Hocking Hills Information?

Hi snowrooster
What we loved about Hocking Hills was the hot tub on our front porch with trees all around for privacy! We only did one hike at Old Man's Cave and it is so worth spending your time at: http://www.hockinghills.com/parks/p_omc.htm We took groceries and did our own cooking so can't recommend restaurants. Happy Anniversary! enjoy that hot tub! Be sure to take wine!

cd - Our cabin has a hot tub so I will definitely be looking forward to that. I figured we'd be paying $300 just for a little room in Santa Fe and in Hocking Hills we get a full cabin w/hot tub, porch swing, and pool table for under $200. It is our one trip we take every year w/o our kids so it should be very relaxing. We plan to do the hike to Old Man's Cave so I'm glad to hear you enjoyed it.

snowrooster
Our cabin had a family of racoons that visited at night. We would leave the hot tub at about 10:00pm and they would then come on the porch for any fallen food. The second night we were there, they put their noses on the sliding glass doors and looked at us (we turned the porch light on) so, not a good thing probably, but we would feed them. I think that's what they were used to.

You probably already know this, but it is a very limited area as far as restaurants and activities other than nature. A friend who was told this before visiting still expressed amazement at how "uncommercialized" it is.

Did you know that you can have a chef come to your cottage and prepare a meal for you or have a massage done in your cabin?

You can print out the trails from the web site. We have hiked the main trails at all 6 areas. They are all unique. Ash Cave is a very short trail, but you can continue on and walk above the cave which I would definitely recommend -- it takes you back to your starting point. I don't think you would be wrong with any of those trails you pick. We walked all of them in 2 days. I know someone who has used stables there and will ask who she used and what trails she went on.

The specific Inns have restaurants (and online menus), but we never ate at any of them either. In fact, last time we had our dog and didn't want to leave him, so just got carryout from Bob Evans. Loved the hot tub. Ours had a hummingbird feed next to it)

Hi snowrooster
My husband and I spend a long weekend in the Hocking hills every fall or winter for relaxation.

The best hike in my opinion is Old Man's Cave to Cedar Falls. This is a several miles hike in the woods and is just beautiful. We used to take our children there when they were young and hike with them. We all have such fond memories of the area.

Dining is very limited in the area. We usually take our own and cook at the cabin, however the Inn at Cedar Falls is lovely. Food is good. There is another restaurant we enjoyed last year and it was located across the road from Ash Cave. The name was Grouse Nest.

If you are into antiques there are several nice stores in a small town near the Hocking Hills. I beleive the name is Lancaster, Ohio. Also in the town of Logan there are a couple of nice antique stores.

Enjoy your anniversary!!

I have also heard that the Grouse Nest is good though I have not experienced it first hand.

For horseback riding info, visit unclebucksstable.com. My husband and I went there a couple of years ago and had a wonderful time. If memory serves, it is near Lake Hope which may be somewhat south of Old Man's Cave but definitely worth the trip. They have a small restaurant/bar and a dance barn. We were there in the daytime so there wasn't any music or dancing happening at that time. The riding trail we were on was beautiful and scenic, through forest and some mild hills. I think our ride was an hour. I'm sure if you visit their website you'll find something to meet your needs.

Hiking is also beautiful there but I don't have a specific trail to recommend. There are many cliffs and slippery rocks on the hikes I've taken there--just keep a heads up!

Have a great time an dpost your experience!

The Grouse Nest is also good & they typcially have music on the weekends. For snacks stop by Grandma Fayes, right past Old Mans Cave. If you go up to the Old Mans Cave lodge, they also have a nice pool up there that for a few bucks you can use for the day. I know the Inn at Cedar Falls has some massage & what not available but we've not done that yet. (We go over every year over XMas & leave the kids in McArthur w/the Grandparents.) Conkles Hollow is my favorite hidden walk, take both the rim trail & the flat trail that goes straight into the gorge. Let me know if any more questions pop up. There are usually a number of nature type things going on all summer. Check w/the Park/Ranger station at Old Mans. I probably have some old posts on here under my old moniker as well - aka SAnParis. Enjoy!

Thanks everyone! I'm compiling this information today into a spreadsheet so if anyone has any additional tips, let me know!!

