Beyond the Park

Highlights: Chapel Cave & Twin Falls, Airplane Rock, rock climbing/rappelling area, Buckeye Trail connection

Surrounding the state park, Hocking State Forest offers 59 miles of hiking across three trail systems, plus 40 miles of bridle trails with 23 horse campsites. A designated 99-acre rock climbing and rappelling area sits on Big Pine Road, one mile east of Conkle's Hollow. The Buckeye Trail passes through. Dogs allowed on leash.

Highlights: Ohio's largest state nature preserve (4,729 acres), 2,200+ documented species, last rhododendron colonies in Ohio

Managed by Columbus Metro Parks, this massive preserve spans Hocking and Fairfield Counties and contains the Allen F. Beck State Nature Preserve — Ohio's largest. Over 2,200 documented species of plants and animals live here, including Ohio's last rhododendron colonies. Trails range from the easy Prairie Warbler Trail (0.6 mi) to the strenuous Chestnut Ridge Trail (2.5 mi). Dogs are only allowed on a 1-mile section of Creekside Meadows Trail west of Starner Road — all other trails prohibit pets.

Highlights: Peninsula Trail, Hope Furnace Trail (Civil War–era iron furnace), Copperhead mountain bike trail, 120-acre lake, lodge restaurant

Entirely within the 26,824-acre Zaleski State Forest, Lake Hope surrounds a 120-acre C-shaped lake. Seven hiking trails total 17+ miles, highlighted by the Peninsula Trail (3 mi with lake views) and Hope Furnace Trail (3.2 mi to a Civil War–era iron furnace). The nationally recognized mountain biking trails include Copperhead (7.2 mi) and Wildcat (3.5 mi). The lodge restaurant serves hickory-smoked BBQ. Located about 30 minutes from Old Man's Cave.

Highlights: Ohio's premier overnight backpacking, South Loop (10.5 mi), Hewett Fork overlook, Doolittle Plantation (Ohio's oldest professional forestry, 1906)

Ohio's second-largest state forest offers a 29.1-mile backpack trail in three contiguous loops. The popular South Loop covers about 10.5 miles with three primitive campsites (pit latrines). Free self-registration permit required. Also features 50+ miles of bridle trails. Significantly more rugged and remote than the state park.

Highlights: Wildcat Hollow (17.2 mi loop), Archers Fork (14 mi with natural bridge), Baileys Trail System (mountain biking), Lake Vesuvius

Encompassing nearly 250,000 acres across 12 southeastern Ohio counties, Wayne National Forest offers 300+ miles of trails for hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, and ATV use. Key trails near Hocking Hills include Wildcat Hollow (17.2-mile loop) and Archers Fork (14-mile backpacking loop with a natural bridge). Significantly more remote and quieter than the state park.

Highlights: 1856 Moonville Tunnel (National Register of Historic Places), ghost legends, King's Hollow Tunnel (rare wooden-beam lining), haunted night hikes

This flat rail-trail follows the former Marietta & Cincinnati Railroad bed from Zaleski to Mineral. The signature feature is Moonville Tunnel — a brick-lined structure built around 1856, now famous for ghost legends. The ghost town of Moonville peaked with roughly 100 residents in the 1870s; the last family departed in 1947. Folklorist Jannette Quackenbush leads popular haunted night hikes year-round. Open dawn to 11 PM.