Christmas Week in Hocking Hills: Short Hikes That Fit Between Cabin Days

Christmas week in Hocking Hills is mostly about slowing down. People come for a cabin, a hot tub and a stack of board games, and then around day two someone says they should get outside. That is the right instinct. The gorges are quiet and the hemlocks hold their green. Short walks are the right size for these days.

This guide is built for that: walks of a mile or less, honest daylight numbers for December 24 through 31, and what to check before you leave the cabin.

Daylight between Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve

The last week of December has some of the shortest days of the year. These are 2026 times for Logan, Ohio, in Eastern Standard Time.

ODNR sets trail hours at half an hour before sunrise to half an hour after sunset, which is where the closing times above come from. Inside a gorge, though, light fades well before sunset. Cliffs block the low winter sun, and by 4:30 the floor of a hollow can feel like dusk. Aim to be walking back toward the car by about 4 p.m.

Short walks that fit between cabin time

All lengths and difficulty ratings below come from ODNR's park page unless noted.

Ash Cave: the safest bet

If you only do one walk this week, make it Ash Cave. The asphalt path from the lot to the recess cave is about a quarter mile, wide enough for wheelchairs and strollers. In a cold snap the waterfall can build an ice column at the base. You can be back at the car in under half an hour.

Conkle's Hollow: tall walls, flat floor

Conkle's Hollow is a state nature preserve next to the park. The lower gorge trail begins flat and accessible, then turns rougher deeper in. You can turn around anywhere. The rim trail is a different matter: it climbs to unfenced cliff edges and is not a good choice with icy ground or small kids. Pets are not allowed in the preserve.

Old Man's Cave and Cedar Falls: check the steps first

Both are the heart of the park and both are worth it, but each has stone stairs that can freeze. Old Man's Cave also has a wheelchair-accessible path from the visitor center area to an observation deck above the Upper Falls. On an icy day that may be the best way to see it without committing to the gorge stairs.

Ice is the main hazard this week

ODNR says park trails are often icy in winter and suggests suitable footwear and ice cleats. In late December the problem spots are predictable:

• Stone steps under dripping ledges, where water refreezes every night.
• Shaded gorge floors that never see direct sun this time of year.
• Bridges and boardwalks, which freeze before the ground does.
• Afternoon thaw zones that turn slick again as the sun drops.

Pull-on traction devices make a real difference on all four. Our winter traction guide explains the types and how to fit them over boots.

What might be closed or different

• Visitor center and gift shop. ODNR lists the visitor center at 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily, subject to seasonal change, and the gift shop at 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Holiday hours are not posted on the park page, so call the park office before counting on restrooms or maps there.
• Weather closures. ODNR can close trails for ice or storm damage. Our guide to checking trail closures walks through where to look.
• Holiday events. In 2025 the park hosted a free lantern walk called Christmas in Ash Cave on December 13. A 2026 date had not been posted when we checked. Watch ODNR and local event pages in early December.
• Hunting. The 2026 deer gun season runs November 30 to December 6, plus December 19 to 20. Christmas week falls between those dates. Muzzleloader season opens January 2, 2027.

A simple Christmas week plan

Here is a pattern that works for most groups:

1. Late morning: slow breakfast, check the forecast and ODNR alerts.
2. Around 11:30: drive to the park. Midday has the best light and the most melt on south-facing steps.
3. Noon to 2 p.m.: one short walk, maybe two if they are close together, such as Ash Cave gorge plus rim.
4. By 3:30: back at the car, heading home before the light goes flat.
5. Evening: fire, food, and planning tomorrow's walk.

Cell signal is spotty in the hollows. Download offline maps at the cabin and tell someone where you are going. Our no-signal navigation guide covers how.

If the weather turns

Late December in southeast Ohio can swing from a mild, muddy afternoon to freezing rain overnight. A few ways to keep the week flexible:

• Rain and 40 degrees: still a fine day for Ash Cave or Conkle's Hollow, and falls run fuller after rain. Wear a real shell. Cold rain chills you faster than dry cold.
• Hard freeze after rain: the worst combination for stairs. Stick to the paved Ash Cave path or the Old Man's Cave overlook deck.
• Fresh snow: beautiful and usually grippier than ice, but roads to the trailheads may be slow. Give the plows time and go after lunch.
• Wind advisories: skip rim trails. Branches and dead trees come down in high wind, and the rims are exposed.

What to bring for a one-mile winter walk

Short does not mean careless. In December, even a quarter-mile walk deserves real shoes and a warm layer. For a mile or less:

• Waterproof boots or shoes with grippy soles
• Traction devices in the car or pocket
• Hat and gloves, plus a warm mid layer under a shell
• Phone with offline map and a small light, just in case
• A thermos of something hot for the car

Frequently asked questions

Are Hocking Hills trails open on Christmas Day?

ODNR lists park trails as open from half an hour before sunrise to half an hour after sunset, and its park page does not list a holiday trail closure. Weather can close trails at any time, so check ODNR alerts that morning. Buildings like the visitor center may keep holiday hours.

What time does it get dark in Hocking Hills in late December?

In Logan, Ohio, sunset is about 5:11 p.m. on December 24 and about 5:16 p.m. on December 31, 2026. Trails close half an hour after sunset, so plan to be back at the car by about 5:15 p.m.

What is the easiest winter walk in Hocking Hills?

The Ash Cave gorge trail. ODNR rates it easy and wheelchair accessible at about a quarter mile to the recess cave, on a wide paved path.

Is it hunting season during Christmas week?

The 2026 deer gun season dates are November 30 to December 6 and December 19 to 20, so Christmas week itself falls between them. Archery season runs through February 7, 2027, and muzzleloader season is January 2 to 5, 2027.

Do I need ice cleats in late December?

Not always, but ODNR notes park trails are often icy in winter and suggests ice cleats. A pair of pull-on traction devices in the car costs little and opens up more trails on frosty mornings.

Sources and verification

• ODNR: Hocking Hills State Park (trail hours, trail lengths and ratings, winter conditions)
• Sunrise-Sunset.org: Logan, Ohio, December 2026
• HockingHillsOhio.org: accessible trail notes for Ash Cave, Conkle's Hollow and Old Man's Cave
• ODNR Division of Wildlife: 2026-27 hunting seasons (PDF)
• thehockinghills.org: Christmas in Ash Cave event page

Rules, hours and conditions change. Confirm with the managing agency before you go.

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