🎃 Spooky Season in Hocking Hills: Halloween Fun, Haunted History & Autumn Adventures

As the crisp autumn air sweeps through the forests of Hocking Hills, Ohio, the region transforms into a Halloween lover’s dream. Between haunted legends, festive fall events, and spooky nighttime adventures, Hocking Hills offers a unique October getaway for families, couples, and thrill-seekers alike. Whether you’re chasing ghost stories, carving pumpkins, or simply enjoying the eerie beauty of fog-covered gorges, you’ll find no shortage of things to do this Halloween season.

👻 Haunted History of Hocking Hills

Hocking Hills is rich with legends and folklore, making it the perfect backdrop for a Halloween escape. Here are a few local tales that still send shivers down visitors’ spines:

👉 The Ghost of Old Man’s Cave
The park’s most famous trail is named after Richard Rowe, a hermit who lived in the recess cave in the late 1700s. Some hikers claim his spirit still lingers in the shadows of the gorge. Keep an eye out for mysterious whispers or a faint figure moving among the rocks.

👉 Ash Cave’s Phantom Lantern
Local stories tell of a man who once wandered into Ash Cave with a lantern and never returned. Visitors say they’ve seen a glowing light flickering in the cave at night—could it be his spirit searching for a way out?.

More Stories and Legends: https://thehockinghills.org/Haunted_Ohio.htm

🎃 Halloween Events & Activities in Hocking Hills 2025

Hocking Hills and the surrounding region celebrate the spooky season with fun for all ages. Here are the top events to add to your October itinerary:

1. Circleville Pumpkin Show – October 15–18, 2025
   One of the largest pumpkin festivals in the U.S., just 30 minutes from Hocking Hills. Expect massive pumpkin displays, parades, pumpkin-flavored everything, and even pumpkin carving contests.
   https://www.pumpkinshow.com/
   
   
2. Hocking Hills Halloween Campouts – Weekends in October
   Campgrounds across the area host themed weekends with trick-or-treating, campsite decorating contests, haunted hayrides, and costume parades for kids.
   
   
3. Logan Halloween Parade & Trick-or-Treat – October 31, 2025 (10:00-4:00)
   Downtown Logan comes alive with costumes, floats, candy, and festive cheer. A perfect family-friendly Halloween outing.
   http://www.logandowntown.org/halloween-treat-walk.html
   
   
4. Nelsonville Halloween Train Ride
   Join us on the Halloween Train, departing the Nelsonville Depot at 6 p.m. on Oct. 25. The ride will traverse the Hocking River Valley as many trains have done since the late 1860s.
   https://www.hvsry.org/train-rides/halloween-train/

🌌 Spooky Outdoor Adventures

Hocking Hills is just as magical outdoors at night as it is by day. For a Halloween twist, try these activities:

👉 Haunted Night Hikes – Explore trails like Ash Cave or Old Man’s Cave under the glow of the moon. Bring a flashlight (and maybe a friend!) as the forest feels completely different after dark.

👉 Stargazing at John Glenn Astronomy Park – While not spooky, the wide-open night skies and cosmic displays are the perfect complement to crisp October evenings.

👉 Canoeing by Moonlight – Some local outfitters offer evening paddles in the fall. Imagine gliding along a quiet river with only the sound of owls and rustling leaves.

👉 Ziplining After Dark – Certain adventure parks run special Halloween-themed night ziplines, where you soar above the glowing treetops.