Hocking Hills Day Trip: Start Your Morning at Fox’s High Rock Farm
A Hocking Hills day trip works best when you plan your stops ahead of time. Fox’s High Rock Farm in Logan, Ohio, gives families a hands-on morning with animals and gem mining before you head to the trails. We sit right on OH-664, about an hour southeast of Columbus, making us an easy first stop on your way into the Hocking Hills region.
Here is what to do at the farm, how long to spend, and how to plan your afternoon around the state parks.
Why the Farm Is the Best First Stop on a Hocking Hills Day Trip
Most families drive into the Hocking Hills area from Columbus, Dayton, or Cincinnati. Our farm is located on OH-664 in Logan, right on the route into the region. Starting at the farm means you arrive before the hiking trails get busy, and your kids burn off energy with animals before heading to the state parks.
We are open Saturdays and Sundays from 10am to 5pm through October 25 with no reservation needed for general admission. Just show up, pay at the door, and walk right in.
A typical family spends one to two hours with us, enough time to pet, feed, and brush the animals, then add gem mining if you want a longer visit. You’ll still have the full afternoon for hiking, lunch, and sightseeing.
What Your Family Does at the Farm
Our petting zoo is a walk-in, hands-on experience. You interact directly with alpacas, goats, donkeys, mini pigs, sheep, horses, and barn cats. Every visitor gets animal feed in an edible ice cream cone. Kids can brush the goats, hold smaller animals, and spend as much time as they want at each station.
Our animals are socialized and comfortable around children of all ages. Toddlers and older kids both find something to enjoy. Staff members are on the grounds and happy to introduce you to individual animals by name.
General admission is $7 per person for ages 2 and up. Children under 2 are free.
Add Gem Mining
Gem mining is our most popular add-on. You sift through bags of mining rough at our outdoor sluice station to find real gemstones, fossils, and shark teeth. Every gem you find is yours to keep.
| Gem Bag | Size | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Pay Dirt | 3 lb | $10 |
| Tumbled Treasures | 3 lb | $12 |
| Lucky Strike | 5 lb | $15 |
| Earth Explorer | 5 lb | $18 |
| Mother Lode (most popular) | 10 lb | $30 |
| Mega Strike | 20 lb | $60 |
Gem mining takes about 30 to 45 minutes depending on bag size, and the gems make great keepsakes from your trip.
Plan Your Afternoon: Nearby Hocking Hills Trails and Attractions
After the farm, you are 15 to 25 minutes from the main Hocking Hills State Park areas. Here are the most popular stops families combine with a visit to Fox’s High Rock Farm:
Old Man’s Cave is the most visited trail in the park. A paved path takes you from the upper falls down through a gorge to the lower falls. Allow 45 minutes to an hour. Parking can fill up on weekends, so arriving by early afternoon helps.
Ash Cave is the largest recess cave in Ohio, with a 90-foot waterfall during wet seasons. The trail is short and mostly paved, so it works well for strollers and younger kids.
Conkle’s Hollow offers a rim trail with views down into a narrow gorge. The gorge floor trail is flat and easy. The rim trail is more challenging and not recommended for young children.
Rock House is a natural rock shelter with window-like openings in the cliff face. Kids love climbing through the corridors. The trail takes about 30 minutes round trip.
Cedar Falls features a 50-foot waterfall accessed by a short trail from the parking area, and it is often less crowded than Old Man’s Cave.
Most families pick two trail stops after the farm and call it a full day.
A Sample Day Trip Itinerary
Here is a realistic schedule for a family coming from the Columbus area:
9:30 AM Leave Columbus. The drive to Logan takes about an hour on US-33.
10:30 AM Arrive at Fox’s High Rock Farm (14977 OH-664, Logan, OH 43138). Start with the petting zoo, then add gem mining if time allows.
12:00 PM Head toward Old Man’s Cave or Ash Cave. Grab lunch at one of the local restaurants in Logan or pack a picnic for the park shelters.
1:00 PM Hike your first trail. Old Man’s Cave is the classic choice. Ash Cave is better for younger kids and strollers.
