Outside Magazine spotlights Hocking Hills and the Buckeye Trail’s Grandma Gatewood Trail

National recognition for Ohio’s natural beauty

The February 2025 issue of Outside Magazine features Dunlap Hollow, a striking vacation rental set in Hocking Hills, and celebrates the surrounding natural landscapes—including the Buckeye Trail’s Grandma Gatewood Trail. Writer Jen Murphy describes the Hocking Hills region as “an unsung corner of southeast Ohio” filled with “massive caves, deep gorges, tumbling waterfalls, and hemlock-shaded forest trails.”

The Buckeye Trail connection

In the story, Outside highlights the six-mile Grandma Gatewood Trail, which overlaps with the Buckeye Trail and connects some of Hocking Hills’ most iconic natural sites, including Old Man’s Cave, Cedar Falls, and Ash Cave. Named for legendary hiker Emma “Grandma” Gatewood—the first woman to solo thru-hike the Appalachian Trail—the trail continues to inspire hikers from across the country.

A growing destination for adventure travelers

The article positions Hocking Hills as a top adventure destination, noting opportunities for rock climbing, kayaking, ziplining, and stargazing—all within minutes of the Buckeye Trail corridor. Murphy writes that the region “will surprise you” with its scale and solitude, calling Dunlap Hollow “a private park vibe” for travelers seeking both comfort and wilderness.