Hideaway on the Hocking is Ohio's new hidden gem
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The Little Red Caboose. Photo: Troy Smith/Axios
Hideaway on the Hocking, a 400-acre resort in Athens County, is opening for bookings this month.
The intrigue: The property — near Guysville on the Hocking River — features five vintage train cabooses converted into chic cabins, along with four more traditional luxury cabins, including one converted from an old train depot.
- The amenities include Wi-Fi, television, fire pits, hot tubs, a pavilion for large gatherings, and areas for hiking, kayaking and fishing.
Flashback: Area developers Cindy and Brent Hayes came up with the idea in 2020, early in the COVID pandemic, when building one cabin on their 2,500 acres of farmland grew into something more.
- The couple purchased the cabooses on Facebook Marketplace and positioned them where an old railway line used to exist on the property.
What they're saying: "Seeing how popular short-term rentals were during COVID, we thought this would be a great way to make our farm more sustainable for generations to come," says Cindy Hayes.
- "It's a way to enjoy the property that is literally right in our backyard and share it with other people."
💠Troy's thought bubble: The place is beautiful and an alternative to Hocking Hills, which is about an hour away and can feel a bit touristy.
- It's also just 20 minutes from downtown Athens, which features mom-and-pop restaurants and bars.
If you go: Hayes says bookings will open on their website before the end of the month, with Labor Day weekend being the first time the public can stay on the property.
- A stay in one of the cabooses starts at $249 per night. The more traditional cabins start at $449 per night.
- The cabooses each sleep three to four people, while the cabins come with a bed and sleeper sofa.
