Every year, roughly 4 to 5 million visitors make their way to Ohio’s Hocking Hills in search of outdoor adventures and quality family time in one of the Midwest’s most stunning geological areas. With landscapes formed from glaciers over 100,000 years ago, the region is filled with deep gorges, unique caves, and towering forests that offer incredible hiking and viewing opportunities year-round. If you’re planning an upcoming getaway, we’ve got the top family-friendly things to do near Hocking Hills so you can take the guesswork out of planning and skip straight to the fun.
In addition to this blog, grab your copy of our free Hocking Hills vacation guide! In it, you’ll find the best restaurants, things to do, and places to see while you’re here. It’s like your own personal itinerary planner.
Family Things to Do near Hocking Hills
From outdoor activities to museums and adventure centers, here are our top picks for your next Hocking Hills getaway.
Easy Hikes Kids Will Love
Exploring the state park is a must during your visit. Unique rock formations and deep caves are guaranteed to wow little ones. Check out Ash Cave Gorge Trail and Old Man’s Cave for two incredibly popular, kid-friendly hikes.
Ash Cave:
- Length: 0.25 miles
- Why it’s worth it: Ohio’s largest recess cave + a waterfall
Old Man’s Cave
- Length: 1-mile loop trail
- Why it’s worth it: Rock tunnels, bridges, and lots of things to scramble over
Beyond the park, the Conkle’s Hollow Gorge Trail is another popular spot where a 1-mile out-and-back hike rewards you with views of streams, waterfalls, and a sandy beach where kids can play and splash.
Ziplines and Adventure Outings
If your kids aren’t afraid of heights, letting them get a bird’s eye view of the surrounding forests is a perfect family-friendly outing. At Hocking Hills Canopy Tours, their award-winning zipline tours let you soar over rivers, woods, and wildlife. Check out their most popular offering, the Original Canopy Tour, and enjoy 2.5-3 hours of outdoor fun as you make your way across rope bridges and a vast zipline network.
Want some “on the ground” activities? The Hocking Hills Family Fun Center has a 20,000-square-foot inflatable bounce house. Yes, you read that right — 20,000. Square. Feet. It’s like American Ninja Warrior for kids. Let them run wild on various obstacles, climb inflatable walls, tumble down slides, and bounce the day away. Afterward, you can play a round of mini golf or grab dinner at a local restaurant before putting your very worn-out kids to bed for the day.
Explore the Hocking River
Hocking Hills family activities don’t always have to be non-stop action. Sometimes, getting out on the water and having a peaceful day in nature is exactly what you’re looking for. If that’s you, a canoeing or kayaking trip down the Hocking River is perfect.
The Hocking Hills Canoe Livery offers rentals and guided tours if you’d rather not go it alone. You can also opt for tubes and float the river instead of paddling.
Stargazing
At the John Glenn Astronomy Park, you can enjoy some after-dark family fun in the Hocking Hills. Their program schedule includes stargazing opportunities as well as educational lectures about the Apollo missions, sister planets, and more. Reservations are required, but all programs are free to attend. Explore their upcoming events here.
Hocking Hills Children’s Museum
If you get rained out during one of your vacation days, the Hocking Hills Children’s Museum is here to save the day. This STEAM-based museum has hands-on exhibits that encourage sensory learning and active engagement with new concepts and ideas from art to engineering. Whether your child is 6 months old or 10 years old, this museum has something they’ll love.
Plan Your Family Getaway at Inn and Spa Cedar Falls
Now that you know some of the most popular family-friendly things to do in the Hocking Hills, the only thing standing between you and an unforgettable vacation is finding the right place to stay. At Inn and Spa Cedar Falls, we make it easy with a variety of accommodations so you can find the perfect spot for your crew. Choose from vacation cabins, geodomes, cottages, yurts, and lodges, and book directly with our local team for the best rates and service in the region!