Most visitors blast through Laurelville on SR 56 with their GPS locked on Old Man's Cave. That's a mistake. This village of a few hundred people along Salt Creek is the working front porch of the Hocking Hills' quieter northwest side — closest town to Rock House and Cantwell Cliffs, and home to a genuinely odd, genuinely charming lineup of its own.
What Laurelville is
Founded in 1871 where the Salt Creek valley meets the hill country, Laurelville has stayed what the region's tourist corridors no longer are: a farm town first. It calls itself a gateway to Hocking Hills honestly — Rock House is about ten minutes east, Cantwell Cliffs just beyond, and Tar Hollow State Forest's ridge country rolls away to the west — but its own attractions punch far above its population.
The Laurelville circuit
- Butterfly Ridge Butterfly Conservatory & Gardens. A conservation-minded butterfly center with walk-through gardens and education programs — a legitimately great two-hour stop, especially with kids, and one of the few attractions of its kind in Ohio. Seasonal; check hours before driving.
- Jack Pine Studio. A working hot-glass studio less than a mile from Rock House, where you can watch glassblowers pull pieces from the furnace and browse the gallery. Their signature glass pumpkin events each fall draw crowds from Columbus.
- Laurelville Fruit Farm. A family orchard operation with a market of apples, cider, jams, and baked goods, plus seasonal pick-your-own. The fall apple-and-pumpkin window is the classic visit.
- The Spotted Horse Ranch & area trail rides. Horseback outfits work the surrounding hill country — the ranch runs rides and ranch experiences by reservation.
- Diner row. Laurelville's eateries are the honest, no-fuss kind — homestyle plates, pie, early hours — the right breakfast before a Rock House morning.
Tar Hollow: the forest nobody visits
Southwest of the village sprawls Tar Hollow State Forest and State Park — thousands of acres of steep ridges, fire towers, bridle trails, and the challenging Logan Trail backpacking loops. It sees a fraction of Hocking Hills' traffic while offering the same unglaciated terrain. For hikers who've exhausted the famous seven trails, Tar Hollow is the area's best-kept next chapter.
Stay on the northwest side
Cabins around Laurelville and Rockbridge put Rock House, Cantwell Cliffs, and the quiet half of Hocking Hills at your door.
Find Cabins & Lodging →Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to do in Laurelville, Ohio?
Butterfly Ridge Butterfly Conservatory, glassblowing demonstrations at Jack Pine Studio near Rock House, Laurelville Fruit Farm's orchard market, horseback trail rides, and quick access to Rock House, Cantwell Cliffs, and Tar Hollow State Forest.
How far is Laurelville from Old Man's Cave?
Roughly 20–25 minutes by car — but its real advantage is proximity to the park's quieter northwest units: Rock House is about ten minutes away and Cantwell Cliffs just beyond.
Is Tar Hollow worth visiting?
For experienced hikers, absolutely — thousands of acres of steep ridge terrain, fire-tower views, and the Logan Trail backpacking loops with a fraction of the state park's crowds. It's the natural next step after the famous trails.