Most Hocking Hills travel guides are written for people who can handle stairs, narrow gorge passages, and uneven terrain. If someone in your group uses a wheelchair, walker, or power chair — or if you're traveling with young kids in a stroller — the standard advice doesn't help you much.
This itinerary is different. Every stop is verified accessible. Every evening ends the same way: back at Pool House Lodge, soaking in the hot tub. Every trail that doesn't work for wheelchair users is named — so you don't waste a trip finding out at the trailhead.
Which Hocking Hills Trails Actually Work
Hocking Hills State Park is not fully accessible. Most gorge trails involve stone staircases, narrow passages, and steep terrain. These three areas offer real, meaningful access.
| Trail / Area | Accessible? | What You Get |
|---|---|---|
| Ash Cave | ✓ Yes | Paved asphalt path, flat, wide. Quarter mile to Ohio's largest recess cave. Round trip ~20 min. |
| Conkle's Hollow Gorge Floor | ~ Partial | Accessible at the entrance — great views of 200-ft cliff walls. Path gets rougher further in. No dogs. |
| Old Man's Cave — Upper Falls Deck | ~ Viewpoint only | Accessible trail from park office to observation deck with ramp. Views of Upper Falls. |
| Cedar Falls / Old Man's Cave gorge loop | ✗ No | Stairs throughout. Skip these. |
| Cantwell Cliffs / Rock House trail | ✗ No | Steep stairs, uneven rock, significant elevation change. Avoid. |
Call Hocking Hills State Park at (740) 385-6842 to confirm current trail conditions before your visit.
Day 1
Arrive · Settle In · Unwind
Afternoon — On the Way In
Groceries at Campbell's Market
Stop at Campbell's Market in McArthur on the way to the lodge. Pick up groceries, snacks, and anything you need for cooking over the next few days. It's close to the property and saves you from making runs back to town later.
Campbell's Market
McArthur, OH · On the way to Pool House Lodge
Grocery store — stock up before check-in
Evening — Check In
Pool House Lodge + Mama Renee's Delivery
Order from Mama Renee's Pizza before you pull off the highway. Time it 30–60 minutes after check-in. While you wait, the kids can hit the heated indoor pool — it runs 82°F year-round and is ready the moment you walk through the door. No cooking, no driving, no stress.
♿ Step-free ramps · Roll-in shower · Accessible suite
Pool House Lodge — Indoor Pool
82°F year-round · Private · Wheelchair accessible deck
Mama Renee's Pizza delivers to the cabin
Night
Fire Pit, Stargazing & Hot Tub
After dinner, gather around the outdoor fire pit. Pool House Lodge sits on 22 private wooded acres well away from town lights — once the fire dies down, look up. The stars are genuinely good out here. When the group is ready to wind down, the hot tub on the lower covered patio is steps away.
Fire Pit & Hot Tub
22 private wooded acres · Private outdoor hot tub
Dark skies — great stargazing after the fire
Day 2
Trails · Town · Grill Dinner
Morning — First Trail
Ash Cave
✓ Fully AccessibleThe most accessible trail in Hocking Hills — and genuinely one of the most dramatic stops in all of Ohio. Paved asphalt path, flat, wide enough for wheelchairs, power chairs, and strollers. Quarter mile from the parking area to Ohio's largest recess cave: 700 feet wide, over 90 feet tall. Round trip takes about 20 minutes. Wheelchair users turn around at the steps; the cave is fully visible the whole way.
Ash Cave — Hocking Hills State Park
Paved trail · Flat · Free admission · ~20 min round trip
Best accessible trail in Hocking Hills
Mid-Morning — Second Trail
Conkle's Hollow Gorge Floor
~ Partial AccessAbout 10 minutes from Ash Cave. The entrance is flat and wide with stunning views of cliff walls nearly 200 feet high. The path gets rougher further in — go as far as comfortable, then turn back. Worth it even if you only cover the first few hundred yards. Note: no dogs allowed inside the preserve.
Conkle's Hollow State Nature Preserve
10 min from Ash Cave · Flat at entrance · 200-ft cliff walls
No dogs · Free admission
Lunch
58 West — Winery, Brewery & Restaurant
✓ Accessible Seating ConfirmedDrive into Logan for lunch at 58 West — a winery, brewery, distillery, and restaurant all under one roof. Comfortable accessible seating, unhurried pace, and the right stop between the park and the afternoon. Try a wine flight or local beer while the group settles in.
58 West
58 W 2nd St, Logan, OH · (740) 385-9870
Winery · Brewery · Distillery · Restaurant · Accessible seating
Evening — Back at the Lodge
Pool, Grill Dinner & Hot Tub
After lunch, head back to Pool House Lodge. Afternoon swim, then fire up the grill. Burgers, steaks — whatever the group votes on. Dinner at the lodge means no one drives, no one waits for a table. Hot tub to close out the night.
