Hocking Hills State Park is my top recommendation for an adventurous nature elopement in Ohio. Hocking Hills has stunning seasonal waterfalls, interesting rock formations and caves, and picturesque forest trails. If you are looking for an intimate elopement day packed with adventure, this guide will help you find the best elopement locations in Hocking Hills State Park.

Need a Hocking Hills elopement photographer to help you capture your day? Check out my Ohio elopement services here.

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Why elope in Hocking Hills?

• Stunning Natural Beauty: Hocking Hills is hands down the most stunning natural area in Ohio. I’m serious – the first time I walked through Rock House trail, I thought I’d been transported to a tropical forest in a Hollywood movie. The caves, waterfalls, and rock formations are just unreal. This park makes an amazing backdrop for an adventurous elopement.
• Privacy Options: There are many less traveled trails where you could have your elopement ceremony. We can also work with the timing of your day to ensure you are avoiding peak hours and seasons in the park.
• Romantic Nature Day: Hocking Hills is a great elopement location for anyone looking for a peaceful day in nature. The park is more remote (some locations don’t even have cell service!) and you can hike, picnic, and/or chill in a scenic cabin. 
• Beautiful All Year Round: I feel like sometimes people just say spots are beautiful all year round, but no this one really is. The reason? The waterfalls. Spring and fall have the best flow, and in winter the waterfalls start to freeze over at the their tops and base. Summer is more busy in the park and the waterfalls may be dry or have less flow, but the trade off is that you get gorgeous greenery instead and that is stunning against the cool rock formations.

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Where to Elope in Hocking Hills State Park?

Ash Cave

Why You’ll Love Ash Cave

Ash Cave is one of the most accessible waterfalls in Hocking Hills State Park. A quick five minute walk down the flat trail and you’re met with a huge recess cave with a waterfall flowing off the side. This location is perfect if you want a quick spot that’s easy to get to. And as a bonus, it’s natural beauty makes it one of my favorite elopement locations in Hocking Hills.

You can learn more about Ash Cave in my guide here.

View the Ash Cave Trailhead on Google Maps.

Best Time of Day to Elope at Ash Cave

This is a popular location because of its ease of access and natural beauty. You’ll want to time your ceremony to avoid peak hours – I suggest dawn and in the off season.  

Accessibility & Amenities at Ash Cave

• Ash Cave has public restrooms (though they do not have running water).
• The first portion of the trail is wheelchair and stroller accessible. There is a paved path that leads to the recess cave and you can view the waterfall from there. The rest of the path, however, is not paved and turns to sand.
• There is a huge parking lot, but it could be difficult to find parking in peak hours.
• There is no cell service at the trailhead. Be sure to download a copy of your map, or memorize your GPS route to the trailhead so you can get back out without getting lost.

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Cedar Falls

Why You’ll Love Cedar Falls

Cedar Falls is another beautiful elopement location in Hocking Hills and has multiple waterfalls to see. It’s a short one-way trail that takes you to a creek and then along that creek to Cedar Falls. On the way out, you can view some smaller falls leading to the creek. 

I love this trail because there’s several spots where you could break off the main path and go down towards the creek area for private vows. If you time your ceremony for early morning in the off season, you could also have Cedar Falls as your backdrop for intimate vows.

View the Cedar Falls Trailhead on Google Maps.

Best Time of Day to Elope at Cedar Falls

Again, this is a popular location because of its short length and natural beauty. You’ll want to time your ceremony to avoid peak hours – I suggest dawn and in the off season.  

Accessibility & Amenities at Cedar Falls

• Cedar Falls has public restrooms and a water fountain.
• The trail has many stairs going down and back up, but the trail itself is mainly flat.
• There is a large parking lot and there are picnic benches available.
• Cell service starts to get spotty here. Download your map ahead of time to ensure you can navigate out without getting lost.

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Old Man’s Cave

Why You’ll Love Old Man’s Cave

Okay, I’ll be the one to say it – the cave is actually the least interesting thing about this location. There are several waterfalls on this trail, a cool A-frame bridge suspended above it, interesting stone arch bridges and a geometric crossing, interesting rock cliffs … the trail really packs it in, making it one of the best elopement locations in Hocking Hills! 

What’s also great about this trail is that it can be a bit like a choose your own adventure deal. Couples who would like a quick stop at the upper falls are totally able to hike for five minutes, say vows or just take portraits, and then hike back out. Couples who want to explore the whole trail plus some extra fun stuff are also able to do that. It’s really great for all levels of adventure!

View the Old Man’s Cave Trailhead on Google Maps.

Best Time of Day to Elope at Old Man’s Cave

This is THE trail in Hocking Hills. Say it with me again “You’ll want to time your ceremony to avoid peak hours – I suggest dawn and in the off season.” 

Accessibility & Amenities at Old Man’s Cave

• Old Man’s Cave has public restrooms and a water fountain. The main visitor’s center is located at the trailhead so you can also purchase snacks, etc. 
• The trail has many stairs and can feel a bit strenuous at times. 
• There is a large parking lot but during peak hours/season it could fill. They have shuttle services available.

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Rock House

Why You’ll Love Rock House

Ah, this is the one that made me feel like I was on a Hollywood movie set filming for a scene in a tropical rainforest (probably because it was raining) the first time I walked through. Simply a stunner. You hike down an unassuming path until you start to hit rock formations, then suddenly you’re right next to a super cool cave, and then there’s a really tall waterfall (seasonally available) flowing off the cliffside that’s visible from the cave and the trail, then you get to walk to that waterfall, and then you trek out. It’s a whole experience, y’all. 

View Rock House on Google Maps.

Best Time of Day to Elope at Rock House

I repeat: “You’ll want to time your ceremony to avoid peak hours – I suggest dawn and in the off season.” 

Accessibility & Amenities at Rock House

• Restrooms are available. 
• The trail has stairs and is a straight trek back uphill. 
• There are two sizeable parking lots. Where to park is a little confusing, but I suggest the second lot for the gorge trail.

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Permit & Regulations Information for Eloping in Hocking Hills State Park

Now that you’ve seen some of the best elopement locations in Hocking Hills, let’s talk about what to do to actually get married there!

Obtain a Special Use Permit

Most national and state parks require permits for wedding ceremonies, elopements included. Hocking Hills State Park is no exception. No fear though, Hocking Hills elopement permits are something I help my clients with, and I’ll call ahead to make sure you know exactly what you need to do for your specific situation. 

General tips:

• You can call the park office for more information. 
• You should apply for your permit at least 30 days in advance of your preferred date. They recommend 60 days to give yourself enough time.
• You may wish to include some back up dates in your request just in case another elopement or wedding is already scheduled for that date/time. 
• The fee for a special use permit is currently $40

Leave No Trace in Hocking Hills

We always want to be sure to be respectful of our outdoor spaces to help preserve them for generations to come. As part of this, I seek to follow the Leave No Trace Principles for all outdoor elopements and hope you will try to do the same. 

Some quick ways you can help leave no trace on your elopement day in Hocking Hills State Park:

• Stay on established trails
• Pack any items or waste out (that also means avoiding things like rice and confetti)
• Do not carve anything in trees or on rocks
• Do not take any souvenirs such as a bottle of sand or a rock out of the park
• Ensure any pets you bring are on leash and be sure to clean up after them

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Ready to Plan Your Elopement in Hocking Hills State Park?

As a local Ohio elopement photographer, I’m here to help you every step of the way – from finding the perfect ceremony time to navigating permits and capturing every beautiful moment. Let’s make your Hocking Hills elopement a day you’ll never forget.

Contact me here to start planning your Hocking Hills elopement!