Hocking Hills State Park, Ohio

Top Attractions in Hocking Hills State Park

By most standards, Hocking Hills State Park is the most beautiful state park in all of Ohio. And, perhaps, the entire Midwest. Inside the park’s borders, you’ll find more than 25 miles of hiking trails, each of which will take you somewhere unique: Waterfalls, caves, and gorges are the highlights in this special place. And, it’s open 365 days per year.

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Things to do in Hocking Hills State Park 

Note: This is a page about the state park itself, and within the state park, the main activities are basically hiking and camping. So this is more of a trail areas list than a ‘things to do’ list.

Note #2: I think these can be panels with photos, headers, and short descriptions. Like what you see on the VisitMT site for Glacier National Park: https://www.visitmt.com/places-to-go/glacier-national-park

Then we can have a “Learn More” button under each short description. I’ve included in-text links for now, but I think a button would look nicer and probably have a higher CTR.

Hiking in Hocking Hills State Park

Do you like hiking? At least a little bit, so long as it means waterfalls and caves? Then you’ll like Hocking Hills. Within the park itself, hiking is the main thing to do. There are six main hiking areas within Hocking Hills—read about each one below.

1: Old Man’s Cave

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The Old Man’s Cave trail area is home to four trails, each of them providing stunning views of the gorge, waterfalls, and the old forest. You can spend half a day exploring this part of Hocking Hills, basking in the waterfall views and snapping photos of the gorge scenery.

[read more button – Old Man’s Cave article]

2: Ash Cave

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Not only is this a beautiful trail system within Hocking Hills State Park, it’s also one of the easiest. There are just two trails inside this area. They’ll both lead you to Ash Cave, the biggest recess cave in all of Ohio.

[read more button – Ash Cave article]

3: Cedar Falls

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Cedar Falls is one of the most popular hiking areas in Hocking Hills State Park. A short trail will take you to Cedar Falls itself, the largest waterfall (by volume) in the entire state park. From here, you can connect your hike with other popular spots in the park.

[read more button – Cedar Falls article]

4: Conkle’s Hollow

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The deepest gorge in all of Ohio, Conkle’s Hollow is an area with two distinct trails. One will take you through the gorge itself, while another traverses the ridge for panoramic views of the area. They are both excellent.

[read more button – Conkle’s Hollow article]

5: Cantwell Cliffs

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Walk through tall, jagged cliffs formed by erosion and time in this lesser-known part of Hocking Hills. Here, you’ll discover what it feels like to be in the shadow of a 150-foot cliff.  

[read more button – Cantwell Cliffs article]

6: Rock House

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This is the only true cave in the Hocking Hills region, and its trail system will take you up a hill, through the cave, and back out. This place was a tourist destination before Hocking Hills State Park even existed, and it remains just as spectacular today.

[read more button – Rock House article]

7: Whispering Cave

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You won’t see as many visitors in this hiking area as you will in the rest of Hocking Hills State Park. Yet, it’s one of the biggest recess caves in all of Ohio, and a visit here is an awe-inspiring experience.

[read more button – Whispering Cave article]

Explore the rest of Hocking Hills’ trails in this article.

Waterfalls in Hocking Hills State Park

Hocking Hills State Park is filled with waterfalls. No matter which path you follow, you’ll almost-inevitably end up at a waterfall. Here’s a list of them all:

Want to learn how to get to all of these incredible waterfalls? Just go here for a complete guide to waterfalls in Hocking Hills.

Camping in Hocking Hills State Park

Although many people rent a luxury cabin in the Hocking Hills area, you can also camp (or rent a primitive cabin) in the state park itself. Reservations are made online, in advance. But depending on the time of year that you visit, you may also be able to find day-of availability.

The campsites are tucked in the north end of the park, in the middle of an old, dense forest. You can learn about camping in Hocking Hills here.

Where is Hocking Hills State Park located?

Hocking Hills State Park is located in Southern Ohio, about one hour south of Columbus. Although the region itself is remote, Hocking Hills State Park is easily accessible from many major cities. Driving distances from other cities:

  • From Columbus: 1 hour drive
  • From Cincinnati: 2 hours
  • From Cleveland: 3 hours
  • From Pittsburgh: 3 hours
  • From Indianapolis: 3.5 hours 
  • From Detroit: 4 hours 

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Where to stay near Hocking Hills State Park

There are many beautiful cabins near Hocking Hills State Park. Below you’ll find a list of the best cabins in Hocking Hills.

Wondering where to stay when you visit Hocking Hills? Clear Falls has luxury cabins situated on a private, 500-acre wildlife preserve. It’s paradise in the wilderness—and just a few minutes’ walk from most of Hocking Hills’ most beautiful attractions. Find your cabin below.

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