10 Best Things To Do in Hocking Hills Day Trip

Explore Old Man’s Cave

The most popular area located in Hocking Hills State Park featuring breathtaking waterfalls, soaring cliffs, deep gorges, and cool rock overhangs. Hike gorgeous trails passing the Upper Falls and Lower Falls.

See Ash Cave Falls

A half-mile gorge trail ends at magnificent Ash Cave, an enormous 700 foot wide rock overhang with a dreamy waterfall cascading down. It’s the largest recess cave in Ohio.

Hike Rock House Trail

Walk through the fascinating tunnel-like Rock House cave eroded into the Blackhand sandstone cliffs. Pass behind a waterfall and admire 200 feet stretch of corridor with interesting rock formations.

Tour Conkle’s Hollow State Nature Preserve

Explore Ohio’s deepest gorge carved by water offering incredible rim trails peering 100 feet down with views. Don’t miss gorgeous Triple Falls located down in the valley best seen from above.

Go Ziplining for Thrills

Take your Hocking Hills trip excitement up a notch by ziplining over trees and river gorges with incredible views! Area companies like Hocking Hills Canopy Tours offer heart-racing fun.

See Cantwell Cliffs Dramatic Rock Formations

Marvel at the dramatically beautiful sandstone rock faces and cliffs showcasing the geology the region is famous for. Spot ancient fossils in the sediment layers too.

Camp Overnight in Hocking Hills

Pitch a tent at one of the Hocking Hills State Park campgrounds to extend your nature immersion sleeping under the stars by waterfalls and forest trails waiting to be explored.

Stay at a Cozy Cabin

For extra ambience, stay at a rental cabin nestled in the Hocking Hills woods featuring amenities like outdoor hot tubs, fireplaces or grills. It’s the perfect way to relax after adventures.

Visit Local Shops & Restaurants

Make sure to explore shops, cafes and restaurants around Logan reflecting Appalachian roots and culture. The family-owned Inn & Spa at Cedar Falls is a peaceful homebase with superb dining too.

Tour a Craft Brewery

Sample a flight of craft beer or cider at area hotspots like Little Fish Brewing Co set along the Hocking River on once Indigenous lands. It’s the perfect activity for any weather during your trip!

The natural majesty of Southeast Ohio’s Hocking Hills region never ceases to impress offering the ideal quick scenic escape. Whether hiking gorge trails, gazing up at soaring cliff faces carved by ancient rivers, or cozying up next to a fire after an active day in the forest, you’ll make wonderful memories.

Getting to Hocking Hills

The Hocking Hills region lies in southeast Ohio, about 45 miles southeast of Columbus and just west of the West Virginia border. Here are the best options for getting to Hocking Hills:

Driving

Most visitors drive to Hocking Hills. From Columbus, take US-33 about 45 miles southeast. The main entrance to the state park lands lies just west of Logan off State Route 664. Total drive time from Columbus takes just under an hour.

From Cleveland or Cincinnati, you can get there in around 2.5 hours drive time.

Bus Services

There is limited public transportation with regional bus service available to nearby Logan or Lancaster if coming without a car. However buses require renting a car or arranging other local transport once in the area.

No matter how you arrive, exploring the natural beauty of Hocking Hills makes for an easy yet rewarding Ohio day trip escapade in nature that feels far more remote than it is!

About Hocking Hills State Park

Before detailing the abundant things to do and see in Hocking Hills, here are fast facts to familiarize yourself with this scenic region:

Park Highlights

Designated as a state nature preserve, park highlights include:

Towering Blackhand sandstone rock formations
Ancient caves, cliffs, waterfalls and hemlock gorge
Over 20 miles of hiking trails through forests
Opportunities for climbing, rappelling, ziplines
Rustic cabins and campground stays

When to Visit

Though beautiful year-round, peak visiting seasons are:

Spring: April – June for spring blooms without intense heat
Fall: September – November for foilage changing colors

Avoid summer months for lighter crowds. But winter offers a quiet yet still stunning and accessible escape.

Season	Best Time to Visit
Spring	April – June
Summer	Limited visits
Fall	September – November
Winter	December – February

Now let’s discover the wealth of reasons to plan your Ohio adventure exploring gorgeous Hocking Hills!

Top Things To Do in Hocking Hills

With over 20,000 acres split across various state parks and reserves in the region all offering spectacular scenery, here are the absolute must-see attractions and activities for your Hocking Hills day trip or weekend getaway:

Old Man’s Cave

The most popular area lies within Hocking Hills State Park anchored by stunning Old Man’s Cave featuring waterfall springs, soaring cliffs and deep hemlock gorges perfect for hiking.

Conkle’s Hollow State Nature Preserve

Don’t miss Ohio’s deepest gorge carved by water offering rim trails with views 100 feet down plus the iconic waterfall Triple Falls cascading into the valley.

Rock House Cave and Tunnel

Walk through this fascinating tunnel-like corridor cave eroded for 200 feet into a Blackhand sandstone cliff behind a waterfall – a cool escape on summer days!

Cantwell Cliffs

Admire dramatic rock formations and cliffs of the region’s famed blackhand sandstone sediment, where you can also spot ancient fossils in the layers.

