OHIO: sites & lodging around New Philly, Dover, Cambridge?

Does anyone here have any ideas? I've googled and researched but would appreciate first hand experiences.

You are not far from Salt Fork State Park that has an excellent public golf course.

You are 30 miles from Millersburg and many small Amish towns that many tourists enjoy visiting.

There's not much to do in Cambridge, except for Salt Fork State Park and Lodge. You are in the middle of Amish Country with some pretty scenery and good Amish cooking. Millersburg, Sugarcreek, Dover, New Philly, Berlin are all favorite places for us to take country drives.( Don't expect to dine at an Amish Restaurant on Sundays however, they are all closed.) Berlin is a quaint little town and home of Donnas's Premier Lodging which offers cabins, chalets, etc, We stayed there once a long time ago, many people go for a romantic evening with fairplace and jacuzzi. You could also stay at Atwood Lake Lodge, it's very close to Zoar. http://www.atwoodlakeresort.com/
and yes, you can do both Villiages in one day.
I can't recommend a restaurant cause I can't remember their names however just google Holmes County Amish Restaurants. This is a beautiful area of Ohio and if you want to take some great cheese home with you, shop at Heini's Cheese Chalet in Millersburg!

Dover is 100 miles from Pittsburgh. If you have not attended a game at the new Pirate Stadium, it's fantastic and downtown Pittsburgh has undergone a rennaisance with fine restaurants and museums.

Thanks, all! Good information.

Does anyone have first hand knowledge of Chillocothe, or Adena or Tecumseh? The more I read, the more I'm thinking of spending even a few more days. Thanks again.

Does anyone have first hand information on the Chillocothe sites? Or scoring a cabin in the actual Hocking Hills Park for less than a week?

Would appreciate any response, thank you.

Have no first hand knowledge of Chillocothe, however, Hocking Hills is wonderful! If you google Hocking hills you will come up with so many choices! There are literaly hundreds of cabins to choose from. WE stay for two nights and most people I know also stay, usually the weekend so I know less than a week is posible. Just choose one that is close to the hiking areas of Ash Cave, etc. and make sure it has a hot tub, course I think they all do. Here's an example: http://www.hockinghills.com/cabins.html

If you hike, I highly recommend the Ash Cave to Old Mans Cave and back trail. You can start at either destination. Will be one of the most beautiful you have experienced. Take a few minutes to rest at Cedar Falls.

Tecumseh is one of the better outdoor dramas that you will run across & the production is very good. http://www.tecumsehdrama.com/index.html Many places in Hocking Hills may require weekly rentals so you may have better luck during the week. The hike that stump mentions is 6 miles, each way, & is a duplicate of the annual Winter Hike. All of the places mentioned are good & easy walking. For something a little different, & with outstanding views, try the Upper Rim Trail @ Conkles Hollow. There are a couple of good recent threads on here re: Hocking Hills. Try vrbo.com for rentals. http://www.hockinghillspark.com/Conkles_Hollow.asp (you can also access the other hiking areas from this link)

Thanks all for your help. But I'm now more confused than ever. : - )

It was my understanding there was an actual park lodge with surrounding cabins within Hocking Hills, similar to the National Park Lodges. If so, that's where we'd prefer to stay. But where is it on line? Family in Ohio are also unsure. Will call later, time difference, but need to firm up plans soon.

If there's not a Hocking Hills Park Lodge, then how can one possibly choose from the abundance of availability? Its overwhelming the number of cabins available. And there's probably a difference between rustic and nice rustic; we prefer the latter : - ) Many also say 'secluded'; not really a feature we need with the kids along : - )

Thanks for your help thus far and please keep it coming!

The State of Ohio does not have a lodge or cabins in the Hocking Hills Parks. All rentals are from private operators.

Salt Fork near Cambridge, does have a lodge operated by the State Park system.

Near Old Mans Cave there is a Lodge w/a pool & about 40 cabins. I believe this is it. http://www.1800hocking.com/members/hocking_hills_state_park_cabins These are pretty rustic as I recall & your neighbors will be close. I'd still check on vrbo.com, particularly w/the prices listed here. You can still access the pool (which has lifeguards) for a small fee, if you like.

Thank you all again for your wonderful help. I greatly appreciate it.

SAnParis2, the lodge w/pool and cabins you mention sound ideal for our family. However, the link you posted brought up the extensive list of cabins. This one has Old Mans Cave in the name but their map shows them scattered around the area -

http://www.oldmanscavechalets.com/

Is that what you meant?

Still overwhelmed but feel I'm getting clsoer! : - )

When I pull it up, it shows as Hocking Hills State Park campground & cabins. If you get the big list, try searching for Hocking Hills. I'll see if I can find another way to it. Can't believe they don't have a website. The chalets are something different, try this link, 3rd paragraph down - http://www.hockinghillspark.com/Facilities_Hocking_Hills_State_Park.asp

Thank you very much, SAnParis2. That site seems to be the official listing and is very helpful. I agree that its surprising they don't have a specific website but I'm also surprised at the number of other state parks in Ohio, also.

Thanks again for your help!

travel
One of the really fun things for me is to search the cabins to find just that special one! Here is a pretty complete list: http://www.1800hocking.com/hockinghillscabinscottages