles of nature trails for those interested in lacing up their hiking boots and enjoying the sights, sounds, and smells of an Ohio woodlands. There are maps available for the Hocking Hills trails, including maps to Rock House and Old Man’s Cave, at the Ohio Department of Natural Resources website here. Be prepared for wooden stairs and a hilly landscape.

Canoeing and Kayaking

A great activity at Hocking Hills State Park is the use of the water resources. For those interested in the water sports of canoeing and kayaking, Hocking River in and near Hocking Hills State Park offers a wonderful landscape and plenty of opportunity for taking part in these activities. Several groups that offer guidance and rentals are Hocking Hills Adventures and the Hocking Hills Canoe Livery.

Camping

At Hocking Hills, there are over 150 electric camping sites, and roughly one dozen non-electric camping sites available for reservation. There are paved pads on each site, and restrooms, a swimming pool, a volleyball court, a zip line, and a horseshoe pit are available for use by campers. Small cottages and cabins are also available for rent. Camping at Hocking Hills makes it very easy to participate in the other exciting activities at the park!

Favorite Sites

Old Man’s Cave

Old Man’s Cave is perhaps the most well-known scenic attractions at Hocking Hills State Park. The history behind the cave includes several gentlemen in the early history of the Ohio country that lived in the cave or nearby to the cave. The creek running through Hocking Hills comes right through the area, and a gorge cuts by Old Man’s Cave, making a wonderful scenic view for nature enthusiasts.

Cedar Falls

If you follow the gorge from Old Man’s Cave, you will find yourself in the Queer Creek region. Queer Creek finds its way to Cedar Falls, a beautiful waterfall adding to the allure and charm of Hocking Hills. Hemlock trees in the area give a picturesque background to the fifty foot drop of Cedar Falls, and this is definitely a stop you should make when hiking through Hocking Hills.

Cedar Falls at Hocking Hills State Park

Rock House

Another favorite site at Hocking Hills is the Rock House. Rock House is a true natural cave that has a storied history in the Hocking Hills region. Stories go that Native Americans, early settlers, and even fugitives of the law used the cave system for their needs. The Rock House is a great site to see in the forested area of Hocking Hills.