Hocking Hills Places to Stay: Cabins to Hotels

Hocking Hills places to stay fall into four groups: private cabins and vacation homes, the state park lodge and its cabins, campgrounds, and hotels in nearby towns. The right one depends on group size, the dog and how close you want to be to the trails.

We run Serenity Lodge, one private cabin on 97 acres, so we'll say plainly where we fit and where we don't.

Hocking Hills places to stay at a glance

Hocking Hills state park lodges and cabins

The Lodge at Hocking Hills, the state park's lodge on State Route 664 near Old Man's Cave, has 81 rooms, a full-service restaurant, a ballroom, indoor and outdoor pools with a hot tub, and a veranda, according to Ohio DNR.

The Hocking Hills state park cabins are modern, full-sized cabins, and you reserve them through the state's lodge reservation site. Staying here puts the lodge's restaurant and the park's trails close by.

Camping in the park

Hocking Hills State Park has a campground with full-hookup, electric and non-electric sites, plus Sherman Cabin shelters, primitive hike-in tent sites and a group camp. Reservations are required and open up to 6 months ahead.

Riders bringing horses can book the 23-site horse camp in neighboring Hocking State Forest. Our guide to Hocking Hills horseback riding covers it.

Private cabins and vacation homes

Private cabins come in a wide range: log cabins, A-frames, tree houses and glamping domes, from places for two to houses for big groups. Rules vary as much as the buildings, so check a few things before you book:

• Hot tub: private, shared, or none.
• Dogs: allowed or not, how many, and whether there's a fee.
• Minimum stay, and longer minimums over holidays.
• Age rules for the person booking.
• Internet and cell signal. Some places, ours included, rely on satellite internet.
• Drive time to the trails you care about.
• Neighbors: how close the next cabin is, and whether the property is shared.

Hocking Hills hotels

Hocking Hills hotels are in the towns around the park, including Logan, the county seat. A hotel makes sense for a one-night stop or if you collect points, but expect a drive to the trailheads.

Where to stay in Hocking Hills, Ohio, by trip

• One or two nights, no dog: the state park lodge puts you closest to Old Man's Cave.
• Families and three generations: a cabin with enough bedrooms and baths, and ideally a main-floor bedroom.
• Dog owners: a cabin that allows dogs, with clear rules and no surprise fees.
• Big groups of friends: a large cabin with room for everyone at one table, which also suits a Hocking Hills yoga retreat.
• On a budget: the park campground.

Where Serenity Lodge fits

We run Serenity Lodge, and it's built for the middle three. It's the only cabin on 97 private acres, and it sleeps 9 in 3 bedrooms with 3 full baths. There's a private hot tub, an 11-foot hickory table John built, a game room, and a pond and trails on the property.

Up to 4 dogs stay free, with no pet fee. Ash Cave is 10 minutes away, Cedar Falls 14 and Old Man's Cave 18.

The minimum stay is 2 nights, or 3 over some holidays, and the person booking must be 25 or older. Parties and events aren't allowed.

It's a poor fit if you want a lodge pool, a one-night stay or a walk to the trailhead. For those, the state park lodge is the better choice.

Our honest take

The best Hocking Hills places to stay match your trip, not the other way around. For a quick visit, stay at the state park lodge. For a family weekend with room to spread out, a private cabin wins, and we'd love to host you.

Our page on Hocking Hills cabin prices has our rates by season. Booking direct runs about 13% less than the same Hocking Hills Airbnb stay. See the cabin itself on our Hocking Hills cabin with hot tub page, and plan the days with our guide to things to do in Hocking Hills.

Hocking Hills places to stay FAQs

Where to stay in Hocking Hills, Ohio, on a first visit?

For a first visit, where to stay in Hocking Hills, Ohio depends on the trip. For one or two nights near the trails, the state park lodge on State Route 664 is closest to Old Man's Cave. For a longer family stay, a private cabin gives you more room, a kitchen and a porch, and some allow dogs.

Does Hocking Hills State Park have cabins?

Yes, Hocking Hills State Park has cabins. Ohio DNR describes them as modern, full-sized cabins, booked through the state's lodge reservation site. The park also has the Lodge at Hocking Hills, with 81 rooms, a restaurant and pools, and a campground with Sherman Cabin shelters for a step up from a tent.

Are there hotels near Hocking Hills State Park?

There are hotels near Hocking Hills State Park in the surrounding towns, including Logan, the county seat. Inside the park, the Lodge at Hocking Hills has 81 rooms, a full-service restaurant and indoor and outdoor pools. Hotels work well for short stays, but expect a drive to the trailheads.

Can you camp in Hocking Hills State Park?

Yes, you can camp in Hocking Hills State Park. The campground has full-hookup, electric and non-electric sites, Sherman Cabin shelters, primitive hike-in tent sites and a group camp. Reservations are required and can be made up to 6 months ahead, and riders can book the horse camp in Hocking State Forest.

What are the best places to stay in Hocking Hills, Ohio, with a dog?

The best places to stay in Hocking Hills, Ohio, with a dog are cabins that allow dogs with clear rules and fees. Ask how many dogs are allowed, whether there's a fee, and whether the yard is fenced. At Serenity Lodge, up to 4 dogs stay free on 97 acres, though the yard isn't fenced.