If you’re looking for the best things to do in Hocking Hills, Ohio, you’re in the best place.
Known for its waterfalls, dramatic rock formations, and peaceful forest trails,
Hocking Hills feels completely different from anywhere else in Ohio.
In this guide, I’m sharing the best things to do in Hocking Hills Ohio,
from iconic spots like Old Man’s Cave to quieter trails, outdoor adventures, and a few experiences you might not expect.
Where is Hocking Hills Ohio?
Hocking Hills is located in southeastern Ohio, centred around the small town of Logan, Ohio.
It’s best known for its stunning natural landscapes, including waterfalls, caves, and forested hiking trails.
The area is an easy getaway, just over an hour’s drive from Columbus, Ohio, making it perfect for a weekend trip.
Most of the main attractions are clustered close together, so it’s easy to explore multiple spots in a single day..
Best Time to Visit Hocking Hills, Ohio.
Spring is one of the best times to visit if you want to see waterfalls at their strongest after the winter thaw.
Summer brings lush greenery and long days, although it can be busy, especially at popular spots.
Fall is the most popular season, with vibrant autumn colours making the trails even more scenic.
Winter is quieter and more peaceful, and if you’re lucky,
you’ll see frozen waterfalls and icy cave formations that completely transform the landscape.
Best Things to Do in Hocking Hills Ohio
Explore Hocking Hills State Park
Hocking Hills State Park is the heart of the region, home to the most famous caves, waterfalls, and hiking trails.
It’s the place that gives Hocking Hills its reputation, and once you arrive, it’s easy to see why.
The park is made up of several separate areas, each with its own unique landscape.
From towering cliffs to quiet forest paths, every stop feels a little different.
If you only have time for a few things to do in Hocking Hills Ohio, this is where you should focus your time.
If you love hiking, you will love hiking in Hocking Hills.
Hike to Old Man’s Cave
Old Man’s Cave is easily one of the most popular spots in Hocking Hills, and it more than lives up to the hype.
The trail takes you through a series of dramatic rock formations, bridges, and waterfalls, all carved out over thousands of years.
It’s one of those places where you’ll want to stop often, not just to catch your breath, but to take it all in.
Despite being one of the busiest areas, it still feels surprisingly peaceful once you get into the trail.
Hiking to Old Man’s Cave is one of the best things to do in Hocking Hills Ohio.
If you are looking for more hikes in Ohio, look through my 15 Best Hikes in Ohio For You To Discover
Visit Ash Cave
Ash Cave is one of the most impressive sights in Hocking Hills.
As the largest recess cave in Ohio, it has a huge, open, amphitheatre-like shape that feels almost unreal when you first see it.
The sheer scale of it makes it stand out from the other caves in the area.
A short, easy walk leads you straight to the cave, making it one of the most accessible stops in the park.
If you’re looking for something both dramatic and easy to reach, Ash Cave is a must-visit.
Things to Do in Hocking Hills: See Cedar Falls
Cedar Falls is often considered one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Hocking Hills.
Surrounded by moss-covered rocks and forest, the setting feels quiet and tucked away, even when there are other visitors around.
The walk to the falls is fairly short but includes a few uneven sections, so it’s worth taking your time.
After rainfall, the waterfall is at its most powerful, making it an even more rewarding stop.
Explore Rock House
Rock House offers something completely different from the other sites in Hocking Hills.
Instead of a wide open cave, this one feels more enclosed, almost like stepping inside a natural tunnel carved into the rock
.Small openings in the stone let light in, creating a slightly eerie but fascinating atmosphere.
The hike to reach it is a bit steeper than some of the others, but the experience at the top is worth it.
It’s one of the more unusual things to do in Hocking Hills, Ohio.
Things To Do In Hocking Hills: Visit Cantwell Cliffs
Cantwell Cliffs is one of the more rugged and adventurous areas in Hocking Hills.
The trail here is a bit more challenging, with steep sections and narrow paths, but that’s part of what makes it so memorable.
