Hocking Hills facts for kids

Conkle's Hollow is one of the many beautiful spots in Hocking Hills.

The Hocking Hills is a super cool area in Ohio, known for its amazing natural beauty. You'll find towering cliffs, deep gorges, hidden rock shelters, and sparkling waterfalls here. This special place is mostly in Hocking County.

The unique landscape comes from a type of rock called Blackhand Sandstone. This rock is very strong and doesn't wear away easily. That's why it forms such high cliffs and narrow, deep valleys!

Discovering Hocking Hills' Natural Wonders

Many of the most beautiful parts of Hocking Hills are protected state lands. This means everyone can visit and enjoy them!

• Hocking Hills State Park: This park has five main areas to explore, like Ash Cave, Cedar Falls, Old Man's Cave, Rockhouse, and Cantwell Cliffs.
• Hocking State Forest: A large forest perfect for outdoor adventures.
• Conkle's Hollow State Nature Preserve: Another stunning preserve with tall cliffs.
• Lake Logan State Park: A great spot for water activities.
• Wayne National Forest: A huge forest offering lots of exploration.
• Rockbridge State Nature Preserve: Home to Ohio's largest natural bridge.

There are also some private areas like Crane Hollow and Camp Oty-Okwa. These places help protect the land.

The amazing rock formations of Hocking Hills stretch out to other areas too. You can find similar bluffs and gorges in places like:

• Clear Creek Metro Park
• Rising Park in Lancaster
• Lake Katharine State Nature Preserve
• Blackhand Gorge State Nature Preserve

Long-distance hiking trails also pass through this region. These include the Buckeye Trail, the North Country Trail, and the American Discovery Trail.

The Hocking Hills area on a map.

A Look at Hocking Hills Weather

The Hocking Hills region has mild weather throughout the year. It gets about 40.3 inches of rain annually. You can expect around 175 sunny days each year.

In July, the average high temperature is about 84.8 degrees Fahrenheit. In January, the average low temperature is around 19.3 degrees Fahrenheit. It's a great place to visit in all seasons!

Hocking Hills Through Time

The name "Hocking" comes from the Shawnee Indian tribe. They called the Hockhocking River something that meant "a bottle" in the Delaware language. This was because a narrow part of the river looked like a bottle's neck.

Christian Eby was one of the first settlers in the area. Other important settlers included George Starkey and Moses Dolson. The first local election happened near Eby's mill. The first post office was called "Rockhouse."

Hocking County was officially formed on March 1, 1818. It was created from parts of other counties like Ross and Athens. The county's borders haven't changed much since 1851. Because of its amazing nature, Hocking County has become a popular place for tourists.

Fun Things to Do in Hocking Hills

Hocking Hills is a fantastic place for outdoor activities all year long! You can find farmers' markets, try local wines, or even take a fun train ride.

Here are some exciting activities you can enjoy:

• Athens Farmers Market: Find fresh local goods.
• Hocking Hills Canopy Tours: Soar through the trees on a zipline! (Open from late March to late November).
• Happy Hills Fun Park: Enjoy rides and games.
• Hocking Hills Gem Mine: Dig for cool gems and fossils.
• Hocking Hills Marina at Lake Logan: Rent a boat or go fishing.
• Hocking Valley Scenic Railway: Take a scenic train journey.
• The Buckeye Trail: Hike a famous long-distance trail.
• Valley Zipline Tours Walker Farm: More zipline adventures!
• Wayne National Forest: Explore vast woodlands.
• Nelsonville's Historic Public Square: Discover local history.
• Uncle Buck's Riding Stable and Dance Barn: Go horseback riding.

Amazing Hiking Trails

Hocking County has many miles of trails for all skill levels. Some trails are even pet-friendly, so your furry friends can join!

• Old Man's Cave: A popular 1-mile loop trail.
• Ash Cave Gorge: A short ¼-mile trail, great for wheelchairs.
• Ash Cave Rim: A ½-mile trail with views from above.
• Cedar Falls: A beautiful ½-mile hike to a waterfall.
• Rock House: A 1-mile trail leading to a cool rock shelter.
• Cantwell Cliffs: Various trails, about 3 miles total, with unique rock formations.
• Conkle's Hollow: A 1-mile trail, also wheelchair accessible.
• Conkle's Hollow Rim: A longer 2½-mile trail around the top of the gorge.
• Buckeye Trail: Sections connect Cedar Falls to Ash Cave (3 miles) and Old Man's Cave to Cedar Falls (3 miles). This trail is part of a much larger network across Ohio!

Rare and Unique Plants

The Hocking Hills area is home to some very special and rare plants. These plants thrive in the unique environment here.

Some of these rare plants include:

• Huperzia porophila: Also known as the rock firmoss.
• Botrychium simplex: The least grape fern.
• Silene rotundifolia: The round-leaf catchfly.
• Trichomanes boschianum: The Appalachian filmy fern.

These plants are protected, so remember to look but not touch when you visit!

See Also

• Appalachian Ohio
• Ohio public lands