The Best Time to Visit Hocking Hills
There is no bad season in Hocking Hills, but each one is a different trip. Here is what to expect month by month, from a retreat that hosts guests all year.
Spring (March to May): the waterfalls at full strength
Spring rain makes Cedar Falls, Ash Cave, and the falls at Old Man's Cave the strongest they will be all year, and wildflowers fill the gorges. Trails can be muddy, so bring boots. It is quieter than fall and a great value.
Summer (June to August): green, shaded, and busy
The gorges stay cool under the hemlocks even on hot days, and evenings are long enough for a hike after dinner. This is peak family season, so the main trailheads fill up by late morning on weekends. Hike early, then spend the afternoon at the cabin.
Fall (September to November): the color everyone comes for
Fall foliage usually peaks in mid to late October, and those weekends book out first. If you want the color without the crowds, come midweek or in early November, when the leaves are still turning and the trails empty out.
Winter (December to February): ice and quiet
Ash Cave and Old Man's Cave freeze into columns of ice most winters, and the trails are the quietest of the year. The annual Winter Hike fills a single Saturday in January. Winter is also the best season for a sauna and cold plunge, with a fire pit and a clear, dark sky to finish the night.
Weekends vs. midweek
Saturdays are busy in every season. Sunday through Thursday, the trails are noticeably calmer, and at Hugga one-night stays are welcome and weeknight rates are well below weekend rates.
Four private cabins, six minutes from Old Man's Cave.
Private sauna, cold plunge, and hot tub at every cabin. Pets welcome.
See the cabins