What to do in Hocking Hills State Park: The Perfect 48-Hour Family Getaway Itinerary
If you’re looking for a Midwest getaway that feels full of adventure, insanely beautiful scenery and hiking, and tons of time in the outdoors, Hocking Hills State Park is one of those places that truly delivers. Waterfalls, caves, towering cliffs, and just enough amenities to keep it an easy family getaway; this destination is truly one of a kind and is highly underrated. Save this epic, 2 day Hocking Hills itinerary for the best place to stay and what to do on this Ohio weekend adventure.
Our family spent 48 hours exploring Hocking Hills, and it was the perfect balance of hiking, relaxing, and time in nature. If you need a great weekend getaway idea, keep reading for the perfect itinerary.
Where to Stay: Hocking Hills Lodge & Conference Center
For families, Hocking Hills Lodge is hard to beat. This lodge is located right in the heart of the state park, and has tons of amenities to make your stay fun for everyone. You can choose between traditional hotel rooms or one of their spacious cabins that sleep up to six, which makes it a great option for larger families or multi-generational trips. We stayed in the cabin, and loved having a full kitchen and outdoor space for our kids to play and explore.
Pro tip: If you book a cabin, pack your kids scooters or bikes for some evening fun!
What really makes the lodge stand out is the location. You’re just minutes from Old Man’s Cave, and the lodge offers a free shuttle to the most popular trails, which saves you the headache of hunting for parking spots. Once you check in, you don’t really need to leave again if you don’t want to. There’s an onsite restaurant, indoor and outdoor pools, hot tubs, yard games, and plenty of space for kids to burn energy after a day on the trails.
10/10 recommend staying at the Hocking Hills Lodge!
Day 1: Arrival, Old Man’s Cave & Lodge Time
We actually arrived to the lodge late the night before, which gave us plenty of time to get settled. Since we flew in and didn’t grab any groceries before our arrival, we ate breakfast at the onsite restaurant. Definitely ask to sit outside- the balcony has beautiful views of the grounds. The food was great, but the service was pretty slow.
Our first adventure was Old Man’s Cave, the most iconic area of Hocking Hills State Park and an absolute must on your first visit. You can take the free shuttle from the lodge, or you can make the short drive yourself. The trail winds through dramatic rock formations, waterfalls, bridges, and narrow passageways, and it’s such a fun hike for kids. It’s one of those trails that keeps kids engaged the entire time because there’s always something new to see around the next corner, plus tons of spots to dip your toes in the water. The trail has multiple spots to exit, so you can really make it as short or as long as you want. We hiked about a 1.5 miles in a giant loop, and saw Old Man’s Cave, Upper Falls, Devil’s Bathtub, and the Lower Falls.
Pro tip: wear water sandals or shoes for this hike, because there’s no way you will keep your kids from getting wet!
After exploring Old Man’s Cave, we headed back to the lodge for a slower-paced afternoon. The heated pools here are so much fun, and my kids loved hopping between the indoor and outdoor. There’s also plenty of yard games and open green spaces, which are perfect for letting kids run around before dinner, plus tons of games and activities inside the lodge.
We wrapped up the evening with dinner at the lodge restaurant, then headed upstairs to play games in their giant game room. There’s also a pool and ping pong table. Once we were back at our cabin for the evening, we roasted s’mores by the firepit.
Pro tip: The lodge has a small store in it that sells all the supplies you need if you don’t bring them!
Day 2: Waterfalls, Caves & Scenic Hikes
On our second day in Hocking Hills, we ordered breakfast to go from the restaurant and ate it picnic style at our cabin. There’s also a coffee shop in the lodge if you need your latte fix!
Ash Cave was our first stop of the morning. The trail is short, mostly flat, and stroller-friendly, making it one of the easiest ways to see one of the most impressive rock recesses in the Midwest. The massive overhang and seasonal waterfall feels so grand without requiring a long hike, so it’s perfect for families.
Pro tip: It’s a popular spot (and for good reason!), so come early to beat some of the crowds!
From there, we headed to Rock House, which is another family favorite. This cave-like formation feels like something out of an adventure movie, and my kids loved exploring the carved-out tunnels and openings in the rock.
If you want one more adventure, you can check out Cedar Falls, home to the park’s largest waterfall by volume. The trail is a bit more rugged, but still manageable for kids who are comfortable hiking.
We headed back toward the lodge to clean up, grab one last meal, and soak in those views before saying goodbye to this epic state park.
Tips for Visiting Hocking Hills with Kids
Hocking Hills is very family-friendly, but a little planning goes a long way:
- Wear good shoes- even the shorter trails can be slick. Even better if they are waterproof!
- Bring layers, as it’s often cooler in the caves and shaded areas.
- Visit popular spots like Old Man’s Cave early or later in the day to avoid crowds.
- Plan downtime at the lodge so kids don’t get overtired.
- Pack your own food and cook in your cabin to save on meals.
Why Hocking Hills Is Perfect for a Short Family Trip
What makes Hocking Hills so special is how much you can experience in a short amount of time. In just 48 hours, you can hike waterfalls, explore caves, swim, relax by the fire, and feel like you truly experienced the Midwest beauty of this epic state park.
If you’re searching for a family-friendly Midwest getaway, a weekend in Hocking Hills State Park, Ohio is definitely one to add to your travel plans.
