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Hocking Hills State Park

Coordinates: 39°25′50″N 82°32′20″W / 39.43056°N 82.53889°W / 39.43056; -82.53889
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This article is about the state park. For the region of Southeastern Ohio, see Hocking Hills.

Hocking Hills State Park
Ash Cave
Map showing the location of Hocking Hills State Park
Map showing the location of Hocking Hills State Park
Location in Ohio
Map showing the location of Hocking Hills State Park
Map showing the location of Hocking Hills State Park
Location in the United States
LocationHocking County, Ohio, US
Nearest cityLogan, Ohio
Coordinates39°25′50″N 82°32′20″W / 39.43056°N 82.53889°W / 39.43056; -82.53889
Area2,356 acres (9.53 km2)
Water: 17 acres (6.9 ha)
Established1924
Governing bodyOhio Department of Natural Resources

Hocking Hills State Park is a state park in the Hocking Hills region of Hocking County, Ohio, United States. In some areas the park adjoins the Hocking State Forest. Within the park are over 25 miles (40 km) of hiking trails, rock formations, waterfalls, and recess caves. The trails are open from dawn to dusk, all year round, including holidays.[1]

The park contains seven separate hiking areas: Ash Cave, Cantwell Cliffs, Cedar Falls, Conkle's Hollow (nature preserve), Old Man's Cave, Rock House and Hemlock Bridge Trail to Whispering Cave.[2]

History

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Geological history

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Rock House

More than 330 million years ago, the area was covered by the waters of the Atlantic Ocean. The ocean's currents deposited immense amounts of sand and gravel over time. The ocean gradually receded and millions of years of groundwater and streams eroded the soft sandstone to form immense rock formations and waterfalls.[3]

Hocking Hills were hemmed in by the ancient north-flowing Teays River to the west, and the then north-flowing Hocking to the east. When the Wisconsin Glacier began melting back to the north about 10,000 years ago, the landscape would undergo dramatic changes. The ancient Teays River was buried under tons of glacial silt, and the direction of the Hocking River was reversed.[citation needed]

The Hockhocking enters the county from Good Hope Township in the northwest and then flows southwest, touches Marion Township, continues through Falls and Green Townships, and exits the county through northwestern Starr Township. The river is then in Athens County.[4]

Settlement

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Hocking County was named after the Hockhocking River. Hockhocking, in the Delaware tongue, signifies a bottle.[5] In Shawnee, Wea-tha-Kagh-Qua-sepe, meant bottle river. The Hockhocking River had a waterfall of nearly 20 feet located about 6 or 7 miles northwest of Lancaster. Above the falls, the creek was very narrow and straight, forming the "bottle" neck.

Early settlers in Muskingum County found an ancient black human handprint on a cliff that is part of this same sandstone formation. That is the same "Black Hand Sandstone" that is seen in six areas of the Hocking Hills State Park.[citation needed]

The Adena culture is believed to be one of the first inhabitants of the area of Hocking Hills. In the 18th century, the Native American Tribes of Delaware, Wyandot, and Shawnee travelled through and lived in the area. In 1818, Hocking County was created in Ohio. A powder mill was built in the area in the 1830s and in 1840 Hocking Canal was completed, allowing for more settlers to travel there.[6]

Richard Rowe, an 18th century trader and hermit, is believed to be the namesake of Old Man's Cave. Rowe and his hounds lived in the cave from 1796 until his death in the early 1800s.[3]

State park

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Ash Cave entrance in 1937

The State of Ohio began acquiring land for state forests in 1916, initially to test reforestation methods. Acquisition in the Hocking Hills region began in 1924 with the goal of repairing land harmed by farming and wildfires.[7]

A Civilian Conservation Corps-built bridge at Old Man's Cave

In 1933 the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) was formed as a way to provide employment to single young unemployed adult men. Multiple CCC camps were located in the Southeast Ohio region, all focused on various public work projects to help the area recover economically from the Great Depression. Company 505 was one of the first in Ohio and based at Camp Hocking near Conkles Hollow. This company worked on numerous projects including erosion control, trail construction and maintenance, and stone masonry for newly formed trails in sites like Tar Hollow, Ash Cave, and Old Man's Cave. The main cabin of Camp Hocking has been preserved and is located next to Conkles Hollow.[8]

