03/12/2023
HOCKING HILLS STATE PARK NATURALIST PROGRAMS
Mar, Apr, May 2023
All programs are subject to change. Notify the naturalist if special accommodations are needed for your participation.
Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
Friday, March 17
Seed Bombs, 10 am
Come help us make seed bombs! You can use these to spread wildflowers in our pollinator garden or take them home to spread in your own garden. Meet us at the pollinator garden behind the Old Man’s Cave Visitor Center. Be ready to get messy and please dress for the weather.
Nature Etching, 2 pm
Would you like to take home your own artwork of the plants and other cool nature textures here at the park? Meet our naturalist to venture out and make it happen. We will be using crayons and paper for this craft. Meet us at the Hocking Hills Lodge Lobby and be prepared to go outside.
Saturday, March 18
Start Springing Flowers, 10 am
Join us in making planters for wildflower seeds to plant in your own backyard. These beautiful flowers won’t just liven up your garden but will also encourage pollinators like butterflies and bees. Join us at the Old Man’s Cave Visitor Center and be ready to get dirty.
Life Cycles, 2 pm
Come meet the naturalist to learn about the life cycles of different organisms. Frogs, butterflies, and earthworms. Oh my! Join us in the Hocking Hills Lodge Lobby.
Monday, March 20
First Day of Spring Hike, 2 pm
Come join the naturalist on a moderate 3-mile hike from the Visitor Center to Rose Lake and back. Come enjoy the early signs of spring, from wildlife to the plants and possibly enjoy the last snowy hike of the season. Meet us at the Old Man’s Cave Visitor Center. Be aware that March weather can be unpredictable. Please dress in layers and wear good, sturdy boots. There will be no areas for water fill ups or bathroom breaks along the way.
Friday, March 24
Hidden Gems at Old Man’s Cave Hike, 10 am
Join us for a moderate 1-mile round trip hike through the gorge from Upper Falls to Old Man’s Cave. We will explore what Hocking Hills is made of by examining the geology of the area and maybe even find a few hidden gems along the way. Meet us at the Old Man’s Cave Visitor Center and please dress for the weather.
Nature Etching, 2 pm
Would you like to take home your own artwork of the plants and other cool nature textures here at the park? Meet our naturalist to venture out and make it happen. We will be using crayons and paper for this craft. Join us at the Hocking Hills Lodge Lobby and be prepared to go outside.
Saturday, March 25
Who’s Hoo? 11 am
Come meet one of the park’s resident raptors. Meet us at the Naturalist Cabin behind the Old Man’s Cave Visitor Center. If the weather is bad, we will meet inside the Visitor Center.
Nature Painting, 2 pm
Bring your artistic eye and join our naturalist to paint a watercolor still life at the Hocking Hills Lodge. Join us at the Lodge Lobby and please dress for the weather.
Friday, March 31
Bear Necessities, 10 am
Come learn about what a bear needs to survive in the woods. Learn about which bears call Ohio home and where you are most likely to see them. Join us at the Old Man’s Cave Visitor Center. If the weather is good, we will meet at the Naturalist Cabin.
Insect Investigation, 2 pm
Join a naturalist to venture out and investigate what kinds of pollinators and insects are buzzing around this time of year! Let’s see who comes out in the early spring. Join us at the Hocking Hills Lodge Lobby. Please dress for the weather.
Saturday, April 1
Weather the Weather, 10 am
Will the Ohio weather be a joke today? Come join a naturalist to learn about whatever weather Ohio will be spitting at us today, from sun to snow to everything in between. Rain or shine, we’ll have a good time. Please dress for the weather and meet us at the Hocking Hills Lodge Lobby.
Talkin’ Turkey, 2 pm
Let’s celebrate a goofy day with one of the goofiest birds out there! Let’s learn about turkeys in Ohio, from some myths and history, to how they were reintroduced to the state. Try out your turkey call as well! Join us at the Old Man’s Cave Visitor Center. If the weather is nice, we will meet at the Naturalist Cabin behind the Visitor Center.
Saturday, April 8
Who’s Hoo? 11 AM
Come meet one of our resident owls. Join us at the Naturalist Cabin behind the Old Man’s Cave visitor Center. If the weather is bad, we will meet inside the Visitor Center instead.
Critter Cribs, 2 pm
Stop by, pick up some blueprints, and take a look at some different critter houses that you could build in your own back yard! Join us at the Hocking Hills Lodge Lobby.
Friday, April 14
Bobcats in Ohio, 10 am
Ohio’s bobcats aren’t just found on school campuses! They’re found right here in our woods! Learn about these elusive predators and about some of the signs they leave behind. Meet us at the Old Man’s Cave Visitor Center. If the weather is nice, we will meet at the Naturalist Cabin.
