Story Ideas
The Hocking Hills Region is fertile with wonderful untold stories. Here are just a few hooks and angles we’ve found hidden in the hills. These ideas may inspire you – or contact us with your angle or round up theme and let us make your job easier!
Adventurer’s Paradise: Whether outdoor writing is your specialty or your writing just includes an outdoor/adventure angle, the Hocking Hills offers world-class outdoor adventure. From hiking, canoeing and backpacking to rappelling, horseback riding and fishing, every conceivable outdoor activity is represented. And with the region’s gorgeous backdrop, your stories will have photography that’s as impressive as your prose.
Folklore and Legends: The history of the Hocking Hills is peppered with extraordinary stories and unique characters. From caves that once served as a hideout for bank robbers or home for a Civil War-era hermit, to abandoned clay kilns from the 1800s, the Hocking Hills are full of stories.
The region’s many naturalists, Native Americans and characters make excellent storytellers, lending color and texture to your stories. They know the history of the bandits, bootleggers and other historical personalities that bring the region’s colorful history to life.
Women of the Hills: Many remarkable women call the Hocking Hills home. Some have come to follow the dream of operating an Inn or a cabin industry. Others draw inspiration for amazing works of art from the spectacular natural surroundings. While yet others find joy in sharing the serenity of the Hocking Hills with other women who visit the Hills, leading retreats for women.
Booming Cottage Industry: Cabins are popping up all over the Hocking Hills and owners are booking up faster than they can build them. The lodging industry in Hocking County has grown by more than 200 percent over the last five years. With travelers tending to stay close to home and seeking more unforgettable domestic vacations, Ohio’s Hocking Hills region has seen rapid growth in its tourism industry in the last year.
Spectacular in Any Season: Spring brings an extraordinary show of wildflowers and wildlife. Lacey dogwoods line miles of country roads and precious morel mushrooms hide in secret growing places, while early rains swell waterfalls to rush at their fullest. Summer’s lush greenery, cool caves and invigorating waterfalls offer a refreshing break from summer’s dog days. In autumn, we challenge you to find a more beautiful place on earth. Winter brings a magical transformation as these already spectacular surroundings turn to a glistening wonderland of frosty trees, crystal falls and snow-covered hills. Beyond unmatched scenery, each change brings a new season of events and activities that spark great new stories and call you back again.
Bridal Boom: The Hocking Hills is fast becoming a wedding capital of the Midwest. With the number of weddings and commitment ceremonies performed each year rapidly on the rise, cabin owners are building on-site chapels and many are legally permitted to perform marriage ceremonies. Couples can say "I do" in the most unusual places: on the edge of a gorge, in a cave or next to a waterfall. Then, they honeymoon in a luxurious private cabin complete with hot tub and romantic views. Most facilities offer special honeymoon or romantic getaways that include champagne, roses, couples massage and more.
Winter Wonderland: Hiking is not just a warm weather activity in the Hocking Hills. The area is even more beautiful when the hills are snow-covered and thousands of icicles hang from waterfalls and cave openings. Visitors from all over show up every year for the Annual Winter Hike. Hikers bundle up to take in the scenery and can then warm up in front of a fireplace or in a hot tub at a local cabin or inn.
Meeting Room With a View: A variety of lodges and cabins provide businesses and small groups a great place to brainstorm, relax and let the ideas flow. The scenic Hocking Hills setting offers a chance to refresh the spirit and mind while working on projects or training sessions. In addition, the lodges and cabins are perfect for family reunions of all sizes.
Unique Boutiques & Antiques: The streets of downtown Logan are filled with unique gift stores, antique malls, art and craft collections, cafes and restaurants. Shops feature creations by local artists and many offer workshops and classes on topics such as basket weaving, wood carving and photography.
Artists of the Hills: The Hocking Hills is a true artist’s haven. Some claim that the region is a vortex, pointing to its positive energy center as a powerful draw for some incredibly talented fine artists. All find the surrounding beauty to be an incredible muse for their artwork. Painters and photographers capture the beauty of the landscape, while sculptors, glass blowers, jewelry makers, wood workers and other gifted folks use the area’s natural resources and inspiration to create everything from wooden furniture to hand-crafted baskets and yard art.
Escape to the Hills: Many innkeepers and cottage owners were once corporate executives working in the city who gave it all up to follow their dreams in the Hocking Hills. From creating a reproduction of an authentic Scottish Inn to building cozy little log cabins and cottages, business owners in the Hocking Hills find that life in the hills is an escape from the everyday boredom of corporate life. And guests and writers find that too!
Families and Education: Not only does the Hocking Hills offer families a great chance to enjoy relaxing and exploring nature together, area parks and businesses also offer educational programs throughout the year. Activities like family learning canoe trips, learning how to make arrowheads and baskets, nature lessons with the park naturalists, photography workshops and even a Halloween campout make every visit to the Hocking Hills as much fun as it is educational.
Real Deals and Budget Packages: With your readers and viewers looking for more value in their travel, the Hocking Hills offers incredible budget and discount travel. A wide variety of accommodations guarantee that travelers can find a place to stay that will fit any budget. Special last-minute getaway deals and reduced cost Midweek escapes provide even more savings on already affordable prices. In addition, area attractions, parks and forests have no admission charges or fees and loads of low-cost or other free attractions are scattered throughout the area.