Another troop, Company 526, was based at Camp Logan and largely employed Black workers who were twice as likely to suffer from unemployment during the Depression.[9] Workers from Company 526 improved places including the Cantwell Cliffs, Rock House, and Rockbridge sites. By the time of the camp's closure in 1937, Company 526 had built and paved miles of roadways, improved over 2,000 acres of parkland and planted 300,000 trees.[10]

Additional planting and reforesting work took place during the 1950s by prisoners from the Hocking Honor Camp.[7] Inmates planted trees and pruned plantations. The prisoners earned between half a cent to five cents an hour for their labor. According to the Logan Daily News, Hocking Honor inmates "worked closely with the Hocking County area and the community, an idea that seems absurd today"[11]

The park grew to become a popular and widely visited area. In 1967 Grandma Gatewood began leading a January hike in the park which continued as an annual tradition after her final time leading it in 1973. The trail she took was later named in her honor.[12]

Tourist accommodations

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The 1970 Hocking Hills Lodge

There are about 200 campsites in Hocking Hills State Park Campground, including full hookup and electric camp sites with 20-, 30- or 50-amp service, and camping shelters. The park also offers primitive "hike-in" tent-only sites and a primitive Group Camp in their own areas of the park.[13] The campground is close to all of the hiking trails in the area and has flush toilets, shower houses with hot water, vending machines, a camp store, a pool, and other amenities. Reservations for camping may be made up to 6 months in advance.[14]

The first Hocking Hills Lodge was built in 1970 and destroyed by fire in 2016. A new lodge and conference center opened in the state park in autumn 2022 with 81 guest rooms as well as a restaurant, fitness room, and indoor and outdoor swimming pools.[15][16] There are also many privately owned cabins and hotels in the surrounding region.[17]

In 2017, over 2 million people visited Hocking Hills.[18] To handle the growing tourism, a summer shuttle service from downtown Logan began to lessen the overtaxing on the park's parking facilities.[19]

Attractions

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The Ash Cave complex

The area is very popular with tourists and collectively is known as the Hocking Hills Region. It features many private inns, campgrounds, cabins, restaurants, and other related businesses, including a recently developed zipline. Other attractions include:

  • Nature Preserves and State Parks: Nearby are also other attractions of the Hocking Hills, including Hocking State Forest, Conkles Hollow State Nature Preserve, Lake Logan State Park, and Rockbridge State Nature Preserve. The deep gorges and high cliffs result from the erosion-resistant Blackhand Sandstone, which extends well to the northeast of the Hocking Hills. Other open-space areas have been established within the range of the Blackhand, including Lake Katharine State Nature Preserve.
  • Lakes: Lake Logan in Hocking Hills State Park covers 400 acres, 320 acres of which is dry land, and is two miles long. The lake was built in 1955 for recreational purposes and offers visitors hiking, boating, picnicking and swimming.[20]
  • Canoeing and kayaking are popular activities in the Hocking Hills [21]
  • Boating: Canoeing, kayaking and rafting are all allowed on various places in the state park.[22]
  • Rock Climbing and Rappelling: Ninety-nine acres of forest land have been set aside for rock climbing[20] and rappelling in Hocking State Forest.[23]
  • Swimming: Lake Logan offers swimming and beaches for visitors. There is also a swimming pool open to the public outside of the Hocking Hills State Park lodge.[24]
  • Hunting and fishing: Hunting and fishing are permitted as regulated by the Division of Wildlife. With permits, visitors are allowed to hunt during hunting season.[25] Fishing is permitted in Lake Logan and Rose Lake, which can include a variety of fish such as bluegill, crappie, bass, saugeye and catfish.[20]
  • Bird Watching: Hocking Valley Birding Trail identifies opportunities for bird watchers to enjoy the avian life in Hocking Hills.[26]
  • Archery: The Hocking Hills State Park offers a free archery range.[27]
  • Air Tours: Hocking Hills Scenic Air Tours offers airplane rides with views of the State Park.[28]
  • Horseback Riding: Hocking Hills State Park provides horseback riding trails that share space with both hiking trails and hunting areas.[29]
  • Train Rides: The trains of the Hocking Valley Scenic Railway provide visitors a glimpse into the transportation and industrial history of the Hocking Hills area.[30]
  • Weddings: Some individuals have chosen to use the State Park as their outdoor wedding ceremony location.[31]
  • Canopy Tours: Nearby the State Park is Hocking Hills Canopy Tours, an outdoor zipline tour that offers three different rides: a SuperZip, Nightflight and traditional canopy tour.[32] The Hocking Hills region was recently[when?] named the Canopy Tour Capital of the Midwest.[33]
  • Astronomy: The John Glenn Astronomy Park, named after astronaut and US Senator John Glenn, opened in June 2018. During the day, visitors can study the position of the Sun and orientation throughout the year. At night, visitors can see the planets and stars not being obstructed by light pollution.[34]

