Things to Do in Hocking Hills with Kids

The best things to do in Hocking Hills with kids start with short, dramatic walks: the paved quarter mile to Ash Cave and the stairs and bridges at Old Man's Cave. Then add a kids' zip line, a train ride, a petting zoo or a paddle on Lake Hope.

Families are a big part of who stays with us, and Ash Cave is only 10 minutes from the cabin.

Hocking Hills family activities at a glance

Seasons and ages come from each business's own site, checked October 26, 2026.

Easy trails for small legs

Ash Cave is the place to start. The gorge trail is flat, paved and wheelchair accessible, and it ends under Ohio's largest recess cave. Strollers roll right in.

Old Man's Cave is a mile of stone stairs, bridges and waterfalls, and kids love it. Keep a hand on little ones near the edges, and skip it in ice. Rock House is the one cave you can walk through, with seven window-like openings in the cliff.

The visitor center at Old Man's Cave has exhibits, wildlife displays and a raptor enclosure, open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Our ranking of the best Hocking Hills hikes lists every trail by effort.

Zip lines and trail rides

Hocking Hills Canopy Tours runs the DragonFly, a low course for ages 5 to 12, with 8 zip lines, bridges and a sky tunnel 9 to 24 feet up. Staff stay on the ground beside each child, and kids 10 and up can join the full canopy tours. Our Hocking Hills zip line guide compares every tour.

For horse-crazy kids, Hocking Hills Horse Rides offers short handheld rides on the property for kids under 10 and trail rides from age 10. Riders under 18 wear a helmet, and the stable lends them free.

Trains, rivers and lakes

The Hocking Valley Scenic Railway in Nelsonville runs 2-hour round trips along the Hocking River, and kids under 3 ride free on a lap. Food is allowed on board, which helps, and the Santa Train in December often sells out. See our Hocking Hills train ride guide for dates.

On the river, Hocking Hills Canoe Livery takes paddlers from age 3 when the water is at normal levels, and life jackets come with every rental. With little ones, the calm water at Lake Hope is easier, and the park has a swimming beach.

Hocking Hills mini golf and a petting zoo

For Hocking Hills mini golf, Adventure Golf at Rempel's Grove on State Route 664 has a course with a waterfall, night golf in summer and Ruby's Petting Zoo, where the animal feeding area is free. In 2026 a round was $15 for adults and $9 for kids, and kids under 3 played free.

Its 2026 season ended on October 25, so check its site for spring dates. Fox's High Rock Farm, also on State Route 664, has a petting zoo and gem mining in Hocking Hills, Ohio, open daily in summer and on weekends in spring and fall through late October.

Coming in 2027: Ohio's first mountain coaster

The Hocking Hills mountain coaster was set to break ground in July 2026 and is expected to open in spring 2027, Axios Columbus reported. Riders will steer their own cars down more than 3,600 feet of track, using hand brakes, at up to 26 mph.

It will be Ohio's first, with a gem mining station for kids planned on site.

Rainy days and evenings

When the trails are slick, Hocking Hills shopping fills a morning, the zip lines still run in the rain, apart from lightning and high winds, and the fall trains have heated coaches. Back at the cabin, the lower level has a pool table and ping pong, and the pond and trails are on the property.

On a clear night, the John Glenn Astronomy Park in the state park holds stargazing programs. Dress kids in winter coats, even in fall.

Our pick

For a family vacation, Hocking Hills, Ohio works best when you mix one big outing a day with downtime. Our plan for things to do in Hocking Hills with kids: Ash Cave and Old Man's Cave on day one, the DragonFly or a train ride on day two, and the pond at the cabin in between.

Traveling with grandparents too? Our page on Hocking Hills cabins for families shows the main-floor bedrooms and the 11-foot table, and our guide to things to do in Hocking Hills covers the rest of the region.

Things to do in Hocking Hills with kids FAQs

What are the best Hocking Hills things to do with kids?

The best Hocking Hills things to do with kids are the paved Ash Cave trail, the stairs and bridges at Old Man's Cave, the DragonFly zip line for ages 5 to 12, and the 2-hour scenic train ride. In warm months, add mini golf and a petting zoo on State Route 664, or a paddle on Lake Hope.

Is Hocking Hills good for toddlers?

Hocking Hills is good for toddlers if you pick the right trails. The Ash Cave gorge trail is flat, paved and stroller friendly, and kids under 3 ride the scenic train free on a lap. Skip cliff-edge walks like the Conkle's Hollow rim, and carry little ones on the stairs at Old Man's Cave.

Is there a mountain coaster in Hocking Hills?

The Hocking Hills mountain coaster isn't open yet. It was set to break ground in July 2026 and is expected to open in spring 2027 as Ohio's first mountain coaster, with more than 3,600 feet of track and speeds up to 26 mph. A gem mining station for kids is planned at the same site.

What can kids do in Hocking Hills when it rains?

When it rains, kids in Hocking Hills can still go ziplining, which runs in the rain unless there's lightning or high wind, or ride the scenic train in a heated coach. The visitor center at Old Man's Cave has wildlife displays and a raptor enclosure. Back at the cabin, the game room has a pool table and ping pong.

How old do kids have to be to zipline in Hocking Hills?

Kids can zipline in Hocking Hills from age 5 on the DragonFly course at Hocking Hills Canopy Tours, which is built for ages 5 to 12 and 35 to 140 pounds. The full canopy tours start at age 10, and the SuperZip at age 8. A parent or guardian has to come along.