What Makes Hocking Hills So Magical?

Just an hour southeast of Columbus lies Hocking Hills State Park, a stunning maze of sandstone cliffs, deep gorges, caves, and waterfalls carved over millions of years.
It’s one of those places that doesn’t feel like Ohio at all – more like you’ve stepped into the pages of a fantasy novel.

Hi, we’re Matt and Debi, and this is Rolling with the Curves. Even though our camper is “asleep” for the season, we’re definitely not!
On this trip, we left the RV at home and headed down to Hocking Hills for a hiking day with our trail-loving pup, Grizzly.

Hocking Hills: Ohio’s Wild Side

Hocking Hills has become one of the most popular outdoor destinations in the Midwest – and for good reason.
The park is carved out of Black Hand Sandstone, a rock formation that creates towering cliffs, narrow passageways, recessed caves, and formations that look almost otherworldly.

If you visited 10–12 years ago, you might remember Hocking Hills feeling a lot quieter.
Then the area started showing up on “best hiking” lists, got crowned a top hiking destination, and the crowds haven’t stopped coming since.
It’s great to see so many people outside, but if you like solitude, you have to pick your trails and timing carefully.

Rock House Trail: History, Cliffs & Echoes of the Past

For this trip, we skipped the wall-to-wall crowds at Old Man’s Cave (the parking lot was backed up to the highway!) and headed for
Rock House Trail, one of Hocking Hills’ most unique spots.

The Rock House itself is a massive recessed cave carved into a cliff – a natural shelter used by people and animals for centuries.
Today, you’ll find a beautiful stone shelter house near the trailhead, built by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in the 1930s.
This area was transformed into a recreation destination with picnic shelters and trails, replacing what once stood here: the Rock House Hotel.

The Rock House Hotel was a full-on resort for its time, offering:

• 16 rooms
• A post office
• A ballroom and library
• Stables and gardens
• A speakeasy (yes, really!)
• A ride-on model train, benches, and high swings where the lower parking lot is now

The hotel stood for nearly a century before it began to collapse. The Forest Service demolished it in 1925, and the CCC later reshaped the area into the park setting we know today.

Hocking Hills Trails: Something for Every Hiker

One of the reasons Hocking Hills feels so magical is the variety of trails.
The park isn’t just one area – it’s divided into several distinct sections:

• Old Man’s Cave
• Ash Cave
• Cedar Falls
• Rock House
• Cantwell Cliffs
• Conkle’s Hollow (nearby state nature preserve)

This means you can pick your adventure:

• Gentle, accessible walks for families and casual visitors
• Scenic, moderate trails for everyday hikers
• Rugged routes with stairs, cliffs, and narrow ledges for adventure seekers

No matter your pace or skill level, the Hocking Hills trail system has something for everyone.
We saw everything from little kids splashing in shallow streams to seasoned hikers weaving through narrow rock corridors.

Old Man’s Cave: The Iconic Heart of Hocking Hills

You can’t talk about Hocking Hills without mentioning Old Man’s Cave.
It’s named after Richard Rowe, a trapper and hermit who lived in the massive sandstone recess cave in the early 1800s.

Over millions of years, rushing water carved a deep gorge here, shaping:

• Towering cliffs
• Stone bridges
• Waterfalls and swirling pools

Today, Old Man’s Cave remains the legendary centerpiece of Hocking Hills – and one of the most photographed spots in Ohio.

Campground, Cabins & the New Lodge

Hocking Hills isn’t just about day trips – it’s also one of Ohio’s most popular camping destinations.
The Hocking Hills Campground offers:

• 169 campsites total
• 47 full-hookup sites
• 122 electric-only sites (20/30/50 amp)
• Sites that can fit RVs up to ~50 feet long

Amenities include:

• Modern shower houses and restrooms
• Laundry facilities
• A camp store
• Fire rings and picnic tables
• A playground
• Seasonal pool access
• Hiking trails that connect directly from the campground

Reservations are handled through the Ohio State Parks system and explorehockinghills.com, and sites tend to fill up fast in peak seasons.

