Hocking Hills is one of those rare destinations that genuinely works for families. The trails range from stroller-friendly paved paths to scrambles that'll tire out even your most energetic kid, and the region has built out enough off-trail attractions to cover rainy days, short attention spans, and the inevitable "I don't want to hike anymore" moments.
Best Trails for Families
Not every trail in Hocking Hills State Park is appropriate for young children. Some involve steep cliff edges, narrow passages, and significant elevation change. Here's what actually works for families:
Ash Cave Best for Kids
The easiest and most dramatic trail in the park. A flat, paved quarter-mile path leads to the largest recess cave in Ohio — 700 feet wide and 100 feet deep. Kids can explore the sandy cave floor while parents take in the scale. In spring, a waterfall drops over the rim. Stroller-friendly to the cave entrance. The handicap-accessible portion ends at a stairway, where the one-way loop continues back to the parking lot. Round trip: about 40 minutes.
Cedar Falls Good for Ages 6+
A half-mile trail with stairs descends to the park's largest waterfall — 50 feet of cascading water framed by hemlock trees and wooden bridges. Kids love the bridges and the sound of the falls. Moderate difficulty due to steps. Not stroller-friendly. About 40 minutes.
Old Man's Cave Good for Ages 8+
The park's signature trail — 1 to 1.5 miles through a gorge with waterfalls, stone tunnels, the Devil's Bathtub, and the Sphinx Head formation. Exciting for kids old enough to handle stairs and uneven terrain. The visitor center has restrooms, snack machines, and exhibits. Parking fills fast on weekends — arrive early. About 60-90 minutes.
Skip with young children: Cantwell Cliffs (steep, narrow, significant drop-offs), Rock House (200 steps, dark cave, steep edges). Both are fantastic for older kids and teens but genuinely hazardous for toddlers and young children who can't be closely controlled on narrow cliff-edge paths.
The gorge floor trail at Conkle's Hollow is another good option for families — shorter and flatter than the Rim Trail, with towering cliff walls that impress at any age. Note that this is a State Nature Preserve, so no dogs are allowed.
Beyond the Trails
When the kids need a break from hiking — or when rain cancels trail plans — the region has plenty of alternatives:
Hocking Hills Children's Museum in Logan is a STEAM-based science museum with hands-on exhibits for younger kids: water tables, sensory activities, dramatic play areas, engineering stations, and art. Programming includes story time, guided art activities, and naturalist visits. It's small enough that it doesn't overwhelm little ones, but engaging enough to fill a couple of hours.
Hocking Valley Scenic Railway in Nelsonville runs historic train rides along the Hocking River Valley from Memorial Day weekend through October. Most regular-season trains include a 30-minute stop at Robbins Crossing Historical Village — an 1850s-era pioneer log village on the Hocking College campus where kids can see blacksmithing, a one-room schoolhouse, and a general store. Themed rides include Easter Bunny Trains, a Train Robbery ride (interactive, family-friendly), Halloween Trains, and Santa Trains. Tickets start around $15-20 for kids. Departs from the depot at 33 W. Canal Street in Nelsonville.
Hocking Hills Family Fun Center has bounce houses, mini-golf, and other classic family entertainment. The Lake Logan Marina rents pontoons, kayaks, paddle boards, and pedal boats — a great option for families who want time on the water without the commitment of a river float.
Animal farms and petting zoos dot the region, offering hands-on encounters with goats, rabbits, and other farm animals. Muddy Boots is a working farm open for family visits. Several gem-mining operations give kids the thrill of "discovering" their own minerals.
Water Activities for Families
Swimming is not allowed in Hocking Hills State Park waterways, but nearby lakes offer family-friendly beaches. Lake Hope State Park has a swimming beach with a beach house and concession stand. Lake Logan State Park also has a swimming area plus excellent fishing — kids 15 and under can fish without an Ohio license.
River tubing on the Hocking River works well for families with children old enough to sit in a tube independently (minimum age 3 at most outfitters). Tubing season runs Memorial Day through Labor Day. The trips are gentle and last 2-4 hours depending on water levels. Adventure Pro Outdoors in Nelsonville has the largest tube fleet and accepts daily walk-ins.
For older kids and teens, Hocking Hills Canopy Tours offers zipline courses. Their "Dragonfly" line is designed for kids as young as 5, while the full canopy tour accommodates ages 10 and up with ziplines of increasing length and height.
Stargazing with the Family
The John Glenn Astronomy Park is one of the best free family activities in the region. On clear Friday and Saturday nights from March through November, volunteer astronomers run guided programs starting 30 minutes after sunset. Kids can look through a 28-inch telescope, learn to spot constellations, and see planets and galaxies they've only read about in school. Bring lawn chairs and patience — programs run 2+ hours, and there can be lines for the telescope. A playground behind the facility keeps younger kids entertained during wait times. Free parking passes are required — reserve at registration.jgap.org.
Family trip formula: Day 1: Ash Cave + Children's Museum or Fun Center. Day 2: Cedar Falls + tubing or lake beach. Day 3: Scenic Railway + Old Man's Cave (early morning). Three days, zero meltdowns, maximum memories.
Practical Tips
Pack more water and snacks than you think you'll need — there are no vendors on the trails. Every trailhead has restrooms (Old Man's Cave visitor center has the best). Bring rain jackets; weather changes fast in the hills. Hiking shoes with grip are important for kids on the stone stairways. And download offline maps before you arrive — there's no cell service in most of the park.
For lodging, many cabin rentals welcome families and offer fire pits, game rooms, and hot tubs. Some campgrounds have pools, playgrounds, and outdoor movie screens. The state park campground has 169 sites including full hookups.
Find a Family Cabin
Cabins with fire pits, game rooms, and trail access — your base camp for a Hocking Hills family trip.
Browse Family Cabins →