Ahhhhh enjoy, its the best place in the world We took our honeymoon there 5 years ago and have been every year at least since ( its only 1 hour away but feels like a world away)Grouse Nest and Cedar falls for dinner out would be best bet. Grandma Fayes is the only market unless you want to drive down the hills into town about 20 min away. Grandmas is great though and have everything you could need.Theres a wonderful Wind Chimes shop and a store that sells all things Christmas, I wouldnt miss the wind chime shop. Csnt think of the name right now but I will find it. Any local there would know how to get there. Ash Cave is a very nice little hike, drive the country roads and search for covered bridges and old Tobacco Pouch painted barns. Theres a state ran lodge you can swim at and grab a cheap decent meal at and in their lobby theres usually local art on display and for sale.Theres also a castle of sorts, its a B&B bt is pretty and serves a great lunch ( ask at Grandma Fayes how to get there, its called Ravenswood I think) at the bottom of the hill that is on theres a farm that has buffalo ( or did) odd seeing those big creatures in Ohio lol. Overall you will love it...LOVE Be prepared for a family of raccoons and since its spring at least one family of cats and kittens. We always feed them both cat food, probably shouldnt have but they seemed so used to it. If you leave your cabin porch door open do not be surprised if you find a few racoons and several cats in the cabin. Once while we were out grilling we came back in and there was at least 6 different animals inside lol. Have a wonderful loving time

For anyone else who comes across this thread in planning a similiar trip, I discovered in my research there is a new BBQ place in Logan that looks pretty good (we don't have much good BBQ in Ohio). Here's a link (I'll post a trip report when we return):
http://www.millstonebbq.com/index.asp

Enjoy your trip, in the backyard of my youth. Ravenswood Castle is near McArthur & is nothing special. Don't waste your time. There is also some good rafting/canoeing in the area as well. Not sure how your traveling but I would take SR 32 (all 4 lanes from Cincy to 93 North). You'll see the signs for the caves at the Caution light. That way you could stop in Wellston or McArthur for groceries on your way. Otherwise, you would need to drive into Logan upon arrival.

Thanks, SAnParis. We will be there for 3 full days so I'm thinking one day we'll go horseback riding (I see there are several stables that offer this - is one more popular/better than others?), one day we'll go canoeing, and one day for hiking. The cabin we are renting is close to Old Man's Cave and that seems to be pretty popular so I'm thinking we will definitely do that. I need to look at a map - how far is downtown Logan from the Old Man's Cave area? I saw there are several deli's on Main St and we like to get sandwiches to take on our hikes, but if it's too far out of the way maybe well just keep groceries in our cabin (though I prefer to do no cooking at all on vacation - not even making sandwiches!!!).

It will take you 20-30 minutes each way to Logan or McArthur. You can get sandwiches & essentials @ Grandma Fayes. I'm not sure if there is still a restaurant in the Old Man's Cave Lodge or not. There is also a Hocking Hills magazine that you can pick up that should be helpful. I would probably go w/The Hocking Valley Canoe Livery for that + I think they have a night trip that may be interesting. Try www.1800hocking.com &/or www.heartofhocking.com. There is also a pretty good diner in McArthur. I'd probably just stop at the grocery on my way in or out as food & beverages can be difficult to come by. Enjoy ! & make sure to take your camera.

SR - Are you taking 32 or up to Columbus & back down ?

I haven't mapped out the route - will likely just enter the address of where I need to meet the guy renting to us into the GPS in the car! We will likely take whichever is the most direct route. I did request the official visitors guide through the official hocking hills website yesterday so I'm sure that will have some maps in it as well.

Although it probably isn't far in mileage, it can get tedious driving into Logan just to get sandwiches. We didn't cook at all, but we took snacks, drinks, lunch meat, etc. with us in a small cooler. (bought the stuff at the grocery before we left).

As already said, there aren't too many places to buy this stuff, except for small towns nearby (and I do mean small). And you're driving on 2 lane country roads.

We've gone both ways and it seems more direct and a little faster to go the I71 route.

You can always stop at the Dairy Queen in Logan.

Ohio Ceramic Center located on SR-93, Roseville/Crooksville is worth a few hours of your time....

http://www.ohiohistory.org/places/ohceram/

Ah, the Dairy Queen in Logan -- that was where I had my first MooLatte. As I remember, there is a rather large grocery type store next to it.

Yes, to the right if you are facing the DQ. I am a Blizzard person myself.

Although it's not cheap, they are very private and spotless. They are a family owned business and have built the cabins on their own property. We have stayed here at least one weekend every year for the last five years.
http://www.bearrun.com/

I received the vistors guide in the mail a few days ago and it is very well done. I can see where the cabin we are renting is located in relation to everything on a great map they have (it appears we are between Old Mans' Cave & Logan - very happy with this location!).

I think we will bring groceries/snacks from home but since we are kidfree we still plan to eat out a bit while we are there. Any good spots for breakfast for a big day of outdoor fun? It looks like there are several restaurants in Logan for dinner. We are planning on having dinner at Inn at Cedar Falls on our actual anniversary - is this a good choice?

Finally, anyone done one of the repelling/rock climbing outings in the area? I've never done this before but have always wanted to try it!!

