If you're seeking a quick outdoors escape from the everyday hustle and are located in the midwest, Hocking Hills, Ohio is an ideal destination. Just an hour from Columbus, Ohio and two hours from Cincinnati, Ohio, this region is filled with beautiful hiking trails, rock formations, waterfalls and pristine woods. It is the perfect spot to get outdoors with the kids, a significant other, extended family or a group of friends that you consider family. I have had the opportunity to visit this region with each of these groups and it never disappoints. Hocking Hills has given me the opportunity to unwind and hit the trails - spending hours exploring places like Old Man's Cave, Ash Cave and Cedar Falls. If you or your group doesn't love to hike consider options like zip-lining and horseback riding. If you're looking for a laid-back escape into nature, Hocking Hills is definitely worth the trip.

When to Visit Hocking HIlls, Ohio

Anytime of year is perfect. From winter in the woods to springtime that brings waterfalls and wildflower, you can’t pick a bad time. But regardless of when you visit, hit the trails early as the more popular spots, like Old Man’s Cave, will get crowded by 10am.

Hocking Hills State Park Views — Hocking HIlls State Park Views

Wondering where to stay in this more remote area of Ohio? Shockingly there are so many unique options to choose from. There are unique rentals, Scottish Inns, and of course camping! Here is a list of my favorite options we have stayed at.

Where to Stay: Cabins, The Cliffs, An Inn and Camping near Hocking Hills, Ohio

Cabin or House rental via VRBO / Airbnb: For families or multi-generational group’s, opt for a cabin or a unique home rental that provides amenities like large kitchens, firepits, hot tubs and plenty of beds for everyone (kids and adults alike!). This will give you the opportunity to connect around the fire at night or make a big breakfast for the family to enjoy before you set off on a day full of outdoor activities. There are a lot of different size of houses but note due to availability, its important to book a house early if you are targeting more popular times of year like holidays, mid-summer and early fall.

The view of the natural pool at The Cliffs in Hocking Hills, Ohio

The Cliffs at Hocking HIlls: For a more upscale experience, The Cliffs offers luxury lodges with stunning views, a natural fed sandstone “pool” and community room for the three cabins on property. My husband and I recently rented the three units with five other adult couples for an epic two night getaway and it was nothing less than spectacular. Each cabin has 2 bedrooms, a bathroom, kitchen/living area and an epic back deck with a solo stove and hot tub. The community room was a perfect meeting place at night. This community room was appointed with a grill, firepit and large family style dinner table. The days were filled with hiking, sauna time and pool games (go team blue!), while the nights were filled with delicious dinners, maybe a dance party and a lot of laughs! If you want to stay here next year, bookings go FAST. Be sure to mark your calendar for when the calendar opens for the following season.

The Glenlaural Scottish Inn near Hocking HIlls, Ohio

Glenlaurel, A Scottish Inn & Cottages: If you prefer a truly adult, romantic getaway with a twist? You will never expect what you will find at the Glenlaural. This Scottish themed Inn has about 10 small cabins sitting on a remote property just outside of Hocking Hills State Park. The cabins are appointed with a king bed, private deck with a hot tub and no cable on the TV. That’s right, no cable. Be sure to pick up a classic 2000’s movie on DVD at the check-in desk! On-property there is a beautiful one mile hiking trail and a scottish links course. But the most epic part of this Inn is the dining experience. A sit-down, 3-course breakfast is included in your night stay and dinner (made by reservation only) includes a six-course fine dining experience (but without the pretentiousness). I would have expected this after a day full of hiking in Ohio. If you are really Scottish, don't forget your Kilt! We found that a Saturday night at Glenlaurel is an annual tradition for many couples who come back and meet up with old friends, enjoy a bottle of wine and enjoy the sounds of the bagpiper who kicks off dinner each evening.

Bagpiper opens up dinner at Glenlaural Inn

Hocking HIlls State Park Camping: For those who really love the great outdoors and want to get away from it all (including luxuries like electricity), Hocking HIlls State Park is a fantastic option and right in the heart of the trails and activities. This campground has good basic amenities like flush toilets and hot showers but are set in the wooded landscape of the park. In 2023, Forbes Magazine ranked this park as one of the top places to visit.