Flora Several rare plants are known from this area, including plants that are outside their normal range. Canadian yew, bigleaf magnolia, and many others are here.

Trails

There are numerous hiking trails, including several safe for pets, located throughout the state park.[35]

Some trails[36] in Hocking Hills State Park include:

  • Old Man's Cave: 1 mile
  • Ash Cave Gorge: 1⁄4 mile, wheelchair accessible
  • Ash Cave Rim: 1⁄2 mile
  • Cedar Falls: 1⁄2 mile
  • Rock House: 1 mile
  • Cantwell Cliffs: 1 mile
  • Whispering Cave: 4.5 miles, difficult
  • Conkle's Hollow: 1 mile
  • Twin Falls and Chapel Cave: 1.5 miles
  • Conkle's Hollow Rim: 21⁄2 miles
  • Buckeye Trail: Cedar Falls – Ash Cave: 3 miles, Old Man's Cave – Cedar Falls: 3 miles
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Many of the adventures in Jeff Smith's comic book series Bone take place in Old Man's Cave, a place inspired by the Hocking Hills State Park, which Smith enjoyed since he was a child. The waterfalls of the park also influenced Smith's frequent use of water as a recurring visual element in Bone, calling it "an age-old storytelling symbol".[37]

Fictionalized versions of areas within Hocking Hills State Park appear in the Burning Springs region of the video game Fallout 76. This update, released in December 2025, allowed players to explore a camp inside Ash Cave and collect pieces of loot.[38]

Other public lands

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As noted, Hocking Hills State Park is embedded within the Hocking State Forest. Crane Hollow Nature Preserve, a private preserve, fills in a large part of the non-public area. On the south side, Camp Oti-Okwa, owned by Big Brothers-Big Sisters, is also a sizeable protected area. There are three state nature preserves within the Forest, but only Conkles Hollow State Nature Preserve is open to the public. Also nearby are Clear Creek Metro Park, Lake Logan State Park, and Rockbridge State Nature Preserve.[39]

[edit]
  • Ridge above Conkles Hollow
    Ridge above Conkles Hollow
  • Conkles Hollow Rim Trail
    Conkles Hollow Rim Trail
  • Conkles Hollow Gorge
    Conkles Hollow Gorge
  • Upper Falls of Old Man's Cave in winter
    Upper Falls of Old Man's Cave in winter
  • Ash Cave
    Ash Cave
  • Cedar Falls
    Cedar Falls
  • Upper Falls at Old Man's Cave
    Upper Falls at Old Man's Cave
  • Lower Falls at Old Man's Cave
    Lower Falls at Old Man's Cave
  • View inside Rock House
    View inside Rock House
  • The Devil's Bathtub near Old Man's Cave
    The Devil's Bathtub near Old Man's Cave

