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Things to do in the Hocking Hills |
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First, check out the weather
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Contact the Hocking Hills Tourism Association at
1-800-HOCKING to order the Visitors' Guide and 99 Thrills
in the Hocking Hills brochure. Or visit their web site at
www.1800hocking.com. 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. |
BikingMany 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. CanoeingThere 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. DiningIf 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
25 to 40 minutes from Marsh Hollow
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. FishingLake 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. GeocachingWe'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. GolfYes, 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. HikingThe Hocking Hills State Park hiking trails include six separate natural areas, each with its own trails:
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. Horseback RidingSpotted 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. ShoppingThere 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):
Special Treats and ActivitiesLogan 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. | Home | About | Rates | Special Touches | Map | Check Availability | Contact Us | Blog |
Last updated Saturday May 30, 2009 by Mary Marsh |
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