Your Hocking Hills Vacation Cabin

Things to do in the Hocking Hills

Then visit the Hocking Hills State Park Events Calendar to find out what's going on in the Hocking Hills and the Tourism Associations calendar.

Finally, ask us! We have an unlimited supply of opinions and ideas.

Biking

Many brave souls bike through the Hocking Hills. The Hocking Hills Tourism Association offers descriptions and maps of several great bike tours through the hills. Interested in mountain biking? Visit the Wayne National Forest Monday Creek area - permit required.

However, the Hockhocking Adena Bikeway, is a great alternative. It's a 17 mile bikeway on the old Columbus and Hocking Valley Railroad bed. The north entry point is at Hocking College in Nelsonville and the south entry point is near Ohio University in Athens. Nelsonville is about 45 minutes from Marsh Hollow.

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Canoeing

There are several canoe liveries offering trips down the Hocking River. The Hocking Hills Canoe Livery in Logan is closest to Marsh Hollow and several of our guests have enjoyed their trips on the Hocking River.  Canoe liveries do not operate during the winter.

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Dining

If you don't feel like cooking during your entire stay at Marsh Hollow, there are plenty of great places to eat in the Hocking Hills.  Logan offers many of the national chain restaurants, such as Bob Evans, McDonalds, Wendy's, Subway, KFC and Dairy Queen (along with many local favorites). Laurelville is home to both the Village Cafe and Old Town Diner, classic small town eateries. 

We would like to highlight a few of our favorites for you:

20 minutes or less from Marsh Hollow

• Glenlaurel Inn - An absolutely charming Scottish inn. Very fine dining. Reservations at 1-800-809-REST.

• Grouse Nest Restaurant - We have celebrated New Year's Eve and several Christmas Eve's here, and are always very impressed with the food, the service and the overall ambience. And the drive up to the top of the ridge is exhilarating!   Reservations at 1-800-222-4655. Plus, the Grouse Nest Traveling Chef can visit Marsh Hollow to prepare a fine dinner just for you in your cabin.  In addition to the very fine dining, the Grouse Nest also has a daily "Neighborhood" special priced under $10, which is significantly less expensive than entrees on the regular menu.  Can't beat the value - we had meatloaf, mashed potatoes, green beans and a large salad this summer. Excellent!

• The Inn at Cedar Falls - still one of Mary's favorite place to celebrate her birthday.  As the Inn's web page says "The dining is exquisite but the dress is casual."   Dinner served everyday at several seatings.  Reservations (required) at 1-800-65-FALLS.

• Jimbo's Bar & Diner - We couldn't find a web page for Jimbo's, but you can find it at 23356 State Route 56, South Bloomingville, OH. Yes, it is somewhat of a biker bar, but it's also a place to get a great hamburger - big and juicy, but we love the "Hog Burger" a very tasty pure pork, non-fatty (not sausage) burger. Don't expect to order any imported beer and you'll be happy with the selection. The jukebox is excellent and there are two pool tables. Open Thursday through Sunday, in season only.

• The Ridge Inn is a relatively new restaurant in Laurelville on Route 56, just across the street from the Apple House and we love it.  We just hope they have prime rib night again as it was FABULOUS.  Open for breakfast, lunch & dinner.  Closed on Mondays, at least in the winter.

• Village Cafe - Open at 6 a.m. daily, we like the Village Cafe in Laurelville for breakfast on Sunday, or any day. Order the home fries.  Located on State Route 56.

25 to 40 minutes from Marsh Hollow

• Brass Ring - There is a very nice lounge and dining room associated with the Brass Ring Golf Club.  Try the sweet potato french fries!  Mary's brother Rob was VERY impressed with his steak dinner.  The lounge is quite casual, but you may want to dress a little better for the dining room.

• Bush's Restaurant - Located at 428 E. Front St. in Logan, Bush's is a great place for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Wednesday's special is beans and cornbread!  Big variety of pies.

