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Hocking Hills State Park, Ohio: Address, Phone Number, Hocking Hills State Park Reviews: 4.5/5

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Hocking Hills State Park

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Hocking Hills State Park
4.5
1,471
#52 of 2,796 things to do in Ohio
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The area
Address
Best nearby
Restaurants
3 within 3 miles
Inn & Spa At Cedar Falls Restaurant
391
0.9 mi$$$$ • American • Vegetarian Friendly • Vegan Options
Grandma Faye's
136
1.1 mi$ • American
Old Man's Cave General Store
103
2.2 mi$ • Dessert • American
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Attractions
11 within 6 miles
Cantwell Cliffs
284
0 ftGeologic Formations
John Glenn Astronomy Park
20
0.1 miNature & Wildlife Areas
Gorge Overlook Trail
23
0.2 miHiking Trails
Rock House
578
1.7 miPoints of Interest & Landmarks
Cedar Falls Hiking Trail
517
1.7 miHiking Trails
Old Man's Cave
381
2 miCaverns & Caves
Conkles Hollow State Nature Preserve
372
2.2 miNature & Wildlife Areas
Ash Cave
568
2.4 miCaverns & Caves
Whispering Cave Trail
32
1.1 miHiking Trails
John Glenn Astronomy Park
6
1.2 miScience Museums • Observatories & Planetariums
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
1,471 reviews
Excellent
1,178
Very good
223
Average
45
Poor
7
Terrible
18
MaryBluEyes
Traverse City, MI715 contributions
Beautiful area for hiking
Friends
Our group of four active retired ladies (we are ski club friends) visited to hike for 2 days (three first time visitors).

We rented a two bedroom/one bath cabin in the state park and it was as nice as any AirBnb. The cabins were renovated 6 years ago but still look brand new. Very limited wifi service but calls and texts worked fine (Verizon and AT&T).

There are 7 main hiking areas within the park and we hiked 5 of them. All are well maintained and marked. Many actually have two paths - a lower gorge or higher rim option. Most trails don't exceed 2 miles. The one way trails make a big loop and aren't that way for COVID but due to traffic flow. Lots of stairs at Old Man's Cave but worth the hike. We were fortunate to see water flowing in all the falls.

The state park has no entrance fee and the trails are well maintained. I've been to dozens of state and national parks around the country and the trail signs/markings were some of the best I've seen. Ditto for real bathroom facilities. No water fountains so pack accordingly. Same for cell or internet service.

