Hocking Hills
Where all the best roads lead . . .HIKE. STAY. PLAY. YOUR HOCKING HILLS ADVENTURE BEGINS HERE!
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- Home
- Hiking
- Ash Cave
- Cedar Falls
- Old Man's Cave
- Whispering Cave
- Conkle's Hollow
- Cantwell Cliffs
- Rock House
- Hidden Waterfalls
- Rose Lake at Old Man's Cave
- Ash Cave to Cedar Falls
- Balanced Rock/Devil's Tea Table
- Airplane Rock
- Peninsula Trail_Lake Hope State Park
- Hope Furnace Trail-Lake Hope State Park
- Vinton County Parks: Moonville Rail Trail
- Clear Creek Metro Park - Fern Creek Trail
- Clear Creek Metro Park - Cemetery Ridge Hemlock Loop
- Boch Hollow Nature Preserve
- Zaleski Backpack Trail
- Mountain Bike Trails - Old Man's Cave
- Mountain Bike Trails - Lake Hope
- Fall Colors Hiking
- Dog Friendly Trails
- Bigfoot Trails
- Hike the Fringe: Closeby Trails
- Cabins/Lodging
- Camping
- Programs/Events
- Find Your Adventure. Try New Things!
- General Park Information
- Travel Itineraries
Rainy Day in Hocking Hills: An Indoor and Wet-Weather Itinerary
Rain is common in the Hocking Hills, and it does not necessarily mean the entire day is lost. Waterfalls may be flowing, forests become deeply green, and mist often settles into the hollows. Wet stone steps, wooden bridges, roots and creek crossings can also become slippery, however, so plans should change according to the severity of the weather.
Best for: Visitors looking for indoor attractions, local shops, dining and flexible alternatives when trail conditions are wet
Time needed: One full day
Main areas: Logan, Rockbridge, Old Man’s Cave, Ash Cave and the southern Hocking Hills
Driving: Moderate. Attractions, restaurants and shops are scattered throughout the region and connected by winding rural roads.
Before you go: Check current weather, road conditions and business hours before leaving your cabin. Some locally owned businesses may be closed on certain weekdays or during slower seasons. Save directions in advance because cell service can be unreliable.
Do not enter trails during severe thunderstorms, flooding, high winds or icy conditions. Water can rise quickly in narrow gorges, and falling limbs, slick steps and flooded creek crossings may create dangerous conditions.
Where to Stay During Wet Weather
A cabin can make a rainy Hocking Hills day much more enjoyable. Families and couples may appreciate having a kitchen, covered porch, fireplace, games or room to relax between activities. Check individual cabin features and locations before reserving.
Cabins in Different Parts of the Hocking Hills
Nature’s Retreat Cabins offers several cabins in different areas of the region. Review the location and amenities of each property before reserving.
Cabins Near Ash Cave and the Southern Hocking Hills
Eagle’s Nest Cabin is located near South Bloomingville and is convenient to Ash Cave and the southern Hocking Hills.
Whispering Oaks Cabin offers a private wooded stay farther south of the main state-park areas.
See the complete Hocking Hills cabin and lodging guide.
Morning: Begin with an Indoor Attraction
Start the day with an indoor or mostly sheltered attraction. Depending on current schedules, visitors may find glassblowing, museums, art studios, family activities and other weather-friendly choices throughout the region.
Hours can vary by season and day of the week, so check directly with the attraction before driving there.
See Hocking Hills attractions and rainy-day activities.
Late Morning: Browse Local Shops
Rainy weather is a good time to explore local bookstores, gift shops, antique stores, country markets and unusual backroad businesses. Because the shops are spread across the region, choose several that fit naturally along the route to your lunch stop or afternoon activity.
See the Hocking Hills shopping and local shops guide.
Grandma Faye’s Grocery and Souvenir Shop
Grandma Faye’s Grocery is approximately 1.4 miles from Old Man’s Cave. When leaving the Old Man’s Cave parking area, turn left. It is a convenient stop for drinks, snacks and basic supplies. It also has a large souvenir shop with plenty of kid-oriented souvenirs, along with Haunted Hocking books for visitors interested in spooky places to explore.
Open directions to Grandma Faye’s Grocery.
Lunch at a Local Restaurant
Stop for a relaxed lunch rather than trying to eat between wet-weather activities. Restaurants are scattered throughout the Hocking Hills region, and operating hours may change according to the season or day of the week.
See the Hocking Hills restaurants and dining guide.
Afternoon: Choose According to the Weather
Continue with Indoor Attractions
During steady rain, thunderstorms or high winds, continue with indoor attractions, shops or time at the cabin. This is the safest choice when conditions are worsening or weather alerts have been issued.
Movies 10 & Fun Barn in Nelsonville
Movies 10 & Fun Barn in Nelsonville offers a ten-screen movie theater and a large arcade, making it a good rainy-day choice for families, teenagers or anyone who wants to spend a few hours indoors. Check current movie times and operating hours before making the drive. It is about half an hour from the Old Man's Cave area.
Find another indoor or weather-friendly attraction.
Take a Scenic Drive
A scenic drive can provide views of forests, farms, rock formations and small communities without committing to a long trail. Roads in the Hocking Hills are narrow, winding and sometimes steep, so reduce speed and watch for standing water, fallen branches, wildlife and vehicles crossing the center line.
See regional maps and driving information.
Consider Ash Cave During Light Rain
During light rain, without thunder, flooding, high winds or ice, some visitors may choose the paved Lower Gorge Trail at Ash Cave. The short route leads through a narrow gorge to the large recessed cave and seasonal waterfall.
Even this trail can become slick, and water may collect along the paved surface. Use caution, keep children close and turn around when conditions appear unsafe. Do not continue up the steps and around the Upper Rim as part of this wet-weather itinerary.
See the Ash Cave trail guide and current route information.
Should You Visit Old Man’s Cave in the Rain?
Old Man’s Cave contains numerous stone steps, bridges, cliff edges and uneven surfaces. Rain can make these features slippery, while heavier water flow may affect creek crossings and low sections of the gorge.
Visitors unfamiliar with the trail should not treat Old Man’s Cave as an easy rainy-day stop. During thunderstorms, flooding, high winds, ice or other hazardous conditions, choose an indoor activity instead.
Review the Old Man’s Cave trail guide before deciding whether conditions are suitable.
Return to the Cabin
A rainy afternoon can also be an opportunity to enjoy the cabin. Prepare a meal, read, play games, watch the weather from a covered porch or rest before going out for dinner.
Check cabin rules before using fireplaces, fire pits or outdoor amenities, and never assume that a covered area is safe during a thunderstorm.
Dinner and Evening
Finish the day with dinner at a local restaurant or return to the cabin before dark. Rain, fog and standing water can make nighttime driving more difficult on narrow rural roads, so allow extra travel time.
OPEN ALL YEAR-ROUND FROM DAWN TO DUSK
There are seven major hiking areas in Hocking Hills State Park - All are one-way trail systems.
Click here for a Regional Hocking Hills Trail Area Map
Ash Cave, Old Man's Cave, Rock House, Conkle's Hollow, Cedar Falls, Cantwell Cliffs, and Whispering Cave Trail. These park areas offer a unique experience for those who walk its paths no matter what season (the park is open year-round from dawn to dusk)—located on the southern edge of Hocking County. But those are just a handful. Other hiking trails in the Hocking Hills region include those at Wayne National Forest, Clear Creek Metro Parks, Lake Hope State Park, the Moonville Rail Trail, and the Hockhocking Adena Bikeway.