COLUMBUS, Ohio — Located 50 miles southeast of Columbus, Hocking Hills State Park has been a long time favorite getaway for Ohio residents.

What You Need To Know

  • Hocking Hills State Park in Southeast Ohio is one of the state’s most popular day trips

  • Crowds are expected to increase in coming months but state officials have a plan in place to keep everyone safe and socially distanced 

  • Between three to five million people from across the globe visit Hocking Hills each year

In April, the park shut down to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Since reopening in June, folks like naturalist supervisor Pat Quackenbush have helped reconfigure many trails, adding new signage and barriers, making the trails one-way only to accommodate social distancing.

“With the COVID-19, with the restrictions and with safety protocols and social distancing, it incorporated really well. Keeps everybody going in the same direction so you're not face to face with each other as you're coming down the trail,” said Quackenbush. 

In a given year, Hocking Hills State Park welcomes between three and five million people from across the globe—many of them overnighter's from here in Ohio. 

“Since the park reopened, the visitation has been very robust,” said Karen Raymore, the Hocking Hills Tourism Association executive director.

Raymore said with the mix of lodging and outdoor activities, she expects a big turnout in the summer into the fall months. 

And although many lodging, shops and restaurants have put forth stringent cleaning protocols, Raymore also has a message for day trippers or those arriving from out of state. 

“The park trails can get rather congested, and you're gonna want a mask. Because you may not be able to maintain that distance. So if you have a hiking stick, those are typically about five foot long. So there's your visual measure,” said Raymore. 

Raymore said for those planning a fall weekend visit, you should make your reservations immediately. And if you are concerned about crowd size, she said more options are available during the week. And for those parents who have chosen to home school, consider the park as an educational opportunity. 

“A trip to the Hocking Hills is a really great science lesson. Not a wasted day to come and get some fresh air and spend some time in nature and learn a little bit about the natural world,” said Raymore. 

For more information on Hocking Hills State Park, click here.