I’ll be honest — I thought I was afraid of heights. I did the ziplines and high ropes course years ago with a small group, and I went in genuinely unsure whether I’d be able to go through with it. I did. And the feeling on the other side of something you thought you couldn’t do is worth more than I expected. I’d recommend it without hesitation — not because it’s easy, but because it isn’t, and that’s the point. If you’re someone who thinks they might be afraid of heights, that might be exactly the reason to go.
The hiking is why most people come. The hiking is extraordinary and we’ll never pretend otherwise. But if that’s all you did, you left a lot on the table.
Here’s the honest rundown of everything else this region has to offer — the stuff worth building into your itinerary, or saving for the return trip.
On the water
The Hocking River winds through the region past sandstone cliffs and wooded hillsides, with calm stretches that are easy and ideal for all ages. Hocking Hills Adventures has been running canoe, kayak, and tube trips on the river for nearly 50 years — they know the water. Adventure Pro Outdoors runs a similar operation. Lake Logan, a few minutes from the park, has pontoon boats, kayaks, pedal boats, and paddleboard rentals if you want something with more open water.
If you’ve never spent a few hours floating a quiet river through the woods, this is the place to try it.
In the treetops
Hocking Hills has more than 60 ziplines, making it the canopy tour capital of the Midwest. Hocking Hills Canopy Tours is the most established operation — running tours above the caves and river for groups of all ages. Ultimate Zipline Adventures adds paintball and disc golf to the mix if you want a full afternoon at one location.
ATV and UTV riding
Adventure Pro Outdoors is the primary ATV and UTV rental operation in the area, offering guided tours through Wayne National Forest on roughly 75 miles of designated off-road trails — one of the better trail systems in the region. Tours run April through mid-December, guides included, beginners welcome. R Adventure Park is another option with 14 miles of private wooded trails on over 80 acres, plus hourly rentals for those who want to go at their own pace.
It’s a completely different way to see the woods than hiking, and for guests who want more than a walk, it tends to be the activity that most exceeds expectations.
The windy roads by Slingshot
Slingshot rentals are the thing guests mention that surprises people most when they hear about it. You rent a Polaris Slingshot — an open-air, three-wheeled vehicle that sits low to the road — and take it out on the scenic back roads of southeastern Ohio for a few hours. The hills and curves that make this area beautiful for hiking also make them spectacular from the road at low speed with nothing between you and the tree canopy. Adventure Pro Outdoors offers nine mapped routes. It’s the kind of afternoon that doesn’t need a description — it explains itself while you’re doing it.
Rock climbing and rappelling
About 99 acres of Hocking State Forest have been set aside specifically for climbing and rappelling, located on Big Pine Road near Conkle’s Hollow. Guided rappelling tours run from 35 to 115 feet, including one off an active waterfall. Hocking Hill Adventure Treks offers everything from beginner sessions to multi-climb packages. All gear is provided — no experience needed to get started.
Farms and animals
Younger guests — and honestly, most adults — are surprised by how much genuine farm life exists around the edges of the park. There are working farms in the area where you can do hands-on visits including milking cows and meeting animals up close. The Walker Farm runs pumpkin season activities in fall with wagon rides and a corn maze. Horseback riding is available through several local outfitters, including Rose Moon Ranch about 15 minutes from Old Man’s Cave, which offers trail rides and pony rides across 50 acres.
E-bikes
Hocking Hills Bike Rentals offers pedal-assist e-mountain bikes for Bailey’s Trail System and Chestnut Ridge — a solid option for guests who want to cover more ground than their legs would otherwise allow, or who want a ride that doesn’t require prior fitness. It’s a low-pressure way to spend a few hours in the woods.
A few things you might not expect
High Rock Escape Rooms in Logan runs a Sasquatch-themed escape room if you’re looking for an evening activity that doesn’t require a headlamp. The Sykyl Pub is a 15-passenger pedal-powered wagon that does pub crawls and tours of downtown Logan — good for groups. And for something completely different: there’s a barrel-shaped cedar sauna in the area with a floor-to-ceiling fisheye window facing a Hocking Hills view — drive-up access, Bluetooth speakers, seats four. Worth knowing exists.
Wineries, breweries, and a glass studio
Hocking Hills Winery does wine flights and charcuterie boards, the patio is dog-friendly, and they’re open most evenings. 58 West in downtown Logan produces wine, beer, and spirits on-site and has a proper kitchen. Brewery 33 is the beer option if wine isn’t your preference.
Then there’s Jack Pine Studio — a working glass art studio where you can watch skilled glassblowers at work and buy hand-made pieces to take home. It’s the kind of place you walk into for fifteen minutes and stay for an hour.
The John Glenn Astronomy Park
Free stargazing programs on clear Friday and Saturday nights, March through November. Telescopes provided. The sky out here earns it.
The region has a full week’s worth of things to do beyond the state park. Most people discover this on their second or third visit, which is one of the reasons there is always a second or third visit.
