Key takeaways
- The 2026 Winter Hike was a six-mile, one-way route from Old Man's Cave to Ash Cave, with return transportation provided.
- Confirm the next hike date on ODNR or Explore Hocking Hills before you book, since dates are announced each year.
- Parking at the visitor center is limited, so ask how far your cabin is from the start and from overflow parking.
- After a cold six-mile walk, a warm cabin with a place to dry gear matters more than any extra amenity.
The annual Hocking Hills Winter Hike is one of the area's longest-running traditions, and it pulls a large crowd onto the trails on a single January Saturday. Many people drive down from Columbus that morning. Others prefer to stay the night before, so they can start the hike rested and come back to a warm cabin afterward.
If that is your plan, the main decisions are when to book, where to stay, and how to handle parking and the return trip. This guide walks through each one, using details from ODNR and Explore Hocking Hills for the most recent hike, and points you to where to confirm the next date.
How the Winter Hike works
Based on ODNR's announcement for the 60th annual hike and Explore Hocking Hills' event listing, the 2026 hike followed this format:
| Detail | 2026 hike (per ODNR and Explore Hocking Hills) |
|---|---|
| Date | Saturday, January 17, 2026 |
| Start | Rolling start between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. |
| Starting point | Upper Falls at Old Man's Cave |
| Route | About six miles, past Lower Falls and Cedar Falls |
| Finish | Ash Cave |
| Return | Transportation back to parking from Cedar Falls and Ash Cave |
| Food | Bean soup and cornbread from the Kiwanis Club at Cedar Falls; hot chocolate and doughnuts from the Lions Club at Ash Cave |
| Cost | Free, per Explore Hocking Hills |
The next hike's date is announced by ODNR and the local tourism bureau. Check ODNR's news page and the Explore Hocking Hills events calendar before booking, and do not assume next year will fall on the same weekend.
Why lodging fills that weekend
The hike brings a concentrated crowd to a single morning. In 2026, the Logan Frozen Festival was also scheduled for the same Saturday in downtown Logan, according to Explore Hocking Hills, which added to the draw.
Add ordinary winter weekend demand from couples and families, and cabins near Old Man's Cave can book up well ahead. If you want a specific type of cabin, such as a large group property or one close to the trailhead, plan to search earlier than you would for a typical January weekend. Our post on when to book a Hocking Hills cabin explains how to think about timing.
Booking early without getting stuck
Booking early gives you choice, but January weather in the hills can change plans. The hike itself may proceed in cold or snow, while roads to your cabin may be harder to drive.
Before you pay, ask:
- What is the cancellation and date-change policy, and are there any winter weather exceptions?
- Is there a minimum-night stay that weekend?
- Is the deposit refundable, partly refundable, or non-refundable?
- If roads are closed by an official order, how does the owner handle it?
- Are rates different for that specific weekend?
Our guide to winter storm cancellation terms covers the language to look for in a rental agreement.
Parking and shuttle questions
Parking is the most common headache on hike day. ODNR's announcement says parking at the visitor center is limited, encourages carpooling, and notes overflow parking at Hocking Hills Elementary School.
That makes your cabin's location and your group's vehicle count worth thinking through:
- How many cars will your group take? Fewer is better on hike day.
- How far is the cabin from Old Man's Cave and from the overflow lot?
- Could you drop hikers at the start and have one driver park elsewhere?
- Where does the return shuttle drop people, and how will you get back to your cabin from there?
- If someone in your group does not want to hike the full route, where can they meet you?
Explore Hocking Hills' listing says the shuttle takes hikers back to the Old Man's Cave parking area. Plan the end of your day around that: your car will be near the start, not at Ash Cave.
Choosing where to stay
Location changes how the day feels. A cabin close to Old Man's Cave keeps the morning drive short, while one on the south side near Ash Cave is close to the finish but far from where the shuttle drops you.
| Cabin location | Morning | After the hike | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Near Old Man's Cave | Short drive to the start | Shuttle returns you close by | Groups who want an easy start and finish |
| South side near Cedar Falls or Ash Cave | Longer drive to the start | Shuttle returns you to the start, then drive back | Groups who want quiet once the crowds leave |
| Logan area | Drive in on main roads | Close to town for dinner and the festival, if held | Groups mixing the hike with town events |
Our guides to cabins near Old Man's Cave and the Logan area describe what each base is like.
Cabin features that matter after a cold hike
Six miles in January leaves most people cold, tired and damp. The cabin's job is to make the rest of the day easy.
Prioritize these features when you compare options:
- Reliable heat: Ask what type of heat the cabin uses and whether there is a backup if power goes out.
- A fireplace or wood stove: Confirm whether firewood is included or extra.
- A place to dry gear: A mudroom, laundry, or covered porch for wet boots and layers.
- A hot tub that runs in winter: Ask how it is maintained in freezing weather and whether there are fees or rules.
- Easy driveway access: Ask whether it is paved or gravel, steep, and treated for snow and ice.
- A full kitchen: Useful if your group wants to eat in after a long day.
Our winter heating and access questions and winter driveway and parking questions have more detail.
Preparing for the hike itself
ODNR recommends dressing in layers, covering exposed skin including heads, necks and hands, bringing water and snacks, and telling someone your plans. It also notes ice traction cleats may help on icy sections, and its park page recommends cleats for winter in general.
Pack a dry change of clothes in the car, since you will be returning to the start by shuttle before you get back to the cabin. If your group includes children or older relatives, consider whether everyone will hike the full route or whether some will meet the group at Cedar Falls.
A simple plan for the weekend
A good Winter Hike weekend often looks like this: arrive Friday, eat in, and go to bed early. Leave Saturday morning with one or two cars, start within the rolling window, and take the shuttle back. Spend the afternoon warming up at the cabin, then head into Logan or stay in for the evening.
If you want help finding a cabin that fits this kind of plan, you can describe your group, dates and needs on our cabin request form, and it will be shared with up to three participating local operators.
Find a cabin that fits your trip
Tell us your dates, group size, budget and the features you need. We pass your request to a small number of participating local operators who have a fit.
Common questions
When is the next Hocking Hills Winter Hike?
Check ODNR's news releases and the Explore Hocking Hills events calendar. The 2026 hike was on Saturday, January 17, but dates are set each year.
How long is the Winter Hike?
The 2026 hike was about six miles, from Upper Falls at Old Man's Cave to Ash Cave, according to ODNR.
Is there a shuttle back to the start?
For the 2026 hike, ODNR said return transportation was provided from Cedar Falls and Ash Cave, and Explore Hocking Hills said the shuttle returns hikers to the Old Man's Cave parking area.
Where should I park?
ODNR said visitor center parking was limited and encouraged carpooling, with overflow parking at Hocking Hills Elementary School. Check the current year's announcement for updates.
Do I need to book a cabin far ahead?
It helps if you want a specific location or a larger cabin. Ask about cancellation and date-change terms before paying, because January weather can affect travel.
Sources
Cabin Match Disclosure: With your consent, a cabin request may be shared with up to three participating operators. Matching is free, availability and pricing are not guaranteed, and you are never required to book.
Fact-check note: Confirm property claims, hours, closures and availability before you pay. Check the Ohio Department of Natural Resources for park conditions and OHGO for road conditions.