Can anyone tell me about Hocking Hills? We are thinking of going for a few days w/our young children. I've heard there is good hiking in the area - any of it short/easy for little ones? How about cabin rentals - is there a company you've gone through and can recommend? Restaurants in the area? Other family friendly activities? I saw Tecumseh years ago (very good) so we plan to do that for sure. Thanks!!

TTT

Snowrooster,
I live in Ohio, and Hocking Hills is my favorite part of the state. Wonderful hiking trails. There's are several short hikes, one I'm thinking of is to Ash Cave that's handicap accessible (just meaning that it's paved), and is beautiful.

I know there are MANY cabin rentals in the area. I'm sorry that I can't help much with that, especially with regards to those that are good for children. I will say that I ate at the Grouse Nest restaurant last year which is part of Ash Cave Cabins, and from the exterior the cedar vacation homes looked nice. The restaurant was good. Unfortunately not many restaurants in the area.

Thanks for the response. I'm actually in Ohio as well (Cincinnati) but have never been to Hocking Hills and thought it would make a nice family mini-vacation. It looks like Tecumseh is actually an hour+ away from Hocking Hills, so now I'm not sure that's doable.

I've found the Hocking Hills website VERY helpful, but there are SO many cabin rental companies it is hard to decide!

My husband and I camped at Hocking Hills state park last spring, and did a bit of hiking. Very beautiful area.

We camped, so we didn't rent a cabin; I would be tempted to rent at one of the state parks, probably Hocking Hills itself if I could get a cabin. I know Hocking Hills also has a pool for the campers & cabin renters in the summer, and maybe some other amenities, so that might be a fun place to stay.

We did the trail in Hocking Hills state park all the way from the end by Old Man's cave to Cedar Falls on to Ash Cave. But, there is also a parking lot with a short trail at each of these locations, since I don't think you want to do this whole long hike with small children. We also stopped by Cantwell Cliffs and Rock House, interesting hiking areas which are nearby. Check out the links on www.hockinghills.com for trail information, as well as other stuff. Do a web search, Ohio has a pretty good state park website, that could also help you out.

The only comment I might have about the trails, since you have young children, is that there are quite a few areas with gorges, mini-cliffs, and dropoffs, as well as water (pools, and a river along the Grandma Gatewood trail). Not to discourage you, we saw TONS of families and kids, but just to let you know what the geography is like.

I've lived in Ohio my whole life, and this really is one of the most beautful areas of the state.

Old Man's Cave Chalets seem to be a popular place to stay at Hocking Hills, but they do have a strict cancellation policy. We like Lake Hope State Park, which is nearby but less crowded. They have nice cabins and a lodge, plus a lake with a little beach. You can drive into Nelsonville and take the train ride and go on the Hockhocking bike path, which winds along the Hocking River. Athens would probably be cool to check out, and is about 45 min to one hour away from the park.

We went there a few years ago and loved it. It is a very large spread out area with no central eating/shopping place. We stayed in a motel near a very small visitor center and there was a Bob Evans and another restaurant there (I think they have added more since then). We did most of the trails and agree with what is written here. A friend went to Tecumseh either at the end or beginning of a vacation there and stayed that night at a motel near the play, so you might want to consider that. There are a ton of places to stay, each I think has a restaurant with it near each area of the park. I haven't stayed in any of them, but are planning to at some point soon, so I can't comment on them. I think the Ravenwood Castle looks like it would be fun especially with kids. I assume you have searched this forum, but if you missed the following:

Author: mwessel
Date: 05/06/2004, 01:09 pm
Message: In August of 2002, my husband and our two daughters and I spent a few days in Hocking Hills. We stayed at the Little Cola Cabins and it was totally awesome. It was a restored 1800's log home with a loft with two queen beds, had a cozy living room with fireplace, sofa bed, TV, vcr. Had a fully equipped kitchen, a claw foot tub with shower and fluffy towels. Had a hot tub (of course) and a hammock out back. Little Cola Cabins also had a smaller version of the one we stayed in which would be great for you and your fiance. It was a good location, convenient to all the parks and hikes we wanted to do. There are literally hundreds of cabins in the area, so check the websites for what looks good to you.

As for hiking, its all marvelous. Be sure to see Rock House, Old Man's Cave and Cantwell Cliffs.
mwessel

snowrooster

I grew up in the area and my family went camping at Top O' the Hills campground for as long as I can remember. The Hocking Hills covers a large area. Tecumseh isn't that far away, but it depends which part of the Hocking Hills you are going to. If you are going to travel route 50 from Cincinnati, it is 5-10 miles away from Chillicothe.

Almost anywhere in the Hocking Hills is worth visiting. My favorite is the Conkle's Hollow Nature preserve. There are several trails there. One is relatively flat and goes down the center of the hollow. Other trails follow around the upper edges.

I would suggest that you pack snacks and drinks for your trip. There are some good restaurants around and fast food in some of the larger towns, but it seems like when I get hungry there is never anything close enough.

For B&Bs, I've been to Ravenwood Castle and the grounds are beautiful. You can stay in the castle or in one of the outlying buildings. They have a nice tea shop and a couple of interesting stores. I don't know what the service is like because we didn't spend the night. I have also heard good things about the Glenlaurel Inn. They have a Scottish theme and I have friends that have been there several times.

