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Wooden footbridge on a wooded trail

The blog

Hocking Hills, from the family that built a cabin here.

Trails, waterfalls, food, rainy-day plans and the best time to go. Written for our guests, and for anyone planning a trip.

Outdoors· 4 min read
Golf Courses in Hocking Hills, Ohio, and Disc Golf
Golf courses in Hocking Hills, Ohio, are few but good: where to play 18 or 9 holes, the free Hocking Hills disc golf course in the state park, and mini golf.
Planning· 4 min read
Hocking Hills Airbnb, VRBO or Book Direct?
Booking a Hocking Hills Airbnb, a VRBO or direct with the owner? How platform fees work in 2026, what each option gets you, and what to check before you pay.
Planning· 5 min read
Hocking Hills Bigfoot Festival and Other Events
The Hocking Hills Bigfoot Festival, Medieval Festival, Hippie Fest, craft shows, Lilyfest and the Winter Hike, by month, with 2026 dates and ticket prices.
Outdoors· 4 min read
Hocking Hills Fishing: Lakes, River and Licenses
Hocking Hills fishing at Rose Lake, Lake Hope, Lake Logan and the Hocking River: what bites where, boat rules, 2026 Ohio license prices and free fishing days.
Planning· 5 min read
Hocking Hills Weekend Getaway: A 3-Day Itinerary
A Hocking Hills weekend getaway, hour by hour: Old Man's Cave at sunrise, Cedar Falls and Ash Cave, where to eat, a rainy-day plan and a Sunday brunch.
Planning· 4 min read
Hocking Hills Yoga Retreat, Spa and Slow Days
Plan a Hocking Hills yoga retreat of your own at a private cabin, with yoga and sound baths in Logan, a Hocking Hills spa day, easy walks and a hot tub.
Outdoors· 4 min read
Swimming in Hocking Hills: Where You Can and Can't
Swimming in Hocking Hills State Park isn't allowed, but Lake Hope and Lake Logan have beaches. Where to swim, when the Logan pool opens and what to bring.
Planning· 4 min read
Are There Bears in Hocking Hills? What to Know
Are there bears in Hocking Hills? A few pass through. Ohio DNR sighting counts for Hocking and Vinton counties, when bears move, and what to do if you see one.
Hiking· 8 min read
Best Hocking Hills Hikes, Ranked by Effort
The best Hocking Hills hikes ranked from the paved Ash Cave path to the 6-mile Grandma Gatewood Trail, with trail lengths, dog rules and tips for every season.
Planning· 4 min read
Best Time to Visit Hocking Hills, Season by Season
The best time to visit Hocking Hills is spring for waterfalls and late October for color. Average highs, rain, crowds and what each season is best for.
Hiking· 4 min read
Conkle's Hollow, Hocking Hills: Gorge vs. Rim
Conkle's Hollow, Hocking Hills' cliff-walled gorge, with the easy gorge trail and the 2-mile rim loop compared, plus the no-pets rule, history and when to go.
Family· 4 min read
Gem Mining in Hocking Hills, Ohio: A Kids' Guide
Gem mining in Hocking Hills, Ohio, explained, with 2026 bag prices from $10 to $60, how the sluice works, when it's open, and where to see Ohio's own flint.
Hiking· 6 min read
Hocking Hills Caves: 5 Caves and How to See Them
Hocking Hills caves explained, from Ash Cave, Ohio's largest recess cave, to Rock House, the park's only true cave, with trails, history and tips for each.
Seasons· 5 min read
Hocking Hills Fall Colors: When and Where to Go
Hocking Hills fall colors usually peak in late October. When to go, why some years glow brighter, and the best rims and drives for Hocking Hills fall foliage.
Outdoors· 4 min read
Hocking Hills Horseback Riding: Rides and Trails
Hocking Hills horseback riding, from guided trail rides of 1 to 6 hours to public bridle trails and a horse camp, with 2026 prices, ages, limits and rules.
Outdoors· 5 min read
Hocking Hills Kayaking, Canoeing and Tubing
Hocking Hills kayaking on the Hocking River and two state park lakes, with 2026 livery prices, trip lengths, Hocking Hills tubing tips and water level rules.
Planning· 5 min read
Hocking Hills Places to Stay: Cabins to Hotels
Hocking Hills places to stay compared, from private cabins and the state park lodge to campsites and hotels, with what to check before booking and where we fit.
Day Trips· 4 min read
Hocking Hills Scenic Byway: A Drive on SR 374
The Hocking Hills scenic byway runs about 26 miles on State Route 374 past every park area. Stops in order, where to start, road tips and when to drive it.
Day Trips· 4 min read
Hocking Hills Shopping: Antiques and Glass
Hocking Hills shopping in one afternoon, from the Hocking Hills flea market and two antique malls on US 33 to a glassblowing studio and the park's gift shop.
Day Trips· 4 min read
Hocking Hills Train Ride: The Scenic Railway
The Hocking Hills train ride on the Hocking Valley Scenic Railway: 2-hour round trips from Nelsonville, fall foliage, steam and Santa trains, with 2026 prices.
Seasons· 5 min read
Hocking Hills Winter: Frozen Falls, Quiet Trails
A Hocking Hills winter guide covering the Hocking Hills Winter Hike each January, frozen falls at Ash Cave, ice cleats, closures, holiday trains and stargazing.
Outdoors· 5 min read
Hocking Hills Zip Line Tours Compared
Hocking Hills zip line tours compared, from a kids' course for ages 5 to 12 to an 85-foot SuperZip tower, with ages, weight limits, prices and the season.
Hiking· 5 min read
Is Hocking Hills Dog Friendly? Trails and Rules
Is Hocking Hills dog friendly? Mostly yes. The trails that allow leashed dogs, the preserves that don't, plus dog-friendly stops and where to stay with a dog.
Food & Drink· 4 min read
Restaurants in Hocking Hills: Where We Send Guests
Restaurants in Hocking Hills that Dana recommends to our guests, from the state park lodge to Lake Hope's Sunday brunch, with hours, closures and places to eat.
Family· 5 min read
Things to Do in Hocking Hills with Kids
Things to do in Hocking Hills with kids, from the paved Ash Cave trail to a kids' zip line, mini golf, a petting zoo, a train and the 2027 mountain coaster.
Hiking· 6 min read
Waterfalls in Hocking Hills: When They Run Best
Waterfalls in Hocking Hills, from Cedar Falls to the 105-foot fall at Whispering Cave, with trail lengths and the best season for each Hocking Hills waterfall.
Hiking· 4 min read
Whispering Cave, Hocking Hills: What to Expect
Whispering Cave, Hocking Hills' 105-foot seasonal waterfall and recess cave, with the trail length, Hemlock Bridge, where to start, best season and dog rules.
Food & Drink· 4 min read
Wineries in Hocking Hills, Plus Beer and Spirits
Wineries in Hocking Hills and nearby, plus Brewery 33's taproom and a moonshine distillery in Logan, with October 2026 hours, food and dog rules for each stop.

Want the short version? Every trail, town and rainy-day plan is on one page: things to do in Hocking Hills

Covered porch with rocking chairs and a porch swing

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