📷 Photo by Tiago Ferreira on UnsplashHocking Hills caves and Ohio’s Amish Country
Sandstone gorges and waterfalls in southeastern Ohio, then a canal town and buggies in Holmes County.
- Distance
- 284 km (176 mi)
- Driving
- 3 h 09 min
- Suggested days
- 3
- Stops
- 8
- States
- OH
- Updated
- April 27, 2026
At a glance: 3-day road trip of about 284 km (176 mi) with 8 stops, from Columbus to World’s Largest Cuckoo Clock. About 3 h 09 min of driving in total.
More road trips in Ohio
Route description
From Columbus, US-33 leads southeast to Hocking Hills, an hour away. State Road 374 links the park’s highlights: first Rock House, a cave with window-like openings in a cliff, then Old Man’s Cave with its gorge, waterfalls and stone bridges.
Walk or drive on to Cedar Falls and Ash Cave, a huge recess cave with an easy, accessible path. Trails are busy on fall weekends; arrive early, and wear good shoes, as the sandstone is slippery when wet. Cabins and campgrounds are plentiful around Logan.
Head north via Zanesville to Coshocton and Historic Roscoe Village, a restored canal town. Then continue on State Road 83 and US-62 into Holmes County, home to one of the largest Amish communities in the world.
Berlin and Walnut Creek are lined with bakeries, cheese houses and furniture shops; then follow State Road 39 to Sugarcreek to see the World’s Largest Cuckoo Clock. Drive slowly and give buggies space, and note that many businesses close on Sundays.
Stop-by-stop itinerary
In driving order. Distances are estimates between consecutive stops.
- 1Start
Columbus
OH - 274 km
Rock House
NatureLaurelville, OHThe only true cave in Hocking Hills, a corridor in a sandstone cliff with window-like openings, once used by bandits.
- 311 km
Old Man’s Cave
NatureLogan, OHA gorge of waterfalls, stone bridges and a huge recess cave, the heart of Hocking Hills State Park. Very busy on fall weekends; come early.
- 43 km
Cedar Falls
NatureLogan, OHThe highest-volume waterfall in Hocking Hills, reached from Old Man’s Cave by the Grandma Gatewood Trail or by car.
- 54 km
Ash Cave
NatureSouth Bloomingville, OHA giant horseshoe-shaped recess cave with a thin waterfall, reached by a flat, wheelchair-accessible path.
- 6136 km
Historic Roscoe Village
HistoryCoshocton, OHA restored Ohio and Erie Canal town with brick shops and a horse-drawn canal boat ride nearby in summer.
- 739 km
Berlin
OH - 817 km
World’s Largest Cuckoo Clock
OdditiesSugarcreek, OHA giant Swiss-style clock with dancing figures that perform on the half hour in the “Little Switzerland of Ohio”.
Suggested stages and overnight stops
3 days, split by driving time. Campsites from OpenStreetMap: check opening dates before you go.
- Day 1: Columbus → Ash Cave · 57 mi · 1 h 01 minOn the way: Rock House, Old Man’s Cave, Cedar Falls.Overnight nearby, for example: Hocking Forest Horse Camp (7 mi); Tar Hollow Horse Camp (13 mi).
- Day 2: Ash Cave → Historic Roscoe Village · 85 mi · 1 h 31 minOvernight nearby, for example: Colonial Campground (3 mi); Forest Hills Lake Camp (6 mi).
- Day 3: Historic Roscoe Village → World’s Largest Cuckoo Clock · 35 mi · 0 h 37 minOn the way: Berlin.Overnight nearby, for example: Camp Tuscazoar (13 mi); Scenic Hills RV Park (8 mi).
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually May–June and September. Still fine, with some compromises, in July–August and October. Cold, short days in December–February. July and August are the busiest months: book campsites early.
Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons
FAQs
How long is Hocking Hills caves and Ohio’s Amish Country?
3-day road trip of about 284 km (176 mi) with 8 stops, from Columbus to World’s Largest Cuckoo Clock. About 3 h 09 min of driving in total.
How many days do you need for Hocking Hills caves and Ohio’s Amish Country?
We suggest 3 days: about 3 h 09 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.
Where does Hocking Hills caves and Ohio’s Amish Country start and end?
It starts in Columbus and ends in World’s Largest Cuckoo Clock.
Which states does Hocking Hills caves and Ohio’s Amish Country pass through?
Ohio.
Where can you camp along Hocking Hills caves and Ohio’s Amish Country?
OpenStreetMap lists 42 campsites and motorhome stopovers within 19 mi of the stops on this route. For example: Hocking Forest Horse Camp, Great Seal State Park Campground and Alton RV Park.
When is the best time for Hocking Hills caves and Ohio’s Amish Country?
The most pleasant months are usually May–June and September. Still fine, with some compromises, in July–August and October. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
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