• Coach House Tea Room - located at Ravenwood Castle in neighboring Vinton county, just off of Route 93.  Friends Kathy, Beth, another Beth and I had lunch here last Friday and were absolutely delighted. We'll go back and I'm going to have the Coach House Cream Tea: scones with clotted cream & berry preserves, little sandwiches, jam tart, shortbread biscuit and a pot of hot tea! It's only open May through October. For directions and reservations, call 800-477-1541.

• Great Expectations Bookstore Cafe - Now located at the Hocking Hills Market on U.S. 33, this cafe has great grilled or chilled sandwiches, your favorite expresso beverages, books, gifts and art prints.

• Jack's Steak House - A Logan landmark.  Great steaks in a casual atmosphere.

• Olde Dutch Restaurant - Lots of real good homestyle food, with the emphasis on lots.  The buffet is a great value. Try not to overeat but definitely try the fried chicken.  It's the best in the Hills.  Located in Logan in Rempel's Grove on Route 664.

• Pizza Crossing is located in Logan and is by far our favorite pizza in the Hocking Hills. VERY GOOD!

• Sandstone - Located on Main Street in Logan.  Very good quality. We've visited here a lot this year and enjoyed outdoor dining on their new patio.  Call 740-385-9479 for reservations, but we have yet to need them.

• Spotted Owl Cafe - Located at 53 West  Main Street in Logan. This cafe has great breakfast, lunch and dinner selections, desserts, and coffee. Open 7-7 Monday-Saturday and 9-5 on Sunday. Very pleasant and worth a stop. Local artists' work on display.

Here's a different way to dine (weather permitting): Pack up some cold fried chicken, buttered bread, a couple of apples and some brownies. Hike up the east rim trail at Conkles Hollow and find a comfortable (and safe) spot on the rim. Watch the sun begin to set over the gorge while you nibble.

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Fishing

Lake Logan, Rose Lake on State Route 374 and Clear Creek Metro Park (in northern Hocking county) all offer fishing. Boat rental is available at Lake Logan. We rented a pontoon boat one year, took the dog too, and had a great time.  By the way Lake Logan has a nice little beach.

Nearby Tar Hollow State Park also features a small lake, with a beach, and boat rental. 

Be sure to bring your Ohio fishing license.  Apply online at the Ohio Department of Natural Resources! 

And the pay ponds at Country Cove Village make it easy for every child (and grown-up child) to catch a fish.

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Geocaching

We've had a GPS unit for years, but only recently heard about the "sport" of geocaching. Basically, geocaching is using your GPS to find something someone has hidden. For more information, go to Geocaching.com and use zip codes 43135 or 43138 to locate geocaches close to Marsh Hollow.

Recommendations: The most clever hide is at Infestation in Athens county.  And best all round hike and destination is Moonville Tunnel which we finally found on our third try.

By the way, we are the HockingHunters at Geocaching.com.

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Golf

Yes, there is golf, both miniature and the real thing, in Hocking county.  Try Adventure Golf at Rempel's Grove for challenging miniature golf.  There's also a new miniature golf course at the Hocking Hills Market on Route 33.

Some of our summer guests enjoyed a round of golf at Windy Hills Golf and would recommend it to others.  Call 740-385-7886 for more information.

The Brass Ring Golf Club is a very nice but more conventional (very hilly) golf course located south of Logan. The restaurant and lounge offer excellent food. Open year round.

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Hiking

The Hocking Hills State Park hiking trails include six separate natural areas, each with its own trails:

• Ash Cave - offers a very easy, short trail into the cave (really a rock shelter) as well as a more difficult rim trail. Ash Cave features a waterfall in season or anytime there's been enough rain.  Also connects to Cedar Falls via a 3 mile section of the Buckeye Trail.  Located on Route 56.

• Cantwell Cliffs - a lot of steps, but the cliffs are worth it.  Located on Route 374.

• Cedar Falls - probably the tallest waterfall in the Hocking Hills.  Connects to Ash Cave via a 3 mile section of the Buckeye Trail and to Old Man's Cave via another 3 mile section of the Buckeye Trail. The 3 mile gorge trail to Old Man's Cave is breathtaking. Located on Route 374.

