17 Best Things To Do In Hocking Hills OH

Looking for things to do in Hocking Hills Ohio? I have you covered in this article.

I will walk you through Hocking Hills Ohio attractions, Hocking Hills activities, and fun things to do in Hocking Hills.

Hocking Hills is in south-eastern Ohio and is part of the Allegheny Plateau. The Allegheny Plateau is known for its rugged terrain and is a collection of valleys and high points.

The area is naturally stunning and unlike anywhere else.

You will find deep gorges, jagged cliffs, waterfalls that take your breath away, and rather unique rock shelters. Visiting here is surely a Midwest road trip to add to your bucket list!

This unique topography is mainly due to the Black Hand sandstone, a stone that is weather-resistant.

The middle which is less resistant gets eroded away leaving the hard outer casing. This creates the stunning scenery that people flock to see.

Hocking Hills, Ohio is for the outdoor type with miles of trails, rivers to kayak or canoe on, and multiple activities for the more adventurous such as zip lining and rock climbing.

Here you will find the 17 best things to do in Hocking Hills Ohio.

Tall waterfall in green forest spilling over rocks to water below.

17 Best Things To Do In Hocking Hills OH

Going Stargazing Is A Unique Thing To Do In Hocking Hills

The John Glenn Astronomy Park in the Hocking Hills State Park inspires visitors to look up into the night sky.

This region is one of the few areas left in Ohio where the night sky can be seen without light pollution.

Visitors can experience the night sky through a large telescope in the observatory or simply with the naked eye. You can take your own telescope into the area too.

Except when they have special events the site is open 24/7. Camping is not permitted. However, you could stay under a blanket looking at the stars all night if you wish.

Stargazing is a great way to spend an evening and one of the unique things to do in Hocking Hills.

Inky black Night sky full of white stars over trees.

Get a History Fix At Hocking Hills Ohio

And when it comes to museums, Hocking Hills, Ohio has lots to offer. The region has a rich heritage including the Civil War, coal mining, and producing moonshine in World War II.

You can visit the birthplace of the Civil War legend, General William Tecumseh Sherman in Lancaster.

The Hocking Hills Historical Society & Museum Complex in Logan celebrates the history of the region and its links to World War II.

If you fancy a museum that’s a little more unique how about The Columbus Washboard Factory or the Pencil Sharpener Museum?

The Columbus Washboard Factory in Logan is the only remaining washboard manufacturer in the U.S.A.

The Pencil Sharpener Museum also in Logan houses Reverend Paul Johnson’s 3,400 pencil sharpeners and is believed to be the largest collection in America.

Visiting museums is one of the very interesting Hocking Hills activities! And is a wonderful Midwest weekend getaway.

Go Glass Blowing

Fancy buying a unique glass-crafted item, watching some glass blowing, or even giving it a try yourself? Then head to The Ohio Glass Museum for a very unique Hocking Hills activity.

The museum is open for tours Tuesday through Saturday in the afternoons and also has a self-guided tour that you can take at your own pace.

Glass-blowing demonstrations are held a few times a day.

You can also schedule classes and learn to blow glass yourself. The gift shop is open most afternoons and sells some lovely pieces if you want a little bit of Ohio to take home with you.

Large glass doors and windows of glass museum with blue letters: Ohio Glass Museum, One of the best things to do in Hocking Hills.

Get On A Bike To See Hocking Hills In A Whole New Way

Hocking Hills has over 50 miles of biking trails for all levels of ability. There are trails that are family-friendly, for just a leisurely easy ride, and trails for the more advanced and adventurous.

For mountain biking visit Lake Hope State Park which has over 25 miles of trails involving steep cliffs and ravines.

These wooded mountain biking trails are considered one of Ohio’s best and are for intermediate to advanced riders.

The Hocking Hills State Park Bike Trails offer two loops for the intermediate to advanced rider.

For a more leisurely ride, the Hockhocking Adena Bikeway is a 21-mile easy ride. Named in honor of the first inhabitants of this southeastern Ohio region.

You with go past Ohio University’s campus and then into the woodland along the Hocking River all the way to Nelsonville. Do all of the trail or just a part for a shorter ride.

This is one of the very healthy and interesting things to do in Hocking Hills.

Male riding trail bike through woods with sun peeking through the trees. One of the fun things to do in Hocking Hills.

Go Boating, Canoeing, or Kayaking For Hocking Hills Thrills

If you are a water baby and looking for some time in the water there are lots of things to do in Hocking Hills OH.

You can swim in one of the lakes, rent a canoe or kayak, and explore at your own leisure. Or just lazily float down the river in a tube.

You will find class 1 rapids perfect for a relaxing tube float.

Lake Logan has scenic picnic and swimming areas.

There are countless other areas to explore and lots of local companies run tours for those that feel safer in a group.

You can also camp or stay in cabins along the banks of the Hocking River. And, moonlight and torchlight tours are available, which sound amazing.

