Is Hocking Hills Dog Friendly? Trails and Rules

Is Hocking Hills dog friendly? Mostly, yes: leashed dogs are welcome on the state park trails, including Old Man's Cave, Ash Cave, Cedar Falls, Rock House and Cantwell Cliffs, as long as the leash is 6 feet or shorter. The big exception is Conkle's Hollow, a state nature preserve, where pets aren't allowed at all.

Dogs are a big part of our guest book, so this is a question we answer a lot. Here's where your dog can and can't go.

Hocking Hills dog friendly at a glance

The leash rule comes from Ohio's state park code, which caps leashes at 6 feet in areas the parks division runs.

Hocking Hills dog friendly trails

Every main trail in the park allows leashed dogs. Pick by your dog's fitness as much as your own.

• Ash Cave: a flat, paved quarter mile, the easiest walk for older dogs.
• Old Man's Cave: a mile of stone stairs and bridges. Small dogs may need a lift on the steepest steps.
• Cedar Falls: a mile through hemlocks to the biggest waterfall by volume.
• Rock House: about a mile, with a cave you walk through.
• Cantwell Cliffs: rated difficult, with steep climbs.
• Whispering Cave: 4.5 miles with a swinging bridge, for fit dogs only.
• Grandma Gatewood Trail: 6 miles one way between Old Man's Cave and Ash Cave.

Our ranking of the best Hocking Hills hikes has lengths and effort for each trail.

Where dogs can't go

Pets aren't allowed in Ohio's state nature preserves. Near the park, that means Conkle's Hollow and Rockbridge State Nature Preserve. Both are worth a visit, so plan them for a morning when the dog stays at the cabin.

At Lake Hope State Park, pets aren't permitted on the swimming beach. And in Hocking Hills State Park, the park map bans swimming and wading in any water, so keep everyone out of the pools under the falls.

Trail tips for dogs

• Bring water for your dog. The gorges stay shady, but the stairs are a workout.
• Go early. The trails are busiest on weekends, especially in October, and narrow spots are easier with fewer people.
• Watch the edges. Sandstone ledges get slick after rain, and the Cantwell Cliffs trail is steep.
• In winter, check paws after icy trails, and wear ice cleats yourself, as Ohio DNR recommends.
• Pack bags and pick up after your dog, and bring food in at night, since there are bears in Hocking Hills.

Dog-friendly stops off the trail

A few places in town welcome dogs too. Brewery33 in Logan allows leashed dogs in its outdoor areas but not inside. Hocking Hills Canoe Livery welcomes pets on a leash at the livery and asks that you never tie one to the boat.

For restaurants, patio rules vary, so call ahead. Our guide to restaurants in Hocking Hills covers where we send guests.

Back at the cabin

At Serenity Lodge, up to 4 dogs stay free, with no pet fee. There's a large crate at the cabin for when they're alone, and 97 acres of fields, trails and creeks with no other cabin on the property. The yard isn't fenced, so only let a dog loose if it comes when called.

Nicola, a guest from Pittsford, New York, put it this way:

We looked for a place that we could let our dogs run off leash and this met that requirement in spades.

Our pick for a dog friendly Hocking Hills weekend

For a dog friendly Hocking Hills weekend, walk Ash Cave and Cedar Falls on the first morning, then Rock House on the second. All three are Hocking Hills dog friendly trails, as long as the leash is 6 feet or shorter.

Save Conkle's Hollow for a solo walk while the dogs nap, and leave afternoons for the open fields at the cabin.

Our page on pet friendly cabins in Hocking Hills covers the house rules for dogs, and our guide to things to do in Hocking Hills covers everything else.

Hocking Hills dog friendly FAQs

Is Hocking Hills dog friendly?

Yes, Hocking Hills is dog friendly on most trails. Leashed dogs are allowed throughout Hocking Hills State Park on a leash of 6 feet or shorter, including Old Man's Cave, Ash Cave, Cedar Falls and Rock House. Pets aren't allowed in state nature preserves like Conkle's Hollow and Rockbridge, or on the Lake Hope swimming beach.

Are dogs allowed at Old Man's Cave?

Yes, dogs are allowed at Old Man's Cave on a leash of 6 feet or shorter. The 1-mile trail has stone stairs, narrow spots and bridges, so keep your dog close and small dogs may need a lift on the steepest steps. Bring water, and go early to avoid the weekend crowds.

Why aren't dogs allowed at Conkle's Hollow?

Dogs aren't allowed at Conkle's Hollow because it's a state nature preserve, not part of the park, and Ohio's preserves don't permit pets. Visitors also have to stay on the designated trails to protect the plants on the gorge floor and the cliff tops. Plan it for a time when your dog can rest at the cabin.

Can dogs swim in Hocking Hills?

Dogs can't swim in Hocking Hills State Park, where the park map bans swimming and wading in any water, including the pools under the waterfalls. Lake Hope State Park doesn't allow pets on its swimming beach either. Bring a towel for muddy paws instead, since the trails are often wet after rain.

Are there dog friendly restaurants in Hocking Hills?

Some places in Hocking Hills welcome dogs outdoors. Brewery33 in Logan allows leashed dogs in its outdoor areas, though not inside the building. Most restaurants don't post a pet policy online, so call ahead before you bring your dog to a patio, especially on busy fall weekends.