Ohios Hocking Hills Region

by Jack R. Perry
Originally published in Hills Living magazine June, 2016


What is the Hocking Hills region? It is State and Metro Parks; Old Mans Cave, Ash Cave, Cedar Falls, Cockles Hollow, The Rock House, the Wayne National Forest, and rural roads, smalls towns, and festivals just to name a few things. This is just a few of the natural sights of the area but you can Zipline/Canopy tour with more than 60 in the area. There is Canoeing and Kayaking, rock climbing, fishing and golf. If you have never heard of Hocking Hills or have never visited, you need to add it to your bucket list. Hocking Hills State Park is located in rural Ohio SE of Columbus, Ohio. It is near Logan, Ohio. Hocking Hills State Parks are about a three hour drive from Canton Ohio. The Hocking Hills region includes the Ohio counties of Hocking, Fairfield, Vinton and Athens. I have been to the area more than four times over the years. I am never disappointed every time I visit. There is always something new to see or a new adventure to plan out. My new adventure that I have added to my bucket list is the haunted Moonville tunnel located on the old unused rail corridor of the Cincinnati to Marietta railroad. Another of my photo passions is for wildflowers; April and May are the best months for Ohio wildflowers and Hocking Hills region is the place to go.

Fairfield County is the closest to Columbus. Lancaster is the county seat and the home to an Ohio University branch campus. Fairfield county folks also love their covered bridges. They have eighteen of them, some on private property, some difficult to get to and none you can drive through. A unique CB and one of my favorites is the Rock Mill CB over the Hocking River. It is the shortest of their CBs but the most unique with a 30 foot waterfall that has a deep pool at the bottom. It was popular to the area kids that used to dive from the ledges, but I believe access is now restricted for swimming and diving. The old mill has been reconstructed and is worth a visit by itself. For more information on the covered bridges and a long list of great things to do, visit the Fairfield County Visitors & Convention Bureau www.visitfairfieldcountyoh.org They will even mail you a visitors guide or you can read it on-line. I noticed they have listed four breweries and wineries with one named the Rockmill Brewery.

In April Fairfield County lost the Roley School House Covered Bridge to damaging winds that caused the collapse of the 117-year-old Fairfield County landmark. It originally stood across the Ohio Canal in Baltimore and later over Paw Paw Creek in Baltimore. The bridge was moved to the Fairfield County fairgrounds in 1972, it had become a landmark for fairgoers.

Hocking Hills State Parks is one my favorite places, you will discover amazing sandstone outcroppings, deep cool gorges, towering hemlocks and glistening waterfalls that characterize the regions great photographic opportunities. Old Mans Cave State Park has cabins you can rent with two bedrooms. Reservations can be made on the website www.hockinghills.com or with a phone call; 866.644.6727. They go fast; reserve early and make it a weekend trip. If you drive the regions rural roads you will find cool barns, old churches and schools, historical grave yards, and much more. Where else can you find so many opportunities for great photographs and memories.

For more information on the Moonville Tunnel visit www.moonvilletunnel.net.These are just a few of the places I love in Ohio. I have included photographs of some of the places I have mentioned for your enjoyment. You can find many more of my photographs from around Ohio and other great outdoor places I love on my website www.jackrperryphotography.com. Watch for my more in-depth articles and photographs of some of my favorite places in Ohio and other states.

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