Hocking Hills Kayaking, Canoeing and Tubing

Hocking Hills kayaking happens in two places: the Hocking River near Logan, where liveries rent kayaks, canoes, rafts and tubes and drive you upstream, and two state park lakes, Lake Hope and Lake Logan, with boat rentals on the shore. The river runs roughly April through mid-October, and the water level decides what you can paddle.

Lake Hope is 19 minutes from our cabin. For the river, plan on a half day.

Hocking Hills kayaking at a glance

The river is gentle most of the summer. After heavy rain it can rise fast, and the liveries change or cancel trips by water level.

Kayaking in Hocking Hills on the river

The Hocking River runs past Logan, along the northern edge of the Hocking Hills. On a livery trip, you park at the livery, staff drive you upriver in a van or bus, and you paddle back.

Hocking Hills Canoe Livery on State Route 664 is the main outfitter. Its 2026 season ran from April 11 to October 17, with two trips: a relaxed 5-mile paddle, and a 7-mile trip past Natural Rockbridge. The livery calls this stretch good for beginners, with no rapids and a slow current.

Starting prices on its site in 2026:

Life jackets and paddles come with every rental, and paddlers must be at least 3 years old. Hours change through the season, and it's closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays in spring and fall, so reserve online or call ahead.

Canoeing in Hocking Hills, Ohio, by water level

The liveries go by the flow at the USGS gauge on the Hocking River at Enterprise, measured in cubic feet per second. Here's how Hocking Hills Canoe Livery reads it:

• Under 80: low water. Expect to drag the boat over gravel bars.
• 81 to 699: the best paddling conditions.
• 700 to 999: experienced paddlers only, and kids 8 and under ride in rafts.
• 1,000 to 1,800: adults or teens in rafts or kayaks on the short trip only, with life jackets, and no non-swimmers.
• Over 1,800: no river rentals.

Canoeing in Hocking Hills is best in that middle band, which is most summer days without a recent storm. Check the gauge the morning of your trip.

Hocking Hills tubing

Hocking Hills tubing is a summer float on the same river. Tubes start at $30 at Hocking Hills Canoe Livery, which doesn't recommend tubing when the river is below 200 cubic feet per second, since you'll scrape bottom.

Hocking Hills Adventures, a campground on the river in Logan, also runs a canoe livery for tubing, canoeing and kayaking. Its trip details aren't posted on a site we could check, so call ahead for ages and times.

Wear shoes that stay on your feet, bring sunscreen and water, and leave anything you can't get wet in the car.

The lakes: Lake Hope and Lake Logan

For calmer Hocking Hills kayaking, rent a boat on a lake instead.

Lake Hope State Park is a 120-acre lake inside Zaleski State Forest, 19 minutes from our cabin, and its dining lodge is one of Dana's favorite places to eat in Hocking Hills. Only hand-powered and electric boats are allowed, and the boathouse rents canoes, kayaks, paddleboards, pedal boats and pontoons in spring, summer and fall.

Lake Logan State Park is bigger, at 400 acres, with a 10-horsepower limit and a 10 mph speed limit. Its marina rents the same kinds of boats in spring, summer and fall.

Both lakes have swimming beaches, unlike Hocking Hills State Park, where swimming and wading aren't allowed in any water.

Hocking Hills kayaking tips

• Book ahead for summer weekends, and arrive early for the shuttle.
• Wear the life jacket. It comes with the rental, and alcohol isn't allowed for anyone paddling.
• Dogs are welcome at Hocking Hills Canoe Livery on a leash, but never tie one to the boat.
• Plan on a half day. The 5-mile trip is the easier choice for first-timers and kids.
• Check the forecast and the gauge. A storm upstream can raise the river overnight.
• Dress to get wet, with shoes that stay on.

Our pick

For Hocking Hills kayaking with a family, the 5-mile river trip on a summer weekday is the classic. With little kids, rent a canoe or paddleboard at Lake Hope instead, then cool off at the beach.

Either way, you'll want somewhere to dry off. Our Hocking Hills cabin with private pond sits on 97 acres, 19 minutes from Lake Hope. For more outdoor plans, see our Hocking Hills zip line and Hocking Hills horseback riding guides or our guide to things to do in Hocking Hills.

Hocking Hills kayaking FAQs

How long is a Hocking Hills kayaking trip on the river?

A Hocking Hills kayaking trip on the river at Hocking Hills Canoe Livery comes in two lengths: a relaxed 5-mile paddle and a 7-mile trip past Natural Rockbridge. Plan on a half day for either one, since the livery drives you upriver and you paddle back to your car. Water levels can limit you to the shorter trip.

How much does kayaking in Hocking Hills cost?

Kayaking in Hocking Hills costs from $50 for a single kayak and $70 for a tandem at Hocking Hills Canoe Livery, based on its 2026 starting prices. Canoes start at $60, tubes at $30, and rafts for 2 to 8 people at $150. Prices change each season, so check the livery's site.

When is the best time for Hocking Hills tubing?

The best time for Hocking Hills tubing is summer. Pick a day when the river is high enough to float but not running fast after a storm. Hocking Hills Canoe Livery doesn't recommend tubing below 200 cubic feet per second at the USGS gauge, so check the level before you book.

Can you swim in Hocking Hills?

You can't swim in Hocking Hills State Park, where swimming and wading aren't allowed in any water, including the waterfall pools. For swimming in Hocking Hills, go to the beaches at Lake Hope State Park or Lake Logan State Park. Lake Hope's beach is near the dam, and Lake Logan's free beach on the north shore has no lifeguards.

Can kids go canoeing in Hocking Hills?

Kids 3 and older can go canoeing in Hocking Hills when the river is at normal levels, and a canoe at Hocking Hills Canoe Livery seats two adults with room to add children. When the river runs higher, kids 8 and under can ride only in rafts. For the youngest paddlers, the calm water at Lake Hope is the easier choice.