How to Have the Most Exciting Trip to the Hocking Hills in the Summer

What are your summer plans? How about a trip to the Hocking Hills? Whether you’re looking for a quiet spot for a romantic getaway or a family-friendly trip, Hocking Hills in the summer has something for every type of traveler! Enjoy scenic hiking trails, fun on the water, and more during your summer vacation. Summer is our favorite season and we think it can be yours, too! 

When you’re ready to start planning your trip, request our Hocking Hills Vacation Guide. This free resource is filled with local information on how to explore our area based on your interests! 

Plan Your Summer Vacation

Overview

Weather

If you love warm weather, an Ohio summer vacation is definitely for you! June, July, and August are typically in the low 80s during the day and drop down to the low 60s at night. This makes the weather warm, but not too warm. You can still enjoy all our outdoor activities without overheating! Keep in mind that the summer gets a lot of precipitation. There are plenty of things to do on a rainy day, and all the rain makes our waterfalls flow and our forests lush and green. 

What to pack

You’ll want to pack a variety of outfits depending on what you are looking to do during your Ohio summer vacation. Shorts and T-shirts are a must for casual wear; it does get hot! Ladies, consider packing a sundress or two for visiting wineries or doing some shopping. If you want to hike, bring proper footwear and comfortable clothes. There are some trails that are easy to walk on, so your shorts and T-shirt will do just fine. Lastly, you might want to bring a bathing suit. Tubing down the Hocking River or taking a dip in Lake Logan is one of the best things to do in the Hocking Hills in the summer! 

Top 13 Things to Do & Places to Visit in the Hocking Hills in the Summer 

1. Hocking Hills State Park

We believe that an Ohio summer vacation wouldn’t be complete without a visit to Hocking Hills State Park! Stay just minutes away from the miles of hiking trails, rock formations, and recess caves when you stay at The Inn & Spa at Cedar Falls. Our property is surrounded on three sides by the state park, so you have easy access to all that the park offers! 

Some of the most popular scenic hiking trails in the Hocking Hills region include Cantwell Cliffs, Cedar Falls, Conkle’s Hollow, and Ash Cave. Each trail winds through Hocking Hills State Park and leads to some of the most fantastic views in the Hocking Hills region. For example, the hike to Cedar Falls is laden with hemlock trees, grottos, and waterfalls! 

2. Rockbridge State Nature Preserve

Rockbridge State Nature Preserve is another great destination for hiking trails in the area! This nature preserve is made up of 220 acres of Ohio land known for its diverse geological features, which makes the trails here a bit more difficult to maneuver than those at Hocking Hills State Park. The most peculiar formation at Rockbridge State Nature Preserve is its impressive natural bridge that arches 50 feet above a ravine. The bridge measures 100 feet long by 10 to 20 feet wide, making it the largest of its kind in the state.

3. River Tubing

Cool off this summer with river tubing in Ohio! Float along rivers near the Hocking Hills to enjoy peaceful nature views from a different vantage point. We recommend Hocking Hills Adventures for all of your river tubing needs! The outdoor recreation company is located just a short drive from The Inn & Spa at Cedar Falls and offers a variety of river trips for guests to choose from.

4. Canoe or Kayak

For more water fun, consider canoeing or kayaking in the Hocking Hills during your summer vacation! We recommend Hocking Hills Canoe Livery for a day on the water. This water tour company has a couple of day trip options that are suited for canoers of all skill levels. Hocking Hills Canoe Livery also offers Moonlight Tours, which takes guests on the water by the light of the moon. After the tours, you can enjoy s’mores, a bonfire, and live music at the Livery!

5. Picnicking

No matter what activity you choose, be sure to pack a picnic lunch for your day at Hocking Hills State Park. There are plenty of scenic places to rest and enjoy a brown-bag lunch from our on-site restaurant, Kindred Spirits.    

6. Wineries

No matter what the weather is like, visiting one of the wineries in our area makes for an excellent summer activity. Many of the wineries have beautiful outdoor spaces where you can sit and sip your favorite rosé under the sun. However, this is an excellent rainy day activity, too! If you come across some rain showers during your stay at the Inn & Spa at Cedar Falls, the indoor tasting rooms are always lively. 

7. Stargazing

If you’re planning a romantic evening, it doesn’t get much better than stargazing with your sweetheart. The Hocking Hills is one of the only places in the entire country where the night sky is still untouched by light pollution. Make sure you look up and enjoy the view of countless stars twinkling in the distance. The John Glenn Astronomy Park houses a 28-inch telescope that you can use at night!    

8. R Adventure Park

Try something new during your summer vacation in Ohio! R Adventure Park is an excellent place to challenge yourself or a loved one. Here, you can ride ATVs, tackle the world’s largest family ropes course, and play paintball. Whatever activity you decide on, the park has everything you need to have a great time. 

9. Hocking Hills Market

Sifting through unique goods is one of our favorite summer activities. Relax as you look through an eclectic mix of clothing, furniture, and antiques at the Hocking Hills Market. There are more than 100 vendors here, so it’s the perfect place to find something to remember your trip by. Chelle’s 33 Diner is also onsite. Grab a bite for lunch and continue shopping throughout the day. 

10. Hiking Trails

Hiking is the most popular thing to do in Hocking Hills State Park thanks to the gorgeous scenery and variety of trails. Trails in the park are open from dawn to dusk year-round and the temperate weather in the summer provides the perfect atmosphere for a hike of any distance.   

There are six major points of interest for hikers in Hocking Hills State Park: Cedar Falls, Old Man’s Cave, Conkle’s Hollow, Rock House, Ash Cave, and Cantwell Cliffs. Each area has distinguishing features and hiking and climbing trails of varying lengths and difficulty, but you can still expect to find magnificent Black Hand Sandstone cliffs, gorges, waterfalls, and hemlock forests wherever you go in Hocking Hills State Park! 

11. Birdwatching

Birdwatching has become a popular pastime for Hocking Hills State Park visitors. The diverse range of birds in this region of Ohio makes the endeavor especially interesting. Most often, visitors spot the sights and sounds of rock pigeons, several types of sparrows, American robins, eastern bluebirds, and more! Check out a full list of bird observations and make a species checklist to bring along.   

12. Motorcycle Riding

Feel the breeze in your hair as you take in the sights and sounds of the Hocking Hills on the back of a motorcycle. Our region’s winding roads make for great riding. See century-old farms, rolling fields, expansive forests, and more. Check out some of our favorite motorcycle routes to start planning! 

13. Stay at The Inn & Spa at Cedar Falls

Visit The Inn & Spa at Cedar Falls in the summer months to stay nearby all the great things to do! Our Inn has several lodging options like cabins, Pacific-style yurts, cottages, bed and breakfast guest rooms, and Hocking Hills lodges. We also offer an on-site spa and restaurant, which makes it easy to relax after a tiring day of exploring the Hocking Hills region!

Check our availability to start planning your trip. We can’t wait to see you this summer in the Hocking Hills!