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 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.

Our family spent a weekend exploring Hocking Hills, and it was the perfect balance of hiking, relaxing, and time in nature. Keep reading for the perfect Hocking Hills itinerary with kids.

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 the whole family. 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!

But 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.

Don’t worry though, if you aren’t interested in staying at the lodge, there are plenty of other options nearby to choose from.

Day 1: Arrival, Old Man’s Cave & Lodge Time

Your first stop should absolutely be Old Man’s Cave—it’s the most iconic area of the park and a must for first-time visitors. If you are staying at the lodge, you can either take the free shuttle or make the short drive yourself. The parking lot is a decent size, but as expected, this is a very popular trail and it does get full.

I definitely recommend spending some time in the visitor’s center upon your arrival. There are some great exhibits to explore, and you can learn about the history of the area before hitting the trail.

The trail here is what makes Hocking Hills so special. You’ll wind through towering rock formations, waterfalls, bridges, and narrow passageways, and it’s one of the most engaging hikes for kids because there’s so many fun spots to stop and explore. Truly, it’s one of the best hikes we’ve ever done as a family!

One of the best parts of this trail system is how flexible it is. There are multiple exit points, so you can adjust based on your kids’ energy level and the amount of time you have. A loop of about 1 to 1.5 miles is a great starting point and allows you to see highlights like Upper Falls, Devil’s Bathtub, and Lower Falls without feeling rushed.

Pro tip: wear water sandals or shoes for this hike, because there’s no way you will keep your kids from getting wet!

After a morning of exploring, plan for some downtime back at the lodge. The heated indoor and outdoor pools are a huge hit with kids, and it’s an easy way to reset after being on the trails. There are also open green spaces, yard games, and indoor activity areas that make it easy to fill the afternoon without needing to leave.

For dinner, the lodge restaurant is convenient after a full day, especially if you don’t want to drive anywhere. Afterward, the game room is worth a stop—there’s plenty to keep kids entertained, from pool tables to ping pong and other activities.

Then end your evening roasting marshmallows over a campfire.

Day 2: Waterfalls, Caves & Scenic Hikes

Start day 2 at Ash Cave. 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. This is one of the most iconic spots in the park, and definitely worth a stop!

It’s another popular spot (and for good reason!), so come early to beat some of the crowds!

From there, head 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. The trail itself is short with very little elevation gain, which makes it feel like such a fun adventure.

For an afternoon adventure, 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.

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. We love these Keen sandals for kids, and the Teva’s for the adults.
• 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 no one gets 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.

Also, I highly recommend adding in a visit to Cuyahoga Valley National Park to your Ohio itinerary, as it offers so many fun amazing family adventures as well and is less than 3 hours from Hocking Hills, using Cleveland as your home base for a few days. There are some really amazing things to do in Cleveland with kids, as well!

If you want to read how we combined all these adventures into one epic, 5-day Ohio road trip, you can read about it here!

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.