Free Things to Do in the Hocking Hills

Spending a weekend in the Hocking Hills does not have to cost a bundle. Cozy cottages, romantic cabins, and family style lodging require payment, but fun does not have to cost a penny. Outdoor excursions, cultural events, and historic sites are available free of charge throughout the Hocking Hills region.

Miles of hiking trails are available both at Old Man's Cave, and in the Zaleski State Forest. Ash Cave and Conkle's Hollow sections of Old Man's Cave are wheelchair accessible. Additional hiking trails are located at Rock House, Cantwell Cliff, Grandma Gatewood's Trail, Moonville Rail Trail, Lake Hope State Park, Lake Logan, and Cedar Falls. Waterfalls and bird watching add to the fun of walking around the trails in the Hocking Hills.

The Vinton County "Quilt Barn Project" offers a step back in time during combination driving and walking tour of rustic covered bridges and barns with large wooden Appalachian style quilt squares mounted on the sides. Free maps to discover all of the bridges and quilt squares are available at the Vinton County Convention and Visitor's Bureau on Main Street in McArthur, Ohio.

An outdoor theater at the Hocking Hills State Park offers free movies during the summer months. The Hock-Hocking Adena Bike Trail runs around some of the beautiful scenery in the state from Nelsonville to Athens. An additional shorter biking and walking trail exists around Lake Alma in Hamden, Ohio. Visitors to Lake Alma can tour the island located in the middle of the lake, which used to house one of the first amusement parks in the state.

Free tours of the Washboard Factory in Logan, Ohio are offered year around. The Washboard Music Festival is held during the third week of June annually. This factory is the only remaining producer of washboards in the United States.

Etta's Lunchbox Museum near New Plymouth, Ohio offers a colorful glimpse at childhood favorites. A vast collection of antique metal lunchboxes fills this quaint museum and diner.

The multiple state parks located in the Hocking Hills region offer free activities for naturalists and families year around. Lake Hope State Park features a free "Trail of Lights" hiking trail display every night in December. Special free activities occur on weekend nights in the adjacent nature center. Children can make earth friendly ornaments to hang take home, or design an ornament from birdseed to hang on a tree at the park. R.O.A.R. Day, a special free event held at Lake Hope State Park annually in October features Appalachian musical performance, pumpkin carving, native animal presentations, and many more crafting activities free of charge. The annual maple-sugaring event held at Old Man's Cave in January draws large crowds to learn how to extract sap from trees, and have a taste of nature's sweetness.

The sources I used for this article include personal experience, Lake Hope State Park website, Lake Alma website, and the Hocking Hills State Park website.