Ultimate Guide To Planning A Successful Group Retreat To Hocking Hills

Planning a successful group retreat can be a daunting task, especially when it comes to finding the perfect location in Ohio. Hocking Hills offers a serene and picturesque backdrop for your group retreat, perfect for fostering teamwork and relaxation.

With its stunning natural beauty, including lush forests, cascading waterfalls, and unique rock formations, Hocking Hills provides the ideal setting for outdoor bonding activities and team-building exercises.

Additionally, the area boasts a variety of accommodation options to suit every group size and budget, ensuring a comfortable and enjoyable stay for all attendees. Whether you’re seeking adventure or tranquility, Hocking Hills offers diverse activities to cater to every individual’s preferences, making it a perfect choice for your next group retreat.

Choosing The Best Accommodation For Your Group

Selecting the right accommodation is crucial to ensuring a successful group retreat in Hocking Hills. When choosing where to stay, consider group the primary purpose of the group retreat, size, budget, and desired amenities.

Options range from luxurious cabins nestled in the heart of nature to charming lodges with ample space for group activities. Make sure to book well in advance to secure your preferred accommodation and guarantee a comfortable and enjoyable stay for all attendees.

Things to Consider:

• The amount of bathrooms in the space you are considering. While more intimate groups such as friends or families are more apt to share bathrooms, guests not as familiar with each other may find it off-putting to share with one or more people.
• Have multiple common areas, especially if visiting during the winter months. This will give guests places to read, relax, and socialize if another common space is occupied.
• Know the bed situation and if guests must sleep on pull-out sofas.
• Look for fun amenities like a pool table, hot tub, sauna, or gaming system.

Raven’s Retreat

We stayed at Raven’s Retreat: The Unique Art Lodge during our most recent Mom’s retreat. Situated on 58 acres of nature preserve, this spot offers a serene and intimate setting for your group getaway.

The Unique Art Lodge comfortably accommodates up to 16 guests and offers excellent amenities such as a hot tub, sauna, and pool table. The art installations within the retreat spaces were created by Dustin Weatherby and Raven Morgan, the owners and hosts.

Everywhere you look, you will find something new and eye-catching. With open spaces, large decks, and even a yoga platform in the woods, there are plenty of opportunities to break off in small groups or offer different activities.

Money Saving Tip: Use code save10percent to save 10% off your next stay at Raven’s Retreat. The code must be used when directly booking through Raven’t Retreat and is good until July 1st, 2025.

During our retreat, we were able to add in the following activities that were booked directly through Raven’s Retreat.

• Wood Carving Demonstration. Scult Decor gave our group a live wood carving demo, and one of the gals got to keep the final product!
• Ornament Making with the Broken Birch. The Broken Birch has an assortment of individual crafts that groups can participate in, including creating custom ornaments. It was the perfect way to commemorate our group trip.
• Schedule a Yoga Session with Zen Yoga. Book your session with Ellen, one of the talented yoga instructors at Zen Yoga who will come to your retreat space for a private group session.

Other Retreat Options

Various cabin options are available throughout Hocking Hills to match group sizes and needs. For individual rooms, consider the Hocking Hills Lodge from Ohio Lodges. With meeting rooms, a restaurant, and many amenities, it is a perfect spot for a retreat.

Hiking Hocking Hills With A Group

Embarking on an outdoor adventure to see the beauty of Hocking Hills is a great group activity. However, now is not the time for an epic climb, as you must account for various levels of hikers. Be flexible with your expectations and have some backup plans if you need to change your route to suit the group’s ability level.

Develop a game plan before hitting the trails to set your group up for success. Remember to pack snacks, water, and a first aid kit.

The Best Hikes In Hocking Hills For A Group

Ash Cave

Our absolute favorite Hocking Hills Hiking Trail is the Ash Cave. Ash Cave tends to be one of the park’s most popular trails but for a good reason. Ash Cave is the most impressive recess cave in the state.

The cave got its name from the bushels of ashes found within. A small waterfall is created from the tributary of the East Fork of Queer Creek, cascading over the rim into a small pool below. It is known to freeze during the winter months, creating a spectacular sight.

There is a good-sized parking lot across the street from the trailhead. Restrooms and picnic tables are available. The trail leading to the cave is paved, making this hike ideal for groups. Parents could even bring a stroller if traveling with small children.

Pets are also welcome along the route, so long as they are leashed.

The Ash Cave Gorge Trail is handicap accessible and is 1/4 mile long. It takes visitors directly to the cave. Guests can then return the way they came or venture on to the Ash Cave Rim Trail.

The Ash Cave Rim Trail is 1/2 mile long and includes some hazardous cliffs, but it is relatively easy.

Old Man’s Cave

The most popular hike in Hocking Hills is to Old Man’s Cave. Many hikers begin their Hocking Hills quest here because it is home to the Hocking Hills Visitor Center and a trailhead to various trails, including the Grandma Gatewood Trail. This trail connects three popular areas of the park; Old Man’s Cave, Cedar Falls, and Ash Cave.