2:30 PM Drive to a second trail. Rock House or Cedar Falls pairs well with an Old Man’s Cave morning.
4:00 PM Start heading home. Stop in Logan for ice cream or a late snack on your way out.
This itinerary keeps the pace comfortable for young kids without rushing through anything.
Fall Day Trip Tips
Fall is one of the best times to visit Hocking Hills. The foliage peaks in mid to late October, and weekend temperatures are comfortable for both farm time and hiking.
A few things to keep in mind for a fall visit:
We are open weekends only right now. From August 15 through October 25, Fox’s High Rock Farm is open Saturdays and Sundays, 10am to 5pm. Plan your day trip for a weekend day.
Dress in layers. Mornings at the farm can be cool, and the gorge trails stay shaded and a few degrees cooler than the surface. Closed-toe shoes work best for both the farm and the trails.
Pack water and snacks. The hiking areas have limited food options. Logan has restaurants and local shops if you need to grab something before the trails.
Our annual Fall Day on the Farm takes place October 3. Expect wagon rides, fall-themed games, crafts, animal encounters, and a food truck on site. This is a ticketed event, separate from regular admission. Purchase tickets through our website.
Our gift shop carries farm-themed souvenirs, locally made items, and snacks. It is a good stop before you leave the farm.
How to Get Here
Fox’s High Rock Farm is at 14977 OH-664, Logan, OH 43138. From Columbus, take US-33 East to Logan. The farm is on OH-664, about 5 minutes south of downtown Logan.
From Dayton, the drive is about two hours east on US-35 and US-33. From Cincinnati, plan about two and a half hours northeast. Free parking is available on site, and no reservation is needed for general admission.
If you have questions before your visit, call us at (740) 370-0800 or email info@foxshighrockfarm.com. You can also reach us through our contact page.
Our sister business, Hocking Hills Canoe Livery, offers river trips on the Hocking River and pairs well with a farm morning if you want a full outdoor weekend.
Your family pets alpacas, finds real gemstones, and hikes through waterfalls, all in one trip. Check our events page for dates, then call (740) 370-0800 to plan your visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
u003cstrongu003eHow long should I spend at Fox’s High Rock Farm on a day trip?u003c/strongu003e
Most families spend one to two hours at the farm. If you add gem mining, plan closer to two hours. That leaves the full afternoon for hiking.
u003cstrongu003eDo I need a reservation to visit the petting zoo?u003c/strongu003e
No reservation is needed for general admission to the petting zoo. Just arrive during open hours (Saturdays and Sundays, 10am to 5pm through October 25) and pay at the door. Admission is $7 per person for ages 2 and up, and children under 2 are free.
u003cstrongu003eWhat is the best time of year for a Hocking Hills day trip?u003c/strongu003e
Fall is popular for the foliage, and the trails are comfortable in cooler temperatures. Summer offers the longest farm hours (daily, 10am to 5pm, Memorial Day through August 14). Spring is quieter and a great time to see baby animals.
u003cstrongu003eCan I visit Fox’s High Rock Farm and the state park trails in the same day?u003c/strongu003e
Yes. The farm is 15 to 25 minutes from the main Hocking Hills State Park trailheads. Start your morning at the farm, then spend the afternoon at one or two trails.
u003cstrongu003eIs there food available at the farm or in the Hocking Hills?u003c/strongu003e
Our gift shop carries snacks and drinks. Logan has restaurants and shops along the main road. The state park hiking areas have limited food options, so packing a lunch or picnic is a good idea.
u003cstrongu003eWhat should I wear for a day at the farm and trails?u003c/strongu003e
Closed-toe shoes are best for both the farm and the trails. Dress in layers during fall mornings, as the gorge trails stay cool and shaded. The farm operates rain or shine.
Start your Hocking Hills day trip at Fox’s High Rock Farm, where your family gets hands-on animal time, real gem mining, and a full afternoon of hiking, all within an hour of Columbus. Call (740) 370-0800 or visit our events page to plan your weekend.