The Hocking Hills tipi (teepee) creates a fun family adventure
If you’ve been around YTB for any time, you know that I’m a sucker for unique lodging and unforgettable experiences! I couldn’t think of anything better to check off both boxes than sleeping in a tipi in Ohio’s Hocking Hills. The tipis (or teepees) are an Ohio family getaway that the adults and kids will love!
Where can I sleep in a tipi?
At Boulder’s Edge Cabin and Tipi Resort is conveniently located only 35 minutes from downtown Columbus on the edge of the Hocking Hills region. If you plan to hike while visiting the Hocking Hills tipi, the entrance to At Boulder’s Edge Cabin and Tipi Resort is just across the road from the parking lot at Rockbridge Nature Preserve.
Sleeping in a tipi in Hocking Hills – what to expect
We are fairly new to camping, so I had a lot of questions about how primitive sleeping in a tipi would be! It turns out, it’s pretty primitive! This isn’t Hocking Hills glamping. 😉 The nice thing is – you don’t have to pack a tent or worry about the set-up and tear-down (like fitting that darn tent back in the bag).
The tipis are 26 feet in diameter, and the owners allow up to 10 people per tipi. We had all 6 of us in the tipi (including one pack-and-play) and had plenty of room! The only pre-existing items in the tipis are a wood stove and a small table (think nightstand) with a fire extinguisher. If you wanted to play cards or eat indoors, bringing a card table and chairs to set up inside the tipi would be helpful.
There are three tipis on site and one shared porta-potty and solar shower. The shower only runs in the summer months! I had to experience the outdoor shower and it was a lot of fun – Any shower feels good when it’s 85 degrees with 65% humidity! We visited the tipi on a Sunday night and the other tipis were vacant, otherwise I may have felt a bit exposed in the outdoor tipi. The walls aren’t that high and my head stuck out like Big Bird in a convertible. Ha!
To make the most of this camping experience, we’d like to come back with a group of friends and rent the two tipis close to each other, the Big Buck and Red-Tailed Hawk (the new cover has a buffalo). If you aren’t traveling with a group and want more privacy, rent the Thundering Horses tipi. Disclaimer: The Thundering Horses tipi is located probably 100 yards from the other tipis, but it’s also further from the bathroom and next to the owner’s garage.
The tipis have a wooden platform, so each camper needs an air mattress or cot. Anything larger than a queen bed won’t fit through the entrance to the tipi while inflated. Remember, there is no electricity on site, so make sure you have a portable pump (Amazon link). Ours works in our car’s 12V adapter.
What to bring to camp at the Tipis:
Portable air pump
Tablecloth for the picnic table
Flashlights and lantern
Games or lawn games
Towels
Hand soap and hand sanitizer (there is a sink next to the solar shower)
Flip flops for the shower
Cash to purchase firewood at check-in
Any other camping gear you are used to traveling with
Bug spray (although I was impressed with how few bugs were inside the tipi)
Things to do in Hocking Hills
It’s no secret that one of my favorite things to do in Hocking Hills is to explore the many trails and beautiful rock formations with my family. I already have numerous posts on the best hikes at Hocking Hills- including off-the-beaten-path destinations and the best family-friendly hikes.
Looking for more unique lodging? How about combining a trip to the teepee with a trip to the Hocking Hills Caboose?
If you’re planning a weekend getaway to the region, I also have a 3-day itinerary for Hocking Hills with kids.
We had a great time sleeping in nature at the At Boulder’s Edge Tipi! We loved making memories with our kids and would definitely come again and bring friends.
Have any more questions about this unique camping experience in Ohio? I’d love to answer them in the comments!
PIN FOR LATER:
Things like awesome! I hope to visit there on one of my trips back to the Buckeye state.
You should definitely come check it out!