Young blonde woman sitting in canoe holding paddle riding calm water with trees on either side of river.

Hiking Is One Of The Best Things To Do In Hocking Hills To See Stunning Scenery

If you love hiking you will love hiking in Hocking Hills.

Whatever you are looking for this area has it. Some of the hikes are beautiful and fairly easy and others more demanding and all surrounded by the most incredible natural landscape.

If you want a hike with a view, head to Christmas Rock State Park and marvel at the view from Jacob’s Ladder.

If you are looking for rock arches and bridges head to Rockbridge State Nature Preserve.

Lake Hope State Park is a natural paradise. You will find sheer cliffs at Conkle’s Hollow Nature Preserve and Ash Cave is the largest recess cave east of the Mississippi.

And for the only true cave in Hocking Hills State Park head to Rock House

The options for hiking are endless and each has its unique landscape. The best option is to search for hikes near where you are staying. There really is a hike to suit every person.

If you are looking for more hikes in Ohio look through my 1 5 Best Hikes in Ohio For You To Discover

Three hikers with backpacks on trail surrounded by trees, one of the best things to do in Hocking Hills.

Get Lost In The Forest

Zaleski State Forest is the second-largest state forest in Ohio. It’s a little further out but much quieter than Hocking Hills State Park.

The main trail loop is 23.5 miles and there is a shorter 10-mile day loop. You will find rugged hills with elevations ranging up to about 1100 feet above sea level.

The forest walks take you a network of bridleways and trails and you will see a horse camp, Lake Hope, and the Hope School, an old but renovated one-room schoolhouse.

The historic Hope Furnace is also just across the road in Lake Hope State Park.

The forest is open to visitors between a.m. and 11 p.m. daily. It is truly one of the best Hocking Hills activities to consider.

Lake with blue water surrounded by evergreen forest with blue sky/puffy clouds in background.

Going On A Scenic Drive Is One Of The Fun Things To Do In Hocking Hills

If the weather isn’t in your favor You might want to get in the car and go for a scenic ride. The scenery looks incredible from the car and in fall the colors are magical.

The Hocking Hills Scenic Byway takes you deep into the hills and you will see some of the region’s hidden gems. The byway is small at 26.4-mile but it’s well worth the trouble.

The top things you can see on your driving tour are Cantwell Cliffs, Cedar Falls, Ash Cave, Rock House, and Conkle’s Hollow State Nature Preserve.

Visit The Devil’s Bathtub For An Eerie Vibe

The name alone begs you to pay it a visit, doesn’t it?

While the name might be eerie the place is stunning. The Devil’s Bathtub is a gem and well worth the time to visit.

The bathtub is a fascinating piece of the stream bed with the sides consisting of a unique tiered waterfall.

The tub is essentially a bowl-shaped, basin of weak Blackhand sandstone eroding from the water.

The Devil’s Bathtub is located in the Hocking Hills State Park on the Old Man’s Cave hiking trail. And searching it out is one of the best things to do in Hocking Hills Ohio.

visiting this water swirling into gorge with greenery is one of the fun things to do in Ohio.

Chase Waterfalls For Inspiration

With vast gorges, valleys cliffs, and lakes it’s no surprise there are several waterfalls in the Hocking Hills area that are well worth a visit.

Cedar Falls has the biggest volume of water, a rather unique cascade, and a large rocky beach area at the base.

Rockbridge Falls the waterfall flows under a natural bridge and it only flows occasionally but when it does it is beautiful.

You will find it in Rockbridge State Nature Preserve where the area is beautiful even without the falls.

Cantwell Cliffs are one of the more difficult to get to the cliffs are over 150 feet tall and overlook Buck Run. The water tumbles over the cliffs and it’s quite magical.

Ash Cave is perhaps the most well-known. The 700 -foot long cave has a stunning waterfall in its center. It freezes in the winter and is absolutely breathtaking.

Conkle’s Hollow also boasts many small waterfalls and is absolutely beautiful.

Old Man’s Cave is a popular hiking trail and will treat you to several popular waterfalls in the Midwest located in Hocking Hills State Park.

Waterfalls cascading down brown rock formations into pool of water below are one of the fun things to do in Hocking Hills Ohio.

Take A Ride On The Scenic Railway

Did you know there are train rides in Ohio?

The Hocking Valley Scenic Railway offers a variety of train rides on the weekend from Nelsonville Depot on Hocking Parkway.

It’s a great way to sit back and enjoy the beautiful countryside that is even more stunning in the fall.

Look out for the special events they hold like a family-friendly train robbery when a group of horseback bandits holds up the train

Riding the train is really one of the fun things to do in Hocking Hills!

Take a Scenic Air Tour For Great Views Of Hocking Hills Ohio

There is nothing like seeing the Hocking Hills area from the sky and there are several companies in the area that are willing to show you the sights from the air.

Seeing the topography from above really is a treat. Most flights are between 20-60 minutes long taking in the main areas. Some will even customize the flight to show you what you want to see.

