Discover the Delights of Hocking Hills: Top 12 Fun Facts You Won't Believe!

1. Scottish-themed Resort

Ready to channel your inner Highlander while putt-putting in the heart of Ohio? This'll have you shouting, "FORE, MacLeod!": Hocking Hills, Southeastern Ohio, boasts a Scottish-themed resort called Glenlaurel Inn, complete with clan-named cabins, an eight-hole golf course, bagpipe serenades, and an annual Robert Burns Dinner honoring the 18th-century poet.
Source => mensjournal.com

2. Underground Oil Treasury

Hocking Hills State Park is like a secret underground speakeasy for ancient organisms, hiding a wealth of liquid gold in their porous sandstone vaults: Beneath the breathtaking landscapes, the park houses numerous oil and natural gas wells due to the economically valuable fossil fuels formed from the decay of ancient life ascending into the sandstone formations.
Source => thelifeofyourtime.wordpress.com

Did you know the world's largest bat gathering occurs in Texas? Over 20 million bats provide spectacular flight shows every summer while feasting on night-flying insects! 🦇🎉

=> Fun Facts about Caves

3. Ash Cave Sing-alongs

If ever you find yourself desiring a shower of nature's own design while belting out a tune worthy of a cave-side concert, might we suggest a destination of unparalleled magnificence? This geological karaoke machine comes complete with its own floral audience and superior acoustics: Ash Cave in Hocking Hills State Park spans nearly 700 feet in length, reaching 100 feet deep and 90 feet high, with extraordinary sound properties, native wildflowers, and a tributary of the East Fork of Queer Creek cascading over the rim into a picturesque pool below. The best part? The cave even rolls out the welcome mat for both picnickers and those seeking handicap accessibility.
Source => chaletshh.com

4. Rock House Bandits & Ovens

Before there was Airbnb for bandits and prehistoric Easy-Bake Ovens: The Rock House in Hocking Hills State Park was once a cozy hideout for outlaws, earning it the nickname "Robbers Roost", while prehistoric Native Americans ingeniously used shallow openings in the rock walls as ovens for cooking. Now, visitors enjoy the cave's sheer cliffs, waterfalls, and lush gardens after a brief 0.50 mile hike.
Source => brookandholler.com

5. Diabolical Devil's Bathtub

Step aside, diabolical rubber duckies: The Devil's Bathtub in Hocking Hills is where the real sinister splash takes place! This geological wonder serves as a home for cascading pools, swirling waters, and unique sandstone erosion: A captivating yet dangerous spectacle, demanding caution from visitors and urging them to resist diving from surrounding rocks.
Source => gohocking.com

6. Leg Day with Mother Nature

If Hocking Hills were a workout, it'd be leg day with Mother Nature: the park boasts impressive gorges and rewarding hikes that'll leave you (and your thighs) quivering with excitement! Here comes the serious stuff: Visitors can enjoy various outdoor activities and educational events year-round, exploring the park on the Buckeye Trail and other national systems, or taking part in wildlife education programs and learning about the unique history of plant uses in medicine and industry.
Source => hockinghills.com

7. Moonville Ghost Town

In a ghost town with a moontastic twist, the spirits of the past linger in Hocking Hills: The Moonville Tunnel was built to streamline the Marietta and Cincinnati Railroad, leading to the birth of the Moonville community which housed miners and railroad workers. Peaking at a population of 100 in the 1800s, the town sadly declined and was deserted by 1947. Nowadays, trailblazers can hike sections of the old railroad and explore the tunnel, while trying to debunk tales of ghosts haunting the tracks.
Source => ohiodnr.gov

8. Souper Winter Hike

A "souper" good time: Hocking Hills State Park's annual Winter Hike offers an outdoorsy celebration of cold weather, complete with snazzy hats, rosy cheeks, and – you guessed it – a hot and hearty bowl of bean soup, cornbread, and warm beverages for mid-hike sustenance at the picturesque Cedar Falls.
Source => hockinghills.com

9. Canopy Tours & Ziplining

Hold on to your helmets and zip(line) it like you mean it: Hocking Hills Canopy Tours pioneered the first midwest Canopy Tour, snagging "Best Outdoor Adventure in Ohio" for three years in a row from Ohio Magazine, and earning the prestigious title of "The Best Ziplines in America" by USA Today.
Source => hockinghillscanopytours.com

10. Spider-Man Climbing Adventures

Ever felt like Spider-Man, itching to climb and conquer new heights in Ohio? Look no further, webslingers: Hocking Hills hosts the sole company authorized to lead rock climbing and rappelling adventures in Hocking State Forest, with expert guides certified by the prestigious American Mountain Guide Association, making them Ohio's premier wall-crawling gurus.
Source => hockinghillsadventuretrek.com

11. Critter Celebrity Sightings

Forget the red carpet, it's all about going green in Hocking Hills: With a star-studded list of critter celebrities, this picturesque region showcases the likes of white-tailed deer, wild turkeys, barn owls, and even exclusive appearances by bobcats and black bears. Offering pristine fishing spots for autograph-seeking anglers, the Hocking River and Lake Logan boast smallmouth bass, saugeye, muskie, and more! Birdwatchers can also rejoice, as Hocking Hills rolls out the red feather carpet for native avian stars like Evening Grosbeaks, Brown Creepers, and Ohio's own state bird, the Cardinal.
Source => gohocking.com

12. Treetop Decadence & Glamping

If Tarzan and Marie Antoinette had a lovechild – and that lovechild decided to become a real estate tycoon – their masterpiece would undisputedly be the Oasis Hocking Hills: An 8-acre wonderland of treetop decadence where guests can sway in swinging beds while sipping champagne, live out their childhood fantasies in architecturally stunning treehouses, or go "glamp" with their clan of 25 in a modern yet cozy mountain lodge. Book early, lest you be left swinging from your own suburban vines in envy!
Source => columbusnavigator.com