Hocking Hills: Amazing Hiking Within Driving Distance
Whether you just have time for a day-trip or can spend a weekend or more away, Hocking Hills offers some fantastic hiking and more. Within the Hocking Hills area, there are at least nine state parks, each with their own character and beauty. Also available in the area are great craft and antique shops, bits of Americana, and reminders of the history of the state and the nation.
The state parks are, of course, the main attraction of the region. And as you drive in closer and closer, the reason why becomes very clear. The mostly flat lands of central Ohio gently give way to rolling hills even as farmland gives way to forest. It is, it seems, a different land entirely from Columbus, which lays only an hour or so to the north — and this is certainly a welcome change for the outdoor enthusiast. By the time you reach Logan or its surroundings, you will know that you are in for a treat. And while we at Outdoor Columbus have visited only two of the many parks in the Hocking Hills, Rock House and Old Man’s Cave, we are yearning to go back and spend time in all the others.
Old Man’s Cave is, undoubtedly, the most famous of the parks in the region. The myriad of features within the park, including small waterfalls, tunnels, high cliffs, and deep ravines, would make this a winning destination even without the eponymous feature. The cave itself is somewhat of a let down compared to others in the region. Don’t let that keep you from enjoying this park, however, as the hiking itself, the other features mentioned, and those pictured below make the trek well worth it. And of course, everyone who knows you are going to Hocking Hills is going to ask about it.
Two great features of the Old Man’s Cave park, a calm and picturesque pool and the Indian’s Head.
Rock House is less well known than the Old Man’s Cave, but it is at least as worthy of your time. The trail length is somewhat shorter than those at OMC, but the climbing is more intense (though easily manageable, even for families with small children) to make up for it. The main feature of the park, the Rock House, is actually the only “true cave” in the Hocking hills region (That is, all the others are lateral crevices in the cliff rather than actual caves.), and it lies midway up a 150 foot cliff.
The views, from both the cave itself and from the cliff top (for which these pictures do absolutely no justice) are spectacular.
Don’t be fooled into thinking the state parks and other hiking opportunities are the only draws to the region. History and culture also thrive in the Hocking Hills.
Dotted throughout the area, whether at the sites of old farmsteads or alongside longstanding churches, are a large number of old graveyards. While these can often be interesting and informative to walk through (respectfully, of course), these graveyards are especially enlightening. Time and again we saw one symbol on a large percentage of male graves in these small plots, a star emblazoned G.A.R. The GAR is the Grand Army of the Republic, an organization whose membership was limited to those who served in the Union Army during the Civil War. These stars were not only a testament to the sacrifices of these men and their families, but a reminder of Ohio’s high rate of service at that time.
Logan, the largest town in the area, and other small towns are also testaments to the culture of the region. The many shops in the region cater to tourists by offering not only antiques, but craft items made by local artisans. A trip to the Hocking Hills can be paradise for shoppers as much as it is for hikers. And, those going in late summer and early fall will also be able to sample from the many roadside stands selling local produce — sweet corn roasted in a campfire and peaches so ripe the juices rolled down and off the chin were the backbone of at least one meal for us.
Finally, for those looking for a romantic getaway (or those who just like a little comfort in the great outdoors), the region is filled with small cabins available for rent. We stayed in the Hickory Grove Cabins during our visit, and would highly recommend them to anyone. Like most cabins for rent in the area, the cabin we stayed in was equipped with a fireplace, a full kitchen (including cookware, plates, and utensils), and a hot tub. It was also decorated with many of the same crafts for sale in local shops and offered local foodstuffs for sale.
If you haven’t been to the Hocking Hills, go! If you haven’t been in a while, go back! The area is simply beautiful, and it should be enjoyed as much as possible.