Nature Painting, 2 pm
Bring your artistic eye and join our naturalist to paint a watercolor still life at the Hocking Hills Lodge. Meet us at the Lodge Lobby and please dress for the weather.
Saturday, April 15
Life Cycles, 10 am
Come meet the naturalist to learn about the life cycles of different organism, Frogs, butterflies, and earthworms. Oh my!
Rock House Hike, 2 pm
Join us for a moderate, 1-mile hike to the Rock House cave while we discuss the critters that could be found there in the night. Meet us at the Rock House Shelter House and please wear good, sturdy hiking shoes.
Friday, April 21
Weather the Weather, 10 am
Join us for a fun program based around the weather of the day. Rain or shine, we’ll have a good time! Meet us at the Hocking Hills Lodge Lobby and please dress for the weather.
Pine Tar Kiln, 2 pm
Join our naturalists to see how Pine Tar was made by early settlers. Join us at the Naturalist Cabin behind the Old Man’s Cave Visitor Center.
Saturday, April 22
Earth Day Seed Bombs, 10 am
Come create seed bombs to encourage wildflower growth. Take your seed bomb home or add your seeds to our pollinator patch here at the park. Please meet us at the pollinator garden behind the Old Man’s Cave Visitor Center and get ready to get dirty.
Vernal Pool Exploration, 2 pm
Join us for a 2-mile hike around Rose Lake and see what critters are waking up at the edge of the lake. Meet us at the Fisherman’s Parking on 374 South and be prepared to get muddy and wet.
Monday, April 24
Rose Lake Wildflower Hike, 10 am
Join us for a moderate 2-mile round trip to take in not only wildflowers but the birds that are returning for the spring. Join us at the Rose Lake Fisherman’s Parking on 374 South. We will start at Trailhead H. Be prepared to get muddy and wet.
Tuesday, April 25
Fire Tower to Ash Cave Hike, 10 am
Join us for an approximately 2-mile round trip hike from the Fire Tower to Ash Cave. This will be a moderate hike with mud and hills. We will start and return on the same trail. Join us at the Fire Tower Parking lot just off of 374 South.
Wednesday, April 26
Cedar Falls Hike, 10 am
See what flowers are growing around the park’s heaviest waterfall. Are there any flowers growing around the cedars? Where are the cedars anyways? Learn all this and more on our approximately 1-mile moderate hike. Meet us at Trailhead H at the Cedar Falls parking lot and be prepared for mud, steps, and slick rocks.
Thursday, April 27
Grandma Gatewood Day, All Day
Stop by the Visitor Center to learn about Grandma Gatewood, the namesake of the Buckeye Trail. We will have her scrapbook out with us at the front desk for you to come enjoy at your leisure. Stop by the Old Man’s Cave Visitor Center.
Whispering Cave Hike, 10 am
Join us for a 4.5-mile trip around the Whispering Cave and Old Man’s Cave Loop. This is a moderate to difficult hike. Meet us at the Hiker’s Pavilion at the Hocking Hills Lodge. This is the pavilion with the map to the right of the main entrance. Be prepared for uneven terrain, tree roots, rugged steps, and mud.
Friday, April 28
Gorge Overlook Trail to Rose Lake Hike, 10 am
Join us for a 3-mile meander along the Gorge Overlook Trail (Red Trail) to Rose Lake and back. Come see what wildflowers are growing in the Hemlock Forest. Join us at Trailhead O at Ash Cave. Be prepared for mud and steps as we go around the rim of the cave.
Thursday, May 4
Cantwell Cliffs Hike, 10 am
Celebrate Star Wars Day with and adventure through Cantwell Cliffs, our most difficult part of the park. Join us on a 2-mile exploration through alien rock ledges and mysterious gores and feel the force flow through you. Join us at Trailhead A in the Cantwell Cliffs parking lot. This is a difficult hike so be prepared for many sandstone steps, cliff edges, and an overall physical but rewarding challenge.
Friday, May 5
Nature Etching, 10 am
Would you like to take home your own artwork of the plants and other cool nature textures here at the park? Meet a naturalist to venture out and make it happen! We will be using crayons and paper for this craft. Meet us at the Hocking Hills Lodge Lobby and please be prepared to go outside.
Cedar Falls Hike, 2 pm
Join us for a moderate 1-mile round trip hike down to Cedar Falls. Stretch you legs as you begin your weekend at Hocking Hills. Meet us at Trailhead H at the Cedar Falls parking lot. This moderate hike is short but defined by a lot of steps. Be prepared for mud and a climb down into and out of the gorge to see the waterfall.
Saturday, May 6
Insect Investigation, 10 am
Join our naturalist for an insect investigation. Venture out and investigate what kinds of pollinators are buzzing around this time year! Meet us at the Hocking Hills Lodge Lobby.
