Hocking Hills State Park is a state park in Hocking County, Ohio, in the United States. The park borders the Hocking State Forest in some places. There are over 25 miles of hiking trails, rock formations, waterfalls, and recess caves within the park. The trails are open from dawn to dusk every day of the year, including holidays.

Ash Cave, Cantwell Cliffs, Cedar Falls, Conkle’s Hollow (nature preserve), Old Man’s Cave, Rock House, and Hemlock Bridge Trail to Whispering Cave are among the seven hiking areas in the park.

Hocking Hills State Park

Hocking Hills State Park was bounded to the west by the ancient north-flowing Teays River and the east by the then-north-flowing Hocking. For millions of years, the landscape remained relatively unchanged. Any changes were minor and took time to manifest. The landscape would undergo dramatic changes when the Wisconsin Glacier began melting back to the north around 10,000 years ago.

Hocking Hills’ iconic and unusual hemlock forest was extensively established in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps and Division of Forestry. During the 1950s, “prisoners from the Hocking Honor Camp” did additional planting and reforestation work.

Trails

Over 25 miles of hiking trails can be found throughout the park and adjacent state forest. These trails are both beautiful and potentially dangerous, so exercise caution and common sense. While on the hiking trails, young children should be closely supervised. All visitors to the park must stay on the designated trails at all times. The trails at Hocking Hills State Park are one-way loops.

Dining and Overnight Accommodation

The Hocking Hills State Park Dining Lodge burned down in December of 2016. Work on a new lodge for Hocking Hills State Park began in 2020, and it will include 81 overnight rooms, a full-service restaurant, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, and event space. For the time being, those who enjoyed the dining lodge at Hocking Hills State Park can find the same distinct dining character at Lake Hope State Park, which is only a half-hour away. Lake Hope State Park is located at 27331 Ohio 278, McArthur, OH 45651.

Picnic Area and Fishing

Each recess cave has five picnic areas with tables, grills, latrines, and drinking water. There are five reservable shelters available:

• Old Man’s Cave
• Ash Cave
• Rock House
• Cedar Falls
• Cantwell Cliffs

Picnic shelter reservations can be made online or by calling (866) 644-6727.

All five picnic areas are Carry In Carry Out. There are no trash cans available. Please bring your trash bags.

Rose Lake, which measures 17 acres, is open to fishing. A 1/2-mile hiking trail leads off State Route 374. A valid fishing license from the state of Ohio is required.

Facilities for Camping

This popular campground, located right next to Old Man’s Cave, provides direct access to the trails of the Hocking Hills area.

• Full hookup, electric sites with 20-, 30-, or 50-amp service, and non-electric sites are all available.
• Each location has a paved pad and can accommodate a 50′ unit.
• Heated showers, flush toilets, laundry, and a dump station are all available.
• Camping store
• For registered campers, there is a swimming pool
• Playgrounds, a volleyball court, and a horseshoe pit are available.

Hikers can reserve primitive hike-in-only campsites, which include pit latrines.

The Park also provides tent-only organized youth group camping, which can be reserved. Limit the size of the group. Pit latrines are available in the park.

Reservations can be made online or by calling 866-644-6727 up to six months in advance.

Contact Details for Hocking Hills State Park

Below are the contact details for Hocking Hills State Park:

• Emergency: Dial 9-1-1
• Park Office Phone: 740-385-6842
• Cottage Office Phone: 740-385-6841