State Route 56

With a beautiful, long weekend this Memorial Day, the Sun shining, blue skies and mild weather. It was only fitting to get out and enjoy the Land of the Free. With a last-minute plan of driving State Route 56, the family set out in the Corvette and on motorcycle. We started by cutting down State Route 328. S.R. 328 is quite a nice highway in itself with a great assortment of turns. Soon we merged with State route 56, and took a right to travel toward the west. Shade from the overhanging trees kept the sun at bay. Traveling further down the road, the highway will intersect with State Route 93. State Route 93 bridges the towns of Logan and McArthur. Crossing and continuing west will bring drivers into the Hocking Hills Region and eventually into Laurelville. To read more about driving further northwest, check out our articles on the Hocking Hills Scenic Byway and Big Pine Loop.

corvette driver POV of State Route 56

A Search For Lunch


On our cruising, we decided to go to McArthur, rather than continuing to Laurelville, for ice cream at Main Eatery. To our disappointment they were closed for the holiday. Since we had to find an alternative, our sights were then set for Athens and Larry’s Dawg House, which we traveled US Route 50 to get to. This is a great road as well, with a variety of scenery, from farm land to rock faces, to overhanging trees. Wide, smooth roads for cruising made for a great ride. Taking some side roads to avoid four lane highways, we weaved our way to the Dawg House.

Back To Route 56

After a good lunch we jumped back onto State Route 56 to head home. Through trees and across grasslands, there were some very picturesque scenes to see. My brother and I were intrigued by the old farm homes that we occasionally passed on the trip. With their grand porches and old sandstone foundations, these old houses had style that not many, if any new homes really could achieve. There were many vehicles out enjoying the day. Apart from us we saw many Jeep Wranglers, motorcycles. We even saw another Corvette, which I thought we would see more of, but surprisingly there was only the one.

Corvette and Motorcycle

Get On The Road and Cruise 56


So many of the roads in and around the Hocking Hills are full of sights and adventure. No matter the road, there is always fun to have while cruising in the hills with friends and family. State Route 56 and US Route 50 really are no different. Great roads with easy riding, relatively quiet, especially when keeping to the south (although it isn’t quite as nice of views compared to the Hocking Hills Region to the north). Over all it’s a drive that is worth taking maybe if the driver wants to drive from a cabin in the Hills down to Athens or McArthur. As always, don’t be afraid to explore and discover roads of your own, just be sure to let us know when you’re ready to get out there and ‘Enjoy Nature Topless.’

Zaleski Forest Roads

Not far for the Hocking Hills region, near the small village of Zaleski, Ohio, lies the Zaleski State Forest. This 27,000 acre forest holds roads that are obscure to many who are outside of the local population. Above all, the Zaleski forest roads are all one lane, maintained gravel roads that twist and turn through the heart of these Ohio woodlands. Consequently, tThe roads are an absolute blast to navigate. Drivers will have a thrill of adventure and seclusion, but without being too far from a main road. There will always be a state route to greet explorers at the other end and take them back to civilization.

Ruby on Zaleski Roads

Experience with a Friend


A friend and I went adventuring in the area not long ago. What a blast we had, navigating slopes and turns. Surveying harvested forests and coming across hunter camps made for exciting discoveries. Our HHTR Jeep Wrangler, Ruby, is amazing. The vehicle was cruising over the gravel with ease and straddling mud puddles effortlessly. (Read more articles featuring our beloved red Jeep in our last article, Big Pine Loop).

The Southern Ohio Forest Rally is held in Zaleski and the city McArthur, Ohio during the summer months. The rally cars will leave McArthur and drive with insane speed down the same Zaleski forest roads that not many people will go down at 35 miles an hour, much less 60 to 100mph. I strongly recommend not going fast down any of these roads because they are unpredictable at times.

Ruby the Jeep with rock faces in background

Interests in the Region


Zaleski State Forest holds some interests that are worth a visit. Lake Hope State Park is a beautiful lake that offers a beach, paddling, cabin rentals, fishing, camping, hiking trails, and a beautiful lodge with some of the best food in the area. Another interest would be the Moonville Tunnel. Find the tunnel on the Moonville Rail Trail outside the ghost town of Moonville. This tunnel is claimed to be haunted by victims of the train that traveled the area back in the 1800s. Zaleski is also home to Waterloo Wildlife Area, which is used to research water habitat, endangered tree species like American Elm, along with other things. Turkey Ridge Wildlife Area is an area that is used to protect the wild turkey population.

An old iron furnace is at the head of the Zaleski backpacking trails. It speaks a story of the area’s past, and what it took to live here. Other backpack trailheads are scattered around the area and I recommend checking into these trails if backpacking interests you. Overall a day, or even a few hours in the region is well worth the time.

Enjoy Nature Make Memories

When someone goes on vacation, they are looking for an experience that will make memories. Coming to the Hocking Hills is a way to experience a beautiful oasis in the middle of Ohio. Be enchanted by the beautiful rock faces, the scent of hemlock forests, the sounds of rushing water and native birds. It is a place to be surrounded with nature anytime there is a chance.

Cliff faces separated by a few feet

Enjoy Nature and Make Memories with Topless Vehicle

If you have ever visited the Hocking Hills and its hometown of Logan, you know the caves and many places of interest are quite a distance apart from each other. Driving all that way can be time consuming and perhaps even a little boring. But what if you could drive with the wind in your face, the sky surrounding you in every direction and the road rushing by your side? What if you could go down any road you pleased and never worry about getting your vehicle stuck or dirty? What if you were able to experience the beautiful rock faces, wonderful forest smells, and amazing sounds of the world around you in an open-atmosphere vehicle so that even your car couldn’t hinder your immersion in the natural world.


Renting a Topless vehicle is a fun way to achieve an amazing sensation. Enjoy nature and make memories for the best vacation. There is nothing quite like riding with your top off. Whether it’s just for the day, a few nights, or all week, there will always be a road that needs exploring and sights to be seen. So, check out what kind of memories Hocking Hills Topless Rentals llc can make for you. We are always willing to help you ‘Enjoy Nature Topless’.

Hocking Hills Topless Rentals llc potential vehicles for 2022 rental.

Hocking Hills to Enjoy Nature and Make Memories

The Hocking Hills is an oasis in Ohio. It is a marvel of nature set in the middle of a Midwest landscape. Many people come from around the country to experience this region set outside the small town of Logan, Ohio. Weathered cliff faces, cool shade of the hemlock forests, the sounds of native creatures and rushing creeks: a few things people wish to witness first hand touring Hocking Hills.


What many people might not realize is how much is in and around the Hocking Hills region. Some of this might be the simple fact that they are unaware of their surroundings. People might also find it risky to tour the back roads for fear of getting lost or dirtying their vehicle. But getting off the well-worn highways and onto some of those side roads and back roads might surprise people with the amazing views and beautiful drives that await.

How to Explore and Make Memories

So, the question can be asked; how can I see new and beautiful locations? How might I experience the wonders of nature in an exciting way? Really, it doesn’t take much if you want to take the drive in your own car, simply turn down one of those side roads and drive it, turn whichever way you please; and eventually, you’ll come back to a highway. Wherever there is a highway there is bound to be a town close by. But if you like to play it safe, do some research, find cool road and make a simple loop. There are articles and resources about great roads to travel that aren’t very rough or difficult to drive.

This website is going to fill with sources about beautiful drives, great touring and suggested routes for you to use when the decision is made to take an adventure, enjoy nature and make memories. Stay tuned!