Hocking Hills - Still Offering Those Subtle smiles of Relaxation for Budget-minded Moms and Dads

Visiting Ohio State Parks when I was a teen was just plain fun.  On Sunday after church, Mom and dad would pack up the car with all sorts of picnic goodies like homemade sandwiches with thick slices of ham and a dab of butter on top, a couple bags of potato chips and mom's assorted-sized Tupperware bowls full of enough cookies and snacks to keep the National Guard fed for at least three months. Oh and there was always a lunchbox thermos full of Kool-Aid that was warm and a little too sugary by the time lunch rolled around. How exciting it was to be set loose to hike the trails in the morning with a baggie full of pretzels and a candy bar! There were lots of naturalist programs during the day to sate any appetite yearning to learn about the outdoors.

There was also horseback riding nearby, maybe a canoe trip or just simply lounging around on a beach or at the pool. Mom would walk along the lake and maybe stake out a picnic table for lunch, calling dibs on it with a white Styrofoam cooler and by sitting on the hard bench  with a book until lunch rolled around.  Dad would grab his fishing pole from the wayback of the car, dig out a couple lures and fish the morning away. Or maybe he would take his bike and ride along the not-too-busy park roads with a subtle smile of pure and simple relaxation donning his lips. I think just for that little bit of time while the wind rolled through what was left of his hair, he forgot all about the stack of bills on the dresser, the kitchen faucet that leaked a steady dribble into the bucket under the sink and the pile of paperwork in his inbox at work.  And as I remember it, life was good back then . . . I honestly believe those weekends at Ohio State Parks shaped my respect not only for the outdoors, but also of family and just simply taking the time to relax from whatever ails me during the long work week with both. I watched my parents relax. And laugh. And smile. And it hardly cost anything at all. I am the one with the teens now. And with budgets tight all around, we've come back to visiting the parks more often than taking trips to the larger more expensive attractions. I'm so glad we did. Now my kids get to see me with a subtle smile on my face while I hike a trail or two, call dibs on a picnic table with a book, or bask in a hot tub at one of the cabin getaways.

Looking for a way to let your kids see you donning a subtle smile yourself? Honest to goodness, old-fashioned getaways don't have to bust the budget. In fact, we have a whole lot of "free fun" in the Hocking Hills. There are no entrance fees to the state park and general park naturalist programs don't cost a dime. You can see some here: Events  or Monthly Programs.

 If you visit the Hocking Hills, you'll find miles of awesome free hiking trails including those at Ash Cave, Cedar Falls, Old Man's Cave, Conkle's Hollow, Rock House, Cantwell Cliffs and Lake Logan. And don't just come for the day. We have some cabin specials below that will make a trip to the Hocking Hills worth an overnight stay.  You can stay at any of the great cabins below at a discount rate and visit the park for free.