Hocking Hills provides a variety of recreational opportunities in a splendid natural setting. The 2,356-acre park has towering cliffs, waterfalls and deep hemlock-shaded gorges to lure the hiker and naturalist and serve as a backdrop to popular facilities and accommodations.
Camping
109 electric sites with 20-, 30- or 50-amp electric
47 full hookup sites
13 non-electric sites
Each site has a paved pad and can accommodate up to a 50' unit
Heated showers, flush toilets, laundry, dump station
Campground store
Swimming pool for registered campers
Playgrounds, volleyball court and horse shoe pit
Tent-only organized youth group camping. Thirteen sites are available by reservation only. Call for group size limitations.
Primitive hike-in only camp sites for hiker who have hiked into the area. Pit latrines are provided. Reservation needed.
Activities
Archery
An archery range with 5 static targets and 22 3-D targets is open from daylight until dark year-round.
Boating
Boats with electric motors and paddlecraft are allowed at the 17-acre Rose Lake. Access is carry-in, off of State Route 374 via a 1/2-mile hiking trail.
Disc Golf
Nine holes open as of October 2018; the first tee is located near the Whispering Cave trailhead. Every hole has a level tee pad and map. Bring your own equipment, rental equipment is not available. No fee to play. Starter pack of discs available for sale in park office gift shop.
Fishing
Fishing is allowed at the 17-acre Rose Lake. Access is off of State Route 374 via a 1/2-mile hiking trail. A valid Ohio fishing license is required.
Hunting
Hunting is permitted in designated areas of the park and in the adjacent Hocking State Forest. A valid Ohio hunting license is required.
Picnicking
Six picnic areas with tables, grills, latrines and drinking water are located at each of the recess caves. Five shelterhouses are available: Old Man’s Cave, Ash Cave, Rock House, Cedar Falls and Cantwell Cliffs.
Trails
Multiple hiking trails traverse the park, giving visitors a chance to view the majestic scenery. These trails are beautiful as well as potentially dangerous. Caution and common sense are necessary. Young children should be closely supervised while on the hiking trails. All park visitors must remain on the marked trails at all times. Trails are typically covered in ice in winter months.
Thirty-three miles of bridle trail are located in the state forest, along with portions of the Buckeye Trail. The system, one of the most popular riding destinations in Ohio, is available to riders with their own mounts. New in 2017, visitors will be able to explore Whispering Cave, an area of the park formerly closed to visitation. The area features the second largest cave in the region with a 105 foot high seasonal waterfall cascading to the floor below. Visitors can choose to access the new Hemlock Bridge Trail near the cabins or by using a new connecting trail, located halfway between Cedar Falls and Old Man’s Cave, which features a swinging bridge.
Ash Cave Gorge - 1/4 mile - Easy - Handicap Accessible
Ash Cave Rim - 1/2 mile - Moderate
Cantwell Cliffs - 1 mile - Difficult
Cedar Falls - 1/2 mile - Moderate
Conkles Hollow - 1 mile - Easy - Handicap Accessible
Conkles Hollow Rim - 2.5 miles - Moderate
Hemlock Bridge Trail - 1 mile - Moderate
Old Man's Cave - 1 mile - Moderate
Rock House - 1/2 mile - Moderate
Whispering Cave Trail - 1/2 mile - Easy
Buckeye Trail - 6 miles through the park - Moderate
Mountain bike trails
Purple Trail Loop - 2 miles - Moderate
Orange Trail Loop - 2 miles - Difficult
Thirty-three miles of bridle trail are located in the adjacent state forest. The system, one of the most popular riding destinations in Ohio, is available to riders with their own mounts.
Winter Recreation
Park guests can enjoy the icy splendors of winter during the colder months. A popular event is the the annual winter hike. Typically held in January, this hike has been celebrated for over 50 years. Appropriate outdoor gear and footwear is recommended for participants. Under the proper conditions, park visitors can enjoy ice fishing during the colder months.
