Hocking Hills Waterfalls & Wildflowers

Nearest Airports

• Columbus John Glenn International Airport (CMH): approximately 60 miles northeast; the recommended arrival airport, with major airline service and on-site car rental.
• Rickenbacker International Airport (LCK): approximately 55 miles northeast, with limited commercial service through select carriers.
• Huntington Tri-State Airport (HTS), West Virginia: approximately 80 miles southeast; a regional option for travelers from the Mid-Atlantic or Southeast.

Event Transportation

Transportation to and from the airport and during the event is not included. A personal vehicle or rental car is required. All key state-park locations are accessible by standard passenger vehicles, with parking near trailheads.

Ride sharing will be encouraged to reduce vehicles at sites and build camaraderie. If you ride with another participant, it is customary to contribute toward fuel and parking fees.

NANPA and the Jividens do not have insurance for carpooling arrangements and assume no liability for them. Carpooling and ride sharing are private arrangements among participants, who assume the associated risks.

The group will be based in the Logan, Ohio area, which provides central access to Hocking Hills State Park, good cell-phone coverage, and convenient restaurants.

Lodging is not included. NANPA is holding a block of non-smoking King and Double Queen rooms for registered participants:

• $129 per night plus tax and fees for April 14–15, 2027.
• $159 per night plus tax and fees for April 16, 2027.

Check-in is 3:00 pm; check-out is noon. Hotel details and the reservation process will be shared with confirmed registrants. The room-block deadline is March 10, 2027.

Meals are on your own except for the included group lunch at the lodge on April 16. Meal times will follow the shooting schedule and will be attempted at midday. Participants may pack or purchase picnic lunches; early sessions may require a light breakfast or grab-and-go option before departure.

Locations will be selected for current weather, spring conditions, and the most compelling photographic opportunities.

• Old Man’s Cave, Upper and Lower Falls: a hemlock-lined gorge, recess cave, sandstone formations, and two waterfalls.
• Cedar Falls: a 50-foot waterfall with gorge-trail vantage points, moss-covered walls, and possible wildflower color.
• Ash Cave: a horseshoe-shaped recess cave approximately 700 feet across and 100 feet deep, with a seasonal waterfall during spring flow.
• Rock House: a cave tunnel with arched openings, strong light-and-shadow patterns, and spring ferns.
• Cantwell Cliffs and Conkles Hollow: quieter gorge locations with high sandstone walls and opportunities for intimate and expansive compositions.

If you extend your stay, consider the John Glenn Astronomy Park, early migrating warblers, and additional wildflower photography in the area.

April weather is variable. Daytime temperatures typically range from the mid-40s to the upper 60s °F, with cooler mornings inside shaded gorges. Rain is common and should be anticipated on every outing.

• Wear breathable, moisture-wicking layers that can be added or removed.
• Bring a waterproof or water-resistant outer shell for personal comfort and camera protection.
• Pack warm base layers and fleece for early morning gorge sessions.
• Waterproof hiking boots are strongly recommended and should be considered necessary.
• Bring a hat, gloves, and a buff or neck gaiter for chilly departures.

• DSLR or mirrorless camera; full-frame or cropped sensor. Two weather-sealed bodies are recommended.
• Wide-angle lens, approximately 14–24 mm, for gorges and cave interiors.
• Standard zoom, approximately 24–70 mm, for waterfalls and environmental scenes.
• Medium telephoto, approximately 70–200 mm, for compressed gorge details and isolated flowers.
• Macro lens or extension tubes for spring ephemerals, moss, and forest-floor details.
• Sturdy tripod, neutral-density and polarizing filters, and a cable or wireless shutter release.
• Lens cloths and microfiber wipes, ample memory cards, extra batteries, a laptop, and image-processing software.
• Headlamp or flashlight, cell phone, water, snacks, and personal medicine.

This event welcomes nature photographers at all experience levels. The group is limited to 14 participants to provide time with the leaders and flexibility for weather and photographic opportunities. Please know your camera before arriving and bring its manual.

Jerry and Barb will offer field assistance and answer questions. This is a photo tour rather than a formal workshop: no classroom sessions, assignments, or handouts are planned.

Ask for help when you need it. The shared experience and lessons exchanged among participants are an important part of a NANPA Photo Tour.

Attendance and participation are limited to registered attendees. Anyone wishing to join any portion of the event or travel with a registered attendee during group activities must contact NANPA and pay the full registration fee.

NANPA Photo Tour registration fees are non-refundable and non-transferable. If participant cancels their event registration, NANPA will not offer any refunds for event registration fees for this event regardless of when the cancellation is made or the reason for the cancellation. A participant who is removed from a Photo Tour for violating NANPA policies or the tour leaders’ safety instructions is not entitled to a refund.

NANPA reserves the right to cancel any event or activity due to insufficient registration or any unforeseen circumstances. It also has the right to substitute event leaders, or adjust the number of event leaders if those originally scheduled cannot attend, or other unforeseen circumstances arise.

If NANPA cancels the event, NANPA will offer a variety of options to participants, including the transfer of their registration fees to a future NANPA event or a refund of the event registration fee unless the cancellation is due to a force majeure* occurrence. NANPA assumes no liability whatsoever for fees, penalties, or other costs incurred by you from airlines, hotels, or any other sources outside of the event registration fees.

*Force Majeure

“Force Majeure” means that NANPA will not be liable for any alleged damages because of any circumstances including, but without limitation, explosion, flood, storm, fire, war or threat of war, civil disturbance, sickness, pandemic, quarantine, weather conditions or other unexpected occurrences. If a Force Majeure event occurs, NANPA will notify you of the nature and extent of the incident. NANPA may unilaterally vary or cancel an itinerary in cases of Force Majeure. Refunds or partial refunds will be at the sole and absolute discretion of NANPA. NANPA will attempt to reimburse you where possible however we will deduct from any refund the reasonable actual and potential costs to NANPA of the Force Majeure event.

Please know that sometimes unanticipated and uncontrollable circumstances will force us to alter expected plans during a photo tour. NANPA cannot be held responsible for unanticipated events (such as park closures, natural disasters, civil unrest, weather, etc.) that either prevents you from attending or us altering our location shoots. NANPA will do their best to work around any unforeseen circumstances.

Tour participants without travel insurance will be considered “self insured” meaning you assume all risks and losses for any condition requiring your cancellation.

Contact the NANPA office at (618) 547-7616 or info@nanpa.org.