Things to Do in Hocking Hills with Kids — Why Fox’s High Rock Farm Belongs on Your List
If you are searching for things to do in Hocking Hills with kids, you already know the basics: waterfalls, hiking trails, and scenic overlooks. Those are wonderful, but after a couple of hours on the trails, younger children start to fade. They need something hands-on, something where they can touch, explore, and get a little messy. That is exactly why families keep adding Fox’s High Rock Farm to their Hocking Hills itinerary — and why so many say it ended up being the highlight of the trip.
Located just off State Route 664 in Logan, Ohio, Fox’s High Rock Farm is a family-owned petting zoo and farm experience that gives kids (and adults) the chance to pet, feed, brush, and even hold the animals. It is open April through October, rain or shine, and it pairs perfectly with a day of hiking, canoeing, or cabin-hopping in the Hocking Hills region.
Hocking Hills Has More to Offer Than Hiking
The Hocking Hills area draws over four million visitors a year, and most come for the natural beauty — Old Man’s Cave, Ash Cave, Cedar Falls, and the gorges that make this corner of southeastern Ohio famous. But families with young children often discover that waterfalls and cliff edges are not exactly toddler-friendly.
That is where kid-friendly attractions in Hocking Hills fill a real need. Between the state park and the surrounding towns, there are zipline courses, canoe liveries, gem mining stations, and a handful of small farms that welcome visitors. Fox’s High Rock Farm stands out because it was built specifically for hands-on interaction. This is not a drive-through or a look-but-don’t-touch kind of place. Every animal on the property is used to being handled, and the staff encourages visitors to get up close.
Meet the Animals — Up Close and Personal
The first thing most kids notice when they walk through the gate at Fox’s High Rock Farm is the goats. There are a lot of them, including babies during spring and early summer, and they are friendly enough to climb right into your lap if you sit down. Visitors can brush them, pet them, and feed them — the farm provides animal feed served in edible ice cream cones, so there is zero waste and no mess to worry about.
But goats are just the beginning. The farm is also home to alpacas, donkeys, mini pigs, sheep, horses, and a few barn cats who roam the gift shop like they own the place. Each animal has its own personality, and the staff knows every one of them by name. They are happy to share fun facts, point out the most social animals, and help younger visitors feel comfortable around the bigger ones.
One recent visitor put it best in a Google review: “Absolutely loved this petting zoo. What immediately stood out was how friendly the entire staff was! These animals are clearly well taken care of and cared for. They offered so many opportunities to pet, hold, feed, and brush the animals. This is a 10/10 petting zoo!”
Gem Mining — A Hocking Hills Activity Kids Talk About for Weeks
If your kids are the type who love digging for treasure, Fox’s High Rock Farm has a gem mining station that consistently surprises families. Kids sift through mining rough at a water sluice and discover real gemstones, fossils, and even shark teeth hidden inside. It is part science lesson, part treasure hunt, and the excitement on a child’s face when they pull out their first amethyst or quartz crystal is something you do not forget.
Gem mining works well as a follow-up to the animal experience, giving kids a second wind before you head to your next stop. It also makes for a great hands-on souvenir — kids get to take home everything they find, which beats a refrigerator magnet from a gift shop every time.
For families looking for things to do in Hocking Hills with kids that go beyond the typical nature walk, this combination of animals and gem mining is hard to beat. You get a full morning or afternoon of activity without having to drive between multiple locations.
What Makes Fox’s High Rock Farm Different
Hocking Hills has a few farm-style attractions, and each one has its charm. What sets Fox’s High Rock Farm apart comes down to three things: the level of interaction, the quality of care, and the family behind it.
Hands-on from start to finish. At some petting zoos, interaction means tossing a handful of feed over a fence. At Fox’s High Rock Farm, you are in the enclosure with the animals. You can brush a goat while an alpaca noses your elbow. You can hold a baby animal if the timing is right. There is no glass barrier between you and the experience.
Animals that are genuinely well cared for. It shows. The animals are calm, healthy, and clearly used to human contact. Multiple Google reviews mention this specifically — visitors notice that these animals are not stressed or skittish. They are social and well-loved, and it makes the experience feel good rather than guilty.
A real family operation. Fox’s High Rock Farm is owned and operated by the Fox family, the same family that runs Hocking Hills Canoe Livery down the road. When you visit, you are not supporting a corporate tourist trap. You are supporting a local family that genuinely enjoys sharing their farm with visitors. That warmth comes through in every interaction, from the front gate to the gift shop.
Another Google reviewer captured the appeal for families with younger children: “For younger kids it is especially good with a gem mining option, adorable alpacas, goats, donkeys and horses. Girls working there were friendly and helpful.”
Planning Your Visit — What You Need to Know
Fox’s High Rock Farm makes it easy to plan a family outing. Here is what you need to know before you go:
Location: 14977 State Route 664 S, Logan, OH 43138 — right on the main road through Hocking Hills, about 10 minutes south of Logan.
Season: Open April through October, rain or shine. The farm has covered areas, so a light drizzle will not ruin your visit.
Private tours: From November through March, the farm offers private farm tours that include a side-by-side ride around the property — a great option for families visiting during the off-season or for birthday celebrations.
Time needed: Most families spend 45 minutes to an hour and a half at the farm, depending on how long the kids want to linger with the animals.
What to wear: Comfortable shoes you do not mind getting a little dirty. You will be walking on grass and near animal enclosures.
Combine it with other activities: Since Fox’s High Rock Farm sits right on Route 664, it pairs naturally with a morning hike at Old Man’s Cave (about 10 minutes away), lunch in Logan, and an afternoon float down the Hocking River at Hocking Hills Canoe Livery. That is a full day of family-friendly Hocking Hills activities without much driving.
Build a Full Day of Family Activities in Hocking Hills
One of the best parts about planning things to do in Hocking Hills with kids is how close everything is. Within a short drive of Fox’s High Rock Farm, you can hike to a waterfall, paddle down a river, explore a cave, and eat at a locally owned restaurant. The farm fits into that itinerary as a perfect mid-day stop or a way to end the afternoon on a high note.
Here is a sample family day that works well during the summer months:
- Morning: Hike the Ash Cave trail (paved, stroller-friendly, only 0.3 miles each way)
- Late morning: Head to Fox’s High Rock Farm for animal encounters and gem mining
- Lunch: Grab a bite in Logan or pack a picnic for one of the area’s shelters
- Afternoon: Float down the Hocking River at Hocking Hills Canoe Livery (same family, different adventure)
That lineup gives you variety, keeps kids engaged, and covers the best of what Hocking Hills has to offer for families.
Your Family Will Thank You for This Stop
Hocking Hills is full of beautiful scenery and outdoor adventure, but the moments kids remember most are the ones where they got to do something. Brushing a baby goat. Finding a real gemstone. Feeding an alpaca out of an ice cream cone. Those are the experiences that turn a good family trip into a great one.
Fox’s High Rock Farm is open now through October and welcomes walk-in visitors every day during the season. No reservations needed — just show up, grab some feed, and let the animals do the rest.
Plan your visit at foxshighrockfarm.com or call (740) 370-0800 for more information.