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Hocking Hills State Park". ohiodnr.gov.
  2. ^ "Hiking Trails in Hocking Hills State park". ohiodnr.gov.
  3. ^ a b Newby, Kristen (June 3, 2016). "A Brief History of Hocking Hills State Park". Ohio Memory. Ohio History Connection.
  4. ^ "Hocking County History". 1800hocking.com. Archived from the original on May 30, 2012. Retrieved June 23, 2012.
  5. ^ Walker, Charles Manning (1869). History of Athens County, Ohio: And, Incidentally, of the Ohio Land Company and the First Settlement of the State at Marietta, with Personal and Biographical Sketches of the Early Settlers, Narratives of Pioneer Adventures, Etc, Volume 3. Robert Clarke & Company. p. 17. ISBN 9780608396323. {{cite book}}: ISBN / Date incompatibility (help)
  6. ^ Hansen, Michael C. (1975). Geology of the Hocking Hills State Park Region (PDF). Division of Geological Survey. p. 3.
  7. ^ a b "Hocking State Forest" (PDF). ohio.gov. Ohio Department of Natural Resources.
  8. ^ "Camp Hocking Cabin". ohiodnr.gov. Ohio Department of Natural Resources.
  9. ^ Johnson, Keri (February 28, 2022). "Hocking County Black history: from the Underground Railroad to the Hocking Hills". The Logan Daily News. Adams Multimedia.
  10. ^ Hutchison, Philip; Humphrey, Neil. "Picturing the Black CCC Experience with Company 526". Picturing Black History. The Ohio State University.
  11. ^ Gray, Leslie. "Honor camp remembered". Logan Daily News. Retrieved April 21, 2021.
  12. ^ Hewlett, Dakin (March 30, 2016). "Do You Know the Story of The First Woman to Hike the Appalachian Trail?". Sierra, the national magazine of the Sierra Club. The Sierra Club. Retrieved April 29, 2021.
  13. ^ "Official page for Hocking Hills State Park Campground". ohiodnr.gov. Retrieved January 18, 2023.
  14. ^ "camping reservations for Hocking Hills State Park". reserveohio.com. Retrieved January 18, 2023.
  15. ^ "Hocking hills Lodge and Conference Center". ohiodnr.gov. Retrieved January 18, 2023.
  16. ^ "Hocking Hills Lodge". Retrieved January 18, 2023.
  17. ^ "Place to Stay in Hocking Hills". explorehockinghills.com. Retrieved January 18, 2023.
  18. ^ Yuen, Courtney (May 10, 2018). "Tourism booming at Hocking Hills State Park; new visitors' center opening this winter". WCMH-TV. Retrieved June 20, 2018.
  19. ^ "Shuttle Service Planned For Hocking Hills State Park". WCBE-FM. Associated Press. June 1, 2018. Retrieved June 20, 2018.
  20. ^ a b c "Lake Logan". Hocking Hills Tourism Association. Retrieved June 24, 2012.
  21. ^ "Hocking Hills Canoeing". Heart of Hocking. Retrieved June 24, 2012.
  22. ^ "Rock Climbing". Heart of Hocking. Retrieved June 24, 2012.
  23. ^ "Hocking Hills State Park". Ohio Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved January 18, 2023.
  24. ^ "Hunting Regulations". Ohio Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved January 18, 2023.
  25. ^ "Hocking Valley Birding Trail". Hocking Valley Birding Trail. Retrieved June 24, 2012.
  26. ^ "Activities at Hocking hills State Park". Ohio Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved January 18, 2023.
  27. ^ "Hocking Hills Scenic Air Tours". Hocking Hills Scenic Air Tours. Retrieved June 24, 2012.
  28. ^ "Horseback Riding". Heart of Hocking. Retrieved June 24, 2012.
  29. ^ "Hocking Valley Scenic Railway". Hocking Valley Scenic Railway. Retrieved November 7, 2013.
  30. ^ "Hocking Hills Weddings". Hocking Hills Tourism Association. Retrieved June 24, 2012.
  31. ^ "Hocking Hills Canopy Tours". Hocking Hills Canopy tours. Retrieved June 24, 2012.
  32. ^ "Hocking Hills, Canopy Tour Capital of the Midwest". Discover Ohio. Archived from the original on February 21, 2014. Retrieved June 24, 2012.
  33. ^ Letizia, Jim (March 29, 2018). "Astronomy Park To Open In Hocking Hills In June". WCBE-FM. Retrieved June 20, 2018.
  34. ^ "Bring Your Pets to Hocking Hills For Some Four-Legged Fun". Hocking Hills Tourism Association. Archived from the original on February 11, 2012. Retrieved June 24, 2012.
  35. ^ "Trails in and near Hocking Hills State Park". ohiodnr.gov.
  36. ^ Ken Mills (Director) (July 21, 2009). The Cartoonist: Jeff Smith, BONE and the Changing Face of Comics (Documentary). Mills James Productions.
  37. ^ Szczesniak, Alicia (December 13, 2025). "Hocking Hills, Athens added to 'Fallout' video game series". Logan Daily News. Adams Multimedia.
  38. ^ "Crane Hollow Nature Preserve". Hocking Hills. Retrieved February 7, 2020.

Hocking Hills State park on ohiodnr.gov

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Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Hocking Hills State Park.

Visitor Bureaus

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