Hocking Hills State Park

Hocking Hills State Park and Hocking State Forest are the centerpiece of the Hocking Hills region in Southeast Ohio, in the United States of America.

Understand
A popular destination for day hikes, camping, climbing, and horseback riding, Hocking Hills State Park and the adjacent Hocking State Forest captivate the imagination with deep gorges, waterfalls, and recess caves. A short hike to Old Man's Cave, Ash Cave, Rock House, or Cedar Falls will make you feel like you cannot be in Ohio anymore, transporting you to a world that feels like something out of a fantasy novel.

History
The Hocking Hills received their name from the Hocking River, which passes several miles northeast of the park through the town of Logan. The river's name came from Shawnee words that translate roughly into "bottle river".

Old Man's Cave was named for Richard Rowe, a hermit who lived in the gorge during the mid-19th century. The gorge became a scenic attraction by 1870, and was purchased for preservation by the State of Ohio in 1924. Old Man's Cave along with five other non-contiguous state-owned areas became Hocking Hills State Park in 1949. Cottages and a dining lodge were opened in 1972.

A six-mile section of the Buckeye Trail (from the Upper Falls at Old Man's Cave to Ash Cave) was a favorite of famous hiker Grandma Gatewood.

Landscape
Southeast Ohio is covered by the foothills of the Allegheny Plateau, making the land rocky and rugged. The moderately wet climate has formed this geology into spectacular gorges with large recess caves, tall cliffs, and beautiful waterfalls.

Flora and fauna
The temperate and moderately wet climate of Southeast Ohio lends itself to a huge diversity of trees. The large number of hemlock trees were mistaken as cedars by early settlers, and provide a green backdrop for many gorges all year long. The abundant broad-leaf trees throughout the park offer a canopy of shade in summer and make for brilliant colors each fall.

It's not uncommon to see white-tailed deer in and around the forests. A wide variety of birds nest in the park, with the beautiful sounds of birds such as the hermit thrush enhancing the fantasy world feeling of the park's hikes through scenic gorges and past plentiful waterfalls.

Climate
Southern Ohio has four seasons, with moderately snowy winters, wet springs, hot humid summers, and mild autumns. Daytime temperatures from June to September usually range between 70 and 95 °F with overnight temperatures ranging from the 50s to low 70s. Daytime temperatures can slip below freezing from November to April, while overnight temperatures can drop below freezing from October to May. Hiking through the gorges can be rewarding no matter the time of year. Cool rocks and shade from trees moderate summer heat. Water flowing into the gorge freezes into interesting ice formations during the winter.

By car
Most of Hocking Hills State Park and Hocking State Forest is located along State Route 374. Old Man's Cave is the park's most popular destination, which is also where the park's ranger station, main campground, and visitor center are all located.

From Columbus, follow US-33 South to either State Route 374 South (for Cantwell Cliffs, Rock House, or Conkle's Hollow) or State Route 664 South (for Old Man's Cave, Cedar Falls, or Ash Cave).

From Athens, follow US-33 north to State Route 664 South or follow State Route 56 West to State Route 374.

Fees and permits
There are no entrance or day use fees to enjoy Hocking Hills State Park or Hocking State Forest. There are reservable picnic shelters and campsites available at modest fees.

Get around
As public transportation options are nonexistent, only a car and/or your legs will allow you to explore the park. Most of the park's attractions are located directly on State Route 374. Many major attractions are also connected by hiking trails throughout the park as well.

Hiking
Because of all of the cliffs, Hocking Hills State Park is only open during daylight hours. Rangers take staying on marked trails and out of restricted areas very seriously, issuing expensive citations to violators especially at the most popular areas of the park (the Old Man's Cave gorge, Cedar Falls, Ash Cave, and Conkle's Hollow). Often this is to prevent crowds of people from continuing to trample delicate flora or for pure safety reasons. While the park has gone to great lengths to make the trails extremely safe, people have suffered extensive injuries or death from falls off of the park's many cliffs. You may see a lot of people go off-trail to get a better view, climb on a rock or jump into the water, but it's not worth the very real risk of serious injury or getting a ticket!

Trails especially at the Old Man's Cave area are composed of bare sandstone. This provides excellent traction when dry, but can prove extremely slick when wet—so use extreme caution. Waterfalls are common sights and sounds on gorge trails in the spring, but some dry up or slow to a trickle late in May or in June. A good strong rain rejuvenates them for several hours.

Stay safe
Overt crime is uncommon throughout the Hocking Hills, so exercising basic common sense should keep you safe from other people. There are no animals of concern, although campers are wise to keep their food from being stolen by raccoons overnight.

The greatest dangers posed to life and limb are due to two things:
 * 1) Motor vehicles, as many parking areas ironically are not that pedestrian-friendly, and
 * 2) Rocks, and specifically cliffs. People have literally died getting too close to the edge, and most of those people were not on marked trails when doing so.

Rangers take staying on marked trails and out of restricted areas very seriously, issuing expensive citations to violators especially at the most popular areas of the park. You may see a lot of people go off-trail to get a better view, climb on a rock or jump into the water, but it's not worth the very real risk of serious injury or getting a ticket!

Campers at Old Man's Cave Campground are also wise to obey the speed limit. Besides rangers using radar guns to catch and cite violators, the campground is loaded with pedestrians and small children playing in the road.

Cities

 * Logan, home of the annual Washboard Festival and the nearest Walmart, just north on State Route 664 along US-33
 * Athens, a trendy and hip little college town, just south on State Route 374 and east on State Route 56 near US-33.
 * Lancaster, home to General William Tecumseh Sherman, a few small museums, and most major shopping, 35 minutes away and just north on State Route 374 or 664 and US-33.
 * Columbus, the nearest major city and Ohio's capital, one hour away and just north on State Route 374 or 664 and US-33.