Hoppy About Frogs, 2pm
Come learn about the hoptastic life of frogs! Join us at the Old Man’s Cave Visitor Center.
Thursday, May 11
Whispering Cave Hike, 10 am
Join us for a moderate, about 1-mile round trip hike to Whispering Cave and back from the Lodge. Join us at the Hiker’s Pavilion at the Hocking Hills Lodge. This is the pavilion with the map to the right of the main entrance. Please dress for the weather and be prepared for rugged steps and terrain.
Friday, May 12
Weather the Weather, 10 am
Join a naturalist for a fun program based on the weather of the day. Rain or shine, we’ll have a good time! Meet us in the Hocking Hills Lodge Lobby. Please dress for the weather.
Saturday, May 13
Mama Bears, 10 am
Come learn about some mothers in nature. From birds to bears, learn how a mother’s love is universal. Meet us in the Hocking Hills Lodge Lobby.
National Archery Day, 2 pm
Try your hand at archery in honor of national archery day. Meet us at the Hocking Hills Archery Range across from the campground office. All equipment is provided and there is no fee.
Sunday, May 14
Mother’s Day Hike to Rose Lake, 10 am
Join us for a moderate 3-mile hike to Rose Lake and back. Meet us at the Old Man’s Cave Visitor Center and please be prepared for the weather. There will be no areas to stop for a bathroom break or water fill up.
A Cup of Sunshine, 2 pm
Mother’s Day is today! Come make your own flowerpot and plant a sunflower to take home and grow with mom. Meet us at the back patio of the Hocking Hills Lodge.
Thursday, May 18
Leave No Trace Hike, 10 am
Join us for a 2-mile round trip hike around Rose Lake and learn the skills necessary to protect the natural areas you love. Join us at the Fisherman’s Parking Lot on 374 South. Please dress for the weather.
Friday, May 19
Hidden in Plain Sight, 10 am
Learn how animals hide in plain sight to avoid predators and sneak up on prey. Then, practice your skills at camouflage. Meet us at the Old Man’s Cave Visitor Center. We will head outside to the area around the Naturalist Cabin. Be prepared to get muddy.
Nature Etching, 2 pm
Would you like to take home your own artwork of the plants and other cool nature textures here at the park? Meet the naturalist to venture out and make it happen! We will be using crayons and paper for this craft. Meet us at the Hocking Hills Lodge Lobby, prepared to go outside.
Saturday, May 20
Whispering Cave Hike, 10 am
Join us for a moderate, about 1-mile round trip to Whispering Cave and back from the Hocking Hills Lodge. Join us at the Hiker’s Pavilion at the Hocking Hills Lodge. This is the pavilion with the map to the right of the main entrance. Be aware of uneven steps and muddy trails.
Resident Raptors, 2 pm
Come meet one of our resident raptors in the park. Join us at the Naturalist Cabin behind the Old Man’s Cave Visitor Center. Be prepared for the weather. If the weather is bad, we will be inside the Visitor Center.
Tuesday, May 23
World Turtle Day, 2 pm
In honor of world turtle day, join us to learn about a common turtle found in Ohio, the Box Turtle. Join us in the Hocking Hills Lodge Lobby.
Thursday, May 25
Rock House Hike, 10 am
Join us for a 1-mile hike to Rock House and back. Come explore our only true cave and learn about the animals and people that used it for shelter. Join us for the shelter house at the Rock House Parking Lot. Come dressed for the weather and be prepared for uneven sandstone steps.
Friday, May 26
Beginner’s Archery, 10 am
Join us for an introduction to archery. Meet us at the Archery Range across from the campground office. All equipment is provided. There is no fee.
Cedar Falls Hike, 1 pm
Join the naturalist on a moderate 1-mile hike to Cedar Falls. Meet us at the Trailhead “H” near the parking lot. There are some stair son this hike and a little bit of uneven terrain.
Roaming Reptiles, 3 pm
Come meet some of our resident reptiles. Meet us at the Old Man’s Cave Visitor Center.
Saturday, May 27
Beginner’s Archery in the Campground, 10 am
Join us for an introduction to archery. Meet us at the area next to the campground pool. All equipment is provided and there is no fee to use the equipment.
Rose Lake Hike, 1 pm
Join the naturalist on a moderate 1-mile hike around Rose Lake. Meet us at the Rose Lake Dam spot “DD”, just below the campground. The terrain for this hike can be uneven in areas. Hiking sticks and binoculars are suggested but not required.
Who’s Hoo? 3 pm
Come meet one of our resident birds of prey. Meet us at the Hocking Hills Lodge Lobby Back Patio.