March in Hocking Hills: A Mud-Season Plan for Towns and Short Stops

March is the in-between month. Nights still freeze, days can thaw, and the trails turn soft, slick or both. You can still have a good trip. The trick is to stop treating the gorge hikes as the whole plan and build the days around town stops, a tasting room or two, and short walks you can cut short when the ground says no.

For the waterfall and wildflower side of the season, see our spring in Hocking Hills guide. This one is the practical, mud-friendly version.

What "mud season" means for the trails

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources notes that Hocking Hills trails are typically icy in winter and recommends proper outerwear and footwear, including ice cleats. In March, that icy stretch gives way to thaw, so expect a changeable mix: frozen mornings, soft afternoons, wet steps and slick sandstone. After rain or melt, waterfalls often run fuller, which is a reason to go and a reason to be careful.

• Wear waterproof boots with real tread, and carry a spare pair of socks in the car.
• Stay on the marked trail, even when it is muddy. Walking around a puddle widens the path and damages the edges.
• Keep the first walk short, then decide whether to go farther. The quarter-mile Ash Cave Gorge trail, listed by the state as easy and wheelchair accessible, is a good test of conditions.
• Check the park's alerts and call the park office if you are unsure. Its listed number is 740-385-6842, weekdays 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

What is open in March, and what is not

Some things run on seasonal schedules, so confirm each stop. Examples from the sources we use: the Hocking Valley Scenic Railway lists regular weekend trains from May through October, so a March train is only possible if a special event is scheduled. The Laurelville visitor center keeps winter hours until May 14. The state park visitor center is listed as open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., though hours can change seasonally. Our off-season checklist walks through how to verify every stop.

Town stops in Logan

Downtown Logan is the easiest mud-day base. Start at the Hocking Hills Regional Welcome Center on SR 664 South, which lists 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Then pick a few stops from our local directory:

• Columbus Washboard Company, 4 E. Main Street, a factory and gift shop with an ice cream parlor inside.
• Allegria Wine Room, 84 E. Main Street, a wine shop with a tasting bar next to the Logan Theater.
• Serendipity Gardens, a houseplant and gift shop in Logan that the directory lists as open Wednesday through Saturday, a nice fit for a drab March day.
• Gifts That Give Back, 66 E. Main Street, with fair-trade goods.

For a bigger picture of what the town offers, see our Logan visitor guide and our downtown walking tour.

Day trips that do not need dry trails

• Nelsonville. The Public Square and Stuart's Opera House are indoor-friendly, and the opera house hosts more than 75 events a year. See our Nelsonville guide.
• Athens. The farmers market runs Saturdays year-round, with some winter vendors indoors. See our half-day Athens plan.
• Lancaster. Downtown has shops, a glass museum and the Decorative Arts Center of Ohio. See our Lancaster stops.

Tasting rooms for the afternoon

A tasting room is the classic mud-season reward. Our directory lists Revolution Rockbridge in Rockbridge, which it says is open Friday through Sunday, Brewery 33 on College Prospect Drive, and Hocking Hills Winery on Freeman Road. Confirm hours first, pace yourself, and plan a sober driver on the winding roads. Our tasting route guide covers pacing and grouping.

Short roadside stops

If you want a quick look outdoors without committing to a trail, the Fairfield County tourism bureau lists the Rock Mill Covered Bridge, built in 1901, beside the restored 1824 Rock Mill. Our covered bridges guide covers the region's others. Roadside pull-offs get soft in March, so park where you will not sink, and stay out of private property.

A sample mud-season Saturday

• Morning: Coffee, then a short walk at Ash Cave if the trail looks safe.
• Midday: Lunch in Logan and a loop of downtown shops.
• Afternoon: One tasting room or a drive to Nelsonville.
• Evening: Dinner, then a fire or board games at the cabin.

In the U.S., clocks move forward on the second Sunday in March, which gives you noticeably more evening light the following week. Even then, sunset is still early enough that you should leave trails by late afternoon.

A morning decision rule

Because March conditions can change from block to block, use a simple rule instead of a fixed plan. Walk for the first ten minutes of the first trail. If the surface is frozen and glassy, switch to town stops and save the gorge for the afternoon or another day. If it is soft but secure, continue and keep your pace slow. If you are slipping on wet stone or the steps are running with water, turn around. No view is worth a fall, especially when cell service is patchy and help can be far away.

What to pack for March

• Waterproof boots and spare socks, plus a plastic bag for muddy gear in the car.
• Layers. Mornings can be cold and afternoons mild, and the gorges are cooler than the ridges.
• Ice cleats, in case a shaded stretch is still frozen.
• A towel for the car, and a change of shoes for restaurants and shops.

Kids and mixed-age groups

March works well for families when the plan is flexible. Short, easy walks keep children from getting cold and wet, and indoor stops give everyone a break. The Logan Theater, a washboard factory visit or a bakery or ice cream stop can save a day when the trail is too muddy. Our kids and grandparents guide has more pacing ideas.

The bottom line

March rewards flexibility. Ask about cancellation terms before you book, keep the plan loose, and treat the trails as a bonus.