The pilots are generally local and happy to share their local knowledge with you pointing out points of interest.

Going Zip Lining Is One Of The Fun Things To Do In Hocking Hills

If you like the idea of flying through the trees on a zipline then you are in luck. Here you will find Ohio’s first zipline attraction. And you can also take moonlight tours which are very exciting.

From the height of the platforms in the canopy, you get to the breathtaking landscape from a very different viewpoint.

One of the ziplines in this area is named Top 10 Amazing Ziplines in the World by Discovery Channel so you know you are in for a great time.

There are three large companies offering canopy tours in the area so check before you go or book when you get there.

Caucasian girl zip lining, waving and smiling. A really fun thing to do in Hocking Hills.

Learn How To Rock Climb

There are lots of rocks in Hocking Hills and therefore lots of places to experience rock-climbing.

Local guides cater to all levels of climbers, and children over 6, so chances are you will find one to suit you.

You can learn and experience things such as rappelling, climbing, challenges, and night rappelling.

If you have your own gear then head to The Hocking State Forest Rockclimbing and Rappelling Area, located off Big Pine Road in Spring Hollow.

Here Ninety-nine acres of forest land have been set aside for rock climbing and rappelling.

There is parking within easy walking distance of the rock and cliff face.

Please make sure you are always climbing with experienced people and with all the necessary safety gear.

If you are thinking of extending your stay, there are many beautiful cabins in Hocking Hills.

Caucasian woman wearing black, rock climbing up brown rocks.

Visit Lake Logan State Park To Relax And Enjoy Nature

While most come and spend their time in the beautiful Hocking Hills State Park there are other parks that are worth a visit.

And Lake Logan State Park is one. It’s a day-use park and has scenic picnic areas, and secluded woodland walks.

One of the coolest caves in Ohio is located here.

Lake Logan State Park lies in the Hocking Valley, which was formed by the Hocking River. It is considered one of the best state parks in Ohio to explore.

The forest is for the most part an oak-hickory combination. The forest floor is dotted with a variety of wildflowers. The park is also teeming with wildlife such as white-tailed deer and wild turkey.

This is a great place to come and relax for a bit and explore nature.

If would like to explore National Parks in Ohio, read 12 Coolest National Parks In Ohio next.

Tan welcome sign with green letters "Welcome to Lake Logan State Park' surrounded by dried brush.

Visit Big Spring Falls For Its Waterfall

Most people think Ash Cave is the largest waterfall in Hocking Hill. However, they are wrong!

It is Big Spring Falls at approximately 100 feet high. The waterfall is behind Spring Hallow in a recess cave and has a tropical jungle feel.

In spring the water is at its best. It does however have a continuous flow.

To get there you need to walk a 1/2-mile trail which is pretty straightforward and definitely one of the most rewarding things to do in Hocking Hills.

If you only have time for one waterfall make it this one.

Hit The Trails On Horseback

If you don’t fancy hiking why not take to the trails on horseback.

There are many choices from small indoor riding locations to longer guided tours and private farms.

Horseback trail riding is one of more relaxing things to do in Hocking Hills!

If you have time, visiting Amish Country Ohio is always an interesting thing to do.

Brown horse with blonde mane and white stripe down its snout in pen with green trees in background.

Packing List For Visiting Hocking Hills, Ohio

If you will be traveling, either by plane or by car to Ohio, here are some tips on how to pack lightly.

A concealed travel pouch may be one of the most important items you bring along when visiting Hocking Hills, Ohio. It is always important to protect your personal information. Identity thieves are everywhere.

This unisex RFID blocking concealed travel pouch is lightweight and comes in several colors. It has lots of organization to give you peace of mind.

You can place it under your hiking clothes next to your body to carry your ID safely.

If you have a pouch already that does not come with the RFID protection, as I do, these RFID sleeves are the perfect solution.

This configuration comes with enough credit card sleeves that the entire family would be protected. They are slim too, so they will easily fit into your pouch or wallet.

If you are planning on taking a lot of pictures with your phone you will definitely want to consider an external charging battery. This Anker high-speed phone charging battery is the exact one I carry with me on all of my trips.

It can be used on a variety of phones, not just an iPhone like I have. And wow is it fast!

I like that it holds its charging capabilities for several uses so I do not have to worry about it while out and about, and if I forget to recharge it at night, it will still be good to go the next day.

My daughter gifted me with this FugeTek selfie stick and tripod setup for my birthday. I absolutely love it! It is made of lightweight aluminum and so easy to use.

It has Bluetooth connectivity and is a breeze to use for taking selfies with all those nature shots while visiting Hocking Hills.

Hydration is so important when hiking. You want to remain hydrated throughout your hikes to support your immune system which in turn will be stronger to fight off any germs you will encounter during your travels.

You will want to bring your own refillable water bottle with you.

I never leave home on a trip without my Bobble filtration bottle. The 18.5-ounce size is perfect for hiking and it fits nicely in the pocket of a backpack.