If you aren’t from Ohio, I know what you’re thinking: Vacation in Ohio means amusement parks, Cincinnati Reds baseball games, and the beaches of Lake Erie. If you are a Buckeye State native, I apologize, but I’m about to reveal a fact you’ve been trying to keep secret: The best vacation spot in Ohio isn’t Cedar Point, a big city, or a Great Lake. The best vacation spot is in Hocking Hills, in the southeast corner of the state. Are you surprised?
What is Hocking Hills?
Hocking Hills is a region located in Hocking County, in southeast Ohio. The landscape of Hocking Hills is different from anywhere else in the country. It contains sandstone rock formations created many thousands of years ago by glacier runoff and tectonic plate movements. These unique rock formations, including the popular Old Man’s Cave, are today part of Hocking Hills State Park, which consists of six distinct areas encompassing nearly 2400 acres.
Who Vacations in Hocking Hills?
This one is easy: Everybody! Hocking Hills is ideal for family vacations, weekend getaways, romantic getaways, and more. Travelers looking for everything from an overnight jaunt to a week-long escape will find what they want here.
When is the Best Time to Visit Hocking Hills?
Hocking Hills is amazing at any time of year. Winter travelers can hike on snow-covered hills, spring brings blankets of wildflowers, summer is perfect for boating and swimming, and the fall foliage can’t be beat. So, when is the best time to visit Hocking Hills? Right now!
To see what is happening in Hocking Hills this year, check out our ultimate guide to Hocking Hills events.
What Does a Hocking Hills Vacation Look Like?
There is no such thing as a typical Hocking Hills vacation—the region has great vacation potential for nature lovers, families, couples, and more. One of the top reasons to visit Hocking Hills is to hike in Hocking Hills State Park. From the short, wheelchair-accessible trail in Ash Cave to a six-mile stretch of the Buckeye Trail, the park offers plenty of options for beginning and seasoned hikers alike. And of course, you should plan on taking the one-mile trek to Old Man’s Cave, which is the park’s top tourist spot.
Even if you aren’t a hiker, Hocking Hills has a lot to offer, including geocaching adventures, world-class ziplines and canopy tours, wildflowers and wildlife, antique shops, museums, swimming, hunting and fishing, and much, much more!
No matter what type of vacation you are into, there is one thing you don’t want to miss: the cabin experience. Hotels are generic and can be expensive, and they don’t offer much in the way of amenities. Hocking Hills cabins can accommodate everything from couples to groups of 20; they are easy on your wallet, so you can spend more of your vacation money on activities; and many come with amenities like private hot tubs and games rooms, which you definitely won’t find in most hotels.
This year, skip the big cities and the amusement parks and come see the real best vacation spot in Ohio! Start planning your trip today.
Photo Credits: “Old Man’s Cave” by ForestWander [CC-BY-SA-3.0-us], via Wikimedia Commons; “Lower Falls Stairs” by By Yprahs [CC-BY-3.0], via Wikimedia Commons
