Finding a Hocking Hills cabin that works equally well for a family, two couples, and the dog can be harder than it sounds. Sherwood was designed to solve that problem. With two king bedrooms on separate levels, two full bathrooms, a queen Murphy bed, a private hot tub, and room for up to six guests, it gives everyone space without losing the cozy cabin feel.
Sherwood is one of the larger stays at Notestone Reserve, our family-owned property in Laurelville, Ohio. It sits close enough to the major Hocking Hills attractions to make hiking days simple, but the setting still feels quiet and tucked away when you come back for the evening.
For guests looking for a pet-friendly cabin in Hocking Hills that sleeps six, Sherwood offers a combination we think works especially well: room to spread out, private outdoor amenities, and enough entertainment at the cabin that you do not have to keep everyone busy from morning until night.
A Hocking Hills Cabin That Actually Works for Six Guests
A cabin can technically “sleep six” without being comfortable for six. Sherwood is different because the sleeping arrangement is spread across two levels.
The main floor has a king bedroom and a full bathroom with a shower. Downstairs, there is a second king bedroom, another full bathroom, and a queen Murphy bed built into the lower-level living area.
During the day, the Murphy bed folds away so the downstairs works as a sitting and entertainment space. At night, it becomes a third sleeping area. The Murphy bed should be operated by an adult, but the setup makes Sherwood much more flexible than a cabin filled with bunk beds or pullout couches.
That layout is one reason Sherwood works so well for two couples traveling together. Each couple can essentially have its own floor and bathroom while still sharing the kitchen, deck, hot tub, and common spaces.
Why Families Like the Two-Level Layout
When families travel together, privacy matters more than people expect.
Parents may want to stay upstairs while older kids or another couple takes the lower level. Someone can watch television downstairs without taking over the main living room. Morning schedules are easier when everyone is not waiting for one bathroom.
The lower level also has a 65-inch Smart TV, an arcade machine, and a game table. That becomes especially useful after a long hiking day—or on the afternoon when everyone planned another trail and then collectively decided they were done walking.
Guests also have access to Notestone Reserve’s shared game room across the property. Families who have stayed with us regularly mention how helpful it is to have something for the kids to do without needing to drive somewhere else.
Sherwood Is a Dog-Friendly Cabin in Hocking Hills
Dogs are part of the vacation for a lot of our guests, so Sherwood welcomes up to two dogs.
There is a flat pet fee per stay, and dogs need to remain leashed while outside on the property. We also provide a pet welcome basket with treats and waste bags when you arrive.
That sounds like a small detail, but those are the kinds of things we have learned matter when people travel. Forgetting dog treats or waste bags should not require another stop after you have already unloaded the car.
If your Hocking Hills trip is not complete without your dog, take a closer look at Sherwood, our dog-friendly Hocking Hills cabin before deciding where to stay.
A Private Hot Tub You Can Use Year-Round
After a few hours hiking through Hocking Hills, the hot tub tends to become one of the most-used parts of the cabin.
Sherwood’s private hot tub sits underneath the covered lower deck. Because it is covered, guests can enjoy it throughout the year without worrying as much about rain, snow, or whatever Ohio decides to do with the weather that afternoon.
It also gives the cabin two different outdoor experiences. The covered deck is a good place to sit with coffee or relax after a hike, while the lower outdoor area gives you direct access to the hot tub.
There is also a wood-burning fire pit outside, and we stock firewood and a starter. You do not have to spend the first evening of your vacation trying to track down a bundle of wood.
For a family trip, that combination works well. Adults can relax, kids can make s’mores, and nobody has to get back in the car.
The Cabin Kitchen Is Made for a Real Weekend Stay
Sherwood has a full-size refrigerator and freezer, stove, oven, microwave, cookware, dishes, utensils, coffee maker, and French press.
We also keep a starter pantry stocked.
That matters more in Hocking Hills than it might on a city vacation. After a morning hike, sometimes everyone wants to go out for lunch. Other times, nobody wants to leave the cabin again.
Having a real kitchen makes both options possible.
Families can bring breakfast food and toddler snacks. Two couples can cook dinner and open a bottle of wine. You can grill outside using the propane grill and tools instead of waiting for a table at a busy restaurant during a fall weekend.
Bottled water, linens, towels, and premium toiletries are also provided, which means fewer things have to make it onto the packing list.
