The bonfire is the reason half the repeat visitors come back. Not the trails, not the hot tub — the fire. September through November is prime bonfire season in Hocking Hills, and doing it right takes less planning than most people think.
The firewood question
Three rules save every bonfire. One: don't bring wood from home — Ohio's invasive-pest quarantines (emerald ash borer, spotted lanternfly) make transporting firewood across counties a genuine ecological problem, and it's potentially illegal. Two: don't count on the cabin providing it. Some include a starter bundle; many include nothing. Three: seasoned wood is the whole game — green wood smokes, hisses, and refuses to burn. Hocking Hills Firewood delivers properly seasoned hardwood (oak, hickory, cherry) to cabins across Rockbridge, Logan, and Sugar Grove. Text an order before your trip; it's stacked at the cabin when you arrive.
How much wood do you actually need?
A casual 3–4 hour evening fire burns about half a tote of seasoned hardwood. A full weekend with two evening fires: one tote. A big group that wants to keep it going past midnight both nights: two totes. When in doubt, order one more than you think — it's far cheaper than running out on Saturday night with no delivery until Monday.
Fire pit rules and burn bans
Most cabin operators provide a fire pit; some restrict its use seasonally or during dry spells. Always confirm the pit exists and is currently usable before building your evening around it. Ohio restricts open burning statewide during spring and fall windows, and Hocking County has issued emergency burn bans during droughts. Your operator's house rules govern too. The short version: check before you light, never leave a fire unattended, and keep water or a hose within reach.
Level up the bonfire
- S'mores: bring your own — the classic and the reason you're here. Upgrade: dark chocolate, Reese's cups, or cookie butter spread on the graham cracker.
- Campfire cooking: hot dogs and foil-packet meals over coals work with a grill grate, which some fire pits have. The campfire cooking guide covers techniques.
- Ghost stories: read up on the local legends — Richard Rowe's hermit cave, the Moonville brakeman, the Lavender Lady. The fire crackles; the forest listens.
- Stargazing: kill the cabin lights and look up. The region's dark skies, especially away from Logan, rival dedicated observatories in October.
Find a cabin with a fire pit
The pit is the feature. Search live availability and confirm yours has one.
Search live availability & pricing →Frequently Asked Questions
Do Hocking Hills cabins provide firewood?
Some include a starter bundle; many provide nothing. Don't count on it. The reliable move is ordering seasoned firewood delivered to the cabin before you arrive — it's stacked and ready when you check in.
Can I bring firewood from home to Hocking Hills?
You shouldn't. Ohio's invasive-pest quarantines strongly discourage transporting firewood across counties. Buy local seasoned wood or have it delivered to the cabin.
How much firewood do I need for a cabin weekend?
One tote covers two casual evening fires (3–4 hours each). A full weekend with late nights or a big group: two totes. Order one more than you think you'll need.