Most people come for the gorges. The fishing is quieter, less crowded, and depending on the day, better. Notestone Reserve sits in Laurelville, Ohio — about 15 minutes from Rose Lake and 20 from Clear Creek — which puts most of what's on this list within easy reach of a morning.
Arrive before 9 a.m., expect no cell signal in the gorges, know the park is free and closes at dark, and plan dinner before 9 p.m.; the rest of a first Hocking Hills trip mostly takes care of itself.