LilyFest Hocking Hills
Each July, LilyFest brings gardeners, photographers, and nature lovers to a beautifully landscaped three-acre property near Rockbridge, Ohio — a short drive from the Hocking Hills cabins. It's one of the most distinctive annual events in the region, and well worth planning your stay around.
The festival takes place at 13200 Little Cola Road, near Rockbridge, Ohio. It started in 1992 when Bobbi and Bruce Bishop opened their home gardens to the public, and it's grown steadily since. Today, over 70 area artists display and sell their work across the rolling, wooded grounds. Pools, waterfalls, sculptures, and a bamboo alley are woven through the landscape. The lily pond is the centerpiece — lily pads stretch across the water while dragonflies and bees hover above, making it a favorite spot for photographers.
Accessibility is taken seriously. Golf carts run from the parking lot to the gardens, and special tours are available for visitors with disabilities so everyone can move through the grounds comfortably.
Gardeners get a lot out of the event beyond the scenery. OSU Master Gardeners and Ohio Certified Volunteer Naturalists are on hand to answer questions about plant growing, maintenance, and pest control. Short classes run throughout the festival, and you can browse garden supplies, catch the butterfly exhibit, and talk directly with the artists and craftspeople showing their work.
Food vendors are on site, so no need to eat before you go. Admission is free and open to the public, though donations are appreciated. Check the official site for this year's dates and any updates before you visit.
