Hocking Hills, Ohio—Trails for walking, and hills for hawking.
- Hocking Hills is one of the most visited parks in Ohio
- A $6 million visitors facility recently opened, featuring interactive trail simulators and science exhibits
- Many of the new tourists are actually from the area
“This is Ohio’s worst-kept secret. Hocking Hills State Park,” said Pat Quackenbush, naturalist supervisor. “We are the most visited state park, so we always have phenomenal numbers of visitors who come in here.”
Quakenbush says since opening the new state-of-the-art visitors center last month, there’s been an uptick in foot traffic —from familiar faces.
“I’ve been laughing because it’s the first time in a while we’ve seen the local folks, because they want to get out and see the new center,” said Quackenbush.
The $6 million visitors center features interactive trail simulators, science stations, and guidance for first-timers.
“The main focus of the visitors center is to give everybody an overall view of the park, and that would be geology, the flora and fauna, the history of the park,” said Quackenbush.
One of those first-time visitors — Ryan Davidson — traveled all the way from Maryland to take in the sights.
“Somebody once said that nature is cheaper than therapy…it sort of allows your mind to wander and to not focus on a specific thing,” said Davidson.
For longtime park-goer Diane Kozak, she appreciated the great indoors supplementing the great outdoors.
“Love it, it’s delightful,” said Kozak. “What kind of stuff did you see there? Air conditioning. Hahaha.”
Quackenbush says whether you’re a seasoned Hocking hiker or a nature newbie, the most important thing is staying safe through the at times treacherous terrain.
“Make sure you’re prepared when you get out on the trails, we want to make sure you leave on your feet, not with your feet up in the air,” said Quackenbush.
The park is open year-round from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.