So much to explore in Hocking Hills—where do you start?

Planning your Hocking Hills adventure can feel a little overwhelming, so we’ve made it easy. We’ve put together some of our family’s favorite places to explore, eat, drink, and enjoy the area—along with a few local spots we think are worth the trip.

From scenic hikes and waterfalls to hidden gems, great restaurants, and places to grab a drink, these are some of the places we love and think you’ll enjoy too.

We hope this guide helps you spend less time planning and more time experiencing everything Hocking Hills has to offer.

Hours, menus, and seasonal availability can change, so we recommend checking with each business before heading out.

Hiking and State Parks

One of the most popular attractions in the area, Hocking Hills State Parks offer some of the most beautiful scenery in Ohio, including waterfalls, caves, cliffs, gorges, and miles of hiking trails. These parks are a must see when visiting Hocking Hills! 

🌲 Hocking Hills Hiking Areas

Old Man’s Cave
The most iconic and popular area of Hocking Hills. Follow the gorge past waterfalls, towering cliffs, rock formations, bridges, and the famous recess cave. It’s a must-see for first-time visitors and connects to the Grandma Gatewood Trail.

Cedar Falls
A beautiful, wooded gorge where Queer Creek tumbles over the sandstone to create one of the area's most picturesque waterfalls. A short hike through hemlocks and rock walls leads to the falls, making this a great choice for a classic Hocking Hills experience.

Ash Cave
Home to Ohio's largest recess cave, Ash Cave is an impressive 700-foot-wide rock shelter surrounded by towering sandstone cliffs. The short, accessible trail to the cave makes this one of the easiest—and most rewarding—Hocking Hills stops. A seasonal waterfall flows over the cave's rim.

Rock House
One of the most unique spots in Hocking Hills, Rock House is a true cave carved into a massive sandstone cliff. Explore the long, tunnel-like chamber and imagine what this unusual natural formation looked like centuries ago.

Cantwell Cliffs
A little more secluded and rugged than some of the area's better-known trails, Cantwell Cliffs rewards hikers with dramatic rock walls, narrow passages, caves, and beautiful forest scenery. It's a favorite for those looking to get a little farther off the beaten path.

Whispering Cave & Hemlock Bridge
This newer addition to the Hocking Hills hiking experience combines a scenic forest hike, the historic Hemlock Bridge, and the impressive Whispering Cave. It's a beautiful option for guests looking for something a little less familiar than Old Man's Cave.

🌿 Nearby Nature Preserve

Conkle’s Hollow
Technically a State Nature Preserve, Conkle’s Hollow is one of the most dramatic landscapes in the region. Towering sandstone cliffs rise above a lush, fern-filled gorge, while the Rim Trail offers spectacular views from high above the valley—especially beautiful during fall color season.

⭐ THE MUST-SEE'S
Old Man's Cave • Ash Cave • Cedar Falls

🥾 FOR THE ADVENTUROUS
Cantwell Cliffs • Conkle's Hollow • Rock House

🌿 A LITTLE QUIETER
Whispering Cave & Hemlock Bridge

Lake Logan

Lake Laken is located on Lake Logan, part of the Hocking Hills State Parks. The lake is a great place to spend a summer day enjoying the water and beautiful scenery.

The Lake Logan Marina offers pontoon boat rentals, making it easy to get out on the lake and explore.

There is also a public beach where you can swim, as well as pedal boats available for rent.

Lake Logan is a great spot for:

• 🚤 Pontoon boat rentals
• 🏖️ Swimming at the beach
• 🚣 Pedal boat rentals
• 🎣 Fishing
• 🌳 Relaxing by the water
• ☀️ Spending a summer afternoon outdoors

Ziplining

Hocking Hills Canopy Tours- a Hocking Hills favorite for ziplining and outdoor adventure. There are various courses demanding on age and experience desired. Our kids have done the dragonfly course multiple times and love it! 

Horseback Riding

Blue Moon Acres (18920 Keifel Rd Laurelville, OH)

The Spotted Horse Ranch (17325 Deffenbaugh Rd #9633 Laurelville, OH 43135)

Flea Market and Shopping

Hocking Hills Market (26758–26790 US-33 Rockbridge, OH 43149)- a fun stop for browsing local vendors, antiques, collectibles, and more.

ATV Riding

Hocking Hills Nature Trails (15157 Sauer Kraut Rd Logan, OH 43138)

Indoor Recreation

Options for when you need a break from the outdoors or the weather doesn't cooperate.

Hocking Hills Children’s Museumn (78 W Main St, Logan, OH 43138)

Fun Barn Movie Theatre and Arcade- movies here are very inexpensive. A great spot to go on a rainy day!  (14333 US-33, Nelsonville, OH 45764)

Hop N Hocking Hills (40 N Market St Logan, OH 43138)

Canoeing and Kayaking 

Hocking Hills Canoe Livery- a great way to experience Hocking Hills from the water.

Go Karts 

Hocking Hills Adventures (31251 Chieftain Dr Logan, OH 43138)

Escape Rooms

Hocking Hills Escape Games53 S. Spring Street Logan, OH 43138Website: 

Golfing

Hocking Hills Golf Club (14405 Country Club Ln, Logan, OH 43138)

Mini Golf- Adventure Golf at Rempel's Grove (12793 State Route 664 S Logan, OH)

Stargazing

John Glenn Astronomy Park- a unique Hocking Hills experience for exploring the night sky away from city lights (20531 OH-664 Scenic Logan, OH 43138)

Scenic Air Tours

Hocking Hills Scenic Air Tours- see Hocking Hills from a completely different perspective with an aerial tour of the area (66285 Airport Rd New Plymouth, OH 45654)

Petting Zoo 

Fox's High Rock Farm- our kids love this petting zoo and gem mining (14977 OH-664 Logan, OH 43138)

Food and Drinks 

🍖 BBQ Millstone -Southern Smoked BBQ (12790 Grey St Logan, OH 43138)

🍷 Hocking Hills Winery- a great place to relax and enjoy local wine in the Hocking Hills countryside (30402 Freeman Rd Logan, OH 43138)

🍺 Brewery 33 Hocking Hills, LLC (12684 College Prospect Dr Logan, OH 43138)

Restaurants & Dinner 

58 West- our family's favorite and go to spot! (58 W. 2nd St. Logan, OH 43138)

Glenlaurel Inn- a really unique dining experience at the Scottish Inn. Advanced reservations are needed (14940 Mount Olive Rd. Rockbridge, OH 43149)

Kindred Spirits at the Inn & Spa at Cedar Falls- be sure to make reservations well in advance (21190 State Route 374 Logan, OH 43138)

The Ridge Inn Restaurant (16178 Pike St. Laurelville, OH 43135)

Hungry Buffalo (12762 Grey St. Logan, OH 43138)

Maya Burrito Co. (12 E. Main St. Logan, OH 43138)

Urban Grille - located on the golf course (14405 Country Club Ln Logan, OH 43138)

Pizza Crossing Logan- a family favorite for great local pizza (58 N. Mulberry St. Logan, OH 43138)

Coffee and Breakfast

Hocking Hills Inn & Coffee Emporium- a great quick stop for a cup of coffee or breakfast sandwich (13984 OH-664 Scenic Logan, OH 43138)

Penny's Pastries- agreat option for pastries, sweets, and a morning treat.

Dessert

Hocking Hills Frozen Yogurt Company- our kids love the build your own yogurt bowl with the toppings buffet (104 E. Main St. Logan, OH 43138)

Dairy Queen (31640 Chieftain Dr, Logan, OH 43138)