Beyond cliffs, caves and waterfalls Hocking Hills summer fun stars water, air and wildlife adventures
Known for its spectacular hiking trails and natural destinations, the Hocking Hills offers far more than its trademark caves, cliffs and waterfalls. This summer, travelers are encouraged to immerse themselves in this heavenly corner of the state by taking part in its many outdoor adventures. Summertime overflows with an even larger pool of experiences that can take travelers’ adventures to the next level. Travelers can book every element of their summer trip by visiting explorehockinghills.com.
Rappelling, rock challenges, rock climbing and tours like eco, nature therapy and others at High Rock Adventures. Nature’s crevasses and tight spaces in Hocking Hills’ beautiful sandstone cliffs invite travelers to crawl, squeeze, climb and descend, led by skilled guides. Hint: you will get dirty. Whether beginners to advanced climbers, High Rock Adventures customizes experiences for any group. Part geology, part history lesson, visitors learn all about the area’s fascinating natural history on Ecotours where they’re immersed in the magnificence of these hills. Three different rappelling options add to the challenge: flat wall, canyon or a large overhang. Travelers who prefer to keep their feet on the ground will love the rock squeeze and challenge tours.
A one-of-a-kind nature interaction awaits visitors who stop at Butterfly Ridge Conservation Center. From relaxed and calming butterfly tours to nighttime expeditions where moths take center stage at Saturday Moth Lightings after dark. Guests learn firsthand about lifecycles and how these all-important pollinators are doing in Ohio, including how to encourage breeding and health in their own backyard.
Experiencing the Hocking Hills on horseback can be unforgettable with guided trail rides, camping trips and cowboy suppers from Spotted Horse Ranch. Families can not only learn to ride but can hone their horseman skills with lessons on tack, grooming and more at Hocking Hills Horse Rides. Appointments are required at Blue Moon Acres stables, where the motto is, “We want you to ride, not be a passenger.”
Imagine soaring through the treetops, far above the caves and cliffs. Travelers can experience the closest thing to human-powered flight with Hocking Hills Canopy Tours. Suspended on a network of cables, zipliners get a bird’s eye view of the Hocking River, native wildlife, plants and rocks. Off-road Segway tours, Dragonfly Kids Zip and a variety of different canopy tours are a great way to see the Hills from an airborne perspective.
Back down to earth, families, couples and groups of friends can reconnect and have a great time on the water with a canoe, kayak and raft rentals from Fox’s Canoe Livery, which has been making it easy to embark on outdoor experiences on the Hocking River. Hocking Hills Canoe Livery also offers canoe, kayak and tubing trips in two locations between Logan and Nelsonville that bring the Hocking Hills and Wayne National Forest experience alive.
Visitors can also experience the power and magic of our planet with hiking, kayaking and overnight retreats and expeditions from Touch The Earth Adventures. Focused on helping travelers slow down and get in tune with the Earth, guide Mimi Morrison created tours where participants make new friends and memories on day and weekend trips that include everything from a full moon, birding and beaver-watching paddles, to sunrise hikes and kayak trips.
The water is also the major attraction at Lake Logan Marina, where summer travelers can rent pontoons, kayaks, stand-up paddleboards and even pedal boats shaped like a duck. Lake Logan offers a small beach and plenty of fun in the water, all surrounded by the natural wonders of the Hocking Hills.
The region’s stunning dark skies let visitors extend their exploration of the Hills into space, with nightly and after-dark programs at John Glenn Astronomy Park when the weather is clear. High-powered telescopes show guests heavenly sights with close-up views of the stars, moon, planets and constellations that are simply magical. The park also brings the sun’s role to life at its solar plaza during daylight hours.
