Spring Break getaways that won’t break the bank

Streams of sunshine peek through the lush forest ceiling as you approach the gently cascading waterfall.

The massive horseshoe-shaped cave is the picture of peaceful tranquility.

Just a few miles away, thrill seekers feel the adrenaline rush as they fly through the treetops on a breathtaking zipline ride.

Visitors to Hocking Hills can soak in the peaceful beauty or challenge nature itself or, maybe, do a little bit of both. Miami Valley visitors can start their adventure after a little more than a two-hour journey southeast of Dayton. So whether it’s a last-minute spring break trip, a weekend away or a long-awaited family summer vacation, Hocking Hills has something to offer nature lovers and thrill seekers alike.

Peace and quiet

With miles of wildflower-lined hiking trails, visitors to Hocking Hills need little more than a sturdy pair of shoes to immerse themselves in the beauty of the region. Old Man’s Cave, Cedar Falls, Ash Cave Gorge, Ash Cave Rim, Conkle’s Hollow, Rock House and Cantwell Cliffs are among the popular hiking destinations. There are abundant picnic facilities in the area. Some trails are wheelchair accessible and several have public restrooms for visitors’ convenience and comfort.

Bird watchers will be in their element as eagles, hawks and blue heron are in abundance around Lake Logan and daring hummingbirds will venture close enough to be hand fed at Lake Hope State Park.

Canoes, rafts and kayaks enable visitors of all skill levels to glide peacefully along the Hocking River. Some of the liveries even offer torchlight and moonlight tours enabling guests to experience a different side of the region.

Lake Logan is also a prime fishing spot with plentiful northern pike, bass, bluegill, crappie, catfish and saugeye.

Walk on the wild side

Thrill-seekers will not be disappointed in Hocking Hills. SuperZip at Hocking Hills Canopy Tours launches riders from an 85-foot tower and they reach speeds of up to 50 miles per hour during the quarter-mile-long journey through the treetops.

Canopy Tours offers a longer but milder trip across five adventure bridges and 10 ziplines for adrenaline junkies 10 years and older.

Those who enjoy speed without the heights might want to try Ohio ATV World, which has a variety of all terrain (ATV) and utility terrain vehicles (UTV). They offer chauffered UTV Tours, ATV obstacle courses and a variety of custom packages.

For a ride through the woods without an engine, there are several riding stables in the area offering scenic guided trail rides and handheld pony rides for the younger set.

Other challenging options are available at Earth-Water-Rock Outdoor Adventures, where you can learn to rock climb and rappel.

For kids of all ages

If hiking and flying through the treetops aren’t enough to appease the crew, the Hocking Valley Scenic Railway offers weekend excursions through Southeast Ohio. There is the Hocking Hill Gem Mine, countless shops, galleries and museums, miniature golf and go-carts all within a short drive.

Visitor information and Hocking Hills travel resources are available from the Hocking Hills Tourism Association at www.1800hocking.com.

Settling in

Once the gang is ready to call it a day, your Hocking Hills home away from home can range from rustic to downright luxurious. Cabin rental companies are plentiful and can be as cozy as a single room or as spacious as a seven-bedroom luxury lodge that sleeps 20.

The recently established 4 Seasons Hideaways will soon open its fifth unique family-friendly property. The company’s current offerings include the bright and modern Glass House, appropriately named with its magnificent glass-walled great room.

The Glass House, which sports an indoor koi pond, vaulted ceilings and a lighted bamboo water fountain, earned the 2010 award for the Best of the Best Green Home Design from the Builders Industry Association.

It doesn’t get more family-friendly than the Beagle Hill Lodge, which sleeps 14 comfortably in five bedrooms and comes complete with a 110-inch projection screen, 40-inch LED television, a popcorn machine and a game table.

The All Seasons Lodge is a wheelchair accessible property with a commercial grade elevator and wheelchair ramp. It’s always playtime in the lodge with a pool table, foosball table and card table.

All of the 4 Seasons Hideaways properties have hot tubs and washers and dryers and several of them are big enough for extended families or multiple families to help make the stay more fun and affordable.

Nightfall doesn’t mean the end of the fun as many of the Hocking Hills cabins have outdoor fire pits, perfect for telling ghost stories or devouring some gooey late-night s’mores. Many of the cabins and cottages have decks with scenic views and soothing hot tubs to help tired travelers wind down after a day of fun.

Free fun breakout

Whether it’s a quick weekend escape or a weeklong family adventure, your wallet doesn’t have to take a big hit to have big fun in Hocking Hills.

Free fun in and around Hocking Hills

Hike to Old Man’s Cave (1 mile), Cedar Falls (½ mile), Ash Cave Gorge (¼ mile, wheelchair accessible), Ash Cave Rim (½ mile), Conkle’s Hollow (1 mile, wheelchair accessible), Conkle’s Hollow Rim (2½ miles), Rock House (1 mile), Cantwell Cliffs (1 mile).

View seasonal waterfalls along most of the hiking trails.

Visit the Butterfly Habitat at Old Man's Cave Visitor Center.

Take in a Saturday night movie at the Hocking Hills State Park Campground Outdoor Theater or the Lake Hope Nature Center Outdoor Ampitheater (summer only).

Spend a day at the beach at Logan Lake State Park.

Drop your fishing line at Lake Logan (bring own equipment and license).

Ride the Hock-Hocking Adena Bike Trail from Nelsonville to Athens.

Hand feed hummingbirds at Lake Hope State Park.

Tour the only washboard factory in the country.

Visit the Bowen House Center for Art & Education and the Hocking County Historical Society Museum in historic downtown Logan.

Check out the antique train cars or the Military Museum in Nelsonville.

Browse the Decorative Art Center in Lancaster.

Visit the Dairy Art Barn in Athens.

Free naturalist programs at Hocking Hills State Park

(Held on weekends only during the winter and early spring, weekdays and weekends during the summer and fall. Visit www.1800hocking.com/calendar for a complete listing.)

• Historic lantern tours of Ash Cave at night.

• Star gazing events.

• Haunted Hocking: Spirits of Rose Lake.

• Survival Ohio style.

• Hocking’s Birds of Prey.

• Maple sugaring in the hills.

• Owl prowl.

• Family nature adventures.

• Printing with nature.

• Ash Cave sweethearts hike.

For more information, check these websites.

Hocking Hills Tourism Association www.1800Hocking.com