Things to Do in Hocking Hills, Ohio

If you like the outdoors, there are more things to do in Hocking Hills than almost anywhere else in the Midwest. Below, you’ll find a guide to fun activities in Hocking Hills. Treat this page like a virtual guidebook for everything—from popular to off-the-grid—in the region.

Hiking

If you like hiking, even a little bit, you’re going to love Hocking Hills. Hiking is the main activity in the region, and you could spend weeks without discovering every corner of the area. 

Below, a list of the seven major hiking areas in Hocking Hills. Within each of these areas, you’ll find multiple trails to explore:

  1. Old Man’s Cave: This is the most popular hiking area in the entire region. While exploring this area, you’ll find waterfalls, caves, gorges, and more.
  2. Ash Cave: The trails here lead to the largest recess cave in all of Ohio. Plus, there’s a waterfall.
  3. Cedar Falls: Head here to find the largest waterfall, by volume, in all of Hocking Hills.
  4. Conkle’s Hollow: An underrated spot, Conkle’s Hollow is a must-see. It’s the biggest gorge in Ohio. And, there’s a ridge trail that’ll give you rare panoramic views of the area.
  5. Cantwell Cliffs: Ever wondered what it was like to stand in a gorge, beneath 150-foot cliffs? Go to Cantwell Cliffs, and you’ll have your answer.
  6. Rock House: This spot has been a tourist attraction for more than a century. There’s a good reason––it’s the only “true” cave in Hocking Hills.
  7. Whispering Cave: This is an under-the-radar area with one of the largest recess caves in Ohio, plus a hanging rope bridge on the way there. 

Waterfall hunting

There are some incredible waterfalls at Hocking Hills. You’ll see most of them as you hike on the trails listed above. But if you want a full checklist for your own “waterfall hunting” experience in Hocking Hills, here you go:

Learn more about how you can visit each of Hocking Hills’ waterfalls.

Rock climbing

No matter your level, you can have fun rock climbing in Hocking Hills. Bring your own gear, or don’t—all the options are there for you. There are, realistically, two great options for guided climbing tours in the area:

If you want to learn what makes each of these options unique, read this. 

Ziplining

There is no better place to zipline in Ohio than in Hocking Hills. It’s a unique way to experience the area’s classic scenery. We’ve done the research, and there are three great ziplining tour options in Hocking Hills:

Each of these three companies will offer you a very different experience. To learn about ziplining in Hocking Hills, click here.

Camping

Pitch a tent in the forest or rent a cabin: You can do both in Hocking Hills State Park. There are plenty of places to camp in the park. These are the three main areas:

  • Main campground: Most of the campsites (and all of the cabins) are located near the Old Man’s Cave trailhead. All of the amenities described below are only available at the main campground.
  • Walk-in campsites: These are just east of Rose Lake. They’re primitive, but there are restrooms on-site. You’ll have to hike to get to these, though they’re all under a half-mile from the parking lot.
  • Youth group area: This is meant for group camping. If you have a large group (10 or 15-plus is a good rule of thumb) you can check out camping here. It’s further south, closer to Ash Cave and Cedar Falls.

Horseback riding

See gorgeous scenery without walking a single step. Horseback riding tours in Hocking Hills are fun, gorgeous, and usually have a meal provided. There are many different places you can choose from for a horseback ride.

Learn more about horseback riding in Hocking Hills.

Canoeing and kayaking

There are many different ways to see Hocking Hills: On foot, on horseback, hurtling 50 miles-per-hour through the air. But none of them are quite as peaceful as canoeing down the Hocking River.

You can rent kayaks or canoes nearby, if you don’t have your own. Learn how to kayak and canoe at Hocking Hills.

Rent a luxury cabin during your visit

Wondering where to stay when you visit Hocking Hills? Clear Falls has 15 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.

Browse cabins by style:

Browse cabins by size:

The Bottom Line

Any amount of time spent in Hocking Hills is time well-spent. If you’re trying to plan a trip, consider reading one of these guides to inspire you: