Hocking Hills State Park Campground

Overview

This is the park’s main basecamp: a big, busy, and well‑equipped campground right above the marquee gorge trails. You get real convenience—paved pads with fire rings and picnic tables, a camp store, heated shower houses, laundry, and even a seasonal pool—plus trails that drop straight toward Old Man’s Cave and Rose Lake.

Campsites & Cabins

• Full‑hookup and electric sites (20/30/50‑amp), plus non‑electric pads, all with a picnic table and fire ring. Pets are allowed on campsites.
• Primitive hike‑in tent sites (up to about a 0.5‑mile haul); pit latrines are spaced around these areas and water spigots sit at the parking area.
• Primitive group camp (tent‑only) with pit latrines.
• Sherman Cabins (simple, temperature‑controlled, mini‑fridge and microwave) use the shared bathhouses; no pets and no running water inside.

Amenities that Matter

• Heated shower houses with flush toilets; coin‑op laundry; year‑round dump and fill stations.
• Camp store (typically 9 a.m.–6 p.m. Sun–Thu and 9 a.m.–7 p.m. Fri–Sat; hours can change).
• Playgrounds, volleyball, horseshoe pit, and seasonal swimming pool.
• Good cell coverage is common; Wi‑Fi isn’t advertised—plan to rely on your phone.

Trails & Nearby Fun

From your site, it’s an easy jump to the park’s headliners—Old Man’s Cave, Cedar Falls, Ash Cave, Rock House, and Whispering Cave. Rose Lake (a.k.a. Fisherman’s Lake) is a quick hike for paddling or casting; registered campers have a short stretch of shoreline access. The park maintains mountain‑bike loops (Purple and Orange), an archery range, and the excellent Visitor Center at Old Man’s Cave. For dark‑sky lovers, John Glenn Astronomy Park runs programs on clear Friday/Saturday nights March–November (parking reservations required); other nights are open for free stargazing.

What It’s Like on the Ground

This place is popular and it feels like it. Expect a social scene, well‑kept roads and pads, and a steady flow of families and RVers. Site quality varies—some pads are tight or not perfectly level, and after rain you can find mud. Roads inside are long, hilly, and winding; many drivers unhook toads at the lot before heading to the loops.

Seasons, Closures & Water

• Off‑peak (Nov 1–Apr 1): water is available only at Shower House 1; the dump station and store remain open.
• Electrical‑system upgrades (current right now): Campsites 94–172 and Shower Houses 2 & 3 closed starting Sept 1, 2025; Campsites 1–23, 71–73, 76–80, and the Sherman Cabins closed starting Oct 1, 2025. All are scheduled to reopen June 1, 2026. Shower House 1 stays open throughout.

Rules, Hours & Reservations

Trails and picnic areas are open from 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset, with many routes marked one‑way—follow the arrows. Reservations are required and can be made up to six months in advance online or by phone (866‑644‑6727).

Wildlife

Raccoons are active around camp—keep food locked up and your site tidy. Around Rose Lake, anglers target trout, bass, bluegill, and catfish (license required).

Best Time to Visit

Midweek in spring or late fall is the sweet spot for cooler temps and fewer crowds. Peak fall color and spring weekends book out fast—grab your site the moment the six‑month window opens. For hiking and photos, start at dawn or head out after 3 p.m. when day‑trippers thin; remember trails close at dusk.