Hocking HillsWhere all the best roads lead . . .HIKE. STAY. PLAY. YOUR HOCKING HILLS ADVENTURE BEGINS HERE!
Hocking HillsWhere all the best roads lead . . .HIKE. STAY. PLAY. YOUR HOCKING HILLS ADVENTURE BEGINS HERE!
Daily Hikes to Monthly Events
July 19 Hike Jacob’s Ladder at Christmas Rocks 10 am
Join Division of Natural Areas and Preserves staff for a 3-mile hike around Jacob’s Ladder. To register call (740) 380-8918. Registration ends July 17 th . Hikers will be going up steep and uneven terrain. Wear proper hiking equipment. This is not a pet friendly program and there are no restrooms on site.
July 23
Old Mans Cave Hike 10 AM - Join park staff for a mile long hike through Old Mans Cave in celebration of our 100-year anniversary. Meet at the Visitor Center entrance.
July 31 Birding at Stages Pond 10 am Join Join Division of Natural Areas and Preserves staff for a 1.5 ADA hike through Stages Pond to search for birds! They will be practicing birding skills and going on the lookout for waterfowl and songbirds. To register, call (740) 380-8918. Registration ends July 29 th . Hikers are encouraged to bring binoculars, but staff have some to lend if needed. This is not a pet friendly hike.
Aug 10 Learn Your Land Hike at Boch Hollow 9 am Join Division of Natural Areas and Preserves staff for an approximately 3-mile hike through Boch Hollow to learn how to read your local landscapes. Register by calling (740) 380-8918. Registration ends August 7. Please be prepared for hilly terrain. There are no restrooms on site.
Aug 16 Darting Dragonflies at Kessler Swamp 10 am Explore the world of these fantastic fliers! Join Division of Natural Areas and Preserves staff for a meander along the edge of Kessler Swamp to spot these top predators and learn their role in the ecosystem. Register calling (740) 380-8918. Registration ends August 14. Be prepared to dress for the weather. There are no restrooms on site.
August 18 Recycled paper making 10 AM - Come out and make some recycled paper with park staff in Visitor Center. Be aware, you will have to let your paper dry and come back to pick it up, or take it home wet.
Aug 23 Late Summer Pollinator Gardens at Boch Hollow 10 am Join Division of Natural Areas and Preserves staff to learn how to encourage pollinators to your gardens! Discover how to start a pollinator garden and how to maintain it throughout the year! Register by calling (740) 380-8918. Registration ends August 21.
Aug 24 Saltpetre Cave Hike 9 am Experience a location like no other in the Hocking Hills region! Join Division of Natural Areas and Preserves staff for an exploration of Saltpetre cave, a permit only preserve, and discover the history of this unique location. Registration is limited to 10 participants. Register by calling (740) 380-8918. Registration ends August22. There are no restrooms on site.
Aug 30 Wandering Waterfowl at Stages Pond Hike 10 am Join Division of Natural Areas and Preserves staff for an approximately 2-mile hike at Stages Pond to witness wonderful waterfowl. Practice your birding skills with us and learn the difference between a Great Blue Heron and a Green Heron. Binoculars Register at: (740) 380-8918
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Night hike and ghost hunt at the famous Moonville Tunnel. Hikers will be walking an out-and-back section of the Moonville Rail Trail from Moonville to Ingham Station/Bear Hollow, along the way listening the local folklore leading to the ghost stories passed down by those who once lived along this particular path of the railway.
This time, we’re going to change it up a bit once we’re about halfway through that long dark section of the remote Rew Woods and hit the swampland of Bear Hollow. I got word there is something out there past the marshy swamp folks tend to avoid, some kind of wildling, something that’s been hollering out with a deep guttural and unearthly call. Well, we’re going to call it back and see if we can find out what all the fuss is about. We are going to try to find us the Wildling. Hikers must register prior to attend.
The dense woodlands surrounding McArthur are nestled within the expansive Wayne National Forest and Vinton Furnace State Forest. This remote and wild area is a magnet for outdoor enthusiasts, including hunters, hikers, and even those intrigued by the mysterious legend of Bigfoot. Over the years, there have been reports of people encountering the elusive creature in the area. Naturalist & Historian Pat Quackenbush will guide adventurers deep into a Vinton County Park District site, where they will embark on a quest to uncover evidence of Bigfoot and other nocturnal inhabitants that roam the area's trails.
Join author, folklorist, naturalist, and cryptid enthusiast Jannette Quackenbush on a night hike into a part of the vast Zaleski State Forest system known as Bear Hollow that is known for Bigfoot sightings. Along the way, she will tell local stories of the ghosts seen along the trail and of Bigfoot sightings in the surrounding forest. This is your chance to explore the nocturnal habitat of this elusive creature and perhaps gather vocal evidence or sightings on the return. After the hike, there will be a ghost hunt at the famous and haunted Moonville Tunnel. The hike takes about 30-40 minutes one way at a leisurely pace. However, the group moves steadily with a few short stops to hear the local ghost stories, so it may be too challenging for those with health issues, walking difficulties, or who are out of shape. It will be dark on the return. Bring a flashlight, light, and bug spray. Please note, no pets are allowed. Restrooms are only available at the nearby Lake Hope State Park, a couple of miles away.
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July 14 Snake Snacks- Lake Hope Nature Center 11:00 am - 12:00 pm Learn firsthand how a snake eats.
July 28 GONE CREEKIN' - Under the LAKE HOPE Dam Discover what lives in the waters between Lake Hope and Raccoon Creek. The spillway has undergone many changes in the past couple of years. See how recent construction has impacted the waterway and its inhabitants for the good or bad. Meet under Lake Hope dam. Prepare to get wet! Some nets are provided.
August 14 Wildflower Walk 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM Hope Furnace Located right on OH-278 between the Dining Lodge entrance and campground.
July 19 Bat Hike Registration required (614)508-8111. 7:45 pm Learn about bats and assist park staff and volunteers with a bat count. The total hiking distance will be 3-miles. This particular program will be difficult for young children due to the need to remain quiet and wait patiently during the count. Clear Creek Park Office
July 20 Backcountry Hike-Dog Friendly 10 am. Backcountry Hike-Dog Friendly Take a guided 3.5 mile dog friendly hike on public and backcountry trails. All dogs are required to be on a leash. Meet at the Park Office, 185 Clear Creek Road in Lancaster.
Free to the public. All Year Long.
Learn. See. Do. At Hocking Hills State Park.
At Ash Cave
There are seven major hiking areas in Hocking Hills State Park - All are one-way trail systems.
Ash Cave, Old Man's Cave, Rock House, Conkle's Hollow, Cedar Falls, Cantwell Cliffs, and Whispering Cave Trail. These park areas offer a unique experience for those who walk its paths no matter what season (the park is open year-round from dawn to dusk)—located on the southern edge of Hocking County. But those are just a handful. There are many hiking trails in the Hocking Hills include those at Wayne National Forest, Clear Creek Metro Parks, Lake Hope State Park, Vinton County Park District's Moonville Tunnel, and Hocking College's Robbins Crossing (with park programs) and the Athens Hock-Hocking Adena Rail Trail bikeway.