Best Hikes in Hocking Hills, Ohio

The best, and really only great thing to do in Hocking Hills is hike. Getting outdoors with the kids, a group of friends or your entire family is the most meaningful way to make lasting memories. Our last few trips have always included a few great hikes at Hocking Hills State Park (my good friends might have hated me for that long 6 miler)! But, uou will never believe the types of hikes you can find right here in Ohio:

Old Man’s Cave, with its dramatic rock formations and scenic views and is one of the seven major hiking trails in Hocking Hills State Park. This trail is a one-way loop and is approximately 1.5 miles long. You can find the entrance at Upper Falls.
Cedar Falls - After seeing the epic views from Old Man’s Cave, keep down the path approximately 3 miles to Cedar Falls. During the spring and early summer, the water is flowing, making this a spectacular turn around spot. Pack a lunch and find a rock off to the side of the trail to take in the views. As always, getting on the trail EARLY is a must to avoid many first time hikers and large groups.
Upper Loop - Our favorite trail combo to hike is Old Man’s Cave to Cedar Falls then back using the Upper Loop Trail. This is a 6 mile loop that starts and ends at the main entrance of Hocking Hills State Park. It navigates both in the ravine along the creek bed and then up above for a more flat and doable ending.
Additional options include: Ash Cave, Conkle’s Hollow, Cantwell's Cliff and Rock House. Find all the trail options on Outerspatial.

For our dog lovers, the great news is dogs are welcomed (on a leash) on most trails in Hocking Hills State Park. The few trail exceptions include Conkle’s Hollow Nature Preserve and Rockbridge Nation Preserve.

Spend the afternoon laughing at yourself!

Not a hiker? The best thing to do is to simply relax (do you remember how to do this?). Sometimes the best activity is simply taking a nap after a morning hike, playing a game of Yahtzee with the kids, reading a book on the porch, unwinding by a campfire, taking a dip in the hot tub (sounds lovely right!) or have lots of laughs by painting your family (I am still very sorry Aunt La-la-lisa!!!).

Packing Checklist for a Weekend Trip

Bring all the things! This region of Ohio is beautiful but does not lend way to a lot of grocery stores. The closest spot is in the town of Logan (usually a 20 minute drive from most lodging). If your planning on camping or renting a house, you will want to be prepared with all the things to make for an epic and relaxing weekend away. Here is what we normally bring:

Food and Drinks: with limited restaurants in this region, plan to pack simple but yummy meals. Bring along ingredients for classic campfire meals that the kids will love and perhaps some pre-made options to make your nights easy and delicious. If your a family that goes on road trips or weekend getaways somewhat regularly, a tip to make packing food easier is get a small to medium size plastic bin and pack it with all the basic supplies (napkins, paper towels, koozies, salt & pepper, tin foil, lighter, sandwich bags, etc) and leave it packed and ready for your next trip.

Games: Pack board games, cards, or crafts for evening entertainment. We love simple and easy to pack games like Euchre, Yahtzee and Uno. Here is a simple assortment pack we always bring along.
S'mores Supplies: Don’t forget marshmallows, graham crackers, and chocolate (or reece cups - which is the best way to make a s’more). You can usually find a great stick to use to roast the marshmellows but if you know this will become a frequent activity, I would suggest investing in some s’more sticks.
Campfire Wood: Most cabins with fire pits usually come stocked with firewood but check before you go. You can usually find wood along the way into Hocking Hills.
Hiking Gear: Ensure you have sturdy hiking boots, a backpack with water and snacks and in the winter opt for layers to ensure everyone stays nice and warm. Many of the trails are really rocky so basic gym shoes won’t be great for navigating down the path.
Your Dog: Check the pet policy at your cabin or campground before you bring your furry friend but dogs love a great hike so consider bringing them along.

A trip to Hocking Hills, Ohio offers both expected comforts and unexpected adventures, making it the perfect choice for a refreshing outdoors Midwest getaway. We love this region and have already made so many lasting memories together. We love our annual trips to a new spot but don’t forget about the ones just down the road from you - they are probably pretty amazing!