Hocking River
Hocking / Athens Co. · 102 mi · Class I–II
895CFS/ 5.08 ft
Optimal→Stable
Optimal: 200–1,500 CFS · USGS #03159500
Length
Difficulty
Optimal
Avg Flow
Hist. Median
USGS Gauge
Hocking Hills State Park corridor · Wayne National Forest
The Hocking River flows through the heart of Ohio's Hocking Hills region — Old Man's Cave, Ash Cave, and Cedar Falls country — before winding through the college town of Athens. A gentle Class I–II float through forested Appalachian foothills, ideal for scenic paddling and multi-day trips.
Trip sections
Lancaster to Logan — 25 mi, Class I, upper valley
Logan to Nelsonville — 20 mi, Class I–II, Hocking Hills section
Nelsonville to Athens — 30 mi, Class I, university town reach
Outfitters
Hocking Hills Canoe Livery
Canoe and kayak rentals with Hocking Hills trip options
Hocking Hills Adventures
Guided kayak trips and shuttle service, Logan
72-Hour Flow Forecast
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10-Year Flow Patterns
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Data Quality
River conditions are community-verified. CFS ranges, difficulty ratings, and trip sections may not reflect every flow level or seasonal change. Always check current conditions, scout unfamiliar rapids, and paddle within your skill level. If you spot an error, use the Improve This River button at the top of the page — your local knowledge is what makes this atlas accurate.