Gas-Saving Vacations Close to Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati and Toledo

Families around the US may be putting away their traveling money for a less rainy day in the economy. But more than a handful of travelers in Columbus, Toledo, Akron and Cincinnati, are still packing their bags knowing they've got the advantage of having a wilderness resort right in their own backyard.

Hocking Hills State Park, also known to many as Old Man's Cave, offers a gas-saving vacation only a few short hours away. The park is free and offers more than 25 miles of hiking trails along with free programs offered by a year around naturalist. Programs range from lantern tours at Ash Cave, ghost hunts at Old Man's Cave, live animal demonstrations from their raptor center and canoe tours and excursions.

With the added bonus of hundreds of secluded cabin rentals all around the region, guests can book overnight stays with a hot tub and enjoy a money-saving vacation for the whole family or a couple.

City Name Mileage Travel Time
Cincinnati Ohio 140-160 2 ½ -3 hours
Cleveland, Ohio 190 – 200 3- 31/2 hours
Columbus, Ohio 60 1 – 1 ¼ hours
Bowling Green, Ohio 200 3- 3 ½ hours

So what is there to see in the Hocking Hills? If you can imagine endless trails and seasonal waterfalls, huge rock formations and unique recess caves, you can imagine the Hocking Hills. Here are just a few of the dramatic areas you can visit at Hocking Hills State Park:

Cantwell Cliffs
Cantwell Cliffs offer hikers rugged cliff faces and unique rock formations. In the spring, it's touted for a wide array of wildflowers and in fall, has vibrant color changes. But compared to most of the other trails, it is more remote if you wish to pass fewer hikers on hot summer days.
Length: The trail is about a mile and takes 1- 1 1/12 hours to hike
Directions: From Logan: Take State Route 33 north toward Lancaster and then to State Route 374.

Cedar Falls
Cedar Falls is one of the more popular trails. Visitors to the trail have said it is like stepping into an enchanted forest. Huge hemlocks, well-worn paths and rugged cliffs line much of the trail. At one time, a grist mill was located at the top of the falls where a newly constructed bridge now stands. If you look closely at the stream from the bridge, you can see the remnants of the old mill. Huge snapping turtles live deep in the pool beneath the waterfall. Watch just below the cliff edge, you may see them basking in the early morning sun.
Length: The trail is about a 1/2 mile and takes about 40 minutes to hike.
Directions: From Logan -Take State Route 664 to State Route 374

Old Man's Cave
Old Man's Cave offers cliffs, cascading waterfalls and towering hemlocks lining the trail that wanders deep within this recess cave Huge rock formations are never more than a stone's throw away and awesome stone bridges and rock tunnels will take your breath away.
Length: Approximately 1 mile long and takes about an hour to hike.
Directions: From Logan -Take 664 South 12 miles to park

Ash Cave
Towering hemlocks, a cascading waterfall and a wide recess cave make Ash Cave one of Hocking Hills State Park's most popular hiking trails. An added bonus is that the part of the trail leading to the cave is asphalt and easily accessible for wheelchairs and strollers.
Length: There is an upper and lower trail at Ash Cave, each one approximately a 1/2 mile long. The lower trail is handicap accessible along a paved sidewalk ending in the large sandy region of the recess cave. It takes approximately a 1/2 hour to hike the trail.
Directions: From Logan- Take State Route 93 south to St Route 56

Rock House
The Rock House-In the early 1900's, a hotel was once located near the 1/4 mile trail leading to an opening in a cliff face with gothic-like windows. Rockhouse was even once said to be a hide-out for bandits and thieves in 1800's. Look for small recesses in the back wall of Rock House were used as baking ovens for Native Americans staying in the cave.
Length: The Rockhouse trail is about a 1/2 mile long and takes 30 to 45 minutes to traverse.
Directions: From Logan -Take State Route 374

Conkle's Hollow
Rugged cliffs, steep ledges and tiny recess caves make this remote trail a wonderful hike for the adventurous. Cliffs, a meandering stream, enormous hemlocks and rock formations make the lower hiking trail a wonderful adventure. The recess cave with a seasonal waterfall at the end makes the trail worth the walk. Be Careful! I wouldn't recommend taking the kids on the upper level of the trail. Hiking can be hazardous.
Length: The rim is 2 1/2 miles long and the lower trail is about a mile. It takes about an hour and a half to 2 hours to hike the rim or upper trail and about 1 hour to hike the lower trail
Directions: From Logan - Take State Route 664 to Big Pine Road