A Wheelchair Accessible Cabin in Hocking Hills: Inside Magnolia Grove Lodge

Zero-step front entry at Magnolia Grove Lodge, a wheelchair accessible cabin in Hocking Hills where groups of up to 20 arrive without stairs

Are you looking for a wheelchair accessible cabin in Hocking Hills that fits your whole group? If so, you already know the search can take some digging. Most accessible rentals around here are built for couples or small families, so options get thin as your headcount climbs.

And when someone you love uses a wheelchair, a walker, or a cane, the questions start piling up. How close can you park? Are there steps at the front door? And will the bathroom actually work for them?

Those are exactly the questions I want to answer here. Magnolia Grove Lodge is our newest lodge, and we built it from the ground up as a space for everyone. It sleeps up to 20 guests in 7 bedrooms, with zero-step entry and a main-level primary suite with grab bars.

Best of all, the kitchen, dining, and living areas share that same level. That means your whole family can gather together without anyone needing the stairs. So let me take you through the lodge, room by room, and then share two accessible trails nearby.

Arriving at Magnolia Grove Lodge

We will start where every stay begins: the front door. For many guests with mobility needs, getting inside is the hardest part of any trip. Here, arriving comes down to three pieces: a concrete accessible parking pad, a concrete walkway, and zero-step entry.

The driveway has room for 6 to 8 cars, including the accessible parking pad. A concrete walkway connects that pad directly with the front entrance. With no steps between the car and the door, getting inside is smooth and easy.

Once you reach the door, the opening is 34 inches wide, and a threshold ramp helps wheelchairs roll easily inside. It is one of those little details that makes a big difference after a long drive.

The Main Level: Room for Everyone to Gather

Open-concept kitchen and dining table at Magnolia Grove Lodge, where a large family gathers for meals on one level

Once everyone is inside, you will find yourself in the heart of the lodge. The main level holds the open-concept kitchen, dining, and living area, along with the accessible primary suite. This is where your group will spend most of its time together.

Because the layout is open, there is plenty of room for a wheelchair to turn and move between spaces. The main hallway is also 3 feet wide, so moving between rooms is easy.

Mealtimes are a highlight here. With seating for 4 at the kitchen island and a 14- to 16-person dining table, your whole group can eat together. Then, when the dishes are done, the living area and fireplace are right there on the same floor. Evenings by the fire need no stairs at all.

The Primary Suite and Accessible Bathroom

Also on the main level, you will find the primary suite, sometimes called the master suite. It has its own en suite bathroom, and the bedroom doorway is 33 inches wide. If someone in your group uses a wheelchair, walker, or cane, this is the room to save for them.

The bathroom is set up with accessibility in mind, including a wheelchair-accessible sink. Grab bars are also installed at both the toilet and the shower.

One thing to note is the shower itself. The primary shower has a 6-inch lip to step over, so it is not a roll-in shower. To make showering easier, I have included a portable shower chair at Magnolia Grove Lodge. If someone in your group needs a roll-in shower, email us before you book, and we can talk it through.

Magnolia Grove Lodge Doorway and Shower Measurements

Since every wheelchair and walker is a little different, I measured the doorways and showers myself. That way, you can compare them with your own equipment before you book.

SpaceMeasurementGood to know
Front door34 inches wideThreshold ramp at the door
Main-level hallway3 feet (36 inches) wideMain level
Primary bedroom doorway33 inches wideMain level
Primary bathroom doorway31 inches wideEn suite to the primary bedroom
Primary shower lip6 inches highGrab bars; portable shower chair provided
All other bedroom and bathroom doorways29 inches wideMain level, upstairs and basement
Second main-level bathroomBathtub29-inch doorway
Upstairs and basement showers6-inch lipFull bathrooms
Side door to the deck31 inches wideRaised threshold

Each doorway was measured as the clear space with the door fully open. If you have questions about a specific space, just email us, and we will help you find the best fit.

