Weekend in Hocking Hills (Travel Guide)
Your Guide to the Perfect Weekend Getaway at Hocking Hills State Park!
Hocking Hills State Park is without a doubt one of our favorite spots in the Midwest. When we visited in November 2022, we were blown away by its beauty—filled with waterfalls, unique rock formations, caves, and more. And the best part? You can comfortably experience much of what the park has to offer in just two days! Although we only had one day and missed a few things on our list, we’re excited to share how we’d plan it all again.
If you're just looking for a quick itinerary and Google Maps locations, you'll find them at the bottom.
Our Visit to Hocking Hills
We visited Hocking Hills in November 2022, which isn’t the peak season. It’s usually too cold for comfortable exploring, but we got lucky with the weather. Originally, we were on a trip to Columbus, but since Hocking Hills was just a little over an hour south and the weather was warmer, we decided to visit. If you're planning a trip, we recommend visiting between late spring and early fall for the best experience. Since Hocking Hills has become quite popular, those spring or fall months are also ideal for avoiding the crowds.
During our visit, it rained, but that’s what made it unforgettable! Normally, rain can spoil a trip, but not at Hocking Hills. The rain made the waterfalls flow even stronger, and we discovered waterfalls in places where they usually wouldn’t be. So, in a way, the rain was a blessing. We also later learned that if you visit during the dry season, you risk not seeing some waterfalls at all.
Hiking Upper Falls to Lower Falls via Buckeye Trail
We began our day with a short hike covering some of our favorite spots in Hocking Hills. If you only have time for one activity, we highly recommend the Upper Falls to Lower Falls trail via the Buckeye Trail (link to AllTrails). This 1.2-mile trail is rated as moderate, but we found it fairly easy and manageable. The hike takes about 30 minutes, but we suggest giving yourself at least an hour to sit by the waterfalls and fully appreciate the area’s beauty. The Buckeye Trail is well-marked and mostly follows a downhill path, passing through a mix of forested areas and open spaces.
The trail takes you to several key spots, including the Upper Falls, Devil's Bathtub, Old Man's Cave, and Lower Falls. If you're up for a short detour, you can also check out Broken Rock Falls. The Upper Falls appears early in the hike and is one of the most picture-perfect spots, especially with the bridge above it. Continuing down the trail, you'll come across Devil's Bathtub, a fascinating rock formation that collects water. The trail then leads to Old Man's Cave, one of the most iconic spots in Hocking Hills, named after Richard Rowe, a hermit who lived there in the 19th century. This is one of our favorite spots because of the cave's sheer size. Finally, you'll reach Lower Falls, which is usually less crowded than Upper Falls, making it a great place to relax at the end of your hike.
Whispering Cave
After completing the Upper Falls to Lower Falls hike, we drove to Hocking Hills State Park Lodge & Conference Center, where we parked for the Whispering Cave hike. We had a little trouble finding the trail, and it was somewhat difficult to navigate at the time. However, this was the quickest route we found to reach the cave. Once we arrived, Whispering Cave became one of our favorite spots. Nestled in the hills, it felt incredibly calming. There weren’t many people around when we visited, so we spent some time relaxing inside the cave. Thanks to the rain, a waterfall was flowing right in front of us, and we sat behind it, enjoying the view.
Cedar Falls
After visiting Whispering Cave, we made our way to Cedar Falls. Cedar Falls features a nice, short 0.5-mile hike (link to AllTrails). It’s a full loop, and like the other hikes, we appreciated how well-marked the route was. This is the largest waterfall by volume in the Hocking Hills region, and thanks to the recent rainfall, the flow was even more impressive during our visit.
Ash Cave
Our last stop was Ash Cave. We parked in the Ash Cave parking area and walked a short 0.5-mile paved trail to reach the cave (link to AllTrails). What we loved about this trail was that it was wheelchair accessible, making it an experience everyone can enjoy. Ash Cave itself is massive and features a seasonal waterfall. We were lucky enough to see it flowing during our visit.
Wrapping Up
After finishing up at Ash Cave, we grabbed a quick meal at La Cascada Mexican Restaurant, where we ordered fajitas. Although the reviews were mixed online, we really enjoyed our meal. Finally, it was time to say goodbye. This was our first trip together, so it felt bittersweet, but we were sure we would be back for more!
Ready-to-Copy Itinerary
Day 1:
Hike the Upper Falls to Lower Falls Trail via Buckeye Trail (1.2 miles)
Broken Rocks Falls
Whispering Caves
Cedar Falls (0.5 miles)
Ash Cave (0.5 miles)
Spend the night in Logan, Ohio. Here are some stay options:
MainStay Suites Logan Ohio-Hocking Hills
Getaway Cabins | Hocking Hills Cabins and Cottages
Day 2:
Cantwell Cliffs (0.9 miles)
Rock House
Trail
Conkle’s Hollow
Chapel Cave
Food/Drink:
Google Maps List: https://maps.app.goo.gl/ftCc8K1qKkP38fLs5