In January of 2020, the World Health Organization declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern that has shaped our lives in different ways ever since. Businesses evolved, conversations changed, but our body has the same needs that it had last year. It needs to move, it needs to stretch, it needs to see beyond a screen, and it needs to receive vitamin D from the sunlight. 

With strictly followed safety regulations, try to listen to your body and satisfy its needs whenever you have an opportunity to do so. Here are a few places where you can go hiking and camping in Logan, Ohio. 

Big Sycamore Family Campground LLC

A family friendly place to live memorable moments together

28920 Lake Logan Rd, Logan, OH 43138 +1 740-385-7120

Only a few minutes away from Hocking Hills, this family campground is a great place to come with kids, enjoy the playground, take advantage of the laundry facilities, and have a great time with your people.

The campground has organized Sunday worships, and gatherings and you are welcome to host your own little reunion with your friends and family to have a great time. Pets are welcome too, so it's an excellent opportunity for the smallest member of the family to get some fresh air! 

 Nice little mom & pop place. Peaceful and quiet even with minor highway traffic. Awesome location! Close to everything in Hocking Hills. All the sights worth seeing are within miles of the camp. Park Advisor Review.

Rose Lake

A serene lake in the middle of the forest

St. Rt. 374 Logan, OH 43138 | 740-385-6841 | explorehockinghills.com

Imagine a peaceful hike in the middle of the trees, the fresh wind touching your face, and your best friends with you. At the end of the ½ mile hiking trail, there is a beautiful lake. Swimming is not allowed, but you can walk around it to enjoy the view or rent a boat.  The Rose Lake or Fisherman's Lake has oats with electric motors and paddle crafts are available for you. 

Turned an 8 mile hike into a 15 mile hike because I just couldn’t get enough of the scenery. (Okay I might’ve gotten lost) I regret nothing. Google Review.

The Old Man's Cave

A timeless cave that everybody loves

19852 OH-664, Logan, OH 43138 | 740-385-6841 | thehockinghills.org

The Upper Falls, Upper Gorge, Middle Falls, Lower Falls, and Lower Gorge are all part of the Old Man's Cave. The hiking trail is about ½ mile long, and it usually takes about an hour.

This is a great place for camping because it is away from the noise of the city, and you will connect with nature in a deep and interactive way. The lake, the waterfalls, the caves, and the trees all together make a beautiful experience worth considering.  

If you are interested in exploring other activities, you can go fishing or biking around the area. 

Campfires are allowed, and there are facilities that include showers, toilets, and potable water. If you are planning to camp, you can take your own tent or truck camper. Plan a few days ahead your trip as you might be willing to stay for a couple of days to explore the area. It's worth checking it out!

If you only are making a day trip to hocking hills park this is definitely one of the top 5 stops to visit. It's got caves, rock formations, waterfalls ... I think it's under 2 miles but there are stairs. Yelp Review.

Cedar Falls

The sound of the water and the sight of the trees

Hocking Hills State Park, Logan, OH 43138 | +1 740-385-6842 | hockinghills.com

The Old Man's Creek merges with Queer Creek, and then you can take the trail that leads to Cedar Falls. This is a very beautiful, wild, and marvelous place. The Cedar Falls are the largest waterfalls in Hocking Hills. They are covered with hemlocks, not with Cedar, as many visitors imply. The settlers who arrived in this area at the beginning of the 19th century mistook the trees, but the name of the falls stays until today. This location has picnic facilities and restrooms, 

 Cedar Falls is so beautiful, and a great place to hike. 3 miles one way from Old Man's Cave. At a good beginner's pace, plan on 1 to 1.5 hours to get there from the visitors center. Worth it!! Google Review.

Rockbridge State Nature Preserve

The largest natural bridge in Ohio

Logan, OH 43138 | explorehockinghills.com

This is a hike recommended for intermediate hikers. You will encounter uphills and routed trails. The hiking trail is about 1.75 miles, so the total hike would be about 3.5 miles. It is all worth it as you will see the largest natural bridge in Ohio, a beautiful natural arch that is 100 feet long, about 20 inches wide, and arches in a beautiful way across the ravine. Pets are not recommended in this area, but you can take them with a leash if you really want to. This is one of the least known areas in Hocking Hills, so most likely, you won't see as many people as in other hiking trails around the area.

One of the most amazing hikes in Ohio. If you've never been, what are you waiting for? Get in your car and make a day of it. Yelp Review.

Lake Logan State Park

Campfire, sports, picnic, and hiking. All in one place!

