In the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, this nature-blessed area of Hocking Hills has mile after mile of treking routes, with courses resulting in sandstone rock peaks, echoing caverns and waterfalls. You can speed above the tree canopy on a zipwire, paddle down a river in a kayak or scale a large cliff face. As night attracts, search for at star-spangled skies as you pull away to special hideaways, from underground hobbit homes to luxe treehouses. Here’s how finest to experience Ohio’s Hocking Hills.
What to do
Skyrocket like a hawk amongst the treetops with Hocking Hills Canopy Tours. Plunging you into the wilds of Hocking Hills, cable televisions and sky bridges send you overlooking forest, cliffs, waterfalls and the hurrying Hocking River. If you wish to increase the experience, opt for the cross-country X-Tour or the head-first SuperZip, gaining ground of as much as 50mph.
For a deep dive into nature, Hocking Hills State Park beckons, with primeval forest that is a riot of colour in fall and an excellent collection of caverns. Prominence goes to the horseshoe-shaped Old Man’s Cave, where falls drop into a crystal-blue swimming pool. The cavern takes its name from 18th-century hermit Richard Rowe, who resided in its depths. Trek the five-mile loop path to the Whispering Cave– a whisper is stated to be heard 300 feet away on the other side of the cavern. Path maps and details on the park’s geology are offered at the Old Man’s Cave car park.
Hocking Hills has additional shimmer during the night, and the area draws eager stargazers with a few of the nation’s darkest night skies. The John Glenn Astronomy Park– around a mile west of Old Man’s Cave– is a terrific area. On clear nights you’ll be impressed by star clusters, brilliant worlds, comets, meteor showers and the spray of the Milky Way. See the site for Friday and Saturday night occasions, where you can peer through a huge telescope, with astronomers on hand to translate.
Whether it’s a forest cabin, a small home or a high-end home constructed into cavern, lodging options are as varied as the Hocking Hills landscape.
Picture by Hocking Hills
If you’ve ever fancied rock climbing up, Hocking Hills is the location. Climbers remain in their component, with sandstone cliffs increasing high above the tree canopy. Rappelling and rock climbing are readily available here, with paths for all levels passing through cliffs and peaks, through narrow rock walls and over stones. High Rock Adventures offers all the equipment along with expert guides.
Not all experience is busy. Bounded by rich forest, the carefully streaming Hocking River sets the scene for mellow journeys by kayak or canoe. Trips from Hocking Hills Canoe Livery variety from simple, family-friendly rafting journeys to 5- or seven-mile kayak and canoe paddles for groups, couples or solo paddlers. Listening to the splash of water and trill of birds as you drift along deals peace and privacy.