Planning a winter weekend with 18 or 20 of your favorite people? Then you are probably wondering what to pack for Hocking Hills in winter, and what the lodge already has.
The good news is our lodges take care of the bulky things, like bedding, towels, and a fully stocked kitchen. So your bags can hold what winter calls for: warm layers, ice traction, and a few small comforts.
What Changes When You Pack for Winter?
Most of what you would pack in spring still works in winter. Our guide on What to Bring for a Spring Hocking Hills Getaway covers basics like toiletries, snacks, and groceries.
Winter just asks for a little more, and it comes down to three things. The trails are often icy, the cold sets in quickly after dark, and the days are much shorter. Each of those changes what goes in your bag, and it all starts with your feet.
Ice Cleats and Winter Boots for Hocking Hills Trails
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources says winter trails at Hocking Hills State Park are “typically covered in ice.” That is why ODNR recommends ice cleats, along with proper outerwear and footwear. These small pieces of gear make a big difference on stone steps and narrow paths.
Ice cleats stretch over the bottom of your boots and grip the ice where rubber soles tend to slip. I would plan on one pair for every hiker, and that includes the kids. Cleats come in children’s sizes, and they fold up small enough to slip into a coat pocket.
Good boots matter just as much as the cleats. Explore Hocking Hills suggests winter footwear that is waterproof, well-lined, and tall enough to come up over your ankles. It also helps to pack a second pair of shoes for the lodge, so your boots can dry overnight.
How to Layer for a Hocking Hills Winter Day
Once your feet are covered, layers are the next thing to think about. You warm up quickly on a climb and cool down again at an overlook. That is why a few thin layers work better than one heavy coat.
Layering is simpler than it sounds, and it works for every age in your group. Begin with a base layer that wicks away sweat, then add a cozy fleece or light down layer over it. Over all of that, a waterproof jacket keeps out the wind and wet snow, so everyone stays snug and dry. For trail days, I would leave the cotton hoodies at home, since they stay cold once they get damp.
To finish the outfit, pack warm hats, gloves, and wool socks for everyone. I would also add spare socks for each person, each day, since dry feet make the walk back easier.
Even so, you do not need a fresh outfit for every day. Both lodges have a washer and dryer, so muddy layers can be clean and dry again by morning.
Small Gear That Helps on Short Winter Days
Did you know that Logan gets just 9 hours and 22 minutes of daylight on December 21? That is the shortest day of the year, with more than five hours less light than on June 21. Winter days in Hocking Hills go by fast, so it helps to plan each outing around the light.
The earliest sunset of the year comes on December 7, at 5:05 p.m., and the trails follow the sun. ODNR closes them half an hour after sunset, which puts closing time around 5:35 p.m. that week. So a morning hike is a lovely way to go, with the most daylight for your group to enjoy.
With the sun setting so early, a few small things are worth tucking into your bag. A headlamp for each hiker is a good idea in case the walk back takes a little longer than planned. Cold weather drains phone batteries faster too, so a phone power bank comes in handy. For the little ones, hand warmers and a thermos of hot cocoa make the cold so much more fun.
And if a winter storm rolls through, that is a perfect excuse for a cozy day indoors. Our guide to Indoor Activities in Hocking Hills is full of ideas for keeping a big group busy and happy.
What to Pack for the Hot Tub and Fire Pit
Evenings are the coziest part of a winter stay, especially with a 6-person outdoor hot tub at both lodges. So yes, go ahead and pack the swimsuits, even in January.
There is something special about soaking under the winter sky while the cold air nips at your cheeks. To make the walk out cozier, pack a warm robe or sweatshirt for everyone, plus slip-on shoes for the deck.
For drinks in the tub, plastic cups are the best and safest choice, so tuck a stack into your bags. And the little ones under 12 will need a grown-up with them whenever they are in the tub.
After the hot tub, the fire pits are a lovely place to end the night together. You will find two at Woodland Lodge and one at Magnolia Grove Lodge, with firewood ready and waiting at both. So pack the marshmallows, chocolate, and graham crackers, then get ready for s’mores under the winter stars.
What You Can Leave at Home
The best part is that many everyday basics are already at the lodge, so you can leave them at home. Both lodges are stocked the same way, so it does not matter which one your group books.
The kitchen comes fully stocked with modern appliances and a 12-cup drip coffee maker, filters included. Creamer, sugar, coffee, salt, and pepper are waiting too, so the first pot can brew before anyone is fully awake. After a big family dinner, dish soap, dishwasher tabs, paper towels, and garbage bags make cleanup easy. Basic cleaning supplies are there as well, which helps when muddy boots meet the floor.
In the bathrooms, shampoo, conditioner, bath soap, and toilet paper are all ready for you. Of course, if you prefer your own hair and skin care products, feel free to bring them along.
Winter Packing Checklist for a Group of 18 to 20
Here is the full list of what to pack for a Hocking Hills winter weekend, all in one place. To make it easy, I have sorted it into gear for the trail, the lodge, and the car.