Prefer a roof instead of a roof vent? Hocking Hills also offers a range of cabins – from rustic hideaways to modern stays with full kitchens, fireplaces, and private wooded views, many located just minutes from major trailheads.

The Lodge: From Tragedy to Renewal

In 2016, the original Hocking Hills Lodge was lost in a devastating fire, leaving a big hole in the heart of the park.
But in 2022, a brand-new lodge opened in its place.

The new lodge features:

• Panoramic windows overlooking the hills
• Warm timber-and-stone design
• Indoor and outdoor pools
• A full-service restaurant and bar
• Cozy gathering spaces
• 81 modern guest rooms

It’s a beautiful blend of comfort, convenience, and views – and a fantastic base for people who want a lodge experience instead of camping.

Grandma Gatewood & Hiking Legends

Hocking Hills is also tied to one of hiking’s greatest legends: Grandma Gatewood.
She famously hiked the Appalachian Trail multiple times in her 60s and beyond, becoming an icon of endurance and simplicity.

Here in Hocking Hills, the Grandma Gatewood Memorial Trail is a six-mile route that connects Old Man’s Cave to Cedar Falls and Ash Cave.
It’s a beautiful way to experience multiple park highlights in a single hike – and walk in the footsteps of a true hiking legend.

Grizzly, Cold Water & Trail Moments

If you’ve watched us before, you know Grizzly is basically our furry trail boss.
On this hike, he got plenty of attention from other hikers, soaked his paws in cold creek water, and tried to convince us that every dog we passed was his new best friend.

Between fogging camera lenses, slippery rocks, and “is the Devil’s Bathtub actually full?” moments, Hocking Hills kept us laughing – and humbled – all day.

How We End Every Great Hike: Pizza Crossing

No Hocking Hills day is complete, in our book, without a stop at Pizza Crossing in Logan.

As a Chicago native, Matt doesn’t hand out “best pizza” compliments lightly – but Pizza Crossing absolutely earns the praise.
There are two locations (Logan and Lancaster), and it’s the perfect way to refuel after a long day of hiking.

Creator Note: Cinematic Look with GoPro Log & Dehancer

Creator Note for the Video & Film Nerds:
About 90% of this Hocking Hills video was shot in GoPro Log and then color graded using Dehancer.
I leaned into a subtle film look – softer contrast, gentle halation, and a more organic color palette – to match the moody forests, cool gorges, and glowing sandstone.

If you’re into color grading, film emulation, or you just want your GoPro footage to feel more cinematic, Dehancer is absolutely worth a look.

• Check out Dehancer: https://www.dehancer.com
• Use our code CURVES10 for a discount!

We’re affiliates, which means you don’t pay extra, but we may earn a small commission if you use our link or code. It helps keep the cameras rolling and the adventures coming.

RV Life Tip: Keeping Things Fresh with Liquified

While this particular trip was a “camper’s asleep” hiking day, most of our adventures happen with our fifth-wheel in tow.
When we’re on the road, we rely on Liquified RV Toilet Treatment to keep things fresh and, well… not gross.

If you want to try it on your own rig:

• 
  Liquified RV Toilet Treatment – Affiliate Link
  
• Use code CURVES15 to save on your purchase!

Again, we’re affiliates – you don’t pay more, but your purchase helps support the channel.

Why Hocking Hills Feels So Magical

So what makes Hocking Hills so magical?

• Cliffs and caves carved over millions of years
• Waterfalls, gorges, and moss-covered boulders
• Endless trail options for every skill level
• A rich blend of human stories, CCC history, and outdoor legend
• And for us – memories built with Grizzly, countless hikes, and post-trail pizza

No matter when you visit, Hocking Hills delivers unforgettable scenery and adventure.
It’s absolutely earned its place as one of Ohio’s most beautiful destinations.

Thanks for Rolling With Us

If you’ve made it this far – thank you for hiking Hocking Hills with us, even if it’s through a screen.
We’re so grateful for everyone who watches, likes, comments, and subscribes.

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Life’s an adventure. Roll with it.