Bedrooms and Bathrooms at Magnolia Grove Lodge

Grab bars and wheelchair-accessible sink in the main-level primary bathroom at Magnolia Grove Lodge, set up for guests with mobility needs

With 20 guests under one roof, sleeping arrangements matter just as much as the front door. Magnolia Grove Lodge has seven bedrooms and four bathrooms across three levels. Four of those bedrooms are on the main level, including the primary suite. The other three are upstairs on the second floor, along with a full bathroom.

Having four bedrooms on one level is a big help for multigenerational stays. Grandparents and anyone who would rather skip the stairs can settle in close to the kitchen and living area.

Keep in mind that the other doorways are narrower, though. The three other main-level bedrooms and the second main-level bathroom all have 29-inch doorways, and that bathroom has a tub. The upstairs and basement bathrooms each have a shower with a 6-inch lip. So for guests who use a wheelchair, the primary suite and its bathroom are the best fit.

The Game Room, Hot Tub, and Fire Pit

After a day on the trails, the lower level is where the fun continues. The walkout basement game room has ping pong, air hockey, pop-a-shot, and bocce ball, plus two 75-inch TVs. Guests reach the basement by an indoor staircase, and it has a full bathroom too.

The game room’s sliding door opens out toward the private 6-person hot tub. The path there is gravel with stepping stones. You can also follow a slightly sloped gravel walkway around the side of the house.

In the evenings, your group can gather around the fire pit at the front of the house for s’mores. A short gravel walkway leads there, and do bring your own firewood, since it is not provided.

Gravel can be tricky for wheelchairs and walkers, so plan for a helping hand on these paths. Back on the main level, the side door out to the deck is 31 inches wide, with a raised threshold. The deck has two 8-person tables, so it is a lovely spot for meals outside.

I want everyone in your group to know exactly what to expect before you arrive. So if anyone needs step-free access to these spaces, please reach out before you book. I am always happy to go over the layout with you.

Safety Features at Magnolia Grove Lodge and Woodland Lodge

Of course, accessibility is only one part of feeling at home. Feeling safe matters just as much, especially when you are traveling with kids or older relatives. Both of our lodges have the same core safety equipment, and here is how they compare.

Safety featureMagnolia Grove LodgeWoodland Lodge
Smoke alarmsHardwired, in required locationsYes
Carbon monoxide detectorsOn each floorOn each floor
Fire extinguishersOn each floorOn each floor
Flashlights for guestsYesYes
Emergency lantern for power outagesYesYes
First aid kitYesYes

On top of that, Magnolia Grove Lodge has the required emergency exits. Safety features throughout the home follow applicable Ohio building and safety requirements. It is also our only lodge built with accessible features, so choose it whenever someone needs wheelchair access.

When you first arrive, it is worth taking a minute to find the flashlights and the emergency lantern. That way, everyone knows where they are if the power ever goes out.

Wheelchair Accessible Things to Do in Hocking Hills

Once your group has settled in, you will want to get out and see the gorges and caves together. The good news is that two nearby trails work well for wheelchair users. They are the Ash Cave Gorge Trail and the Gorge Trail at Conkle’s Hollow. Ash Cave is about 10 miles from the lodge, and Conkle’s Hollow is about 9 miles.

Wheelchair accessible Ash Cave Gorge Trail in Hocking Hills State Park, an easy outing a whole group can share

Ash Cave Gorge Trail

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources rates the quarter-mile Ash Cave Gorge Trail as easy and wheelchair accessible. It leads right up to Ash Cave, a large recess cave carved into the sandstone.

The rim trail above is rated moderate, so your hikers can head up while everyone else enjoys the gorge. That way, nobody has to sit the outing out.

Conkle’s Hollow Gorge Trail

Closer to the lodge, Conkle’s Hollow State Nature Preserve has two trails, and ODNR lists one as wheelchair accessible. That one is the Gorge Trail, which is partly paved and follows the gorge back to the falls.

The round trip is about 1 mile, with cliffs rising nearly 200 feet on both sides. ODNR calls the hollow one of the most spectacular features in the region. Because the trail is only partly paved, the surface does change along the way. Pets are not permitted in the preserve.

