Summer Budget Travel Tip: Hocking Hills, Ohio

Have you heard about Hocking Hills?

Tik Tok: Hocking Hills Info

Hocking Hills Views

See Hocking Hills

On our way to West Virginia, to do the New River Bridge Gorge Walk, we passed the sign for Hocking Hills. 

"Hocking Hills!  Everyone keeps talking about that place" I said, almost too excitedly for a forty-year-old.
​
"Well, surprise, we're stopping" was the response from the driver's seat. 

​Let adventure begin.

Hocking Hills is an Ohio State Park.  Set on 2,356 acres, it boasts everything you could want for an outdoor adventure.  Trails, hikes, horses, scenic routes, mountain biking and backpacking.  And while we hiked, those weren't the reasons I fell in love.

For me, a child of born in the 80's, with grandparents from the Great Depression, Hocking Hills felt as if I had gone back in time.  There's an ambiance in Hocking Hills that will remind you of US family trips to the Wisconsin Dells, Pictured Rocks, or the Fern Grotto depending on where you live.  

The trick to this is to skip the tourist traps.  I feel slightly bad saying this, as I'm sure the local economy thrives on those other moments.  The truth is though, Hocking Hills provides the same travel experience as it did in the 1980's.  A place to hike, see nature, spend time with those you love, and leave feeling a little more in awe with the world.

We spent about two hours, just to get an idea.  DC is headed back with his parents.  My own father hiked in 2020.  He used walking sticks, which is a good idea for stability.  (Find traveling walking sticks here.

Hey dad! Thanks for the photo!

Travel Walking Sticks

Hocking Hills has some ups and downs, so know your own health limitations.  It's not the more rigorous hike we've been on, but please note there are stairs you'll need to navigate!

Amazing experiences don't have to cost thousands of dollars.  Especially now.  If you're looking for an adventure for the price of gas and a campsite, we highly recommend heading to Ohio and checking out Hocking Hills!