How Close Is Sherwood to Hocking Hills State Park?
One of Sherwood’s biggest advantages is its location.
Rock House is only about seven minutes away, making it an easy first stop in the morning. Cantwell Cliffs and Conkles Hollow are both roughly 15 minutes from the property.
Old Man’s Cave is about 20 minutes away, Cedar Falls is approximately 25 minutes away, and Ash Cave is around 28 to 30 minutes away.
That makes Sherwood a useful home base if you want to see several parts of Hocking Hills instead of staying next to one trail and driving a long distance everywhere else.
We especially like the proximity to Rock House. Guests can get there early, enjoy the trail before the busiest part of the day, and still be back at the cabin with most of the day ahead of them.
If trail access is a major part of your decision, Sherwood’s Hocking Hills cabin page includes the approximate drive time to each major attraction.
What Happens When Everyone Is Tired of Hiking?
One mistake people make on their first Hocking Hills trip is planning every hour around hiking.
The trails are why many people come here, but two or three hikes in one day can quickly become a lot—especially with children.
Sherwood gives you a reason to head back early without feeling like the day is over.
The lower-level arcade machine and game table give kids somewhere to land. There are Smart TVs upstairs and downstairs. The shared game room adds even more options, while the hot tub, deck, and fire pit make staying at the cabin feel like part of the trip rather than downtime between activities.
Sometimes the better afternoon is simply ordering food, opening the cabin door, and not going anywhere else.
A Good Fit for Two Couples Visiting Hocking Hills
Sherwood is not only a family cabin.
The two king bedrooms make it an especially practical option for two couples. Nobody gets stuck with twin beds or a bunk room, and having a full bathroom on each level gives each couple more privacy.
During the day, everyone can gather in the main living areas or outside. At night, the two-level layout gives each couple space.
That can make Sherwood a strong choice for friends taking a Hocking Hills weekend trip, two couples celebrating an occasion, or parents traveling with grandparents.
The Murphy bed remains available if the group grows beyond four.
What Guests Notice About Sherwood
The details guests mention after staying here are often not the flashy ones.
People talk about the view from the back porch. They mention wrapping up in a blanket outside during colder weather. They notice the quality of the towels and comforters, how well the kitchen is stocked, and how clean the cabin feels.
Families repeatedly mention the game room.
Other guests talk about the quiet. One guest described the sound of the pond as exactly the peace and calm she had been looking for.
Those comments matter to us because they reflect what we want a stay at Notestone Reserve to feel like. Sherwood should be comfortable when you arrive, easy to use throughout the weekend, and relaxing enough that you do not feel pressure to constantly leave the property.
Who Is Sherwood Best For?
Sherwood is a particularly good fit for:
- Families of up to six who want more than one bathroom
- Two couples who each want a king bedroom
- Families traveling with grandparents
- Guests bringing one or two dogs
- Groups who want a private hot tub and fire pit
- Families who appreciate games and indoor entertainment
- Visitors who want convenient access to Rock House and Old Man’s Cave
It is probably more cabin than a couple needs if the goal is a small romantic stay for two. Notestone Reserve also has tiny homes and mirror homes designed specifically around that type of trip.
But when guests want more room without moving into a huge lodge, Sherwood hits a useful middle ground.
Why Sherwood Was Named Sherwood
Every stay at Notestone Reserve has a name connected to a writer.
Sherwood is named for Sherwood Anderson, the Ohio-born author known for finding meaning in the ordinary lives of people in small-town America.
That connection felt appropriate for a property tucked into this part of Ohio. Our cabins, tiny homes, and mirror homes each have their own personality, and the names are one of the small ways we tie the property back to the landscape and the experience of slowing down.
Is Sherwood the Right Hocking Hills Cabin for Your Trip?
If your group needs two king bedrooms, two bathrooms, flexible sleeping space, a dog-friendly setup, and plenty to do after the hiking shoes come off, Sherwood is worth considering.
It sleeps up to six without forcing everyone into the same room. The hot tub is private and covered. The fire pit is ready for an evening outside, the kitchen is equipped for real meals, and Rock House is only minutes away.
More importantly, Sherwood gives families and groups room to spend time together without feeling crowded.
You can view Sherwood’s photos, full amenities and availability to decide whether the layout works for your Hocking Hills trip.