Pool House Lodge — Evening
Grill dinner · Private outdoor hot tub · Chef's kitchen
Two covered porches · 22 private acres
Day 3
Views · Lunch Out · In-Lodge Massage
Morning
Old Man's Cave — Upper Falls Observation Deck
~ Viewpoint AccessibleSkip the gorge loop — it's not accessible. Instead, use the wheelchair-accessible trail from the Park and Camp office that runs past the visitor center to Lodge Road. It ends at a ramp and observation deck with a clear view of the Upper Falls — one of the park's signature sights. Meaningful access without navigating a single stone staircase.
Old Man's Cave — Upper Falls Deck
Accessible trail from Park & Camp office · Ramp & observation deck
Views of Upper Falls · ~0.5 mi accessible trail
Lunch
Rock House Restaurant at Hocking Hills Park Lodge
✓ Fully Documented AccessibleRight on State Route 664 — the same road as the trails. The Hocking Hills Park Lodge restaurant is the most thoroughly documented accessible lunch spot in the park: accessible route from parking to restaurant, ADA entrance, accessible restrooms. Call ahead to confirm hours and seating for your group size.
Rock House Restaurant — Hocking Hills Park Lodge
20020 State Route 664 S, Logan, OH · (740) 270-6100
Fully documented ADA-accessible · Call ahead for groups
Afternoon — Back at the Lodge
In-Lodge Massage
Hocking Hills Massage comes directly to the cabin. Book your slot at least 48 hours before the trip — afternoon slots on the last full day fill fast. The massage therapist sets up at the lodge; no driving, no waiting rooms. This is the afternoon to completely decompress before the last evening.
Hocking Hills Massage — In-Lodge Service
Comes directly to Pool House Lodge
Book 48+ hrs ahead · Afternoon slots fill quickly
Evening
Pool, Grill Dinner, Fire Pit & Stargazing
After the massage, hit the pool. Then grill dinner — it's become the trip's rhythm, and nobody's complaining. Move outside to the fire pit as the light fades. The 22 wooded acres sit well away from town lights; stay out long enough and the stars come out fully. Hot tub to close out the last night.
Pool House Lodge — Last Night
Grill dinner · Fire pit · Dark sky stargazing · Hot tub
22 private wooded acres
Day 4
Pack Up · Head Home
Morning
Coffee on the Porch
Take your time. Pool House Lodge has multiple covered porches with views of the wooded hills. Let the morning happen at whatever pace it happens. No agenda, no schedule — this is still vacation until you pull out of the driveway.
Late Morning
Last Swim
The pool is heated, the water is warm, and the kids will insist. Let them. One last lap before everyone packs up. Check-out is at 10 AM — plan accordingly so the group has time to enjoy the morning without rushing.
Pool House Lodge — Check-Out 10 AM
Last swim · Pack up · Head home
The hills will be here next time
Departure
Head Home
Load up and go. Pool House Lodge is about 90 minutes from Columbus, 2.5 hours from Cincinnati and Cleveland. The drive out on the Hocking Hills Scenic Byway is worth taking your time.
Check availability →
Ready to Plan Your Accessible Weekend?
Pool House Lodge sleeps up to 20 — heated indoor pool, hot tub, 7 bedrooms, step-free ramps, roll-in shower, accessible suite, 22 private acres in Hocking Hills, Ohio.
Check AvailabilityFAQ — Accessible Hocking Hills
Is Ash Cave really wheelchair accessible?
Yes. The main trail is paved asphalt, flat, and wide — quarter mile from the parking area to the cave. Wheelchair users, power chairs, and strollers handle it without issue. It's the most accessible trail in Hocking Hills State Park. The accessible section ends at a set of steps; wheel users turn around there while the rest of the group can continue the loop.
Which trails should we avoid with a wheelchair user?
Cantwell Cliffs, Rock House trail, and the Conkle's Hollow Rim Trail all have steep stairs, narrow passages, and significant elevation change. Cedar Falls has stairs throughout. The Old Man's Cave gorge loop involves stone staircases. These are challenging even for fully mobile visitors.
Can we get food delivered to a cabin in Hocking Hills?
Yes. Mama Renee's Pizza delivers to the area — a solid move for arrival night when you don't want to get back in the car after a long drive.
Can we get a massage at the cabin?
Yes. Hocking Hills Massage offers in-lodge services and will come to Pool House Lodge. Book at least 48 hours before your stay — afternoon slots fill fast on weekends.
Is Pool House Lodge accessible for wheelchair users?
Yes. Pool House Lodge has step-free ramps at all main entrances, a dedicated accessible bedroom suite, a roll-in shower with grab bars, an accessible pool deck, and 36-inch doorways throughout. The main parking area and entry path are flat and paved. It's one of the few cabin rentals in Hocking Hills genuinely designed with accessibility in mind. Full details here.
Posted July 13, 2026