Tips for an Accessible Trail Day

A little planning makes an accessible trail day much easier. Three habits help the most: going early, checking conditions, and calling ahead. Weekday mornings tend to be quieter on the trails and in the parking lots. Our guide to the best time to visit Hocking Hills explains how to avoid the busiest days.

Rain and ice change trail surfaces quickly, so check the weather before you head out. If you have questions about access, you can reach the Hocking Hills State Park office at (740) 385-6842.

The park’s other trails are rated moderate or difficult, so they suit the hikers in your group. Our guide to the best hikes in Hocking Hills covers each trail’s difficulty, so you can plan who goes where.

Bringing a Bigger Group?

Now, if your guest list keeps growing, there is more good news. Magnolia Grove Lodge sits right next to Woodland Lodge, and together the two lodges sleep up to 38 guests. That leaves plenty of room for a family reunion or a multigenerational celebration.

For any group over 20, please email us first at stay@thewoodlandstoday.com, and we will look at the details together. When you split your group between both lodges, plan to place anyone who needs wheelchair access at Magnolia Grove Lodge. Our guide to large group cabins in Hocking Hills compares our lodges side by side.

Every Stay Gives Back

Wherever your group stays, your visit also helps others. Here at The Woodlands, our mission is making a difference one stay at a time. At Magnolia Grove Lodge, 5% of each booking goes to the Ronald McDonald House of Central Ohio.

During your stay, your group can also sign our guest book and help fill food-drive bags to donate. None of this is required, of course, and you can read more about it on our Giving Back page.

Wheelchair Accessible Cabin in Hocking Hills: FAQs

Is Magnolia Grove Lodge wheelchair accessible?

Yes. Magnolia Grove Lodge has zero-step entry, a concrete accessible parking pad, and a main-level primary suite with grab bars. The kitchen, dining, and living areas are on the same level.

Does Magnolia Grove Lodge have a roll-in shower?

No. Every shower at Magnolia Grove Lodge has a 6-inch lip to step over, and the second main-level bathroom has a tub. The primary shower does have grab bars, and I have included a portable shower chair at the lodge. If you need a roll-in shower, please email us before you book.

How wide are the doorways at Magnolia Grove Lodge?

The front door is 34 inches wide, and the main hallway is 3 feet wide. The primary bedroom doorway is 33 inches, and the primary bathroom doorway is 31 inches. All other bedroom and bathroom doorways are 29 inches.

How many guests does Magnolia Grove Lodge sleep?

Magnolia Grove Lodge sleeps up to 20 guests across seven bedrooms and four bathrooms. Four bedrooms are on the main level, including the accessible primary suite, and three are upstairs.

Is Woodland Lodge wheelchair accessible?

Magnolia Grove Lodge is our only lodge built with accessible features. Woodland Lodge shares the same core safety equipment, including carbon monoxide detectors and fire extinguishers on each floor, plus a first aid kit.

What safety features does Magnolia Grove Lodge have?

Magnolia Grove Lodge has hardwired smoke alarms in required locations. Carbon monoxide detectors and fire extinguishers are on each floor. The home also has required emergency exits, a first aid kit, flashlights, and an emergency lantern.

Are there wheelchair accessible trails in Hocking Hills?

Yes. ODNR rates the quarter-mile Ash Cave Gorge Trail as easy and wheelchair accessible. The partly paved Gorge Trail at Conkle’s Hollow State Nature Preserve is another option.

Plan Your Stay at The Woodlands

In the end, the best trips are the ones where everyone gets to come along. Magnolia Grove Lodge gives your group a wheelchair accessible cabin in Hocking Hills to share as home base. It sits about 6 miles, or 11 minutes, from downtown Logan.

When you are ready, Check Availability Now to find your dates, knowing your stay gives back too. And if questions come up first, I am always a quick email away.

Planning for more than 20? Take a look at Woodland Lodge next door, then email us at stay@thewoodlandstoday.com. We would love to help you plan a stay that works for everyone in your family. We hope to host you soon.