Hike to Ash Cave Falls

The half-mile gorge trail ends at breathtaking Ash Cave, an enormous 700 foot wide rock overhang with a dreamy waterfall.

Go Ziplining

For adventure lovers, soar over trees and river gorges with incredible views ziplining near Old Man’s Cave with premier outfitter Hocking Hills Canopy Tours. It’s an unforgettable way to explore!

With so many wonders of geology, plants and wildlife in Southeast Ohio, Hocking Hills offers the ideal day trip teeming with bucketlist-worthy sights and experiences you’ll treasure.

Where to Stay in Hocking Hills

Although Hocking Hills works beautifully as an active day trip from Columbus, overnighting in the area allows more relaxed exploration. Here are top lodging options to consider:

Cabins & Cottages

For special ambience, check into a local rental cabin or cottage like Willow Brook Lodge nestled amid Hocking Hills forest. Many come with cozy amenities like hot tubs, fireplaces, and grills perfect for couples or groups.

Camping

Pitch a tent or park your RV at campgrounds like Hocking Hills State Park offering tent camping, cabins and luxury yurts – book well in advance!

Hotels & Resorts

If wanting traditional hotel comforts and dining amenities, properties like the Inn & Spa at Cedar Falls provide stunning lodging with professional service and easy park access.

With remote forest moonshine shacks now transformed into charming rental escapes blending outdoorsy spirit with hospitality comforts, spending the night enhances your Hocking Hills adventure.

What to Bring on Your Hocking Hills Day Trip

Ensure your Ohio day escape goes smoothly by packing:

Sturdy shoes for rugged terrain
Layers for fluctuating temperatures
Water and snacks to save money
Rain poncho in case of showers
Bug spray and sunscreen
Fully charged phone and portable charger/battery pack
Camera gear to capture stunning scenery

Getting into the wilderness spirit by smart preparation means you’ll enjoy Hocking Hills that much more.

Hocking Hills Photography Guide

Beyond basic snapshots, use these pro photography tips for next-level memorable Hocking Hills travel shots:

Pack Wide Angle and Zoom Lenses

Capture both sprawling scenery and details like intricate flower closeups only visible zooming in tight.

Use Slow Shutter Speeds

When shooting waterfalls and rivers, slow your DSLR shutter speed (1/15 second or more) to creatively blur motion creating silk-like waterscapes.

Consider Neutral Density Filters

ND filters reduce all light allowing using slower shutter speeds even in bright daylight to achieve smoothed, misty waterfall effects.

Shoot Dawn or Dusk

Golden hour light enhances landscapes. Rise early for magical misty mornings amid ancient rock formations and quiet trails.

Know Your Camera

Understand basic exposure triangle of aperture, shutter speed and ISO and how adjusting them varies images you create via digital means.

While smart mobile phones have excellent cameras nowadays, carrying your DSLR or mirrorless camera helps document your Hocking Hills adventure in the best quality and creative ways.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many days do you need to see Hocking Hills?

While it’s possible to glimpse key highlights in a very full day trip, 2-3 days minimum allows properly exploring top sites without rushing plus seeing more outlying areas.

What is there to do in Hocking Hills when it rains?

Great indoor activities if weather dampens your Hocking Hills plans include touring local craft breweries around Logan, visiting area museums spotlighting regional history or geology, catching a movie, or shopping quirky antique stores.

Does it cost money to visit Hocking Hills State Park?

Yes, there is a $10 daily vehicle fee to access Old Man’s Cave and other top sites. Individual walk-in or bike riders pay just $3 entry per person however. Consider purchasing an Annual Pass for $55 if planning return visits.

Can you swim in Hocking Hills?

Swimming is not allowed in the gorge waterfalls and streams of state park lands. Always observe warning signs for your own safety. But public community pools available in towns like Logan are open summer months.

Are dogs allowed at Hocking Hills State Park?

Leashed dogs are welcome to join their owners hiking most trails throughout Hocking Hills State Park and forest lands. Just be sure to clean up after pets and prevent disruption of local wildlife.

Between taking time to properly plan your visit around sights, weather windows and places to stay nearby in order to make the most of your time here, a Hocking Hills trip never disappoints offering the perfect Ohio scenic escape!

Enjoy Spectacular Hocking Hills

In conclusion, journeying Southeast of Columbus into Ohio’s stunning Hocking Hills region makes for an easy yet astoundingly beautiful day or weekend trip escape immersed in nature’s wonders.

From hiking forest trails passing high sandstone cliffs, caves and cascading falls to cozying up in a luxury cabin escape or glamping adventure, you’ll create treasured memories embracing Hocking Hills’ natural splendor and tranquility.

Let the timeless call of adventure and wonder lure you off the beaten path into Adena tribal lands now protected park territory whose Native American name means “crooked river”. Wander the winding gorge trails, admire lush flora and unique rock formations untouched since the dawn of time, and reconnect to the powerful flow of the wild world.

You’ll leave Hocking Hills’ emerald hollows and ancient shadows newly refreshed and inspired, so ready to return again!

External Links:

Official Hocking Hills Tourism Site
Hocking Hills State Forest