As you make your way through, you’ll pass towering rock walls, deep valleys,
and hidden corners that feel far removed from the busier spots in the park.
If you’re looking for a slightly less crowded and more adventurous experience, Cantwell Cliffs is well worth adding to your list.
Visit Rockbridge State Nature Preserve
Rockbridge State Nature Preserve is home to one of the most unusual natural features in the area.
Instead of a cave or waterfall, the highlight here is a natural rock bridge, the largest of its kind in Ohio.
Formed from Blackhand sandstone, it stretches across a small ravine and feels surprisingly solid as you walk across it.
The hike to reach the bridge is short but includes a steady uphill section, so it’s worth taking your time on the way up.
Once you reach the top, you can walk across the bridge itself and take in the surrounding forest views.
Discover the Devil’s Bathtub
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.
Chase Waterfalls in Hocking Hills
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, in Rockbridge State Nature Preserve,
and Cantwell Cliffs are one of the more difficult to get to the cliffs are over 150 feet tall and overlook Buck Run.
Ash Cave is perhaps the most well-known 700-foot-long cave with a stunning waterfall in its center,
and 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
Things to do in Hocking Hills Essentials Packing List
Here are my tips on how to pack lightly. using a carry-on when traveling. And WHY it is almost a necessity!
This unisex RFID-blocking concealed travel pouch is lightweight and comes in several colors.
These RFID sleeves are another solution.
This Anker high-speed phone charging battery is the exact one I carry on all my trips.
Don’t forget Apple AirTags to track your luggage. (Whether you fly or drive.)
My daughter gifted me this FugeTek selfie stick and tripod setup for my birthday.
It is made of lightweight aluminum and is so easy to use.
I never leave home on a trip without a non-disposable water bottle.
Then this collapsible silicone foldable water bottle would work well for you as well.
This foldable water-resistant backpack would be great for a daily go-pack.
These quick-dry slip-on Aqua shoes will be useful at pools or spas you happen to visit along the way.
These men’s quick-dry trunks are essential.
For women, this one-strap one-piece bathing suit is amazing.
Consider bringing along quick-dry super-absorbent microfiber towels.
This wet-dry bag with handles is a good option.
These unisex polarized sunglasses come in many lens colors and frame designs and are extremely affordable, too.
If you like aviator-style sunglasses, these polarized aviators may interest you.
As an Amazon Affiliate, I earn from your qualifying purchases.
Go Ziplining in Hocking Hills
Here you will find Ohio’s first zipline attraction. And you can also take very exciting moonlight tours.
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 the Discovery Channel!
There are three large companies offering canopy tours in the area, so check before you go or book when you get there.
Take a Canoe or Kayak Trip on the Hocking River
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 who feel safer in a group.
Go Horseback Riding in Hocking Hills
There are many choices from small indoor riding locations to longer guided tours and private farms.
Horseback trail riding is one of the more relaxing things to do in Hocking Hills!
If you have time, visiting Amish Country Ohio is always an interesting thing to do.
Take a Scenic Drive Along the Hocking Hills Scenic Byway
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 miles, 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.
Go Stargazing at John Glenn Astronomy Park
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.
Stargazing is a great way to spend an evening and one of the unique things to do in Hocking Hills.
Ride the Hocking Valley 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: 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 Over Hocking Hills
Seeing the topography from above really is a treat
. Most flights are between 20 and 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.
Visit the Hocking County Historical Society Museum
The region has a rich heritage, including the Civil War, coal mining, and the production of moonshine during 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.
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.
Explore Lake Logan State Park
Lake Logan State Park is another location to visit in Hocking Hills..
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 park is teeming with wildflowers and wildlife such as white-tailed deer and wild turkey.
If you would like to explore National Parks in Ohio, read 12 Coolest National Parks In Ohio next.
If you are looking for more things to do in Ohio, take a look at 15 Incredible Things To Do In Ohio.
11 Must-See Lighthouses in Michigan for Your Bucket List