Quick Tips For Old Man’s Cave

• I recommend getting a map from the Visitors Center or downloading one before hiking these trails. You can even take a photo of the map on your phone to reference later if you lose service. The trails are fairly well labeled, but better safe than sorry.
• Arrive early, as crowds tend to build up throughout the day.
• Many of the trails in the area will connect with the Old Man’s Cave Trail.
• Wear proper footwear.
• During the winter months, ice makes these trails challenging to hike. Bridges freeze over, icy forms on the stairwells, and the insides of caverns become ice skating rinks.
• Old Man’s Cave Trail is a 0.6-mile trail that can sometimes be very crowded. It leads to the cave through the gorge and along Old Man’s Creek.
• The Grandma Gatewood Trail is six miles long. A return hike to your car will make it a total of 12 miles. The Grandma Gatewood Trail has been designated part of the Buckeye Trail.
• Hemlock Bridge and Whispering Cave Trail is a 1.9-mile out-and-back trail located off of the Old Man Cave Trail. Whispering Falls is located along this trail.
• The Upper and Lower Falls is a 1.2-mile out-and-back trail that will take hikers to both falls, including a visit to Old Man’s Cave.
• Broken Rock Falls is a one-mile loop that offers beautiful scenery and plenty of rock formations. The trail can be accessed off the Old Man’s Trail, which is a great addition.
• These trails are pet-friendly and provide a parking area, picnic shelters, and restrooms.

Conkles Hollow Gorge Trail

Another great group-friendly trail is the Conkles Hollow State Nature Preserve Gorge Trail. This majestic gorge is full of grottos, waterfalls, and cliffs. The Gorge Trail is a paved, handicap-accessible trail that takes guests through the heart of the gorge.

Stop in to explore the grotto, enjoy a quiet moment by the stream, and take in the rocky formations. Rumor has it that there is a large sum of hidden money in the gorge from a small band of Native Americans who robbed settlers near the Ohio River.

Conkles Hollow Nature Preserve offers an ample parking lot and restrooms. However, this trail is NOT pet-friendly.

The Conkles Hollow Gorge Trail is roughly a mile long, out and back trail. Highlights along the trails include Slump Rock and The Grotto, along with two beautiful waterfalls.

Conkles Hollow Rim Trail—This is a more adventurous trail; therefore, use extreme caution as it circles the tops of the gorge’s cliffs. While the trail rewards hikers with outstanding views, this 2.5-mile hike is quite strenuous.

Cedar Falls

A beautiful waterfall hike is to Cedar Falls. The trail is relatively easy, which increases its popularity. Narrow passageways can make this out and back trail a little challenging, especially during peak season, as more hikers try to navigate these problematic areas.

The waterfalls are beautiful, and the flow varies depending on recent rainfall. During winter months, the trail can get icy, so use caution. Cedar Falls is a pet-friendly trail, so long as dogs are on a leash.

The Cedar Falls Trails is a half-mile relatively easy trail, except for climbing some rocks and a few narrow passageways. Near the parking lot, there are restrooms and picnic areas.

The Cedar Falls Trail also connects to the Buckeye Trail/ Grandma Gatewood Trail, leading to Ash Cave, and the Grandma Gatewood Trail, leading to Old Man’s Cave.

Check out our perfect 3-Day Hocking Hills Itinerary!

Group Dining Options in Hocking Hills

Meal assignments are a popular way to handle meals during close-knit group retreats, with two or three individuals pairing up to create each meal. However, there are many great dining options throughout Hocking Hills for groups to enjoy and take a break from cooking!

Planning Tip: When having your group bring meals, divide and conquer. Assign 2-3 people per meal. A few of our favorite group meals are charcuterie boards with wine tasting, tacos, and margaritas!

Tip: It is always helpful to call ahead to make reservations or call ahead seating for large groups.

• Millstone Smoked BBQ– A great BBQ joint in the heart of Logan serving traditional southern smoked BBQ meats.
• LaCascada– One of the best places to grab margaritas, queso, and Mexican favorites.
• Jimbo’s Burgers & Beer- A casual sports bar with a big patio space.
• 58 West– A restaurant, winery, and brewery all wrapped into one!

If all else fails, there are plenty of pizza parlors throughout Hocking Hills, and even some that deliver!

Fun Attractions To Do In Hocking Hills With A Group

Spend The Day On Lake Logan

Address: 30443 Lake Logan Rd, Logan, OH 43138

Nestled within the beauty of Hocking Hills, the Lake Logan Marina stands as a beacon of leisure and adventure amidst Ohio’s natural wonders. Rent a pontoon boat and spend the day cruising Lake Logan and soaking up the scenic views.

Hocking Hills Canopy Tours

Address: 10714 Jackson Street, Rockbridge, Ohio 43149

Hocking Hills Canopy Tours in Rockbridge, Ohio, is home to many exciting outdoor adventures, but nothing compares to the thrill of their first-class Original Canopy Tour! Fast, fun, and exhilarating, this 2.5 to 3 hour spectacular adventure offers nature lovers and thrill seekers alike the unique opportunity to zip through the treetops on a network of cables and adventure sky bridges suspended high above the forest floor, overlooking a cave, rock cliffs, the Hocking River, and other flora and fauna!

Float Down The River

Discover Hocking Hills by floating down the Hocking River. Whether you want to kayak, canoe or tube, plenty of river adventures are waiting for you. Hocking Hills Canoe Livery offers river tours and canoe, kayak, and raft rentals.

For those looking for even more family fun, check out Hocking Hills Adventures which offers river trips and a family fun center, complete with go-kart rides, an 18 hole miniature golf course and an arcade style game room. Look into their Family Fun Package that includes a canoe trip!

Hocking Hills Winery

Taking a group wine tasting at Hocking Hills winery is a great way to experience some of Ohio’s best wines. Plus, the beautiful surroundings of Hocking Hills add to the overall ambiance of the experience. And to make it even better, they often have live music, providing the perfect backdrop for enjoying a glass of wine with friends.

We hope this guide helps you plan an epic retreat for your group. Hocking Hills makes the ideal backdrop for any wellness retreat, mom getaway, or family reunion. Discover even more to do in Hocking Hills with these related articles below:

10 Best Hiking Trails In Hocking Hils

7 Tips For Hiking The Rock House

Save this post for future planning