Fall is always a great time to visit the Hocking Hills. As summer days transition into the colorful warm days and cool nights of fall, mother nature puts on her best show of the year. The Hills vibrate with all the jewel tones of autumn. Ohio’s Hocking Hills just made CNN Travel’s “7 scenic drives across the United States for your fall foliage fix”.
This fall is even more exciting with the new Hocking Hills State Park Lodge and Conference Center opening. This new resort is in the heart of Ohio’s most visited state park. The scenery is spectacular, but the experience goes far beyond the colorful trees.
In December of 2016, a devastating fire destroyed the Hocking Hills State Park Dining Lodge, a favorite restaurant of locals and visitors. It was a great loss to the community as the facility had also been the site of many weddings, family reunions, and meetings.
Now, rising from the ashes comes the brand new Hocking Hills State Park Lodge and Conference Center. Governor DeWine and Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Director Mary Mertz will cut the ribbon on the new lodge on Saturday, October 8, at 1:30 pm. Everyone is invited to the grand opening festivities.
The new Hocking Hills State Park Lodge and Conference Center features eighty-one guest rooms, many with balconies overlooking the dense forest and hills behind the lodge. Guests will enjoy the fitness center and pools, both indoor and outdoor. There are even all-season hot tubs.
Fans of the former dining lodge restaurant will be happy to know Chef Matt Rapposelli is back. Chef Matt will be serving up his delicious creations at the Rock House Restaurant and Pub. The restaurant and pub are located in the opposite wing of the property from the guest rooms. The conference facilities, gift shop, and Grab-and-go Café are also located in this wing.
Just as the Hocking Hills are the natural crown jewels of Ohio, the new Hocking Hills State Park Lodge and Conference Center is sure to be the crown jewel of park lodges. For more information and reservations, visit hockinghillsparklodge.com or call 800-282-7275.
October is one of the busiest months of the year in the Hocking Hills, and for good reason. In addition to the delightful display of fall foliage, it’s also the last chance of the year to play outside in great weather. The Hills are best known for hiking, but there is so much more to do while enjoying autumn’s awesome weather.
Get a bird’s eye view and a thrill as you fly through the tree canopy on ziplines. Take a colorful float down the Hocking River or drop a line in Lake Logan. Travel to a haunted tunnel on horseback. Get up close and personal with baby critters. Meet the park naturalist’s wild-winged friends. The days may be getting shorter, but there’s nothing short about the list of extraordinary experiences in the Hocking Hills.
Begin your adventure at ExploreHockingHills.com.