For the Trail
- Ice cleats for every hiker, kids included
- Waterproof, well-lined boots that come over the ankle
- Base layer, fleece or light down layer, and a waterproof jacket
- Warm hats, gloves, and wool socks, plus spare socks for each day
- Headlamp for each hiker
- Phone power bank
- Hand warmers
- Thermos for hot cocoa
For the Lodge
- Swimsuits for the hot tub
- Warm robe or sweatshirt for each person
- Slip-on shoes for the deck
- Plastic cups for the hot tub
- A dry pair of shoes for indoors
- Marshmallows, chocolate, and graham crackers for s’mores
- Groceries for your stay
- Your own hair and skin care products, if you prefer them
For the Car
- Ice scraper
- Warm blanket
- Car phone charger
Winter Packing Tips Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. ODNR opens the trails half an hour before sunrise and closes them half an hour after sunset. Because winter trails are often icy, ODNR recommends ice cleats and proper footwear.
Pack ice cleats, waterproof, well-lined boots, and warm layers for every hiker, kids included. Warm hats, gloves, spare socks, and a headlamp are worth bringing too, since the days are short.
Yes. Both lodges have a 6-person outdoor hot tub, so swimsuits are a must. A warm robe or sweatshirt and slip-on shoes make the walk outside cozier.
Yes. Shampoo, conditioner, bath soap, and toilet paper are ready at both lodges. If you prefer your own hair and skin care products, feel free to bring them along.
Hocking County roads are scenic but rural, with a mix of paved and gravel stretches. During snowstorms or other bad weather, a four-wheel-drive vehicle may be necessary. Since we cannot offer refunds for weather, it helps to watch the forecast as your trip gets closer.
Yes. Firewood is ready and waiting at both lodges, so you can enjoy the fire pits without packing any.
Where to Stay for a Winter Weekend: Woodland Lodge and Magnolia Grove Lodge
A winter weekend feels extra special when your whole group can stay together under one roof. That is exactly what our two lodges, Woodland Lodge and Magnolia Grove Lodge, are made for. They sit right next to each other on Morris Road, close to the trails. Both are just 6.7 miles, or about 10 to 15 minutes, from Old Man’s Cave.
For a full side-by-side comparison, take a look at our guide to Large Group Cabins in Hocking Hills. Here is what each one offers for a winter weekend in particular.
Woodland Lodge
If your group is around 18, Woodland Lodge is a comfortable fit, with 5 bedrooms, 13 beds, and 3 bathrooms. Big winter dinners are easy here, since the lodge seats 22 across its dining table, breakfast bar, and sunroom.
When the cold sends everyone inside, the game room and theater room keep all ages happy. Then, once the little ones are tucked in, the hot tub and two fire pits are waiting for the grown-ups.
Magnolia Grove Lodge
Our newest lodge, Magnolia Grove Lodge, sleeps 20, with 7 bedrooms, 13 beds, and 4 bathrooms. All 20 of you can sit down to dinner together, so long winter meals feel like a family gathering.
On chilly evenings, the electric fireplace turns the family room into the coziest spot in the house. The game room is just as inviting, with two big screens ready for movie nights and game days. And when the stars come out, the outdoor hot tub and fire pit are right there for everyone to enjoy.
For families traveling with grandparents or anyone who uses a wheelchair, Magnolia Grove is our only fully ADA-accessible lodge. Step-free entry and ADA parking make it easier to get everyone and everything inside on a cold evening. The master suite is wheelchair accessible too, with grab bars for added peace of mind.
What Guests Say About Their Stay
Kelli’s review captures what a cozy evening at the Woodland Lodge can feel like.
“Love the double fire pit to entertain many people. … So happy to have unlimited firewood… such a luxury for a Hocking Hills property. … The new hot tub worked perfectly and was very relaxing, with woods all around.”
Those are exactly the moments we hope every group gets to enjoy.
Plan Your Stay at The Woodlands
Packing for a winter weekend in Hocking Hills really comes down to a few simple things. Bring ice cleats and boots for the trails, warm layers for the cold, and a headlamp for those early sunsets. Add swimsuits and s’mores fixings for the evenings, and the lodge will have just about everything else ready.
What matters most, though, is the time together. Winter is a quiet, cozy season in Hocking Hills, and a wonderful time to gather the whole family.
Every stay with us gives back, too. At Woodland Lodge, you choose where your 5% goes: Special Olympics, St. Jude Children’s Hospital, or the Columbus Humane Society. For stays at Magnolia Grove Lodge, 5% goes to the Ronald McDonald House. So while your family makes memories by the fire, you are making a difference too.
We would love to welcome your group this winter. Plan your stay at The Woodlands, pack the cleats and swimsuits, and we will take care of the rest. Check the availability of both lodges now, and book that dream family winter trip in Hocking Hills.