Looking for a beautiful spot to spend time in nature with kids? Try this list of the Best Hikes For Families in Hocking Hills, Ohio!
We recently visited Hocking Hills, Ohio for the first time. This scenic spot has been on my radar for years. Known for its remote location, beautiful cliffs and waterfalls, it really is the dream for any nature lover.
Words cannot express how beautiful it is either!
I mean…Who knew Ohio of all places could look so much like a magical land where fairies live?
With a four-hour drive one way, we opted to spend two nights. If I could do it over again and had budget for it, I would’ve preferred 3 nights so we could squeeze in all the trails I wanted to at my kids’ pace.
We made the most of our two nights though, and I’m sharing thoughts on the hikes we did. Keep in mind we had both our dog and kids – ages 7, 9 and 11. All of the trails we did are pet-friendly.
I do know a lot of folks baby carry on the trails, but I honestly can’t imagine doing that – LOL. They were challenging not carrying someone! For most trails, I’d recommend ages 5+ for agile/active kiddos.
Best Hikes For Families in Hocking Hills, Ohio
Rock House | 0.8 miles
Bathroom: Outhouse
Level: Moderate/challenging loop
This is the only true cave in the park, and its magical ambiance did not disappoint. My daughter loved it so much she was inspired to write a story about all its nooks and crannies where both pioneers and criminals have taken shelter. The natural sandstone “windows” are so cool!
The section beyond the rock house and back toward the parking lot is challenging as it has some steep hills to climb. Get ready for a nice leg workout 😉
Cantwell Cliffs | 1.8 miles
Bathroom: Outhouse
Level: Moderate/challenging loop
This one was stunning with a waterfall and some major views throughout. The narrow/steep stairs are so neat to see — photos don’t do it justice! This felt like the most dangerous loop we did during our visit. Lots of steep drop-offs and hills to climb.
Old Man’s Cave | 1.8 miles
Bathroom: Indoors – at the visitor’s center and open from dusk until dawn {the center itself doesn’t open until 10 a.m.}
Level: Moderate/Challenging loop
This is the most popular trail in Hocking Hills State Park, and for good reason. It’s stunning every step of the way. Despite it’s name, the actual “cave” portion was lame according to my kids…But the hike itself was far from that! Along the route there are two waterfalls and an area called the Devils Bathtub. Additionally, be on the lookout for a Sphinx face formed in the cliffs too!
This was our family’s favorite trail. Pack water and some snacks and prepare to be amazed. We had gotten the advice to get there early, so we arrived at 9 a.m. on a Monday and saw very few people along the trail. By the time we left, the parking lot was getting full. So definitely plan to start your day here!
Additionally, this is the location for the visitor’s center, which had tons of information about the rock formations and various trails throughout the park.
Ash Cave | 0.75 miles
Bathroom: Outhouse
Level: Easy
This is the only stroller/ADA accessible trail we did. The first part is paved and flat, making it easy. But following the inside of the cave were some major steps and drop-offs. {If you bring a stroller, you will miss a lot unfortunately.}
My husband and middle daughter said this was their favorite. It’s one of those places that make you feel like a tiny human on a giant planet.
Cedar Falls | 1 mile
Bathroom: This site has the best bathroom situation with real stalls and running water.
I think this was the most family-friendly trail we did. There were some neat spots to stop along the way to admire nature. We saw lots of kids trying to fish for crayfish and splashing in some of the water areas. We spotted a snapping turtle and some amazing dragonflies along the way, too.
Tips for Visiting Hocking Hills State Park
- There are not trash receptacles at the parks, so make sure to bring a bag. PLEASE do not liter!
- Packing food and water is a MUST. There are no restaurants or stores nearby.
- Footwear is important. I don’t think hiking boots are needed during the warmer months. My husband and I wore secure/supportive sandals because the ground was pretty dry, but that would’ve been bad if it was wet! The kids wore tennis shoes and those worked great. A friend visited during winter/early spring and said it was very slick and would suggest buying ice cleats to make climbing easier when wet/icy.
- Take photos of the trail map at the trail head. My husband did this every time to ensure we stayed on the correct path because some of the maps were worn out/missing.
- If you visit in summer, hike early in the morning. Not only will this help avoid crowds, but it’s also cooler. All of the trails were very shaded, so even with higher temps, the 80+ degree temps never seemed awful. Surprisingly we experienced NO bugs on our visit. Not sure why!
- You likely won’t have cell service around the parks. There is plenty of road signage to get to each trail, but just in case, make sure you download a map ahead of time. {We add the locations to Waze when we have service.}
- Download the iNaturalist app before you go. There were some neat mushrooms and bugs we haven’t seen before that we enjoyed identifying once we were in a Wi-Fi zone again.
Overall this was a beautiful trip, and I hope to visit again soon because there is so much we missed!
Surrounding Hocking Hills
While this is a tourist area, it hasn’t been taken over with tourist bologna too much — which is VERY appreciated! However, if you’re like us and traveling with kids who enjoy a little fun, there are a few options for fun. We enjoyed putt-putt and ice cream at Treehouse Treats and Treasures and getting pressed pennies at the Appalachian Arts & Craft Store. We also relaxed at the Hocking Hills Winery for a bit, which was a beautiful spot.
I’d love to experience zip lining, kayaking and spelunking on a future trip!
Accommodations
There are tons of cabins for rent on both Airbnb and VRBO, as well as campgrounds. We opted for a newer, modern house a little farther out and we absolutely loved our stay. See it here.
Overall, this is definitely a trip any nature-loving family should take…Even if it’s in Ohio 😉
If you’ve been to Hocking Hills, which trails are your favorites?
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