Lake Logan State Park, Logan, Ohio | (740) 385-6842 | lakeloganstatepark.com/ 

Originally known as Hocking Lake, but renamed to avoid confusion with Hocking Hills. 

This area once belonged to the Wyandot Indians. They had a big village known as Oldtown, a mile after the city of Logan. The city of Logan name comes after the Mingo Chief, James John Logan, who was very well known. At first, because he was a friend of the whites, later, he was known for his animosity toward the whites after his entire family was murdered.

Since 1955, this state park has been developed further for recreational purposes. Many families visit it every weekend to have a good time—home to catfish, bass, bluegill, crappie, and northern pike. You will also see birds around the area, and beautiful wildflowers like wintergreen, bluets, and spring beauties. This lake has outstanding scenic areas for picnics, walking, or simply hanging out with friends.

Lovely beach (there are two)! The lake itself is beautiful too. There are changing rooms in the bathroom building (the building closer to the second beach). I highly recommend a trip here for all nature lovers. Yelp Review.

The Rock House

The only true cave in Hocking Hills.

16350 OH-374, Laurelville, OH 43135 | +1 740-385-6841 ext. 250  | www.hockinghills.com

A highlight in the region of Hocking Hills, this is a corridor located in the middle of a 150-foot cliff of Blackhand sandstone. This beautiful piece of architecture designed by nature was a shelter for the previous inhabitants more than 200 years ago. The sturdy walls were perfect protection for building a fire and warm up during the cold winters.

This is a very beautiful place, kid-friendly and dog-friendly, there is more than enough space for a picnic, and it is very safe. The hike is short but it is recommended that you wear hiking shoes and non-slippery outsoles since there are quite a few rocks, cliffs, and it may be a little slippery the next few days after it rains. 

We did the two tours, and both take you to the Rock House. The path is well indicated and is very pleasant, with some small slope than another. The cave (Rock House) is huge and impressive. Trip Advisor Review.

Hilltop Resorts and Campgrounds

The new way of camping

13461 OH-664 Scenic, Logan, OH 43138 | +1 855-544-5586 | www.hilltopresorts.com

Are you one of those people who would love to go camping but are scared of animals, dirt, darkness, and nature? This might be the place for you. This place opened recently with 8 new cabins and 47 RV for guests. The newest cabins with potable water, electricity, a patio, furniture, and grill are in the middle of Hocking Hills. It is like having a little house in the middle of the forest. If you are a more traditional camper, there are tents and campsites available for you as well. 

This is a great place to stay if you are planning to be in Hocking Hills for a few days far away from the noise of the city and in touch with nature. You will wake up surrounded by trees, a clear blue sky, and a bunch of recreational activities available for you at a walking distance. 

We were the first visitors the owners and managers were amazing. The grounds are in a wonderful location, for a brand new campground. Google Review.

Hocking Hills Canoe Livery

Canoes, kayaks, and raft trips.

12789 OH-664, Logan, OH 43138 | +1 740-385-0523 | hockingriver.com

After some difficult months of staying at home and social distancing, many visitors are enjoying the canoe and kayak trips this place offers. A great opportunity to take a break from looking at screens all day and having a great time outdoors. You can rent a canoe for 1.5 hours to 3 hours. The kayaks are easier to maneuver and are usually good for beginners. If you're planning to visit over the spring, raft trips will be available as well. Raft trips are safer and friendlier for small children and senior citizens as they move slower than canoes and kayaks. Whichever your plan is, make sure to check the protocols before you visit. 

To make things easier for you, camping is also available here. You can rent a cabin to have a quiet and safe room to sleep, or you can reserve a campsite to sleep in a tent in the middle of the Hocking Hills nature. 

It was an incredible journey. We go in for everything. like new to canoe. Soft around .. Beautiful river. with a lot of nature. Trip Advisor Review.

Williams Campground

Camping or parking, you will have fun!

12769 Dawley Rd, Logan, OH 43138 | +1 740-753-3611 | williamscampground.com/

Do you want to get full of mud with your friends or family? This family operated campground offers primitive and electrical hooks for campers and RVs. Throughout the year, the campground hosts and organizes different kinds of events for the whole family. There is plenty of room to park and hit the trails through the campground connector. It is a great place to visit if you don't know it yet!

We have enjoyed are summer up here at the campground. Have met a lot of nice people. Yelp Review.

Every place is different, and some will be more appealing to you than others. The point is to give yourself a very deserved break, breathe clean air, see a clear sky, and have a great time with friends, family, or with the best company that you could ever have: yourself and a good book!