• Lake Logan - although known more for boating, swimming & fishing, the park includes the one-mile Pine Vista Hiking Trail, located across Lake Logan Road from the beach.  In addition, the Buckeye Trail runs through the northwest end of the park toward the Hocking State Forest.

• Old Man's Cave - the most popular and fun natural area, with lots of water running through it.  Highlights include the Devil's Bathtub, and the Upper and Lower Falls. Connects to Cedar Falls via a 3 mile section of the Buckeye Trail.  Also has a Visitors Center. Located on Route 374/664 about 7 miles from Marsh Hollow.

• Rock House - the only true cave.  Walking down into the area is easy, and the cave is great, but the climb out is all uphill.  Located on Route 374, about 4 1/2 miles from Marsh Hollow.

While not a part of the Hocking Hills State Park, Conkles Hollow State Nature Preserve is our favorite destination in the Hocking Hills.  The gorge trail is only about 1/2 mile long and ends at the base of a waterfall.  The 2 1/2 mile rim trail is spectacular but not suitable for small children as it features high cliffs and no guard rails.  We hike this trail every New Year's Day, unless closed because of ice!  Conkles Hollow is located on Big Pine Road, near the intersection with Route 374, about 4 1/2 miles from Marsh Hollow.

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Horseback Riding

Spotted Horse Ranch and Happy Trails Horseback Rides (closed in winter) are closest to Marsh Hollow.  We have also enjoyed several trail rides at Uncle Buck's.

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Shopping

There are lots of places to shop for antiques and arts & crafts in the Hocking Hills. Contact the Hocking Hills Tourism Association at 1-800-HOCKING and ask for the Visitors Guide. Or visit their web site at www.1800hocking.com.  Here are just a few we enjoy browsing through (there are many, many more great shops and galleries):

• Logan:  Hocking River Emporium and Logan Art Gallery & Art Center on Main Street; and Hocking Hills Market on U.S. 33.  You can also spend an entire morning or afternoon at Rempel's Grove: antiques, crafts, glassware outlet, miniature golf & lunch or dinner at Olde Dutch.

• Laurelville: Laurelville Fruit Farm (the BEST apples & peaches in season, plus Laurelville Cider; on Route 56 in the village.

• Nelsonville: Rocky Factory Outlet Store.  3 floors of great deals on shoes, boots, clothing, home decorations and more. Worth the 45 minute drive from Marsh Hollow and is a MUST visit.  Nelsonville's town square is surrounded by shops and art galleries, making this a great day trip from Marsh Hollow.  We recommend lunch at The Coffee Cup on U.S. 33 just northwest of Nelsonville.  Much better food than it would look like it had. Seriously, we love it.

• Check out the Art of the Hocking Hills web site for a guide to the artisans, galleries and cultural centers of southeastern Ohio. Note that many artists are located outside of Hocking county.

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Special Treats and Activities

Logan Art Gallery & Art Center, on West Main Street in Logan, features juried artists, clay and painting classes. Very reasonable prices for ceramic art, jewelry and much more. Schedule a class for an hour or more, then take home your special memory from the Hocking Hills. Call 740-385-9455 for more information.

The Old Bear's Den offers 5 hour photography workshops by appointment with as little as 12 hours notice.  Call Eric Hoffman at 740-380-2039 for more information.

Blue Valley Massage offers in-cabin massage therapy and spa treatments. Our guests have been very pleased with their services.

Hocking Hills Canopy Tour, just off of U.S. 33 in the Rockbridge area, offers the only zipline in the midwest.  We zipped twice last summer (2008) and hope to zip again this year.  This is a very well maintained course, constructed in a beautiful forest along the Hocking River.  The guides are well-trained and entertaining.  This will make your Hocking Hills vacation unforgettable. Kids are 1/2 off on Tuesdays & Thursdays, with a full price adult for each kid.  Hocking County residents get $10 off on Mondays.

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Last updated Saturday May 30, 2009 by Mary Marsh