Planning a vacation to Hocking Hills, OH? Be sure to add these must-see places in Hocking Hills to your travel itinerary for an unforgettable experience.
Visit Hocking Hills State Park
As Ohio’s most visited state park, Hocking Hills State Park is a gold mine of outdoor exploration and adventure. With 2,356 acres of stunning natural scenery, 300 miles of trails, and unique landmarks, there are several must-see places in Hocking Hills all within the park itself.
Ash Cave
Ash Cave is a popular area in the park that offers a gorge trail, upper rim trail, and a gushing waterfall. As the largest recess cave in the state, it is approximately one-fourth mile in length with a large overhanging ledge and cave shelter, making this structure seem larger than life.
Old Man’s Cave
Old Man’s Cave is the most visited attraction in the park. Named for the old man who once called this cave home, the area contains five sections: Lower Gorge, Lower Falls, Middle Falls, Upper Gorge, and Upper Falls.
Rock House
Rock House is the only true cave within the park. With a 150-foot Black Hand sandstone cliff, explorers enter through the 200-foot main corridor at 20 feet wide and 25 feet high.
Conkle’s Hollow Nature Preserve
The sandstone cliffs at Conkle’s Hollow rise 200 feet above the valley floor, making this one of the deepest rocky gorges in the state. Choose from two trails; the rim trail, and lower gorge trail, that take visitors high above or along the valley floor with the cliffs rising above.
Cantwell Cliffs
A bit more remote than the other popular spots in Hocking Hills State Park, Cantwell Cliffs rewards its visitors with some of the most beautiful views in the park. The rim trail at Cantwell Cliffs is one of the more challenging hikes in the park and takes hikers high up for incredible views, while the valley trail is less difficult and offers views of the massive sandstone cliffs.
Drive through Moonville Tunnel
The Moonville Tunnel became a part of the Marietta and Cincinnati Railroad in the mid-1800s. Due to economic hardships in the early 1900s, the town of Moonville became deserted and turned into a modern-day ghost town with the railway no longer passing through town. Part of the tunnel’s appeal is its local legends that still hang around after the town’s demise. The hauntings of a brakeman for the old railway, an engineer, a young woman who crossed the tracks, and a murdered man have made appearances over the years, still luring people into the small abandoned part of the world.
Visitors will find the tunnel by heading down OH-278 and turning on Hope-Moonville Rd. and follow a gravel road for several miles until meeting up the parking lot on the left.
Visit the Pencil Sharpener Museum
For a truly unique experience in Hocking Hills, visit the Pencil Sharpener Museum. The museum is home to more than 3,000 pencil sharpeners that owner, Paul Johnson, has collected over 20 years. The entry is free and is one of our favorite must-see places in Hocking Hills.
Hocking Valley Scenic Railway
Located near the Hocking Hills State Park, the Hocking Valley Scenic Railway is a local railroad attraction providing a unique way to explore the area’s beautiful landscape. Leaving from the Nelsonville depot, each train ride lasts for about two hours and completes a round trip ending back in Nelsonville. The ride takes passengers through portions of a 145-year old route that used to connect Southern Ohio with Columbus and Lake Erie.
Stay at Glenlaurel
One of the best must-see places in Hocking Hills comes with a stay at Glenlaurel. Our Scottish Country inn is located in the heart of Hocking Hills and provides a luxurious and peaceful retreat for travelers. Enjoy a comprehensive lodging experience consisting of charming rooms, welcoming staff, and world-class cuisine. Beyond our rooms and dining experience, our inn sits on 40-acres of land that includes beautiful scenic landscapes, hiking trails, a golf course, and so much more to complete your Hocking Hills vacation. Discover all that awaits you on your Hocking Hills vacation and book your stay with us today!