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Hocking Hills
Address: 19852 State Route 664 S., Logan, Ohio 43138 Phone: 740-385-6842
Located just a little over an hour south of Columbus sits Hocking Hills, State Park. Hills is one of everyone's favorite outdoor spots. Lying in one of the most tranquil areas of the state, the region is marked by caves, sandstone cliffs, stunning trails, waterfalls, and lush vegetation.
The area offers many activities for outdoor enthusiasts, including hiking, canoeing, ziplining, horseback riding, and rock climbing. These activities are each provided by independent operators in the area. It is worth your time to stop by the visitor's center on your way into the park to get maps and recommendations for reputable excursion companies. As with most parks in Ohio, late spring, summer, and fall are the best and most popular times for visiting. However, the park is also famous for winter hiking and exploring in the snow. While Hocking Hills is beautiful in the winter months. However, with the cliffs, narrow trails, and other potential hazards, it can also be dangerous if you aren't adequately prepared – an added risk is the spotty cell phone reception if you were to become hurt or lost. It is possible during the winter months that you could not see another person during your visit.
The park has five major hiking areas to explore, each with multiple trails accommodating various skill levels. Old Man's Cave is usually the first stop for new hikers to the area, so the trails are more congested, especially on the weekends. The other popular sites are Cantwell Cliffs, Conkle's Hollow, Cedar Falls, and Rockhouse. Another important site to mention is Ash Cave. This trail is a short distance from the parking lot. The cave towers over guests more than some of the other caves and has a stunning waterfall after a good rainfall. The Ash Cave trail is one of the only handicap-accessible trails in the park.
One of the newer additions to Hocking Hills State Park is the John Glenn Astronomy Park. It is situated in the best place in the region to stargaze and pays tribute to astronaut and Ohio native John Glenn. From March through November, you can reserve a spot for one of the public programs on Friday and Saturday nights.