Hocking HillsWhere all the best roads lead . . .HIKE. STAY. PLAY. YOUR HOCKING HILLS ADVENTURE BEGINS HERE!

Does the park stay open all year?

Hocking Hills State Park and its hiking areas are open all year long, 365 days a year, and even all the holidays. It is open from dawn to dusk. The park does not stay open at night due to the dangerous cliffs—vehicles must be out of the parking lots by dark. Visitors must remain on the designated trails.

The park is too crowded. What can I do?

Yes, there are many complaints about the crowds at the park. The park has no real population control and during the weekends and many weekdays, people find themselves unable to enjoy the quiet and solitude of nature. Park areas are quieter in the early week and very early mornings. There are also many other parks and recreation areas to visit- Wayne National Forest, Hock-hocking Adena Bikeway at Hocking College, Lake Alma, Vinton County Parks, Lake Hope State Park, and Clear Creek Metro Parks are all great options. Plan ahead and have a backup of hiking areas if the trails are overcrowded. Make sure you find other park trails before traveling as it can be difficult to get cell phone service in some areas of the park.

   Hocking Hills Hiking Trails  is a book offering many trails in the Hocking Hills that are less crowded and how to access permit preserves with limited use!       

How do the trail systems work?

Hocking Hills State Park trails are designed with a one-way system to ensure your safety and protect the delicate ecosystem from the millions of visitors who hike the trails each year. Most trails run near cliff areas on narrow dirt paths, making it unsafe to pass opposing foot traffic. This system also helps prevent trampling and damage to the path so that an "extra lane" is not created along the trails, thus preserving any rare and endangered plant species within the park. Trail markers indicate the direction hikers can travel, and the trails loop back to the parking lots. Visitors in wheelchairs at Ash Cave and Conkle’s Hollow can turn around with their guide where the asphalt trail ends, while the rest of their family/group continues on the one-way loop. It's important to remember that once you start the trail, continue the loop for everyone's safety. This is a responsibility we all share!

In the regional nature preserves, hikers must stay on the trails and no pets are allowed.

Can I swim at Old Man's Cave or at other parks?

NO! There is NO swimming or wading in Hocking Hills State Park waterfalls, creeks, or natural bodies of water, except at the designated beach area at Lake Logan and Lake Hope State Park. Swimming in the natural waterways disrupts wildlife and is dangerous because of the cliffs and rocks and other matter falling with the water from the waterfalls.

When is the best time for Fall Colors?

It depends upon the weather and other factors. Some of the best colors are usually from the second weekend of October through the fourth.

What is the only true cave in the Hocking Hills park system?

Many believe that Rock House is the only true cave. However, it is a common misconception that Rock House is a “true cave.” It is not. A true cave is something when entered, “extends beyond the zone of light,” is eroded from underground, and is most typically formed in limestone bedrock. All the caves in the Hocking Hills have large openings, are formed in sandstone, and are more correctly defined as recess caves.

Are there wheelchair and stroller accessible trails?

Yes, Ash Cave is accessible by wheelchair/strollers as is Conkle’s Hollow, lower trail.

Can I get cell phone service at the park?

Some cell phone services are not available at the park and in remote areas of Hocking and Vinton County. There is WIFI access at the Visitor Center.

If you are booking a private cabin in the area, make sure you get a personal, off-hours phone number for the cabin owner if you get lost finding your rental. Ask for specific directions to the cabin (many cabin owners do not live in the area and will be unavailable if you arrive later in the afternoon or evening). GPS can be tricky here. There are hundreds and hundreds of private cabin rentals, and most areas of this section of southern Ohio do not have cell phone service. Park employees do not have access to personal cabin information, and local travel and visitor bureaus typically close at 5:00 p.m.