The Hocking Hills Visitor Center is officially open.
The 8,600 square foot lodge-style center hosts exhibits inside about the region, as well as information about each trail and how to stay safe while you’re out and about enjoying Hocking Hills.
The new building, which also has 5,000 square feet of outdoor patios, reportedly cost over $6 million to build and will provide a space to learn, explore, and plan your visit to Hocking Hills State Park.
Ohio Department of Natural Resource officials were joined by Governor Mike DeWine to open the center on Monday.
“All of our state parks are truly wonderful and unique, and they are free for families to enjoy,” said Governor DeWine.
“Hocking Hills is among the most scenic. The region attracts millions of visitors each year, and the new visitor center is a place where people can come to learn, explore, and plan their time here.”
Over 4 million visitors come to the Hocking Hills region every year. Inside the new visitors center, they’ll find displays on the upper level that are there to help plan the perfect day, navigating the state park, staying safe in the state forest, and learning about the trail system.
On the lower level, you can walk through the history and ecology of the region. There’s a cave area built into the middle of the room that shows off the unique geology of the gorges around the Hocking Hills that the kids are going to go crazy for!
The Visitors Center also has restrooms and water bottle filling stations, as well as a gift shop. Hours at the Visitors Center will vary by season, but for summer, they’ll be open daily from 9 a.m. until 7 p.m.
