Logan & Hocking County, Ohio
Hocking Hills in Southeast Ohio is known for sandstone cliffs, waterfalls, recess caves like Old Man’s Cave and Ash Cave, and hemlock forests, perfect for hiking and cabin weekends. This guide covers cabins, top hikes, activities, dining, and the best times to go. Start exploring the sections below to plan your unforgettable Hocking Hills escape!
For a weekend getaway in Hocking Hills, visitors typically choose from cabins, lodges, or hotels in the Logan area or near state park trailheads. Cabins are the most popular option, offering privacy and immersion in nature.
Wood interiors, fireplaces, and quiet wooded lots.
Big windows and updated kitchens.
Dogs welcome, often for a small fee. See the trail rules for dogs.
Secluded, built for two, often with a hot tub.
Cabins cluster near the Old Man’s Cave Visitor Center and around Logan. Book the park’s rooms and cabins through the Hocking Hills State Park Lodge website.
To see current availability, prices, and reviews for Hocking Hills cabins, check trusted booking sites.
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The top five hiking trails in Hocking Hills are Old Man’s Cave, Cedar Falls, Ash Cave, Rock House, and the Conkle’s Hollow Rim Trail. They range from easy to strenuous and feature the area’s signature waterfalls, recess caves, and cliffs.
A recess cave is a wide, shallow hollow in a cliff face. It forms where a softer middle layer of sandstone wears away faster than the harder rock above it.
Upper and Lower Falls, the Devil’s Bathtub, and a cave named for a hermit who lived there.
Local tip Weekend parking fills early. Arrive early or come on a weekday.
The park’s biggest waterfall by volume, in a hemlock-lined gorge.
Local tip Go in spring or after rain, when the falls run fullest.
Ohio’s largest recess cave, with a thin waterfall spilling over its rim.
Local tip With a stroller or wheelchair, or to avoid stairs, stay on the Gorge Trail.
The park’s only true cave: a stone corridor with window-like openings.
Local tip Wear shoes with aggressive tread. The stairs get slick when wet.
Sweeping views down into a deep, narrow gorge.
Local tip Not for small children or anyone uneasy with heights. No dogs. The partly paved Gorge Trail below is the easy alternative.
The first four trails are in Hocking Hills State Park. Conkle’s Hollow is a separate state nature preserve a short drive away, with its own rules (see Conkle’s Hollow on the Ohio DNR site).
Stay on marked trails and follow the directional signs where a trail is one-way. See what to pack for a day hike. Always check current trail conditions and any closures on the Ohio DNR Hocking Hills State Park website before hiking.
Beyond hiking, Hocking Hills offers treetop ziplining, guided horseback trail rides, canoeing and kayaking on the Hocking River, and guided rock climbing and rappelling on sandstone cliffs. There are options for a quiet outing or a bigger adventure. Check each operator’s age, fitness, and booking requirements.
Hocking Hills Canopy Tours in Rockbridge offers guided courses and a children’s DragonFly course.
For families, Hocking Hills Horse Rides in South Bloomingville offers trail rides for ages 10+ and short hand-led rides for younger children. Blue Moon Acres near Laurelville offers small guided rides for adults and experienced older teens.
Hocking Hills Adventures in Logan offers river trips with boats and shuttle service. You can also compare its Natural Rockbridge canoe and kayak trip on GetYourGuide.
High Rock Adventures in Rockbridge offers guided tours on private sandstone cliffs with equipment included. Climbing is banned in the state park; the designated public climbing area is in Hocking State Forest.
To see current schedules, prices, and book these activities, check trusted adventure providers.
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For food near Hocking Hills, try breakfast at Hocking Hills Diner, barbecue or pizza in Logan, or breakfast, lunch, and dinner at the State Park Lodge. Pick up groceries before driving to your cabin or the trailheads. Reserve lodge dinners ahead and check each restaurant’s current hours.
For specific menus, hours, and reservations, check individual restaurant websites or apps like OpenTable.
The best time to visit Hocking Hills depends on your preferences: spring offers wildflowers and peak waterfalls, summer provides lush greenery and water play, fall features world-class colors (peak typically mid-to-late October), and winter showcases frozen waterfalls and ice formations for solitude. Essential tips apply year-round to ensure a safe and enjoyable visit.
Wildflowers bloom and waterfalls peak after rain. Expect muddy trails.
Lush greenery and cool gorges. Prepare for humidity and bugs.
World-class fall colors, typically peaking mid-to-late October. Book cabins early for weekends.
Frozen waterfalls and ice formations. Check for trail closures.
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Two sample itineraries below show how to combine hiking, activities, dining, and relaxation for a memorable Hocking Hills weekend.
Adjust based on your interests, fitness level, and season—this is just a starting point!
Yes, on most of them. Leashed dogs are welcome on Hocking Hills State Park trails, including Old Man’s Cave, Cedar Falls, Ash Cave, Rock House, and Cantwell Cliffs. Leashes must be six feet or shorter, and you must pick up after your dog. Dogs are not allowed in state nature preserves, including Conkle’s Hollow.
No. Hiking trails and trailhead parking are free and need no reservation. Trails open a half hour before sunrise and close a half hour after sunset. You do need a reservation for a park campsite, and you can reserve picnic shelters through ReserveOhio. The State Park Lodge and its cabins book through Great Ohio Lodges.
Wear sturdy shoes with good tread, because sandstone steps get slick. Pack water, snacks or lunch, a rain jacket, and a warm layer, since the gorges stay cooler than the parking lots. Download offline maps before you go, carry a small first-aid kit, and bring a bag to pack out your trash.
Yes. Local operators offer guided zipline tours, horseback rides, and rock climbing and rappelling. Canoe and kayak river trips can be self-guided, with boats and shuttle service provided. Check the operator’s trip details rather than assuming a guide comes along. Ask at the Old Man’s Cave Visitor Center about scheduled ranger-led hikes.
No. Coverage is spotty to nonexistent in many gorges and on back roads, even near popular trailheads. Download offline maps and your cabin’s directions before you arrive, screenshot your reservations, and tell someone your hiking plan. Many cabins have Wi-Fi, but confirm before booking if you need it.
Ash Cave’s quarter-mile Gorge Trail is the easiest: flat, wheelchair accessible, and ending at Ohio’s largest recess cave. The Conkle’s Hollow Gorge Trail is partly paved and about one mile round trip, but no dogs. Old Man’s Cave and Cedar Falls are short but have many stairs. Skip the Conkle’s Hollow Rim Trail with little kids.
Fall color usually peaks in mid-to-late October. For big views, hike the Conkle’s Hollow Rim Trail or Cantwell Cliffs, where you look out over the treetops. For an easy option, drive State Route 374 between the trailheads. Go on a weekday or arrive early, because popular parking lots fill quickly during peak weekends.
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