Overview

Schooley Caldwell is architect for the new 73,000 SF Hocking Hills State Park Lodge, replacing the former dining lodge which was destroyed by a fire in 2016. The Ohio Facilities Construction Commission is administering the project and building construction is being managed by Columbus-based Corna Kokosing.

Hocking Hills State Park is the most visited state park in Ohio. It serves as a hub to the millions of people who come every year to experience the region’s towering cliffs, waterfalls, and hemlock-lined gorges.

Rebuilding the lodge gave the Ohio Department of Natural Resources an opportunity to create a flagship facility that complements the area’s natural beauty and provide visitors a one-of-a-kind overnight experience.

The new lodge will offer an 81-room hotel, full dining facilities, a grab-and-go café, conference and event spaces, indoor and outdoor lounges and activity areas, and separate indoor and outdoor pools.

A blend of rustic and contemporary design are hallmarks of the new lodge, which features natural, sustainable, and durable materials. Focal points in the lodge lobby include large floor-to-ceiling stone fireplaces with hearth seating as well as the exposed wood scissor trusses with tongue and groove wood decking. These and other design qualities are intended to create a deep connection to the natural environment, while helping visitors form memorable park experiences. The Hocking Hills State Park is scheduled to be completed and open to guests by autumn of 2022.