Hocking Hills

Overview

The Hocking Hills are a wooded group of hills in eastern Ohio known for their beauty and display of fall colors. They provide a pleasant excursion from Columbus, Ohio being about 50 miles to the southeast. The area consists of small hollows and box canyons and I have the recollection that there is at least one point from which no houses can be seen-a rather unusual condition in Ohio. The attractions include Old Mans cave, Cedar Falls, Conkles Hollow and other areas of interest. The Hocking Hills region is located in southeast Ohio. Rivers and streams snake through the little canyons flanked by soaring sandstone cliffs. Thick forests are the habitat to a diverse number of animal species and plants. Tens of thousands of acres of state parks and state and national forest offer fun hiking and interesting topography, as well as quiet places for relaxation. Conkles hollow was named for W.J. Conkle who left his name and the date 1797 carved into the sandstone on the west wall of the gorge. Conkles Hollow is a state nature preserve operated by the state of Ohio. The park was started by 1924 with the purchase of 146 acres centered at Old Mans Cave by the state of Ohio. The present day park consists of 2356 acres in which one can camp, hike, fish and within certain parameters rock climb and rappel.

Getting There

Follow U.S. Route 33 southeast from the Columbus Beltway (I-270 at exit 246) through Lancaster, Ohio and beyond toward Athens. Leave Route 33 for route 664 heading south. The remaining details are below and if followed will allow you to arrive at the Cedar Falls Inn.

Summary: 48.4 miles (1 hour, 4 minutes)

Time Mile Instruction For Toward
9:00 AM 0.0 Depart I-270 Exit 46B on Ramp (West) 0.2 mi US-33 / Lancaster
9:00 AM 0.2 Bear RIGHT (East) onto US-33 16.5 mi
9:19 AM 16.8 Turn RIGHT (South) onto US-33 [Columbus Lancaster Rd NW] 4.1 mi
9:25 AM 20.8 Turn LEFT (East) onto US-33 [N Memorial Dr] 1.0 mi
9:26 AM 21.8 At 103 S Memorial Dr, Lancaster, OH 43130, stay on US-33 [S Memorial Dr] (South) 16.4 mi
9:46 AM 38.1 At US-33 SR-664 Exit, bear RIGHT (South) onto Ramp 0.2 mi
9:46 AM 38.3 Merge onto SR-664 (South-West) 9.7 mi
10:03 AM 48.0 Continue (West) on SR-374 0.4 mi
10:04 AM 48.4 Arrive Inn at Cedar Falls [21190 State Rte 374, Logan, OH 43138, Tel: (740) 385-7489]


SUMMARY
Driving distance: 48.4 miles
Trip duration: 1 hour, 4 minutes
Driving time: 1 hour, 4 minutes
Cost: $2.54

Routes

Ninety-nine acres of forest land have been set aside for rock climbing and rappelling. The area is located on Big Pine Road, one mile east of Conkle's Hollow. A parking area is within easy walking distance of the rock and cliff face. There you will find excellent terrain for this growing sport. Be sure to use quality equipment and climb with experienced people.If you have information about this mountain that doesn't pertain to any of the other sections, please add it here.

Red Tape

State park regulations apply

Camping

Hocking Hills

Hocking Hills State Park
19852 St. Rt. 664 South
Logan, Ohio 43138
Park Office (740) 385-6842
Reservations (740) 385-6841

Hocking Hills Campground Rates

RATE: Apr. l to Oct 31 Nov.1 to Mar.31

Electric Sites (159 sites) $21 $19

Non Electric sites

(site/181-93 only) $18 $16

Pet camping (all camping sites but not camper cabins or cottages and limit two domestic pets/site)

The following facilities in the family campground are available to our guests (including group/ walk-in areas):

Year-round amenities: Two playgrounds Amphitheater Water pumps.

Weather

Flora and Fauna

The floor of Conkles Hollow contains large Tulip and Hemlock trees. Oak, ash and sycamore (Plane Trees for Euro folk) and hickories will rival these for height. Partridgeberry, teaberry and canadian yew (taxus) are shrubs that live farther north but manage to live in the coolness of the gorge. Orchids are found in the gorge as well.

Deer, wild turkey, raccoons, squirrels and a large number of birds and owls are prolific in the Hocking Hills. And recently, black bears and bald eagles have been sighted in the area

Images

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