In my opinion the Inn does have the best food in the area. That is where we typcailly stay. Can't help w/breakfast though. The Grouse Nest is also pretty good, particularly if they have music. More informal & less romantic - but the music is typically pretty good.

Snowrooster - We're heading up that way tomorrow, if there is anything specific you have questions on, I can probably check it out for you.

We were in the Hills several days ago. Stopped by The Wilds yesterday morning before continuing on to the north.

http://www.thewilds.org/

I would suggest the open air tour not as confining as the A/C bus tour..

SAnParis - I can't think of anything specific, but if you have any additional tips I'd love to hear them!

We just returned & I hope they get some rain soon. Many of the Waterfalls are dried up, or reduced to a trickle of their former selves. Strangly enough, when I was last there in the Winter, there was probably more water than I had ever seen. We did the top loop @ Conkles Hollow. Still a great birds eye view once you get up there...just don't let the first 1/4 mile that is steps, & straight up, discourage you. Ash Cave is still my fave for picnics. The weather was very temperate (low 70's) so we did more hiking than we thought we might (since we were expecting 90's). Enjoy !!

Topping for arbutusbeach - more recent thread on Hocking Hills!

I called Inn at Cedar falls and asked about the dress for the restaurant - I was told casual. Is that correct? It looks a bit more elegant.

I might go as far as khakis, but I've been in there w/jeans, a sweater & hiking boots in Winter. Don't sweat it.

I was wondering if anyone knows the drive time from Cleveland?

And has anyone been to the Glen Laurel (stayed there or had dinner there)?

Thanks!

I think from Cleveland, Hocking Hills would be around 4 hrs. And I think if you do a search above you will get info on Glen Laurel. It seems to me I remember reading some negetive comments here.

Depends on what part of Cleveland but 4 hours give or take would be my guess. There was some freakazoid on here a couple of years ago ranting about the Glen Laurel. I think she posted on every Ohio thread at the time. If you do a search on Glen Laurel, I'm sure you'll find it. Location-wise Glen Laurel is not that close to the main attractions of Hocking Hills, although it is fairly close to Cantwell Cliffs. My first choice would still be the Inn at Cedar Falls.

Ha, yes I saw the "freakazoid's" (one of my own personal favorite words also) posts...

4 hours seems far, when there are places in PA and NY that are closer.

You'll not likely find the natural beauty of Hocking Hills in Pa. or NY (in a 4 hour radius of Cleveland) unless you venture up to the Finger Lakes region.

bookmarking... We're considering a trip to Hocking Hills in the fall. Would love to see a trip report from snowrooster!

SAnParis -
I was thinking of Letchworth State Park (Grand Canyon of the East they say) in NY, which is under 4 hours for me. Or the mountains in PA etc.

I would like to go to Hocking Hills as well though, but that is sad about the waterfalls due to this horrible drought.

Do you think they will be ok in October, if we get our rain back?

Spring & Winter is better. Winter due to the ice & Spring due to the ice melting. I was there this past January & there was more water than I had ever seen (in 40+ years). When we were there in June, there was hardly any. They have a Winter hike over MLK weekend that is very cool, but it can also be cold, or muddy, or icy or who knows in January.

I just posted my trip report. Honestly, I don't think you should plan your trip worrying about the waterfalls. We didn't see anything but a trickle but the rock formations/caves are really what is amazing. I've seen pictures of the waterfalls and while they are lovely, they don't seem totally unusual whereas the caves are unlike anything I've seen before.

Just returned from Hocking Hills (07-24-07). We spent 3 days 2 nights at Glen Laurel and was very pleased with our stay in a cottage. The grounds are lovely, the food was tasty, the ambiance was perfect. Needless to say we enjoyed ourselves.

We did walk the gorge at Glen Laurel and it was very dry but still beautiful.

We also walked/hiked Old Man's Cave. We arrived around noon and there were several groups there too, many with young children. The falls were dry but we did get some neat pix.

Hocking Hills is definately worth the trip but if you can wait till the fall or spring that would be the perfect time to go to see the many falls.

topping for marksfour

Thanks WannabeinaMonsterra! I called Glenlaurel and they have only 1 room left since there will be a conference going on. Do not know if we want to be the only non-conference folks on site
Will check out Inn @ Cedar Falls.....You are right, Hocking Hills is so much closer and a stop in Lancaster to browse around would be nice

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Hocking Hills is wonderful. My husband and I went there a few years back for our anniversary. We rented a cabin and took our dog. She had a blast and we enjoyed the hot tub. What a wonderful place to enjoy the scenery and each other. Would love to go back there again and do absolutely nothing! Enjoy it!

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