Hocking Hills

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This article is for the region in Southeastern Ohio known as Hocking Hills In Logan, Ohio. For the state park of the same name, please see: Hocking Hills State Park.

Conkle's Hollow

The Hocking Hills is a deeply dissected area of the Allegheny Plateau in Ohio, primarily in Hocking County, that features cliffs, gorges, rock shelters, and waterfalls. The relatively extreme topography in this area is due to the Blackhand Sandstone (so named because of Native American graphics on the formation near Newark, Ohio), a particular formation that is thick, hard and weather-resistant, and so forms high cliffs and narrow, deep gorges.

Most of the more scenic areas of the region are under state ownership, including:

The core area also includes two privately owned preserves, Crane Hollow and Camp Oti-Okwa (owned by Big Brothers and Big Sisters).

The geological series that forms the Hocking Hills extends south and west, gradually diminishing but still forming impressive bluffs and gorges in:

The Buckeye Trail, along with the North Country Trail and the American Discovery Trail, passes through the Hocking Hills region.

Also nearby are:

Hocking Hills Area

Climate

The region has mild weather with an average rainfall of 40.3 inches per year and an average of about 175 sunny days. The average July high is 84.8 degrees Fahrenheit and the average January low is 19.3 degrees Fahrenheit.[1]

Climate Hocking Hills United States
Rainfall (in.) 40.3 36.5
Snowfall (in.) 18.2 25
Precipitation Days 110 100
Sunny Days 175 2-5
Avg. July High 84.8 86.5
Avg. Jan. Low 19.3 20.5
Comfort Index (higher=better) 46 44
UV Index 5.2 4.3
Elevation ft. 776 1,060

History

The region was first settled by Christian Eby and was named from a shortened version of the Hockhocking River by the Shawnee Indian tribe. Hockhocking, in the Delaware tongue, signifies a bottle. The Shawnee people thought that a very narrow and straight creek above the waterfall on The Hockhocking River resembled a "bottle" neck. Other notable settlers were George Starkey and Moses Dolson. The first election on county matters was held in Eby’s mill near Queer Creek. The first post office in the area was called the “Rockhouse” and located in Herschel Badford’s home. [2]

Hocking County Formation

Hocking County was formed on March 1, 1818, from Ross, Athens, Fairfield and Logan. The county's boundaries and townships haven’t been altered since 1851, and due to its natural surroundings, has become a tourist attraction. [3]

Outdoor Activities

Visitors can experience Hocking Hills through outdoor activities, year round, including farmers markets, wine tastings and train rides. Some activities include:

  • Athens Farmers Market
  • Earth, Water, Rock: Outdoor Adventures
  • Hocking Hills Canopy Tours (Late March through the last weekend in November)
  • Happy Hills Fun Park
  • Hocking Hills Gem Mine
  • Hocking Hills Marina at Lake Logan
  • Hocking Hills Primal Trek
  • Hocking Hills Adventures
  • Hocking Peaks
  • Hocking Valley Scenic Railway
  • Hunting at Hocking Hills Cabins
  • Shade Winery
  • Sharp Farms Pumpkins & Corn Maze
  • The Buckeye Trail
  • Touch the Earth Adventures
  • Valley Zipline Tours Walker Farm
  • Wayne National Forest

Hiking Trails

Hocking County offers miles of trails that vary in length and difficulty depending on location. Some of the trails are also pet friendly.[4]

  • Old Man’s Cave: 1 mile
  • Ash Cave Gorge: ¼ mile, wheelchair accessible
  • Ash Cave Rim: ½ mile
  • Cedar Falls: ½ mile
  • Rock House: 1 mile
  • Cantwell Cliffs: 1 mile
  • Conkle’s Hollow: 1 mile
  • Conkle’s Hollow Rim: 2½ miles
  • Buckeye Trail: Cedar Falls – Ash Cave: 3 miles, Old Man’s Cave – Cedar Falls: 3 mile

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Climate in Hocking County, Ohio". Sperling's. 
  2. ↑ "Hocking County Name". 1800hocking.com. 
  3. ↑ "Hocking County History". 1800hocking.com. 
  4. ↑ "Bring Your Pets to Hocking Hills For Some Four-Legged Fun". Hocking Hills Tourism Association. Retrieved 2012-06-24. 

External links

Coordinates: 39°28′N 82°34′W / 39.467°N 82.567°W / 39.467; -82.567

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