I want to return during the fall to explore the other trails in the surrounding state Forest and Lake Hope State Park.
Written June 4, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
William L
25 contributions
Hiking and viewing waterfalls
The hiking in Hocking Hills State Park is fabulous. We hiked six trails in the three days we were here, saw maybe two dozen very cool water halls and amazing rock formations. We are both 78 and enjoy hiking and these hikes were moderate and very accessible for out senior capabilities. We would highly recommend staying in the area for three or four days and hiking the trails. We travel 5-6 months each summer in a motor home and although the campgrounds are limited in this area I'm sure you will enjoy your hiking experience.
Written June 8, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Catherine S
Bolton, UK7,666 contributions
Amazing place
Couples
Often when you read rave reviews about a place you wonder if they can be true…. In this case we were amazed at how beautiful the place was. We walked from upper falls, to old man’s cave and to lower falls. Very slowly as we didn’t want to miss anything, the views were incredibly beautiful. We could believe there were beaches and turquoise waters in the middle of a forest!
After our walk we sat at one of the picnic tables under the shade of a tree and reflected on how much we had enjoyed our walk and the scenery.
Written May 14, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
OnAir578970
Westfield, IN8 contributions
Hocking Hills-pretty, but not for serious hikes
The trail maps of the state park are NOT GOOD! And, there is no, and I mean NO internet anywhere in the park, so you can't refer to your phone. The app they offer has a nice description of the different trails, but no good directions about how to get there. There is lots of driving on curvy roads to get from sight to sight. We had a good time and the weather was perfect, but the State Park didn't do anything to help. No rangers, the Visitor Center was closed up tight and no maps were left out to grab and use (for what they were worth). Most of the hikes are "short" and good for families. If you are a more serious hiker, I'd recommend starting at Old Man's Cave and hike to Cedar Falls and Ash Cave (and back). It would be a big day, but better than driving and dealing with the start of all 3. We never could find Hemlock Bridge which was disappointing. We knew where it was but couldn't locate the trailhead. Sometimes the app said it was .75 miles and then the sign said it was 4 miles (Whispering Cave). Very confusing. The gorge trail extension at Cantwell Cliffs was not to be found. Be sure to be at the "big 3- Old Man's, Ash, Cedar" early in the morning to avoid crowds and then hit the less popular in trails in the afternoon (Cantwell Cliffs, Conkles Hollow, Rock House). Rock Bridge is nearer to Logan so that one you could hit on your way into town if you have time.
Written October 16, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Sara
2 contributions
Ranger on a powertrip.
Family
I've always loved Hocking Hills. It's still a very beautiful place but I doubt I'll be returning anytime soon. There were so many people that they were backed up at a stand still. I followed a path between two rocks to a rock beside the path so I could sit and wait for all of the people to pass. *There was no sign within view stating that we were in a restricted area.* The next thing I know someone far below is yelling at my 16 year old daughter. I'd seen videos of people having altercations there recently, so I told her to stay with me and not to listen to anyone that wasn't wearing a uniform. The next thing we know a very irate woman in uniform popped up, I'm assuming she was a park ranger but the uniform was black so I was confused. She was shaky and very obviously full of adrenaline. I tried my best to calm her and explain that we didn't know she was a ranger or that we were in an area we weren't supposed to be in. The more I tried to calm her the more angry she became so I just stopped talking and let her have her power trip. Fortunately, we were let go with a warning because her walkie aparantly wasn't working but she stayed pretty close to us for the rest of our hike. I don't believe I was doing anything wrong. I'm respectful of nature, I grew up in the woods, I want being unsafe. Just standing away from the crowd, waiting for them to pass. I felt bullied and it ruined my experience.
Written August 22, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
JaneanPhillips
Kettering, OH264 contributions
HOCKING HILLS IS WELL WORTH THE HIKE
Friends
The hike up to Rose Lake, at this time of year, is just well worth it. We saw spectacular views on the way, including the beautiful changing of the fall leaves. There were plenty of patrons, with dogs, lots of families, all practicing social distancing. We definitely will be returning for the various lengthy hikes that are offered here in this beautiful state park. Wear good shoes, bring some water and snacks, but mostly definitely, bring your camera!
Written October 21, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
theoljohnnyboy
New Florence, PA1,363 contributions
HHSP
This was our second visit. The first time that we came was in August during the dry season- lesson learned. We hiked the grandma gatewood trail through the gorge the whole way to broken rock falls. We then hiked the gorge exit trail and a small portion of the gorge overlook trail. This took us a little less than 2 hours, climbing about 35 flights of stairs according to my phone and going about 3 miles. The attraction is free. Th visitor center is closed due to covid. We arrived early, around 9:30 am and there were ample maps and only a few dozen cars. By 11 when we came up out of the gorge there were a couple hundred cars and no maps left to take. I would suggest coming early. It is nice and cool in the gorge, though it was warm up top we could see our breath in the gorge so consider taking a coat. The signage for other place in the area is so-so, it seems to be most helpful to go to the big visitors center at old mans cave and work your way out to other spots from there. In the evening we went to Ash Cave and had the place to ourselves, i would recommend that rather than going in the daytime hours.
Written April 7, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Mitchell M
Tampa, FL593 contributions
Hiking and Scenery
Solo
A great State Park! I was in Columbus for work and had a morning off. A friend had told me about this park and I'm all about exploring and doing hikes. I ended up doing to yellow trail to Cedar Falls and then hiked the blue trail from Cedar Falls to the Victor's Center which I believe had the upper falls and old man's cave, then I took the Red Gorge trail back to the Cedar Falls parking area. In total, I believe it was a 6 mile hike. If youre not up to doing a lot of hiking, I'd recommend parking at the Visitor's Center and taking the trail down the tunnel to the Upper Waterfalls and Old Man's Cave I believe. Then drive to Cedar Falls and take the short hike down to see the Falls. Be sure to take a short hike on the red trail to wooden Bridge. I was pressed for time, but Ash Cave is close by also. You can actually do a big circle, if your coming from Columbus, take a left before the Vistors center and follow the signs to Cedar Falls, then leave Cedar Falls and go to Ash Cave, then take a right and go back to the Visitor's Center. Unfortunately due to covid the Vistors Center is closed. Beware youre GPS signal will be lost. Leaving Ash cave, you'll come to a dead end and go go right or left, go right, there's a Marathon gas station on the right, follow that and it will take you to the Vistors Center. The Hocking House is near by also and looks pretty interesting. I didnt go inside, but it looks like you need to set up an appointment to visit it. I'm sorry I missed the Devils Bath. Some of the Falls are dry right now, some people i was working with said to go in the Fall when the Falls aren't dry. Ill have to make a trip back. Don't forget to bring water and wear shoes your not afraid to get a little muddy.
Written September 1, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
lisa renee
Grove City, OH73 contributions
Obsessed with this Place!
Old Man's Cave is awesome - I love hiking from Upper Falls to Rose Lake and on to Cedar Falls........I hiked a little around Rose Lake this time as well. I have lost track of how many times that I have been here. Rock House is one of my favorites! (Don't forget your flash light for Rock House). Cantwell Cliffs is neat too. I like Ash Cave and Conkle's Hollow also. After you work up an appetite hiking stop at Grandma Faye's for pizza and wine!
Written October 9, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
j b
Kalamazoo County, MI306 contributions
We don't tire of this gem.
This was our second time at Hocking Hills and we have not tired of it. We stayed in one of the park's cabins. They are clean and spacious and reasonably well appointed (fully furnished, but a little spotty in kitchen ware). This time we took in Cedar Falls (highly recommend), Rock House (ok), and Rose Lake (beavers and tadpoles). Our stay coincided with the new moon so we walked over to the John Glenn Astronomy Park after dark one evening. Local aficionados with telescopes were set up, but we enjoyed the sky with just our naked eye. Put Grandma Fayes nearby on your agenda for ice cream after a hike.
Written September 14, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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