Our Family Weekend at Stoneveil Retreat — and Why Hocking Hills Should Be on Every Family’s Radar

If you’ve never heard of Hocking Hills, Ohio, let me introduce you to one of the most underrated family hiking destinations in the Midwest. Bridges, caves, tunnels and waterfalls at nearly every turn — and trails short enough that even your littlest hikers can keep up. We spent a long weekend here with the whole crew, grandparents included, and left just as giddy as on our first visit. (Yep; this is our third time hiking this area.)

The secret weapon that amplified this particular trek? Our stay at Stoneveil Retreat — a countryside vacation rental that somehow managed to entertain every single person under one roof, from the toddlers to the grandparents, on the trails and off them.

WHERE WE STAYED: STONEVEIL RETREAT

Let’s talk about this house, because it deserves its own headline.

Stoneveil Retreat sleeps up to 20 guests in six bedrooms, which made it perfect for our multigenerational group — there was space for everyone without anyone feeling on top of each other. But it’s not just the size that sets it apart. The amenities here are the kind that make you genuinely excited to come back to the rental at the end of a hiking day.

Inside, you’ll find a dedicated kids playroom and a game room that kept our children happily occupied for hours — no screens required. For the adults, there’s a sauna, hot tub and ice bath that felt like a serious luxury after a day on the trails. Outside, a putting green gave us a way to compete (lightly) between hikes, a mini play zone for the kids kept our littlest occupied, and mom and dad tried their hand at pickleball on the backyard court. Inside, the popcorn machine turned movie nights into an actual event. (That buttery smell! I think I need one in our own house now.)

It was the kind of trip where the house itself is part of the experience. And good news: You’ll find more than just this property managed by the same team here in Ohio; they offer several equally adorable, themed properties near Hocking Hills over at West Properties BnB.

This stay was hosted by Stoneveil Retreat. All opinions and trail recommendations are our own.

WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

Plan your meals before you arrive: This is the most important practical tip we can give you: don’t count on restaurants in Hocking Hills. Make a grocery run to Logan on your way in and stock up on everything you’ll need: snacks for the trails, breakfast foods, and grilling essentials for dinner.

Having a fully stocked kitchen at Stoneveil Retreat made this easy, and honestly, eating in felt like part of the cozy experience.

Be strategic about timing (and wear layers): Off-season months are prime for this area. We’ve traveled twice in the first two weeks of March and lucked out with nicer-than-normal weather (in the 60s on our last trip!), but even on sunny, hot days, the cavernous walks can be cool and feel damp.

If you have the flexibility to visit mid-week, with fewer crowds, definitely do that. On weekends, aim for early morning arrivals to find parking, or later afternoons.

p.s. If you’re looking for a good backpack carrier for your little one, you can find our favorite in my Amazon Gear List.

Download maps in advance: Cell service in this area is spotty if not non-existent. Download maps on your phone in advance, or in your vehicle’s navigation system, to ensure you can get in and out of the state park system easily.

Bring picnic supplies: Roll up a blanket for your hiking backpack. One of our favorite parts of these hikes is finding a sandy area near a waterfall to sit down and unpack a snack.

Rainy day plans: If your trip coincides with less-than-ideal weather, consider these alternative options. A scenic ride on a historic train. A day of indoor climbing at Rock House Bouldering. A visit for the younger ones to the Hocking Hills Children’s Museum. Or, a 45-minute drive into Columbus, Ohio, where you can grab lunch at the family-friendly BrewDog Brewery, Taproom and Hotel. A stroll through the Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens. Exploring kid-friendly COSI, the Center of Science and Industry. Ice cream with a side of playscape at this Graeter’s location.

A FAMILY GUIDE TO HIKING HOCKING HILLS

Hocking Hills State Park is made up of several distinct trails, each with its own personality. The good news for families: most are short, manageable, and genuinely stunning. Here are our five favorites, in roughly the order we’d recommend tackling them.

1. Old Man’s Cave

Best for: First-timers and families with little ones

Old Man’s Cave is the most popular trail in the park, and for good reason — it’s an easy, gorgeous introduction to everything Hocking Hills does well. You can tackle it in sections or as one longer connected hike, depending on your group’s energy. Don’t miss the upper and lower falls along the river. We packed a blanket and a picnic lunch and laid out at the upper falls, which is just a short walk to the left of the parking lot. It’s one of those spots that doesn’t feel real.

2. Cedar Falls

Best for: A peaceful, canopied walk

Cedar Falls offers a wide, winding path that winds under a canopy of trees before opening up to a beautiful waterfall and a stone-rimmed pool among the forest. The trail feels almost enchanted — it’s quieter than Old Man’s Cave and rewards you with one of the prettiest payoffs in the park. A great one to linger on.

3. Ash Cave

Best for: Stroller-friendly families and photo ops

Ash Cave is the most accessible trail in the park, thanks to a paved, flat path that’s completely stroller-friendly. But don’t let the ease fool you — the payoff is enormous. The cave itself is absolutely majestic in scale, one of the largest recessed caves in the United States, and a plunging waterfall at its center makes it one of the most photogenic spots in Ohio. There’s also an option to return via an alternate trail with a bit of elevation if your group wants to stretch their legs a little more. Pack a snack or a ball — if the crowds aren’t overwhelming, this is a wonderful space to hang out in for a while.

4. Rock House

Best for: Kids who love exploring (and echoes)

Rock House is a quick trail that leads to the only true cave in Hocking Hills State Park — meaning you actually walk inside it. Fair warning: it’s easy to hike right past the entrance without realizing it, so keep your eyes open. Once you’re inside, encourage your kids to make some noise. The echo is genuinely impressive, and you’ll quickly discover the cave is home to a colony of pigeons whose purring creates an unexpectedly cool soundtrack. It’s a short, memorable stop.

5. Conkle’s Hollow

Best for: Families ready for a little more adventure

Conkle’s Hollow is the most challenging trail on this list — but at just two miles, it’s completely manageable for most families. The gorge trail at the bottom is flat and beautiful, while the rim trail offers dramatic cliffside views and some legitimately scary ledges to peer over if you’re feeling brave. The combination of lush gorge scenery and high, sweeping views makes this one feel the most adventurous of the bunch. Save it for a day when everyone has their hiking legs under them.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Hocking Hills punches well above its weight as a family destination. The trails are accessible, the scenery is legitimately spectacular, and with a rental like Stoneveil Retreat as your home base — with amenities that keep kids and adults equally entertained — it becomes the kind of trip your family will talk about for years.

Whether you’re planning a trip with grandparents, a big group of families, or just your immediate crew, this is a destination worth getting on the calendar.