Having grown up about 20 minutes from there, I'll add my 2c. The Inn @ Cedar Falls is excellent & also has excellent food. The afore mentioned Grouse Nest (just beyond Ash Cave is also good). For fast food & other dining, you're probably going to need to go to Logan, although there are a number of small convenience stores near by (Grandma Faye's just beyond Old Man's Cave, for example.)I would probably use the cabins at Old Man's Cave if I were choosing the Cabin route. Just because of the Lodge & pool. Most of the hiking is pretty easy, Cantwell Cliffs is probably the most difficult & the top ring @ Conkles Hollow you will probably want to avoid w/small children, although the views are awesome. Conkles Hollow is my personal favorite in summer, Cedar Falls in winter. I annually revisit these areas each year over Christmas w/my nieces, nephews & now my own children & we typically have the whole place to ourself. In summer Old Man's Cave will be busiest, Conkles Hollow & Cantwell Cliffs the least busy. If you are going to Tecumseh, I would either do that coming or going & just stay in Chillicothe. You may not like the drive back to the Hocking Hills area after dark.

Glen Laurel is wonderful, but is strictly adult. No children allowed in rooms, cottages, or dining area. I've stayed in Old Man Cave Chalets years ago, wasn't very impressed. The internet shows some that look better.

There is wonderful hiking. Ash Cave is so easy. Rock House is probably the most challenging hike out, but is still very doable.

My husband and I stayed in Hocking Hills, Ohio for Thanksgiving a few years ago. We stayed at Salt Creek Cabins. Here's the site:
http://www.saltcreekretreats.com/html/cabin.html

It's pet friendly too. The yurts are really cool also but we stayed in the cabins. The hiking is unbelievable, for Ohio.

These posts are rather dated...is there any new info about the area? We are most interested in seeing Tecumseh..but it looks as though there are much more sights to see around there.

Actually snowrooster started a new post titled Hocking Hills Information in June of this year if you want to type that in the search engine. Also, check out the web site:

http://www.hockinghills.com/

I've been to Hocking Hills for their annual bean soup hike (forget the name of the event, but a local group provides delicious bean soup & cornbread 1/2 way thru). Don't do that unless you like hiking with 2000 people! The front park of the hike is beautiful - lots of waterfalls, caves and varying bridges. Very heavily used park, however, and is well worn. The back part of the hike is relatively flat and not real interesting. HOWEVER...I recommend doing the first part of the trail because it is absolutely gorgeous and the kids will be amazed at what they will see (as was I, at 50!). I didn't stay overnight, but wish I had - it was a long haul, driving from Cleveland and then returning after dark. There are supposed to be cute shops in the area, but I didn't locate them.

Funny - I was reading the posts on this thread since we go next week and I'm thinking, why are all these people talking about doing things w/my kids, didn't I say dh & I are going w/o our kids for our anniversary?!? Then I realized it was an older thread. We never ended up going w/our kids (went to my inlaws lakehouse in TN instead since it was FREE and a better match for our budget at the time!). However assuming dh & I have a good time next week, I'm sure we'll go w/our kids at some point since it's not too far from Cincinnati.

The Winter Hike typically takes place over MLK weekend or thereabouts. It starts @ Old Mans Cave, goes thru Cedar Falls (where the soup beans & cornbread are served) & ends @ Ash Cave where they bus you back to the OlD Mans parking lot. 6 Miles in all. Beautiful if the weather cooperates.

Tecumseh is located north of Chillicothe. There isn't a great way to get from one to the other, but I would suggest taking (from Chilly) 50 to McArthur, then 93 north to the Hocking Hills area. It will be an hour give or take depending on where you are staying.

My parents took my brother & me to see Tecumseh when I was a kid and I loved it. I'm sure we'll go someday with our kids as well, but probably not on this upcoming anniversary trip. Thanks for all the tips - I workng on narrowing down our plans now (which hikes, canoe trip, etc). Seems the most popular hikes are to Old Mans Cave, Ash Cave, Conkles Hollow and Rock House. I need to get out my map!

Cedar Falls is one of my favorites particularly if there have been recent rains. It is very short. Cantwell Cliffs is the only other park & it will be the least populated & is not as scenic but is interesting. The steps that are cut between two large rocks is pretty dramatic & it is one of the tougher hikes. If you hit Conkles Hollow make sure you do the Rim Trail as well as the flat trail that goes into the Hollow. Enjoy. If you visit Old Mans, go first thing in the morning to beat the day-trippers from Columbus & such. By lunch time, it will be quite busy.

There had been no rain all summer here in southern OH, but we've finally gotten some in the past couple of weeks.

I have my trail maps printed out so I'm looking at trying to do as much as possible. We are going to hike one day, then canoe the next (we'll stop and see the natural rockbridge) and I'm thinking the last day we will go to Lilyfest in Logan. Evidently most of the local artists have booths there so we could see them all in one place. This would be a real treat w/o the kids and having to say "don't touch" every couple of minutes!

Have you heard anything about the restaurant Rhapsody in Nelsonville? I made reservations there for Sat night (my mom gave me an article about visiting the Hocking Hills are that recommends it). The head chef spent some time at Royal Sonesta in New Orleans (which is ironic since we've stayed there the past two years for our anniversary). I looked at the menu online and it appears much more innovative than the other restaurants in the area.